Carloggas Downs
Sometimes I will come across a random fact since living here, some facts people will already know but others never get spoken about. It never occurred to me when I was younger to notice the small things but the older I get the more appreciation I have for these things no matter how random or small they are, so here are some facts I love about Cornwall:
Klys Sunsets
Cornwall has its own language
A part of my blog name is actually in cornish, Klys translates to cosy which is why it fits what this blog is about. The given name for the language is Kernewek, the status of the language changed from extinct to critically endangered back in 2010, there are around 300 people who still speak the language. The biggest reason for this was due to the failed prayer Brook rebellion, people dropped the language and by the 18th or 19th century it was considered extinct. Luckily there are people who still want to keep the language alive, there is an organisation called GoCornish who want to help give people the opportunity to learn the cornish language. On their website you can find learning materials, apps, tools and classes and groups. Some of my favourite Cornish words are:
- Blowth - which means blossom
- Delen - A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning which means petal (James calls me Petal)
- Delennyk - meaning little petal which is a diminutive form.
- Kerensa - which means love or beloved one
- Kernow Bys Vyken - Cornwall Forever
- Klys - Cosy/snug
Port Isaac
Cornwall's Coastline
Cornwall's Coastline has the longest coastline and has over 300 beaches across 422 miles. I learnt this fact when I first moved here, I was shocked. I knew we had a lot of beaches but didn't realise just HOW many there were. The great thing about this (for me at least) means there is never a shortage of places to explore and discover, since moving here 15 years ago I haven't even scratched the surface and me and my family/ partner have visited a lot of places in Cornwall. Cornwall is almost completely surrounded by the atlantic ocean from the south, so when that cold wind blows through it can be chilly. Cornwall is known for many things one of them is the fishing industry, because of the vast amount of sea we have surrounding us there are around 40 harbours across Cornwall with fishing boats operating in and out of them.
Truro Cathedral
Truro is Cornwall's only City
You read that right, the city has a population of over 21k people, it's also famous for its gothic architecture and cobble stones. I don't often go Truro unless it's for my hospital appointments and even then it can be overwhelming as it gets pretty busy. One of my favourite places in Truro is the cathedral, it's so beautifully build and has a gothic design, it took 30 years to build, the build started from 1880 to 1910 and is one of 3 in the whole of the UK to have towering spires. The name Truro was developed from the Cornish for "three rivers" which are the Kenwyn, the Allen and the Truro River, the start to develop between these as a port for importing tin.
My Cornish Piskie
Cornish Piskies
My grandad would take a lot of trips to Cornwall because his brother lived here, one year he asked me what I wanted him to bring me back and I said a necklace. He did just that, he bought me back a piskie necklace that I cherished for years. Unfortunately it was stolen but a couple of years ago I found the exact Piskie charm from the necklace on Ebay, I spent years searching for this Piskie and cried when I found it. James ended up buying me it, it may not be the one my grandad gave me but it's the exact same copy that I wear all the time. There are many stories and tales about piskies who were known as a fairy tribe in Cornwall, they were both known to be helpful, happy and little prankster creatures. It is said that they would help the elderly or weak whilst leading the able bodied astray so they become lost. It is also said that if Piskies reside in your home they can reward you with good luck, I have 4 different kinds of piskies in my home.
Cornish palms in St Austell
The Cornish Palm
I won't lie, I used tobe taken aback with just how many palms were around Cornwall. Due to Cornwall being a county that forms the southwestern Peninsula of England we get a warm climate regulated by the gulf stream (still gets cold though). Due to this we have palm trees that grow happily around Cornwall all year around, these types are called Cordyline australis, they are originally from New Zealand. I myself would love one, but they grow pretty big and I don't really want to have to dig one up that a neutered and grew if I ever move house so I can take it with me. I'm a plant lady so you bet I have looked into native plants a few times, especially when there are invasive plants that could kill off the native ones here. Cornwall wildlife trust encourage people to plant flowers native to cornwall to help with the rewild project which you can find HERE, it's something I have been taking part in not only to help with rewilding but also to help nature such as bees, other insects etc. Cornwall has a lot of native plants, to name a few:
- Cornish Heath - the only place in the UK that it grows, is heathland on the Lizard peninsula
- Eyebright - pretty little white flowers
- The Sessile Oak - unofficial emblem in both Cornwall and Wales
- Thrift - Grows along the coastlines
I hope you enjoyed my post, with love from
ʚThe Cosy Mermaidɞ
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