Above: Along the harbor in St. Ives the tides are dramatic and later on these boats will be sitting on land.
July 10th-12th (Days Nine through Eleven): CORNWALL
DAY NINE: I was already really enjoying the tour, and then we entered Cornwall. I absolutely loved this section of the trip. I plan to return some day and explore this area even more. The first day we visited Landhydrock House and Gardens and Port Isaac. Landhydrock House reminded me of Downton Abbey with the servants' quarters and the elaborate rooms for the family. Each room is carefully decorated with items from the late Victorian time period. Staff are stationed in period dress throughout the house to answer your questions and to show you how each room was used. I loved the kitchen area the most, especially the elaborate ovens. Even though the house was amazing, I was most interested in the gardens and spent the majority of my time there. The gardens were just filled with perennials. I ate a tasty pasty for lunch at the small cafe next to the house. Later in the afternoon we visited Port Isaac. People were lining up for the Cornish ice cream. The sea gulls were lining up to steal it from them. I walked along a coastal path and enjoyed hearing the sounds of the ocean.
DAY TEN: We began by driving to a small village to see how Cornish pasties are made and to create one to eat ourselves. It was much harder than it looked to make, especially learning how to crimp it closed properly. But, we now had a delicious lunch to eat out by the beach. In the afternoon we drove to the Geevor Tin Mine for a tour. Our tour guide had previously worked at the mine. It was really fascinating to hear about how the tin mining was done and to see the various equipment used in the mine. The tour also really focused on the people that had worked there and the hardships of mining. Even with all the dangers and hardships, our tour guide told us if the mine ever opened back up, he'd work there again in a second.
DAY ELEVEN: This morning we arrived at St. Michael's Mount right as it was opening. It was already busy and the people continued to stream in as we left. Although it was sunny, we faced a stiff wind. Since the tide was out we could walk right up to the island. I took my time walking up the island's cobblestone path and it did not take long to explore the medieval church and castle. What was quite interesting is that the island creates a unique micro climate on one side where many plants can flourish. The gardens were protected from the wind and I enjoyed seeing succulents and other plants I wouldn't associate with England growing here. The afternoon was free time in St. Ives. I parked myself at the beach for a large part of the afternoon and also enjoyed an ice cream cone. Although it was 68 degrees and windy, people were still swimming--hardy souls in England! Then I walked a part of the South West Coast Path. The path was almost deserted in the late afternoon and I kept marveling at the beautiful turquoise shades of the water. If you are up for it, the South West Coast Path goes for around 300 miles around the peninsula.
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MUSINGS ABOUT DAYS NINE THROUGH ELEVEN
- English Gardens: I looked for gardens at each stop on our tour. Hollyhocks lined alleyways. Backyards held mounds of flowers. Each one was lovely and unique in its own right. Some gardens were formal but most others had a "wild" appearance. To me a garden is a place where one can relax and be at peace. Each plant and flower looked like a work of art to me. I was really impressed by the thought, effort, and planning that went into creating them. I especially appreciated the English gardens that tried to mimic the irregularities of nature and looked untamed. I enjoyed the gardens at Landhydrock House and St. Michael's Mount the most.
WALKING THE SOUTH WEST COAST PATH
A Sketchable Moment
Solo Travel Tips |
Slowing Down |
Stepping Up |
Go out in the evenings. Many places hold free or inexpensive concerts. Sometimes entertainment happens in the public squares. In Salisbury, there was a concert in the cathedral when we were there. It is a great way to experience the culture of an area. You will also meet people that have the same interests as you. In the summer, it is light pretty late in many locations in Europe. If you feel uneasy walking back to your hotel there are plenty of taxis around. |
I give myself an A+ for slowing down on this section of the tour. At Landhydrock House and Gardens I realized I couldn't see the house and gardens equally well in the time we had. So, I decided to focus on the gardens and actually started by sitting on a bench and doing a watercolor sketch. I never would have prioritized my time that way in the past. In Port Isaac and St. Ives I also created time to sketch and to take walks away from town. It helped me stay relaxed and when I sketch I notice details I would have otherwise missed. |
Day 9 Walking + Running: 6.5 miles Steps: 16,295 Flights Climbed: 14 floors Day 10 Walking + Running: 3.3 miles Steps: 8,352 Flights Climbed: 3 floors Day 11 Walking + Running: 10.5 miles Steps: 24,257 Flights Climbed: 29 floors |