Started out  usual at the Cornishman https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Cornishman%2BInn/keywords_top where my stay is down to a few days—one more bus trip and then only one day left….I think I’m gonna cry.

Anyway decided on one more bus trip and this time back to Boscastle as it is close an I like it—just a break from Tintagel.

Ran into my Tintagel Dog of the Day on the way to the bus.

I have so fallen in love with all this stone, both natural (the cliffs above) to the arranged–the fences below.

Boscastle Dog of the Day Hurray

The main harbour area is thronging with tourists; pub beer gardens are full, and hoteliers and shopkeepers are resuming their busy lives.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2005/08/16/boscastle_year_on_feature.shtml

You’ve seen this harbor before–difference, the tide is up and there’s actually water and the boats are floating instead of just laying around.  Cool

BOSCASTLE, a village and a subdistrict in Camelford district, Cornwall. The village is in the parishes of Minster and Forrabury; stands ½ a mile from the coast, 5½ miles N of Camelford; occupies a romantic site on the sides of hills, overhanging two deep vales; and has a post office‡ under Camelford, a ruined-ancient chapel, and a Methodist chapel.  http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/20193

Friendliest dog of the day

View as I started up the hill where I got the featured picture of the harbor.

It was once a market-town, and still has fairs on the first Thursday of May, 5 Aug., and 27 Nov. Its name is a corruption of Bottreaux-Castle; and was taken from a baronial mansion, the seat of the Norman family of De Bottreaux, which stood on what is now a green mound. …

The stark beauty of Cornwall takes my breath away…

The quay was built in the Elizabethan period and has hardly been altered since. It helps protect the harbour, once one of the busiest in north Cornwall. Because the Cornish coast was such a dangerous place until the 19th century, boats would put in to Boscastle rather than attempt a dangerous landing elsewhere.       http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=2325

And all along both sides are those walking paths….I’m not that good climbing up and down hills anymore, but when I was younger this former West Virginia girl could do that.

Check this one out and you can see the paths (enlarge it up a bit and you can see the pictures better).

Long Distance doggie.

But even at Boscastle entering the harbour could be fraught with peril, so every ship was towed into the harbour by a ‘hobbler’ boat, rowed by 8 men, while more men on shore used ropes to keep the ship in the centre of the channel. Once ships were safely at anchor, goods were offloaded and put on carts. Strong teams of horses pulled the carts up the steep slope out of Boscastle. The horses were often kept at the Palace Stables, which is now the youth hostel.   http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=2325

Walking back down to the village….looks so pretty.

The building in the foreground on the left is the Youth Hostel that use to be the stables—most of the towns around here have hostels and several of the villages.

The heyday of shipping and trade in Boscastle came to an end when the railway reached north Cornwall in 1893. Trade declined, and Boscastle dwindled in importance to become a base for pleasure craft.

My favorite café in Boscastle.  https://www.facebook.com/boscastleharbourlight/

Cornwall Dog of the Day

Beside the harbour is one of the most unusual museums in England, the Witchcraft Museum, a fascinating look at witchcraft in world culture, with a collection of objects associated to various forms of witchraft around the world, from crystal balls and broomsticks to paraphernalia used for divination and spells.

There is so much here to attract the eye and delight the senses.

Much of Boscastle and the surrounding area of coastline is owned by the National Trust. Part of the estate is Valency Valley, where novelist Thomas Hardy came as a young architect to restore the medieval church of St Juliot in 1870.

I spent time checking out the shops and admiring the constant in Cornwall, the ever blooming flowers.

The earliest development in the area centres on the Iron Age fort on Willapark head land to the west of Boscastle harbour. Other early development included a number of rounds in the surrounding countryside. There is no evidence of Roman occupation, but the sheltered harbor and location near a possible Roman land route make this possible. Many surrounding place names incorporate ‘tre’ meaning a small farm estate indicating occupation in the post-Roman period.   https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3638371/Boscastle-CAA-endorsed-2008.pdf

It’s a wonderful town with lots of photo ops and places to visit or just look at and enjoy.

