Fowey Harbour
~

"I looked towards the harbour mouth. There were small boats everywhere, and yachts at anchor, but more stirring still a big ship was drawing near, with two attendant tugs, to moor a few cables' length from the house itself. There was a smell in the air of tar and rope and rusted chain, a smell of tidal water. Down harbour, around the point, was the open sea." ~ from Vanishing Cornwall (Daphne du Maurier)

It is at Punche's Cross that it is said that it marks the time of Jesus's visit to Britain as a young man, with his Uncle, Joseph of Aramathea. This event is celebrated in William Blake's famous and rousing song and hymn "Jerusalem". Punche's Cross itself has been known to have been there for many centuries, and was recorded by Leland in the 1500s. It was likely put there by the monks of the monastery at Tywardreath, and has always been maintained and replaced since then - it now marks the limit of jurisdiction of the Fowey Harbour Commissioners, being opposite St.Catherine's Castle on the Fowey side.

"And did those Feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green
And was the Holy lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills?"

And were those "dark satanic mills" the old tin mines of Cornwall? After all, Mr. Aramathea was a merchant in the first century tin trade, and trading with Britain (and that would be Cornish tin). He was known to ply his trade in British waters, but this would not be a good spot to come ashore though...