Rambling around Looe

After a few rainy days, it was good to get out and about yesterday.  Starting in West Looe and the Millpool car park, this was the view across the boating lake to East Looe and some of the rather nice houses built into the hillside above the town. There was a stiff breeze blowing and it was quite bracing - brought colour to the cheeks! 

Two hopeful fishermen were just setting up their rods to catch Flounder in the shallow, muddy estuary as the tide rushed in to meet the river.

As the sun briefly emerged from behind a cloud, it illuminated this house on the far bank of the Looe River; it sits among the beech trees that are home to all the local herons, Egrets and Little Egrets. Its claim to fame is that it was once owned by Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner from Coronation Street).  I'd love to see inside it.

 And as I wandered further along the bank, I spotted a pair of herons sitting by their untidy twiggy nest, high in the trees.

Obligingly, the sun came out again and brought out the russet of the remaining beech leaves. 

It was difficult to focus steadily on the birds as the wind was quite strong and my camera at full zoom; one of those times when a tripod would have been useful. But the male suddenly woke up and turned his head so that his beak was distinguishable and I held my breath and pressed the shutter.  At last - recognisably a Heron!

 Of course, there are many birds here; the estuary is a popular feeding ground Gulls galore!

 Ducks sleeping and sunbathing at the water's edge; they live quite happily all year round in the salt water.

 As the sun slipped lower in the sky, we left the Millpool and crossed Looe Bridge to East Looe and one of our favourite cafes on Fore Street, Cafe Fleur.

Looking through the window at the houses and hotels of West Looe and Hannafore.

Before getting back in the car, a few photos of the fishing boats currently tied up in the harbour. 

 And finally - the last of the sun reflecting in the windows of the higher houses above the main car park.