1 After some bitterly cold shopping in the town, I called into Murdoch House for a warming coffee. William Murdock,whose house this was, made the first locomotive and tested it here in 1784. He also invented gas lighting and used it first in this house. According to The Encyclopaedia Britannica , ‘he was sent to Cornwall to superintend the fitting of Watt’s steam engines. At his home in Redruth, Cornwall, he experimented in distilling coal and in 1792 lighted his cottage and offices with coal gas.’
- Murdoch House
William Murdoch, inventor of gas lighting
2 There is a beautiful cherry tree on the walk back up the hill.
Cherry tree
Cherry blossom
3 The delicate pastel patterns on this piece of bark which had fallen onto the pavement caught my attention as the pink echoed the pink of the cherry blossom.
Beautiful pastel bark
Don
February 23, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Loved the images and the interesting story of William Murdock, but the the piece of bark stole the show. What a wonderful piece of bark. Never seen any thing like it. Those colours are quite something.
Hudson Howl
February 23, 2013 at 2:36 pm
A photo of a house telling a story of a man of great accomplishments even before 1782. Makes me think of the little village where I now live. It wasn’t even named yet in 1780. They was perhaps one or two rough hewn log shelters as settlers were just beginning to homestead the area. Though close in latitude, our two countries are but distant relatives.
And then the cherry blossoms, Those are mouth watering. Still a long couple of months off for us. So your pics a reminder, to hang in to spring.
The bark -goes to show, if one walks around with head in the clouds, one risks missing all the little bits that sometime are just as interesting.
WordsFallFromMyEyes
February 23, 2013 at 10:56 am
Love the pink blossoms, Sally, just love them.
Don’t love ‘bitterly cold’! But the plaque of Murdoch – I really think it’s good to leave a mark, that you lived, because really, all this life it’s just too surreal. I cannot believe, sometimes – I, I the one who was THERE – I cannot believe sometimes I was who I was, where, and when. Should have left a plaque, for it would be like pinching myself and seeing, yup, I am awake and I WAS there.
Bernice
February 23, 2013 at 3:01 am
Beautiful pictures – love the colors!
petit4chocolatier
February 23, 2013 at 1:42 am
Gorgeous! I love the cherry blossoms 🙂
babyjill7...Marilyn Griffin
February 22, 2013 at 10:08 pm
No cherry blossoms here either…but, I am noticing some budding…and popping up of some tulips…Just beautiful…as your blog title says…and the Murdock House…a coffee shop now???…how wonderful…
mybeautfulthings
February 22, 2013 at 10:10 pm
They have a coffee morning each Friday with volunteers making the coffee and having already made delicious homemade cakes and scones! I bought two cheese scones to take home with me. 🙂
aleafinspringtime
February 22, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Sally! That photo of the cherry blossom close-up is gorgeous! Sharon xx
mybeautfulthings
February 22, 2013 at 9:40 pm
Yes, it is very lovely. Glad you like the shot. I was pleased with it! 🙂
Choc Chip Uru
February 22, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Love the history in this post my friend 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
mybeautfulthings
February 22, 2013 at 9:40 pm
Thanks, CCU. 🙂
Shelagh
February 22, 2013 at 8:01 pm
How wonderful to have cherry blossoms in February. ’twill be May before we see them here.
mybeautfulthings
February 24, 2013 at 3:39 pm
That’s Cornwall for you, I think! xx