Falmouth (Cornwall), UK

I probably sound like a broken record when it comes to sharing what I see as I pull back the curtains each morning. But today was especially beautiful. I took these (and many more) from our deck balcony. Between this site and the ship internet, I'm unable to upload a short video, but I scanned an almost 180 of the scene and the view was a lot to take in! The photos below capture only small portions of it.

 

 

Our excursion today took us on a scenic drive from Falmouth through a number of quaint villages to Penzance. The drive took us first through Falmouth, then through the historic heart of Cornwall and on through several other small villages. As we rode, our guide shared with us about the area's mining history of tin and copper during the 18th and 19th centuries. He pointed out the remains of old mine chimneys and engine houses that powered the huge steam pumps that were used to drain the deep mineral mines. 

 

 

climate and location allows everything to grow here

The drive was very pretty but unfortunately, almost every photo was through a fairly fast moving bus window so the majority of them were throwaways. We had only one photo stop and that was to see St. Michael's Mount ("Cornwall's Fairytale Castle") but only from a distance. It sits on a tidal island connected to the mainland by a stone causeway. At low tide you can walk across it but at high tide you must take a boat. The island was once a monastery.

 

St. Michael's Mount (background) with man parasailing (foreground)

The roads were narrow and it sometimes felt as if we could touch the trees lining the road. Like many of the English countrysides, centuries old stone hedges divide the landscape. Unlike the Cotswold villages, the homes are a mix of old and new. The remains of old mine chimneys dot the hillsides but unfortunately I wasn't able to photograph one.

 

When we reached The Queen's Hotel in Penzance, we were treated to what the British call a "cream tea". That doesn't describe the tea itself; it just means tea, a scone (often with raisins or currants), clotted cream and strawberry or raspberry jam. There is a centuries-old rivalry between Cornwall and Devon as to whether the clotted cream or the jam goes on first. The Cornish say the jam goes on first but the folks from Devon say the clotted cream goes first. Our guide took a vote and most of us felt that the jam should go first. Ronnie (being a scientist at heart) cut his in half with jam first on one side and clotted cream first on the other. He said they tasted the same - surprising for someone who puts mayonnaise on the cheese side of his sandwich and mustard on the ham side. He swears he can taste the difference. HA!!

 

 

jam comes first!

the real deal from Devon

Speaking of Ronnie, for some time he has had a desire to walk the Salt Path and he was excited to see part of it today when we stopped to photograph St. Michael's Mount. We also learned today that St. Michael's Way is a small section of the Camino de Santiago that runs through Penzance.  

I have to share this last one for a laugh. I'm guessing this couple must have had a long flight yesterday because they didn't seem to be getting very much out of the bus ride.

 

LOL