It has NOT been a quiet week here in Lake Wobegone ... very busy indeed.
We had some substantial holes where the trees were removed so we went to Nigel's least favourite place in the world, any garden centre. But he knew it had to be done.
Now bear in mind we have absolutely no clue at all what we are doing in the garden, our soil is utter rubbish - just sand really, and nothing we plant does well.
We bought several decent-sized bushes. some are private to form a hedge type things and there was a pieris and another gorgeous purple leaved bush I can't recall. I thought poor Nigel was going to pass out because the digging was so hard. The ground we were working on was full of roots but we got there.
The trouble was, at the garden centre we saw a bronze stag - about 5 feet tall - and we were smitten. We came home to think about it but we decided that it was a worthwhile investment as it would be a real focal point of the garden and would be one thing we wouldn't be able to kill.
So today we went back to fetch Buckley - yes of course he is named - and bought more plants for his area. He looks a bit 'naked' at the moment as the plants will take time to establish but we can see him from the kitchen, the dining room and my studio and we love him.
We are both shattered but happy with what we have achieved.
I have also done loads of work in my scrap room. I bought another 44 Weston Boxes and have been thinning papers and resorting so it will look so much neater. I will show you a photo once it is finished.
So - on to Cornwall day 3
This was the day that we had most been looking forward to and it lived up to our expectations. After a good breakfast again we headed off to The Lizard. This is the most southerly part of the UK and a place we had been to once before but had never seen. On our last visit it was so foggy we could see nothing. Not this trip. The sun was bright and the view was stunning.
We parked at the top carpark and admired the view and then walked down to the lower level.
and from the bottom
It was wild and beautiful and we quite literally had to tear ourselves away.
Our next stop was Kynance Cove and we were very lucky to get one of the last spaces at the bottom car park, otherwise it was a heck of a walk. They were very bust as a huge area was cordoned off with marquees and lights and security and cameras. We asked one the NT guys what it was and he told us they were not allowed to tell but we should google it. It turns out it was filming for the prequel for Game of Thrones. Boy was I thrilled.
Anyway, Kynance cove was stunning though we did not walk down to the cove itself. So much to see, so little time to see it.
From there we headed to Marazion so we could see St Michael's Mount - something else we had visited before and not seen. Years and years ago, before we were married, we went to Cornwall for a weekend break and Nigel had chosen for us to stay at Penzance and made sure we had a sea view room. When we woke up he told me to open the curtains and enjoy St Michale's mount. It was just too funny. You couldn't see two foot in front of your face let alone the mount which, in fairness, would have been small from Penzance even on a clear day.
Marazion didn't disappoint and we found a brilliant place on the street right by the ferry dock to park. We knew we wouldn't be able to go across to the mount itself and felt, anyway, it was nicer to see it than be on it.
we also knew the tide times were not going to enable us to see or walk the causeway but to be honest I prefered seeing it at high tide when it looked completely like an island.
Our next port of call, pardon the pun, was Mousehole. Once again we were very very lucky to find a parking space in the town itself - I did have to work hard for this one - and we had a lovely time wandering the narrow streets with the quaint houses and great views.
We headed off for our next adventure - we had tickets booked to take a tour around the Minack Theatre - somewhere else we have always wanted to see and it was stunning. The engineering to carve out that theatre on the cliff is phenomenal and it also gives great views over Porthcurno bay and beach. Whilst we were there the Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan society were there rehearsing the Pirates of Penzance and it was fun to watch them rehearse. The planting there, largely beautiful succulents, was also stunning.
Our next two visits were not so successful. We were going to go to Land's End but when we got there it was £7 to park, there were hundreds and hundreds of cars which would translate to thousands of people. After the unspoilt beauty of the Lizard and Kynance Cove and when we saw the massive commercialised building at the entrance we decided we did not want to go and visit it.
We headed for our last destination which was St Ives. We had planned to eat there. We drove in - and out again very quickly. It was quite frankly the busiest most touristy tackiest place I have seen in mnay many years. It was literally heaving. No wonder Cornwall's COVID rates are high. It was quite simply NOT for us so we hightailed out of there.
We had seen so much and enjoyed it all we felt we were ready for a quiet dinner and an early night. Day 3 had been the one we were most looking forwards to - and it was the one we most enjoyed.
Today I am thankful for
- a wonderful holiday
- good honest hard work
- Buckley
- Nigel liking the same things I do
