England; Cornwall

Elona typing

Well after a few hours of driving the synapses started to work properly and driving wasn’t such a chore that is of course until we hit some of the very very narrow roads in Cornwall!! OMG these can be harrowing – definitely the both of us attained a few more grey hairs over our time in Cornwall. Our first stop was a lovely town; Falmouth staying at a Guest House called Camelot (of course!). The trip itself was absolutely beautiful – we had to drive through the moors which to me just brings back sooo many novels/movies in my head such as all the Jane Austen books of course and then there is Jamaica Inn, The Secret Garden and the list just goes on and on and on. To be here again for me and to show Megs this fabulous place filled me with absolute glee. For me though I was in a different season; the last time being winter and this time summer. Now you may say well, that doesn’t really make that much difference but unbelievably the weather was pristine blue skies with just a light chill in the morning and warm afternoons. It was sooo not the misty moors – it was just gorgeous.

Our landlords at Camelot; Jenny and Andy were just fabulous and were able to give us many suggestions as to where to go to see the sites and some of our own that they suggested we could probably miss but there are just some places like Lands End that need visiting even though they are complete tourist trap now. I have say personally this has probably been the most disappointing thing about revisiting a number of places – I understand tourism brings in money but commercialism does change a feel about a place.

Ok so the list goes like this: Boscastle  NW Cornwall– an amazing little port town that has some very interesting history in itself due to the odd shape of the port and the difficulty in getting ships into the area etc but the most recent history is the flooding that occurred in this little town on Monday, 16 August 2004.The village suffered extensive damage after flash floods caused by an exceptional amount of rain that fell over eight hours that afternoon. The flood in Boscastle was filmed and extensively reported. The flood was the worst in local memory. The peak flow was about 140m³/s between 5:00pm and 6:00pm. The annual chance of this (or a greater) flood in any one year is about 1 in 400. At midday on the 16th August 2004, heavy thundery showers had developed across the South West; these were the remnants of Hurricane Alex (2004) which had crossed the Atlantic. The footage we saw was just crazy and to actually walk it after seeing the footage was truly heart wrenching but the amazing news is that there was not one fatality – very lucky little town.

The list continues with Tintagel – the home of King Arthur. Now some of you may be non-believers but please don’t burst our little bubble. There is not enough proof either way we have decided – no argument people. Hey all in all it was fun to see such old ruins and to relate it all to things we have read or seen. The place is much more commercial but still worth an audible “Wow!” to the amazing views and the whole Merlin’s cave is just perfect – it’s soooo cool with what looks like a dragon lounging outside – obviously rock formations but still pretty cool in our eyes!!!! No scoffing either people!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next; Port Isaacs suggested to us by the gorgeous Andy who informed us that not only is this a picturesque little port town - which it is – it is also the home or set of Doc Martin. Both our mother’s watch this series so we thought we would give it a look and we are so glad we did because we had a lovely coastal walk, found out that my favourite mints that were introduced to me by my Dad; Fishermen’s Friends were also from this little town and we had a fabulous dinner at a local pub J It was a lovely afternoon and much enjoyed by the both of us – check out the photos.

Also visited was Mousehole (said malzel) where we had the magnificent Cornish Cream Tea (basically what we call Devonshire Tea with much better cream) Another cute little port town. Now …hhhhhmmmmmm Land’s End – we were warned but still shocked by the commercialism but a short walk either side of the nasty touristic bit led us to the magnificent rugged coastline that is so very Cornwall to me – even the sun decided to hide behind clouds for this as well which just added to that ruggedness!!!

Now one of our very favourite places to visit was Minack Theatre. It is an open-air theatre, constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea (minack from Cornish meynek means a stony or rocky place). The theatre is located near Porthcurno, 6.4 km from Land's End in Cornwall. The theatre was the brainchild of Rowena Cade, who lived at Minack House overlooking Porthcurno Bay. In 1929, a local village group of players had staged Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in a nearby meadow, repeating the production the next year. They decided that their next production would be The Tempest and Rowena offered the garden of her house as a suitable location, as it was beside the sea. Rowena and her gardener made a terrace and rough seating, hauling materials down from the house or up via the winding path from the beach below.