Although contemporary references were not favourable and refer to a poor market town, this was probably only in contrast to larger urban centres such as Bodmin and Truro .A significant number of late medieval and sixteenth century town houses, which still survive in the market settlement area, attest to the town’s continuing prosperity.

The Cobweb Inn seems to have a good reputation with locals in Tintagel….It’s an old building that was not a pub to more recent year.

The manor was boughtby John Hender in 1575 and he went on to build a market house and a manor house in the south-east corner of the castle site. In addition to development in the market area in the sixteenth century there was the first definite reference to the port at Boscastle with mention of the quay in the 1540s, which was subsequently rebuilt in 1584. At this time Boscastle was one of the few ports and trading places on the north coast of Cornwall.

Again the scenes here full of stones and flowers keep me clicking away.

and then back on the bus

Patient Pup of the day

Moving out of Boscastle

and so as the bus passes by the lovely scenery of the Cornish landscape natural and in this case not so….I’ll bid you good bye and see you later.

These two days have been a bit miserable, much to chilly for summer even in the UK….and we’ve had windy, threatening weather, followed by rain, followed by mostly hanging near the Inn…which isn’t bad as we have had live music, good food and some great staff members whom I feel like they are friends—I hope they agree at least a little bit.

OK let’s do the North Transept of the Church today.

The Statue (on the right) of Our Lady and the Holy Christ  Carved in oak by Marjorie Crossley, F.R.B.S.. is a memorial to members of the Kiddal family regular visitors to the church.

The Altar:  Moerin in memory of Prebendary Kinsman (vicar 1851-1894)–but take a good look at that center stone is Norman and said to have been brought from the ruins of the chapel of St. Julitta on the island by a former vicar.  A mediaeval altar stood on the same site, remains of which were visible in the last century.  The original dedication of this altar was almost certainly to the Blessed Virgin.  There is a bracket on the wall nearby evidently intended for her status.

St. Julitta is a martyred woman of Caesarea in Cappadocia, in modem Turkey. She lost all her estates in a court case. Her opponent suffered a decision against his claims and denounced Julitta as a Christian, thus gaining the entire land in the dispute. She was burned at the stake,

St Symphorian Window:  Above the altar is a beautiful example of an early English window of three lancets with a wife splay.  Strangely he staind glass shows St. Symphoorian the martyr who was beheadd at Autun in France (c 180)  He is here incorrectly depicted as a bshop.  There are no grounds for supposing that St. Symphonian had any special links to these parts.  The statement of Leland (c. 1535) that Boscate and Tintagel chuches were dediated to St. Simiferian seems to have been based on misreading of his notes.

The North Window:  Tintagel’s only ‘Decorated’ work (14th c).  It is filled w/good Victorian glass in memory of  John Douglas Cook, founder of the Saturday Review, famous visitor and gourmet, who is buried nearby.  The arch of the original Norman window may be seen above.  Two lonely corbel stones–of a bull and a ram–all that is left of hat must have been many, still stare out to see from the gabl end of the roof outside.  A section of the wall, including the window had to be rebuilt in 1853-54.

and then the days of rain or just blaa I finally wandered out for a bit on 6/25:

What I love best about Cornwall is the odd bit of a building and landscape that reminds me of how really old it is around here.

But things can be confusing for the odd Yank here–for instance Heinz makes mayonnaise and wait for it……Helman’s makes catsup…OH MY.

The most photographed building in town—The Old Post Office.

The building was first built over 600 years ago, as a farmhouse during the Middle Ages. Slowly modified over the centuries, it became more fashionable than functional. The house has served many purposes over time, but it has always been a home. Its final use was as the letter-receiving office for the village during the 1870s. Today, there are five rooms to explore.  http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tintagel-old-post-office/features/the-house-at-tintagel-old-post-office

Yeah dogs again.

More four footed creatures out and about in Tintagel.

