Back to Minions for another Cornish walk. Unfortunately the leader had not had time to explore the local mines but never mind it was a clear evening so off we went to explore them anyway.
First of all we passed the wreck of the Cheeswring pub surrounded by fencing and now missing the remains of its roof, but no signs of any other work. It was then off down the track onto the route of the old mine railway that ran from Minions down to Liskeard, passing an isolated building that is up for auction and will require a lot of work to make it habitable.
Dropping down from the track onto the access land we then found our way to many of the old engine houses and mines that litter the west side of Caradon Hill. Apparently South Caradon Mine was for a short period the most productive and
wealthiest copper mine in Cornwall, but it didn’t last for long. More information about the mines and many others throughout Cornwall can be found at www.Explorecornwall.org/South-Caradon-Mine.
After a brief coffee break, watching the horse and rider making her way out of the quarry, it was down into Crows Nest where we stopped at The Crows Nest for an alcoholic beverage sat outside. It was then the steep climb out of the valley
to head back to the cars. One of our number expressing their disappointment that we were not going to be able to see the Firework Competition in Plymouth, when there in the distance we were able to enjoy the display without being in the crowds on Plymouth Hoe.
You really do have to be there!
Peter