We had 3 days in Cornwall, with different weather affecting my perception each day. The Saturday was cold and blustery with showers moving through, Sunday was clear blue sky, and Monday very misty but not really cold. On Saturday we went down via St Michael's Mount. The tide was covering the causeway and the amphibious vehicle was only taking residents, so we and the other tourists on the beach couldn't cross to the island. So much simply stops on Oct 31. We drove into Penzance and had a wander, then across to St Ives where we visited the Tate Gallery. St Ives has been a favourite spot for artists for a long time because of the lovely light, but it wasn't the day to be out painting! It was enjoyable meandering along the lanes though, and enjoying the sea views from the comfort of the car.
With the sun shining on Sunday we first went down to Mousehole for the Remembrance ceremony, then drove down to the Minack Theatre near Land's End. This extraordinary amphitheatre was hewn out of the cliff by Rowena Cade and her two gardeners. Toddy had been there for a performance which took place in the summer, but going in winter we could wander around more and take the time to explore and admire the whole construction. At Land's End we set off along the cliff path for a while. The whole of the Cornish Coast is owned by National Trust and there is a coastal path around most of it. It would be amazing to walk the whole thing, staying at youth hostels or B&Bs along the way. For the 2 hours we were there, 3 hang gliders were sailing the currents off the cliffs, sometimes just above our heads, and often accompanied by seagulls almost swirling in harmony. Toddy's reaction? 'I'd so love to do that!'.
We headed back to Penzance for a Cream tea. (tick another thing off the list)
Heading back up the coast, I wanted to see Port Isaac, where Doc Martin is filmed, and Tintagel, so we took the northern coastal route. The mist was very heavy by the time we arrived at Tintagel, asking the cliffs, Church and ruins very atmospheric but not particularly good for photos. It was also very wet and slippery underfoot so I was content to see the ruins from a distance. We travelled a little further along to Boscastle. A number of years ago an enormous torrent of water came off the moors and down the river overnight, washing dozens of cars into the sea. Fortunately no one was killed. It has all been repaired and there are interesting diversion channels in the stream now to reduce the chance of it reoccurring. A school group was there, clipboards in hand, doing Geography field work, I imagine. Lunch at Boscastle was a Cornish miner's pasty - 2/3 meat, and 1/3 fruit filling. They kindly put a hole in the fruit end so you know which end to start. (tick).
And dinner back at Launceston was fish and chips (tick).
With the sun shining on Sunday we first went down to Mousehole for the Remembrance ceremony, then drove down to the Minack Theatre near Land's End. This extraordinary amphitheatre was hewn out of the cliff by Rowena Cade and her two gardeners. Toddy had been there for a performance which took place in the summer, but going in winter we could wander around more and take the time to explore and admire the whole construction. At Land's End we set off along the cliff path for a while. The whole of the Cornish Coast is owned by National Trust and there is a coastal path around most of it. It would be amazing to walk the whole thing, staying at youth hostels or B&Bs along the way. For the 2 hours we were there, 3 hang gliders were sailing the currents off the cliffs, sometimes just above our heads, and often accompanied by seagulls almost swirling in harmony. Toddy's reaction? 'I'd so love to do that!'.
We headed back to Penzance for a Cream tea. (tick another thing off the list)
Heading back up the coast, I wanted to see Port Isaac, where Doc Martin is filmed, and Tintagel, so we took the northern coastal route. The mist was very heavy by the time we arrived at Tintagel, asking the cliffs, Church and ruins very atmospheric but not particularly good for photos. It was also very wet and slippery underfoot so I was content to see the ruins from a distance. We travelled a little further along to Boscastle. A number of years ago an enormous torrent of water came off the moors and down the river overnight, washing dozens of cars into the sea. Fortunately no one was killed. It has all been repaired and there are interesting diversion channels in the stream now to reduce the chance of it reoccurring. A school group was there, clipboards in hand, doing Geography field work, I imagine. Lunch at Boscastle was a Cornish miner's pasty - 2/3 meat, and 1/3 fruit filling. They kindly put a hole in the fruit end so you know which end to start. (tick).
And dinner back at Launceston was fish and chips (tick).
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