For those with an interest in archaeology, the whole area of Tintagel Island and its environs is a fascinating place to explore. http://www.intocornwall.com/engine/azabout.asp?guide=Tintagel

Most of the restaurants and stores are closed by 4 (5 latest. with only the few pubs in town continuing on thru the evening hours….most nights it’s very quiet by midnight latest.

Tintagel parish church dedicated to St. Materiana,  stands on Glebe Cliff just outside the village.  There are the remains of an ancient earthwork enclosue just north west of the church.intagel’s parish church dedicated to St Materiana, stands on Glebe Cliff just outside the village. There are the remains of an ancient earthwork enclosure just to the north west of the church.

My home away from home.

A Cornish Piskie

Cornwall is rich in folklore. Tales of piskies, fairies, giants and mermaids form a major part of the unique experience that is Cornwall.     http://www.intocornwall.com/features/folklore.asp

and we’ll end the day with.

6/26:  Rainy days on Sundays get me down

As there are folktales in Cornwall about the devil and his demons, there are many stories too of the Saints and miraculous events.

Not a fairy tale. just a bit damp.

Sunday Diner Cornishman Inn Style—Great Wally, but who can eat this much food?

The creepy Green light outside my window at night.

and with that I’ll say good night.

 Well the votes are counted and the people have spoken and England will leave the European Union….and we just saw the Prime Minister announce his resignation and heaven knows what else is gonna go with the EU…..Very interesting.

Today is an explore areas of this little village that I haven’t seen before for some fun pictures….a bit cooler, but a nice day none-the-less

But let’s finish the church’s Chancel today

The Bishop’s Chair  Late Tudor period and was given in memory of a former sexton.

The Statue of St. Materiana given in 1933 in memory of Rev. Chapman (Vicar here 1894-1916)

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Entered door north wall of sanctuary, probably slightly later date then rest of church.  Local Tradition says it was an anchorite’s cell

The anchorite’s was one of the most extreme of the religious lives of the Middle Ages: it inspired awe in contemporaries, and has held a morbid fascination for modern observers. It was a life of strict and irreversible enclosure, entered into in an elaborate ceremony during which the last rites were administered, and at the conclusion of which the door to the reclusory would be walled up. An anchorite who left their enclosure could be forcibly returned by the authorities, and faced damnation in the hereafter.  http://hermits.ex.ac.uk/index/anchorites

….but there is no real evidence of it being used for such.

St. Julitta’s Font–The Norman font bowl in the chapel is believe to have been brought from St. Julitta’s chapel at the Castle.  After various adventures as a pig trough and a garden ornament, it has been recently restored to Tintagel by the Wadbridge Old Cornwall Society.  The bowl, much weathered and ill-trated is plain except for a simple cable molding.

This chapel is specially set apart for prayer….

It contains a pre-Reformation altar apparently in situ.

The original floor level of this chapel was restore in 1975 and the altar shown at its true height.

The North Recess:  described last century as a ‘little aisle’ it was later enlarged into an organ chamber by the rebuilding of its north wall a further two fee outwards carrying with it th original narrow round-headed window.  Nothing has been found to indicate what the recess was originally for, but it may have been to contain an altar tomb.  It is now th priest’s vestry and contains the altar of St. Faith, and a copy of Perugino’s triptych…

OK let’s see what else is happening:

and what better way to start the day but my Doggie of the Same.

and then walk by a few of those flowers I love and a mortar-less wall with a mortared one

an my favorite church with some of the Cornishman in the foreground

Tintagel has a brief period of extreme activity in the spring and summer…most of the locals will tell you they love the business but it’s nice to have their village to themselves and the cold winds of winter.

hard to find in the world, a grave for Arthur.   “The Stanzas of the Graves”

wait outside the store

lumpwood charcoal, which comes more or less straight out of the charcoal burner’s clamp

During the last fifteen years, archaeologists have radically revised the role of early medieval Tintagel, recognizing the site’s important role in the kingdom of Domnonia and as a link to the world far beyond the British Isles.

and today I just wandered—again off the paths most visitors take to find a little about the place an let you see the little things that make it better than just a tourist destination.

