The Amazing Cornish Coastline

The last couple of days have been spent further exploring the fabulous Cornish coastline. One place I'd wanted to visit for a number of years was St. Michael's Mount, having visited its "French twin", Mont St. Michel several times.  So, Sunday we took the bus from Penzance to Marazion and, because the tides were cooperating, we walked along the causeway to the island.  When the tide is higher, you have to take a boat.  I'm not exactly sure of the history of this place but, unlike Mont St. Michel which is topped with an abbey, this one has a castle.  We didn't visit it but did wander around the shops and harbour before walking back to the mainland.


St. Michel's Mount at low tide from Marazion

The walk along the causeway

Some of the buildings on the island

    



 

Monday, we left Penzance and had a busy day hurtling up and down the Cornish lanes to several places we wanted to see.  As it turns out, we didn't allow for nearly enough time in Cornwall - of course that gives me a reason to come back.  I didn't know that this area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its mining history (tin and copper).  We took a photo of one of the abandoned mines but I didn't manage to find the location of the one I've seen on the Internet. We also stopped at the Poldark Mine but it seemed closed for the bank holiday.

 

Former mine site not far from Penzance

Our day actually started with a quick trip to St. Ives.  Kath had been there years ago (I also think I'd visited it with Mom) so we wanted to check it out.  From there we headed south to Lizard where some people at a pub had told us there was an amazing area called Kynance, a National Trust location.  They were not wrong.  The coastline from there was stunning.  Again, we regretted not having more time to explore it.  Next, it was on to Mullion Cove for another photo op then to Perranporth where Kath had camped with her friend about 40 years ago.  The beach there is spectacular (similar to Parkville) and was crowded with people enjoying the last of the bank holiday weekend.

The Harbour at St. Ives



Kynance Coast

Another View at Kynance

Mullion Cove



The Beach at Perranporth

Busy Bank Holiday at Perranporth

Next it was on Tintagel, of King Arthur lore.  It is located on another section of the dramatic Cornish coastline which seems to alternate from being wild and rocky to having lovely sandy beaches. 

Tintagel

Looking toward Merlin's Cave at Tintagel

Monday, we also said our good bye to Cornwall and drove into North Devon where the scenery was equally spectacular.  More about that next!