68 England - Marazion

 

68c England - Marazion

This is the small village that we spent the night at Wheal Rodney Caravan Park... we didn’t stay in a caravan but a well appointed two bedroom cabin. Using this as a base we stayed two nights in order to explore the Cornwall coast. The little town itself is very pretty  but the big bonus of staying here is that St Michael’s Mount is also here. This is a picturesque castle that sits atop of it’s own island. It’s a copy of its French counterpart Mont St Michel. 

Whilst the tide is low you can cross the causeway to reach the island and then walk the many steps that wind their way up to the castle. Otherwise you catch a small boat over.  On the way over we caught the boat as it was a little early and tide had not completely gone out.. Others waded through the water and from a distance it actually looked like they were walking on water. 

Legend has it that the Mount was built by a giant called Cormoran who would wade ashore to snatch up livestock from local farms and take them back with him.

A reward was offered in return for killing the giant and a young boy called Jack came forward. One night, when Cormoran was sleeping, Jack crept over to the Mount and dug a deep pit halfway up one side. In the morning, Jack blew on his horn to wake the giant from his slumber.

The giant came running down the side of the Mount but could not see Jack as the sun was in his eyes and, not noticing the hole, fell into it. Jack then filled the hole in. Jack became a local hero, and from then on was known as Jack the Giant Killer.

As you walk up to the castle you pass the well and then you come across a heart-shaped stone on the pathway which is the Giant's heart. Rumour has it that if you stand on the heart shaped stone you can still hear the Giant's heart beat.  We tried this but we couldn’t feel it.

The views were magnificent from the top of the castle and the rooms of the castle were still beautifully decorated.  During its long history - the buildings date back to the 12th century - the Mount has been a priory, fortress, a place of pilgrimage and finally became a private home coming into the ownership of the St Aubyn family in 1659.

We walked back along the causeway after we finished  and if you notice the photo’s of the boats you will see one with the tide up and the other with the tide down.

 

67 England - Lands End

You know you can’t go any further once you reach Lands End.  Though I did think that we would see more sea traffic going around the corner.  At least now we can say that we have been there..

 

66 England - Looe

Another village, more seaside and time for another pasty.  Have I mentioned about parking in the UK..... Well if you are driving around and planning to visit a lot of villages, travel with a pocket full of coin.  It is definitely user pays and every time we parked the car the first thing you did was find the machine and get your ticket.

It was here I found out why there are signs everywhere about not feeding the seagulls.... innocently I walked along the water front enjoying my pasty when suddenly from behind I feel something whizz past my ear and make a grab for the pastry still in my hand... Not sure what it was and not giving my food up without a fight ... I realised it was a very cheeky seagull... have we mentioned how big these seagulls are!!.  Being more on guard, this seagull followed me down along the water front looking for any opportunity to have another go...   In the end I won!!!

 

65 England St Ives

A contrast to the other villages we had visited St Ives could be called a bustling Metropolis.  I think we parked at the highest point of the town which had the most steepest paths as they zig zag down to the sea side.   Picking out the prettiest cobbled street we walked passing many bakeries claiming to be the best pasty maker in the village. Many souvenir stores and selling a large array of Cornish Products from Cheeses, ice creams and clotted cream shortbreads.

I stopped to look in the butcher’s window that was not just displaying their meat, but a notice about a resident passing away and giving details of her funeral.  A lady walked up and I asked the question about these notices. She told me that as the newspaper only comes out twice a week, by the time the obituary notice comes out the funeral could be well and truly over.  We noticed these notices displayed in several places throughout the town... she also gave me the low down on St Ives best pasty.... she gave directions and told me to stay focus and not be tempted by those in between.  As nice as that pasty was Port Isaac was still winning.

 

65 England - Mousehole

Another quaint little fishing village that we stumbled on.  Living true to Cornwall style ... narrow streets and very pretty.