On Sunday I took a drive down to the Cornish coast and had a wander around various places. The weather report said it would be cloudy for a few hours then clear up later on. My first stop was Wheal Coates near St Agnes, and when I arrived it was really overcast with lots of low cloud coming over the cliffs. Visibility wasn't great and I was a bit disheartened as I knew I wouldn't get a decent shot at this location. So I had a wander around the coastal path for an hour or so, fired off a few shots and then headed to my next location. Coming home and editing this shot the low cloud actually gives it a bit of drama and with the area's history I think it suits the shot to a tee. Wheal Coates is an old Cornish tin mine, operating between 1802 and 1889, 140 people worked deep underground in cramped and stifling conditions. Most men working here were considered old and worn out at 40, Many suffered with bronchitis, silicosis, TB and rheumatism. Accidents caused by explosions, falling, rock falls, drowning and entanglement in machinery were a real danger and took many lives. I don't think I would be cut out to work here, knowing how rough the Cornish coast can be it must have taken a much harder man than me to survive in a job like that.