 One of the funny stories was that on one of her beach walks she came across some very long beams that must have washed up from some shipwreck. Now this frail old lady hauled these beams up to her theatre and it is a tough walk without carrying anything let alone carrying beams of wood!! A few days later again whilst walking on the beach she met up with some men who were in search of missing things from the shipwreck and when asked if she had seen any wooden beams she honestly replied that she did collect some wood and would they like to come up and investigate it – looking at her frail physique and up where she pointed they decided that it was impossible for such a woman to get them there and let her be. Very funny!!

In 1932, The Tempest was performed with the sea as a dramatic backdrop, to great success. Rowena resolved to improve the theatre, toiling hard over the course of the winter months each year throughout her life so that others might perform each summer.

In 1955, the first dressing rooms were built. Since 1976 the theatre has been registered as a Charitable Trust and is now run by a local management team. Rowena Cade died on 26 March 1983, at the age of 89.

Nowadays, the theatre is used from June to September for a full summer season of 17 plays, produced by companies from all over the UK and visiting companies from the USA. The theatre is open for visitors throughout the rest of the year.

Overall our stay in Cornwall was hell exciting driving wise – those narrow roads definitely keep you on your toes that’s for sure but the scenery, the people, the food and the whole feel of the place was wonderful. Cornwall is not only the misty moors; it is soooo much moor than that J


APOLOGIES FROM THE TECH DEPT (US OF COURSE) THE NEXT LOT OF PHOTOS ARE A LITTLE OUT OF ORDER BUT YOU'LL GET THE HANG OF IT I'M SURE :)

How can you not think Cornwall is gorgeous - just look at the place!

Ok so the roads are a little narrow...

But the old buildings are just everywhere and hold wonderful stories;

this is the town of Boscastle and this is the local Inn - apparently

has a ghost.

Boscastle - heading towards the port - tides out

Very unusual port because of the way it is shaped - all boats/ships

had to be guided in

Lovely view from the hill in Boscastle - just an aside; they had a horrific flood here

-read above for details - amazing story

How's this for a lawn mower/hedge trimmer/ make the roads a little less narrow!!

The never ending steps of Tintagel - Arthur must have been bloody fit I tell you!

Look at the resting Dragon ie Merlin's Cave - stop scoffing 'unbelievers'!!!!

Great archway

Great views

fabulous rugged coastline

Welcome to Cornwall people - magnificent!!

The birds over here are enormous and not very frightened of people!!

Looking down on the ruins of Tintagel

The beach leading to Merlin's Cave "Uhh uh - no scoffing I said!!"

Stonehenge - behind a fence these days and you have to pay to get in but still worth

a visit - it's lovely to still see the agriculture that surrounds it and of course the sheep!!

Ohhh the beautiful Port Isaac -home of Doc Martin

Some cutesy stores - rain hat and seagull - just lovely!

If I had room I would have bought this - very nautical/beachy; love this kind of decor

Pub Dinner - always good - we haven't had a bad pub dinner yet!!

We actual do love the roads of Cornwall even though they are a little

scary at times they are certainly picturesque!

Holy Crap - they put up a sign!!

Back to Boscastle - such a picturesque little town

With lovely stone buildings

Now these were interesting in Boscastle (you know I how I love

to take a photo or two in a toilet!!) This unit here in Boscastle

soaps, washes, rinses and blows your hands dry all in the one

hole :) You just need to know where to hold your hands when.

Very clever

Lots of Tea Houses line the  river side

Not a huge town; Boscastle that's for sure 

Has a nice archway - to nothing really but nice stonework

This is walking down towards the port - tides out obviously

Tea House Boscastle

Down at the Port at Boscastle

During the floods at Boscastle the cars from the car park were

swept over the top of this bridge along with all the debris of houses

and trees

Pretty shot - shame people got into it!!

