Devon and Cornwall 30 April 2023

 Devon and Cornwall 

We awoke to a murky day and the sound of seagulls calling to each other. It’s funny, we live by the sea in New Zealand and seagulls fly by, but I can’t recall hearing their cries like we can hear in Sidmouth. 

 

Today’s exploration took us further south to St Michaels Mount which is almost at Land’s End. We had considered a visit to Land’s End, but decided against it as it looked very touristy. 

After a substantial breakfast we hit the road, well where we could see the road! The mist had rolled in and the land was shrouded in white for much of the drive.

Marazion is an ancient mariners village and St Michael’s Mount is a small Island just off the beach with a stone causeway that allows you to get to the island when the tide is out.

This is not my pic, I have borrowed it from someone else as the causeway was covered when we were here. 

 

Legend has it that back in the day Giant Cormoran lived on the island and would wade across to the mainland and terrorise the villagers. 

One day Jack, soon to be known as Jack the Giant Killer, went across the causeway to the island at night and dug a huge well. The blast of Jack’s horn woke the giant who came rushing down to see who was on his island. And you guessed it, he was killed when he fell down the well.

St Michael's Mount may have been the site of a monastery from the 8th to the early 11th centuries. And a variety of other royals and important people in history haggled over it until 1646 when Sir John St Aubyn bought it, and peace has reigned for the island for ever more.

Parking reasonably close we made our way down to the rocky patch where the boats leave. Obviously the tide was in or I would have been taking the path of Jack the Giant Killer!

As we approached the castle could not be seen, only the small fishing village buildings were visible. 

Lance chose to stay at he bottom and nurse his knee while I made my way up the steep and precarious stone path and steps. About half way up the mist lifted and the castle stood out in all its glory.

This is truely a great place to visit if you are down this way. 

Once again an early start proved to be a blessing. When we lighted from our boat ride there was a huge queue of people wending its way over the rocky outcrop and onto the beach.

Back on the mainland our tummy’s were grumbling so I jumped in the queue at a beachside cafe, that was more like a pop up outdoor shed.  It would have been rude not to eat the local fare, so we managed to devour a steaming hot cornish pastie each.

As I was waiting I noticed that the mist had rolled back in and the island was once again hidden from view.

Our next stop was the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Our GPS  took us through some very pretty countryside on roads that really should only be called bridle paths. There were some hairy moments when we encountered a few cars coming the other way!

Lance stayed in the car and read a book and I whipped around the gardens getting my self lost several times.

Typical of 19th century gardenesque style (yes it is a word, I copied it from google) the gardens have many different areas depicting many different styles. There was only a small portion that was manicured, the rest was more rambling and forest like.  I didn’t get to the New Zealand Garden as I ran out of time, but my main goal was to see the forest sculptures.  They did not disappoint.

When his hair is in flower it is orange. Maybe he is related. 

Back in the car the weather improved as we made our way back to Sidmouth for a dinner at one of the local pubs. 

Lance had googled the pub and he chose it because he felt like a Sunday roast.  The Anchor Inn certainly had a ‘local’ feel to it. This was especially appreciated because it is situated in a very touristy spot.

Dark wood lined the walls and old floral carpet led us to the bar and our table.  We both chose roast beef, and I have to say that I never enjoy a bought roast dinner as much as I enjoy home made. This roast beef did not disappoint! Thinly sliced with loads of gravy it came with some great roasted potatoes and one of the best Yorkshire puds that I have ever had. A plate of veges arrived as well and they were perfect. When we were asked if we wanted sauces I did feel like they were going to let the side down by offering ketchup. I asked what sauces they had and the young lad replied “Most people choose the horseradish or mustard”. And that is just what we had. And it was only 29 quid! Lance checked to make sure they had added our drinks because it was so cheap. 

Back at our hotel we enjoyed a drink before toddling off to bed ready for tomorrows adventures.