Imported artifacts found at Tintagel alone proves that Britain and Ireland were not isolated from the remains of the Roman world in the fifth and sixth centuries.   http://www.heroicage.org/issues/1/hati.htm

for a small village it has a bit of everything except a bank—-British Banks have shorter hours, never heard of a drive-in and are going more on line an less personal.

As ‘a place to go’, the area provides stunning coastal scenery, aromantic ruined castle and a highly commercialised village. Tintagel Island,owned by the Duchy of Cornwall but managed by English Heritage, playscentre stage as the ‘birthplace’ in question.  http://www.academia.edu/583621/Disgruntled_Tourist_in_King_Arthurs_Court_Archaeology_and_Identity_at_Tintagel_Cornwall

but the town’s surroundings are rural.

St Petroc, a… famous Cornish Saint, landed at Lanwethinoc, todays Padstow, around 520AD. Padstow was known for a time as Petroc-stow The churches of Padstow and Bodmin are dedicated to him as is the Holy Well at Bodmin. Trevalga, between Tintagel and Boscastle and Egloshayle near Wadebridge are also dedicated to him. Legend tells that near his burial place is a Holy Well which has curative properties for the eyes.

I as you have seen have found interest and photographic  accomplishment in the village

Other legends have it that Camelford has a connection with Camelot and that King Arthur died at Slaughterbridge and his spirit returned to haunt Tintagel.   http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/Tintagel

and for all the commercial there is so much natural here…a little village that plays at King Arthur for a few months and then goes back to other things.

Condolden Barrow dominates the hill above Tintagel Island. The massive proportions and situation of the barrow suggest that a figure of considerable importance power was buried here. Local legend claims it to be the grave of Queen Isolde.

And the Cornish people are so friendly and make one feel as if they belong here in this magical place that doesn’t need Merlin and Arthur to make you feel like you’ve entered an enchanted place.

However, there are one or two potteries and galleries in addition to the many gift shops, cafés and restaurants. The village is worth a visit and is within easy reach of many other beauty spots of this part of North Cornwall. For Arthurian enthusiasts it is unmissable.

I came here to start writing again…and to relax…I found lovely people who befriended me and made me part of their group….I found a quaint little village that has a personality beyond what you see in the gift shops and the like.

Tintagel had come to be associated with the conception of King Arthur. The connection was later renewed by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in his Idylls of the King.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/attractions/stories/tintagelcastle/images/tintagelcastle.shtml

and yes in a day and age when it gets harder and harder to make a living they use the legends of the town to make ends meet—

3rd-4th centuries AD Roman Activity

Finds of pottery, early coins and two Roman inscribed pillars suggest activity on the headland.  http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/

This was a newer residential area I found in my endless wanderings.

450-650 Trading Centre

Tintagel is a rich and important site, trading with the Mediterranean world. The headland is covered with many small rectangular buildings.

One of the reasons I don’t walk a lot at home….as I’ve seen everything about my house…here each walk is an adventure and I’m seldom really tired.

No conclusive evidence has been found that there was an Iron Age fort at Tintagel, although the site would have been similar to those of Iron Age promontory forts found on other south-western headlands, such as on Willapark headland, 1 mile east.

and while it is commercial…it has a charm with it’s old buildings. beautiful flowers and great people that I’ve tried to show you today in my photos.

Similarly it is uncertain how much activity there was on the site in the Roman period. The two Roman honorific markers from the area, one now in Tintagel church and one at Trethevy 1½ miles east, suggest some presence in the area in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Various small finds, including pottery and some late 3rd- and early 4th-century Roman coins, also suggest activity on the headland at this period. However, this seems unlikely to have been significant.

AND LIKE WE STARTED we’ll end with a four-legged friend.

But wait—this is only the 2nd one of these four legged fuzzy animals I’ve found so we have to include it.

