Wadebridge is near the North coast of Cornwall, UK, quite close to Padstow. It is a centre of tourist attraction because it is on the 'Camel Trail'. This is a long path often walked or ridden along by bike. It goes up the river Camel valley which is certainly very beautiful. I spent two nights in Wadebridge recently. On the first night I took a drive up into the hills South of the town.
Near a windfarm I found this endearing scene looking south. However, what you cannot see very well because, of the environmental works, is that the hills in the distance are almost entirely man-made. This is the site of some huge workings where Kaolin has been extracted for making china clay. You see only two of the spoil heaps from the opencast mining - they are the peaks on the horizon.
Where ever we look on this planet man has had a incredible impact.
China clay mines on Google: http://bit.ly/qlX74m
[switch to satellite view to see the environmental impact. The huge mine is visible from space as a great white blob on an otherwise green landscape. If you zoom out you can see the full extent of it.]
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Are the mining companies required, by law, to restore the property after stripping it? Reminds me of flying over the forests of Oregon and seeing where the loggers clear-cut the land, however they do re-plant for our great grandchildren. You could have cloned in some pastures and I wouldn't have known the naughty miners were at work.
This is awesome. The sheep in the forground add such an wonderful warmth to this gorgeous landscape and what you have written makes it all so interesting.
Wow the link to the clay mine in China is mind blowing! Thanks for sharing that. Your shot is really pretty, but now all I can see are the spoil heaps! :-(
Long time ago I did shipped chinaclay to Holland. ( from Par ) Terrible stuff to get cleaned