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Daily Archives: March 16, 2015

Anna Atkins, Amigurumi Discworld and A Story

1 So many beautiful things have come my way today! Firstly there was the Google doodle which led me to discover all about Anna Atkins, an English botanist and photographer, whose 216th birthday is today! She is best known for her haunting photographs of British algae and the photos are very beautiful.She is often considered the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images. Some sources, Wikipedia claim that she was the first woman to create a photograph. You can find out more here too.

2 I’m sure that you are all aware of the passing of Terry Pratchett, the creator of so many wonderful fantasy novels. This amazing creation, by June Gilbank, came my way today. Isn’t it just wonderful? I have permission to post it here. Do click on the red link and read her tribute to Sir Terry.

June’s Crochet Discworld

I am very taken with the new word I have learned today – Amigurumi (編みぐるみ, lit. crocheted or knitted stuffed toy) is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. I am working on a knitted one at the moment which I will show you soon.

3 One of the projects I used to set my Year 7 pupils was to create a story book. I found one of these little treasures today and am still in touch with the writer who wrote this in in 1990 something. Lovely memories of happy days as a teacher!

We Have Shrunk

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Posted by mybeautfulthings on March 16, 2015 in art, Beauty, crochet, photography, Postaday 2015

Tags: Amigurumi, Anna Atkins, child writing, 編みぐるみ, Discworld, Japanese art, June Gilbank, Sir Terry Pratchett

Weekly Photo Challenge – Wall

16 Mar

Here are walls rather than a wall – walls left by the Tin Mining Industry that was such an important part of Cornwall’s history. These are the relics of the workings at South Wheal Frances – not quite as the brief described but still, walls with stories and history.You could find out more here if you are interested.

South Wheal Frances

The Miners’ Dry

Information

Circle in the wall

Light on the stone work

Arches in the brickwork

The engine house

For other interesting interpretations of this week’s Photo Challenge, click here.

I have just picked up this message which you may find interesting. Wheal Frances is on The Great Flat Lode Trail.

KernowPhoto

Someone has messaged me asking what ‘The Great Flat Lode’ is all about, so I thought I’d post an explanation to all.

The Great Flat Lode is a tin rich seam which cuts across the upland area south of Redruth and Camborne. Despite its name its not very flat and dips into the ground at about 45deg. However, all terms are relative, most other seams dip at 70-90deg,

Many mines were sunk where the Great Flat Lode is found near the ground surface. Many of these mines were linked to each other with ‘tramways’ most of these used horse drawn skips on rails which were used to carry coal from the coast (mainly Portreath, Hayle and Devoran), to the mines and to carry the tin and copper ore from the mine to the processing areas and/or to the coast for export.

Today the routes of those old tramways have been converted to the ‘Mineral Tramways Trail’ which provides mainly level, traffic-free access to one of Cornwall’s historic mining regions. There are over 37 miles (60km), of paths including the circular Great Flat Lode and the coast-to-coast Portreath-Devoran Tramway. The trails connect to other routes established including The Cornish Way and the South West Coastal Footpath.