So today is the big day—still too close to count according to BBC yesterday–today they are limited on what they can broadcast on the election—I anticipate this is to avoid influencing the outcome, but who know—the referendum vote on whether to stay in the EU or get out.  It would seem like staying makes sense given the big picture but their issues are (among others) the large number of immigrants coming into the company and taking jobs…so lets face it I haven’t a clue, despite hours of debates etc I have managed to encounter.

The day is lovely and actually warm….sunny and the best day since I’ve been in the UK…it’s one of my out and about days so….here goes–the bus again

the quaint being the usual as we pass by more stones and more flowers.

The road coming into Boscastle turning in on itself.

a look out the bus’ window—and yes that is a vehicle there and it is as close as it looks–his mirror is folded as there isn’t enough room to fit and this happens several times on few mile to Bude.

Lots of these electrical generating wind mills about…especially here near the coast where the wind gets very brisk.

Thru Crackington Haven…and up the hill behind on to Brude.

Lush and lavish farm lands divided by lines that may have been there for hundreds, even a thousand or more years.

The Inn at Wainhouse Corner:  Wainhouse Corner (which has a Public House, shop, garage and filling station).  The bus stops at the garage.

Fairs in Wainhouse:

past the many historical parrish churches.

And one mustn’t forget this is beach and surfin’ country and like northern California the surfers are in wet suits—burrrrrr.

Then  I’m back in Bude ….last time I did the town center…this time I’m doing the historical area about the Castle.

Bude blossomed as a holiday destination in the 19th century when the train came to town and tourists took their first tentative dips in the Atlantic. Today the town still retains that air of genteel charm putting it somewhere between up-to-date resort and nostalgic getaway.   https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/bude

No dips in the Atlantic for me…way too cold even w/a wet suit—I’ll just watch the rest freeze.

Remember those wet suits I mentioned.

METHODIST CHURCH

The Bude and Holsworthy Methodist circuit is made up of 20 local congregations of various sizes, mostly in rural settings…biggest church is in the seaside town of Bude.   http://www.budeandholsworthymethodists.org.uk/

Past the Castle (which I visited last time):  Formerly the home of Victorian inventor Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, The Castle is now a heritage centre with exhibition galleries, an archive with research facilities, an education room, shop and restaurant.        http://www.thecastlebude.org.uk/about-us/

I encounter my DOG OF THE DAY

AND our first really tall pointy thing:  Don’t ask I have nnnnnoooooo idea.

and the RESCUE DOGS

along the canal with its really big birds….The Bude Canal was built in 1823 to enable the transportation of unusually mineral-rich sand from beaches in and around Bude to the hilly interior of Devon and Cornwall’s border country, where soil was poor and farmers in great need of fertilizer…http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/Bude/bude_canal.htm

and some new friends…Beatrix and her brother, mum and da.

and I’m beginning to think that it’s never high tide in Cornwall….or that the ships just walk up there on their own—though this bay has a bit more water than usual.

and I’ve changed my mind—this is the house I want now, right on the bay (dry or wet) in Bude….do you think it’s big enough?

Then up from the harbor

and more of my house

the path came highly recommended to me…and I have no complaints—Cornwall is so beautiful…

Finally reached the top:  At the northernmost point of Efford Down Farm, overlooking Summerleaze Beach and the breakwater, a former coastguard lookout stands. Known as Compass Point and built by the Acland family in 1840 of local sandstone, it is based on the Temple of Winds in Athens. It was moved to its current position in 1880. It is so called as it has points of the compass carved in each of its octagonal sides.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bude

Then back to town and I met this young one along the way.

Move on move on down the road.

I like that they name the buildings even it is just for the tourists.

and is this a blast from the past?  It belonged to the fisherman’s wife.

and remember this for later.

Reminds me most of home location.

Another love this place award

The Falcon is the premier North Cornwall hotel, in Bude and was established in 1798. Overlooking the canal and less than 2 minutes walk from the beach.