Right totally out of order but of course the sign of commercialism!!

One of our favourite places - Minack Theatre;

we did try to get in to see a show but it was fully booked out!

Can you imagine sitting here watching a Shakespearian play - magnificent

back drop!

Perfect place to sit and have a picnic dinner before and during the show

They were setting up for Guys and Dolls to be shown on the weekend

Just an amazing feat from an amazing lady

Box seat!

Ok jumping back to Tintagel - with Megs

From the site looking up to the Camelot Hotel

Just an arty shot from Tintagel - plenty of these to be had!

Looking down at Merlin's Cave

Megs contemplating

Again we had the most perfect weather in Cornwall - Tintagel

with bells

Every corner brings excitement in Cornwall - this one definitely made

me stop I'm telling you!

Other side of Tintagel - looking away from Merlin's Cave 

On our way out after a lovely time experiencing Camelot...well Tintagel.

Lots of stairs - with great views though!

Our reward for all the stairs Cornish Ice Cream - Yum!!!

We had Cream Tea at Mousehole (said malzel; like a yank)

Again the roads can be harrowing especially when you come round the corner

and there is nowhere to pass!

This is a two way road!

St Michael's Mount Cornwall

Port Isaac - is probably the most picturesque port town

Beautiful coastal walk with lovely houses on one side and coast on

the other.

Coming round the coastal walk towards the port

Official place to get all paraphernalia of Doc Martin

Such cute nautical stores in Port Isaac

The water is so clean that people swim in the port - they use this area like a beach

As with all Cornish towns - they like the narrow roads!

Now I didn't know this and it means a lot more to me than Doc Martin;

Port Isaac is the home of Fisherman's Friends; the mints my

dad introduced to me years ago :)

This is apparently Doc Martin's Pharmacy

Which is a fudge shop when not filming :)

They definitely use the show - but the town is gorgeous on it's own merits

All these houses on this hill have this wonderful view in

Port Isaac

The view from the side

Just gorgeous

Ok Doc Martins house

cordoned off but I though I'd give it a try - no one home though!

We really did love this town's feel...

views...

more views...

fabulous pubs

that have fabulous meals

nothing like a good curry

Not a church...

but a residence with a man enjoying the summer sun

playing his guitar in the back

Massive seagulls at Port Isaac - they have no fear - I was this close!!

No zoom used!

Sorry - another artsy one

Though the weather was fabulous we did pass this area that had water

over the road!?

Didn't look flooded either

Ok - Lands End - disappointing with all the commercialism

shops...

3D shows and rides...

This is still the same though which is nice; restaurant/baker

Last Hotel

again it's nice to know that some of the original buildings survived the whole

commercialism/tourist trap stuff

Where there used to be a pole with all the countries names where everyone gets their photo; you

know cause it's Land's End -

well... you still have that but now you have to pay 10 pound to 

put your country's name up and take a photo!!!

But a walk away from the tourist stuff gives you the magnificent rugged view

of Lands End

Well yes it is!

This was the only day we had cloud and the whole misty feel of Cornwall

Sorry for the jump in photos but this is the beach view from 

Minack Theatre

Self Explanatory

Beautiful gardens here as well

Upper side view of the theatre

Halfway looking up at the side

From the stage looking over the edge

The stage

Lighting area and Megs

Stage area

Side stairs with view to the beach below

Meg's and some lovely flowers

Looking down from the side steps

Ok another jump - back to Mousehole, with very cute shops and fabulous

Cream Tea

Tide out at Port of Mousehole

Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream!!

There it is people - yum!

Lovely stone buildings of Mousehole

Many quaint corners

that hide some amazing things!

Mousehole - look at these seagulls!!

Mousehole coast

Us with Andy from Camelot Guest House -

he was a great help with the sites to see in Cornwall - will

go back one day to see the sites we missed!

Andy's dogs

Our work area at the Camelot Guest House

Breakfast Area - fabulous breakfast every day without fail!

Thanks Andy and Jenny for a fabulous Cornwall experience.