CORNWALL 1

Above is a shot of the cottage that we rented -very tiny but superbly equipped.Right is a typical Cornish village street and under that is a three master in Charlestown inner harbour being converted (temporarily) into a Man O War for a film that Mel Gibson is to star in soon!!


We drove from Peter's place down to Sidmouth and a B and B. Had a look around the seaside town -shingle beach and high cliffs.Nice dinner at the Ships'Inn.

Sunday we drove across Dartmoor stopping at Princetown which is where the prison is. Excellent information centre on the area. Then on to Buckland Abbey bbuilt in the 13th century and later home to Sir Francis Drake. Good museum about Francis attached and interesting facts that we did not learn at scchool. Frank's early career was highlighted b y the capture of several Spanish treasure ships near South America.His return home with this treasure for Queen Elizabeth made him her favourite (You bet!).His fame was gained by defeating the Spanish Armada in the English Channel, but it seems that he was bit lucky in this with wind and tides both in his favour rather than success through a brilliant strategy. His subsequent forays at sea were quite unsuccessful and the Queen ditched him like any sensible woman! He died at sea.The cafe at the museum had great Cornish Pasties!!
And so to Charlestown and our Cobblers Cottage. Two rooms - one up and one down\.Down was the sitting room/dining/kitchen and up was the bed/bath/laundry/loo. Very compact and absolutey perfect for us being right opposite the Rashleigh Arms Hotel.

Next day we visited the Lost Gardens of Heligan. At the end of the 19th century the Tremayne family, who had lived on the estate for over 400 years, had a vast garden of more than 200 acres at it's zenith. Within a few years bramble and ivy had taken over because of neglect, and years followed where the continuing neglect should have consigned the Gardens to history. Instead entusiasts decided to restore the gardens in the 1990's and continue to develop the project to this day. The overgrowth that had to be cleared away was unbelievably jungled, and as parts were cleared more and more discov eries of past treasures were made.
From Heligan to Mevigissey - a little fishing port and our first experience of driving through squeezed streets. The coast here is very tidal, and fishing boats and yachts lie marooned on the harbourbed during low tide. The village is surrounded by cliffs with houses built into them and nearly all painted white.unch on the harbourside and then off to St Mawes Castle on the eastern side of the channel leading to the River Fal and the town of Falmouth.The castle is the most beautiful of Henry V111's coastal fortresses. It is opposite Pendennis Castle on the Western side which enabled their respective cannon to completely cover the channel entrance. They are both in remarkable condition considering the age ,and were used as defense posts during WW!!.

Across the River Fal by chain ferry and a short visit to Trelissick Gardens - a National Trust garden with acres of rhodedendron and flowering magnolias. It would be a magnificent sight in a few more weeks.