But now I’m  off to visit the parrish church

that was easy:

The Church of St. Michael and All Angels built in 1834/5 by George Wightwick, was the gift of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland. The church reflects the history of the area which it serves, which had enjoyed a new prosperity with the cutting of the Bude Canal, at great expense, between 1819-26

St Michael’s was originally built as a Chapel of Ease to nearby Stratton Church, and only later became the parish church of Bude Haven as the town expanded with the advent of the London and South Western Railway in the 1890’s and its new found popularity as a holiday resort – somewhat sharply described by John Betjemen as “an East Anglian resort facing the wrong way

Inside they were getting ready for that festival I told you to remember the sign for.

In Cornwall the vegetation is encouraged to promote all manor of wild flowers and small insects an animals.

and back to the town.

And here’s a Bird/or should I say Duck dog?

and the I may be little but I’m tough stuff “look” winner

and Best foot forward candidate

Just hangin’ out

and

I have never seen a dog with a head this big ever—but he was a sweetie.

Not now I want to be alone.

and finally I’m just shy.

Heading home and hiding from the dogs

with the usual boring scenery

and nothing historical can be found anywhere

Back to the Cornishman Inn safe and sound

http://www.cornishmaninn.com/

First I’ll start today with some more up close and personal look at the Tintagel church and then we just give you some pictures on and off the beaten path in the same village.

The weather has been dark and occasionally rainy—-but none of the horrid down pours that they’re seeing all over Britain, so I guess I can’t complain….well of course I can but….

First My favorite Church continued—Tintagel’s oldie and greatie:

 THE CHANCEL

The Rood Screen:
Probable date of 1599 with the main structure intact.  The canopy was either destroyed when the Rood was torn down at the Reformation, or was allowed to collapse.  Dark stains covers the original painting.  There are indications that the steps to the Rood loft were in the angle of the all on the south side.

The figure of Our Lord on the Rood now hanging above the screen was carved by Peter Rendl who represented St. John in thee Oberammergau Passion Play of 1910.

The Canopied Recess:

on the south side of the chancel has always been known as the Founder’s Tomb, but as it is of 14th century t, it certainly cannot be the tomb of the original founder.  The term
“founder” was apparently used rather loosely in the Middle Ages to denote any wealthy  benefactor.

In order to make way for this recess, one of the two original Norman window on the south was blocked up except for a small rounded portion at the top.  A priest’s doorway seems also to have been blocked up earlier still, to admit the  window (see the rounded top markings in this picture–what you can’t see in this picture but that’s also here is an indication that there was a step here.

The Candelabrum:  Reportedly originally from a church in Belgium, was a gift many years ago from a Roman Catholic, who was an admirer of Tintagel Church.

The Window:  South side of altar is in memory of Revd. A.B. Blissard-Barnes (Vicar 1920 – 1938) shows St Piran and St. Julitta, patrons of the chapels of Trethevy and the Castle.

The East Window:  Modern stained glass East Window was designed and executed by Mr. Alfred Fisher of Hunton Bridge, Hertfordshire

The main theme is the Eucharist.  In the Center if the risen Christ shown as celebrant in Mass vestments, above Him is a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit and below a device representing the Holy Trinity.  On the left and right of the Christ are wheat and grapes, representing the brad and wine.  Below these are wild flowers (left) and children (right), both among Fr.  Cranner’s (who the window is dedicated to) chief interests.  At the top two side lights are the moon, stars and the sun.

The Renedos:  Made up of part of old bench ends (from this church as well as St. Teath) which date from the 15th century.  The carvings show the emblems of the Passion spar an sponge nails, whipping post and scourges as well as sacred monograms and also include coats of arms of the ancient and illustrious family of the Archdenknes, who were lords of the manner of Trebanwith.  Other pieces may b from the lost canopy of the rood-screen or the roof.

More of the church on 24th.

and now a return to my wandering in Tintagel.

Set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, Tintagel has dramatic sea views both from the castle ruins on the headland and island.

