Boscastle is a picturesque harbour village located on the north coast of Cornwall, England. The village sits in the valleys of the River Valency and the River Jordan. At the mouth of the River Valency is a natural harbour, the only significant harbour for 20 miles (32 km) along the coast. In August 2004 Boscastle was extensively damaged by flooding caused by unusually heavy rainfall. Around 50 cars were swept into the harbour, the village’s visitor centre was washed away and 91 people had to be rescued.
Thursday, 25th May 2023
View across the River Valency in Boscastle close to the village’s small harbour located where the river meets the sea. Immediately in front are two dogs, probably Labradors, paddling in the river, and their male owner standing on a shingle bank alongside. A large white-painted cottage can be seen on the far bank.The River Valency in Boscastle looking upstream through part of the village. People, most or all of them visitors, can be seen walking along a narrow road by the river. A stone bridge crosses the river ahead and several stone-built houses can also be seen. Beyond the steep wooded slopes of the valley formed by the River Valency can be seen.Looking downstream along the River Valency in Boscastle. The buildings by the river at this point mostly contain small shops catering for visitors: they are selling items including clothes, plants and ice creams. The river here is about two metres wide and the water-level is quite low. The banks of the river are covered with grass and wild flowers. The slopes of the valley can be seen ahead, descending as they near the sea. The higher ground in this direction is largely covered with grass and scrub.Selfie of Tony as he walks by the River Valency in Boscastle.Tony outside the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle. This small museum was founded in 1951 by the English folk magician Cecil Williamson. Its exhibits cover folk magic, ceremonial magic, Freemasonry, and Wicca, and it claims to have the largest collection of associated objects in the world. The museum was damaged and part of its collection lost during the Boscastle flood of 2004.Tony inside the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. He is by a mannikin of a witch in a white dress being restrained with chains, shackles and an iron scold’s bridle mask. Part of a display about the historic persecution of witches.A display in the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic with a witch sitting at a kitchen table reading a crystal ball. Two stuffed cats are sat either side of her on the table. The table is covered with other objects including a bowl of apples, a mortar and pestle, bones and jars that appear to contain dried plants. A dresser alongside is filled with many bottles presumably to hold potions.A painting in the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. It depicts elves sitting on both a toadstall and a human skull. One of the elves is holding playing cards.A display case at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. Some of the object are difficult to interpret, but include crystal balls, a silver goblet and what appear to be candlesticks covered with large amounts of multi-coloured melted wax so only their metal bases can be seen.Another display case containing various items including a chalice and wands.A 19th-century pottery jardinière: an urn intended to hold flowers or other plants. This one has a depiction of the legend of Faust on the front. In the legend Faust is dissatisfied with his life and makes a pact with the Devil. The Devil gives Faust unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures for a limited time and in exchange Faust gives his soul to the Devil for eternity. The urn depicts the Devil’s representative, Mephistopheles, helping Faust seduce a girl named Gretchen, whose life is ultimately destroyed when she gives birth to Faust’s illegitimate son.View from a street-side outdoor table at the Rebellion Roast House in Newquay. Newquay is a town on the north coast of Cornwall about 25 miles (40 km) south-west from Boscastle.
