Wednesday, June 5
It was great with a beautiful view, beautiful weather and me snapping pictures again as we climbed through rounded grassy, patchwork mountains. We were braking coming down the hills and chugging going up them, the steeper they became.
Cornwall's industries are fishing, tourism, surfing and sailing. Their crest is a sailor on one side and a tin miner on the other with gold balls below signifying coins used to rescue the king from ransom. Their motto is, For One and All.
The barren mountains with patches of woods and heather are called Upland Moor. The two lane road we drove is the main road into Cornwall and in the summer, there can be 5 mile back ups. We're lucky it is a good time to visit.
While we drove Henry put on the story of Sir Francis Drake. It was a good story told in chapters and very well done. It sounded pretty exciting and made me want to learn more about him.
As we got closer to the coast, a fog rolled in and the temperature dropped. Many of us did not bring warm enough clothes as it was so warm in Plymouth.
We went by a pheasant farm and saw quite a few wild pheasants along the road in our drive. We also saw many Wind Turbines and Henry said Cornwall leads the country with them. No one seems too enthused.
We stopped in White Cross for a comfort break. It was on the sea with a view of St. Michael's Island. It was grey and windy, but very beautiful. We watched a horse and rider gallop full speed down the beach. It was impressive. The. Bathrooms were being fixed, so we had to use the Porta-Loos.
On out towards Land's End, we passed an old church and cemetery. The church was started in 520 AD and had a sign that said it was the last church in England as we were almost at the end of the point of land. In the cemetery was a typical Celtic cross with the cross set in a circle combining the Celtic circle of life and cycles of seasons with the Christian faith.
Land's End had the typical little shops and a snack bar, but it had a fabulous view of the cliffs. It was windy, cold and rugged, but so beautiful. We were all out hiking the trails and it was worth it.
As we left Land's End, Henry and Ron, our relief driver for the day, made the decision to take the Tin Coast road to St. Ives. It went past abandoned mines and houses. What a day to be in the front seat. It was narrow and curving and at times people had to back up to let us through. We had to stop for horses too. Henry said we were lucky as most drivers did not want to attempt it with a bus. It was breath taking we were so close to buildings and hedges. We kept trying to get a picture and just couldn't do it justice. It was an exciting ride and I tried not to gasp...well maybe a little.
The Cornish Peninsula is dotted with small fishing villages at the bottom of very steep hills. Our bus can not go down into St. Ives, so we have to walk or take a shuttle. Houses there are thrown up together every which way, where ever there is space. We walked down the very steep hill bracing all the way to keep from pitching forward. It was rough on the knees, but we did it. We wound down down through the streets full of shops to the beautiful harbor front. The sun was back out and it was hazy, beautiful. The connected buildings looked different here with their pastel colors. The sand, water colors and buildings made me think of pictures I have seen of the Mediterranean.
We met up with Daryl and Jo-Anne and had a lovely seafood lunch overlooking the harbor.
Then we walked along the harbor and met up with some of the others. John and Mary showed us where to get ice cream and Bob had to try a lamb and mint pasty. After all of that, we took the bus back to the top. It was a delightful place to visit.
Then we walked along the harbor and met up with some of the others. John and Mary showed us where to get ice cream and Bob had to try a lamb and mint pasty. After all of that, we took the bus back to the top. It was a delightful place to visit.
We drove back to Plymouth to the harbor and took a cruise learning the history of the area. We saw where the Pilgrims embarked on their voyage to America. It was pretty impressive.
We stopped in the park on this now gloriously warm, sunny day and took pictures of the monuments including one to Sir Francis Drake.
We stopped in the park on this now gloriously warm, sunny day and took pictures of the monuments including one to Sir Francis Drake.
We cram so much in to a day it's no wonder we pass out at night. Just when I think we're winding down, we have another great adventure.