Sample some of Granny Wobbly’s fudge at her shop on the main street. Choose from vanilla, maple and walnut, rum and raisin, butterscotch and chocolate, all traditionally made on the premises.  https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/tintagel

I BUY the cookies and share them with the staff here….I get one with my hot tea at bedtime.  Gonna miss those in the ole USA.

Art lover dog

my dog of the day—but I’m sure there will be more

In Cornwall (and thus Tintagel) flowers–large or in this case small grows anywhere or everywhere.

Tintagel /tɪnˈtædʒəl/ or Trevena (Cornish: Tre war Venydh^[ meaning village on a mountain)

Ole Blue Eyes

The village and nearby Tintagel Castle are associated with the legends surrounding King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table.

How can you not enjoy a walk in this grand scenery?

The village has, in recent times, become attractive to day-trippers and tourists, and is one of the most-visited places in Britain.

The wall above is a fine example of the Cornish Mortor-less walls…yep they’re just stacked that way–nothing to hold them together.  Cool

The modern-day village of Tintagel was always known as Trevena (Cornish: Tre war Venydh) until the Post Office started using ‘Tintagel’ as the name in the mid-19th century (until then Tintagel had been restricted to the name of the headland and of the parish).

and the countryside is just across a fence line

In Geoffrey of Monmouth‘s Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136), Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, puts his wife Igraine in Tintagol while he’s at war …Tintagel is also used as a locus for the Arthurian mythos by the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson in the poem Idylls of the King….Algernon Charles Swinburne‘s Tristram of Lyonesse is a literary version of the Tristan and Iseult legend in which some events are set at Tintagel. Thomas Hardy‘s The Famous Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall at Tintagel in Lyonnesse, a one-act play which was published in 1923, is another version of the same legend with events set at Tintagel

And some day I hope to add my novel to a long line of books set in Tintagel…who knows I’m at least back to writing again.    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintagel

Some views:

‘

given the number of four legged companions out and about with the British visitors — the rules

for non-Brit pets are major so most of these short term vacationers usually leave the pets where ever they came from–but the Brits have so many that they’re everywhere and allowed in a large number of stores, cafes, etc in this village.

The turquoise green water around this coast is caused by the slate/sand around Tintagel which contains elements of copper: strong sunlight turns the water a light turquoise green colour in warm weather. The rocks contain various metal ores in small amounts: a few of these were mined in the Victorian period.^[  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintagel

OK so that’s more of the town that I have called home for a few weeks—back to London next week and home a day later.

Life here is so not-Florida….the tourists are saner, and polite and say no problem and Brilliant and the British ones have dogs and the other ones (mainly German for some reason in Tintagel—I’m gonna have to research why that is) don’t…..I meet a rare Canadian and an even less common Yank but besides Brits and Germans there more Aussies than people from the Americas.  This not being unusual for me as I rarely fit in where I should belong.

I still love the staff and they haven’t come to hate me yet…..give them time……but only have like 7 days…..I have not felt lonely here and have not had any homesickness, but getting back to some type of my normal life while not exactly my goal must eventually be my reality….darn it.

Today I was on the bus again wandering northward again, this time to a place where the big thing is beach combing and eating in cafes (or a pub) with fantastic views…..so shall we get on the bus again

I have no idea what it is—but it’s at the bus stop and I get bored waiting—they’re usually late….which is understandable as it’s a country bus so it stops to pick up and drop off people at all manner of unusual stops.

So today I’m heading to Crackington Haven.  Crackington Haven is a small coastal village on the North coast just West of Bude. Once a small harbour importing coal and limestone from Wales, which narrowly escaped industrial development in the 1800s, it is now a small unspoiled, almost secret, cove.   https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/crackington-haven

I don’t know about you but that definitely is inviting to me.  Come on where’s your adventure?

Of course Cornwall if full of marvelous places to see and enjoy….look at this great place—that’s a vacation site—with homes and caravans (read RVs and campers)….You could just stay there and be happy—or at least I could.

From the car park you can follow dramatic coastal walks to the north and south or take a wooded valley walk inland. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and wildlife whilst benefiting from the fresh air and health promoting physical activity.

Now that’s from the Crackington Haven site—but this whole coast is outlined with walking trails…A lot of people take the bus to some place (like Boscastle which we’ve been to a couple times before–or further up depending on their stamina—me I’m so clumsy they’d just have to fish me out of the ocean after I stumbled over the edge–and then they walk back to where ever they’re staying (i.e. Tintagel)

speaking of Boscastle, we’re just passing it on the bus…and if you look from the side walk (above the bay which is pretty empty–low tide again) on the right side,  you will see where one of the cliff side paths comes down from the Crackington direction and into the town…..where you can skip to the other side of the harbor and head on down to Tintagel…or places south….

The bus trip is pretty much like local bus trips anyway—at least in the US and Britain—I haven’t been on buses in exotic Caribbean countries—though I’ve been to several of them—or the continent but…..here’s hoping they’re as well managed.

But look we’re here so let’s get off the bus before we miss our stop.

Crackington Haven is popular with campers, walkers and geology students. The surrounding cliffs are well known for their visible folded sedimentary rock formations. The village gives its name to the Crackington formation, a sequence of Carboniferous sandstones and grey shales.

Wow I bet you didn’t know that—I didn’t but hey what ya wanta do first?

Now to be honest this places isn’t a hot be of the tourist industry…

Crackington Haven has a stony foreshore but a sandy beach is revealed at low water. There are toilet facilities near the beach and lifeguard cover in the summer.

That’s it’s main draw…but the shop above does have some beach related items that we might check out.

The scenery here is great inland and out to sea….like most of tCornwall it’s history runs deep, with a lot of the written coming from the Norman invaders, but things I see would seem to indicate that long before those more than half Vikings from France invaded there were people and burgs and much more….you have only to look into the dark shaded glens to see the magic that shimmers below the surface of this enchanted land but…..

The manor of Crackington was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) when it was one of several manors held by Berner from Robert, Count of Mortain. There was half a hide of land and land for 3 ploughs. There were 1 plough, 2 serfs, 6 smallholders, 4 acres of underwood, 20 acres of pasture, 4 cattle, 3 pigs and 25 sheep. The value of the manor was 10 shillings though it had formerly been worth £1 sterling

But only a look at the land about us and you can see it long out dates any invasion that is recorded in our history books….or theirs if you a Yank like me.

After the railways reached the district in 1893 the village could be reached more easily (from the North Cornwall Railway station at Otterham) so holidaymaking became more common.

In other words that shipping in and out gave way to the people in and out….I wander about smuggling…I know it happened along these coast but have no idea who did it—-keep an eye out just in case.

But let’s head over to the beach and take a look there —-past these very necessary places—not that this Florida girl is getting in the water but in case you wanta take a dip.

As you will see:  Crackington Haven has a stony foreshore but a sandy beach is revealed at low water and obviously there lifeguard cover in the summer.

and there you are m’dears…some stone, some sand and I do believe that’s salt water…you’re welcome to drink some to check out my theory.

Crackington Haven (Cornish: Porthkragen, meaning “cove of the little crag”) is a small place along a big ocean, but it has impressed me—how about you?

and while this part isn’t great for sunbathing it does impress a girl from Florida who is use to really big, but with little of note except fast cars on Daytona Beach, to mark it’s depths.

Immediately north of the beach is Pencarrow Point and a few hundred yards south is Cambeak headland (between Tremoutha Haven and Cam Strand); the clifftop here is 328 ft

and there’s one of those shoreline paths along it…..I told you they were everywhere now didn’t I?

and then there’s the water flowing down from the small place—I guess its large enough for a village…I have no idea what the definition of village is…do you?

One mile south of Crackington Haven, High Cliff rises to 735 feet (224 m) with a sheer drop to the rocky foreshore.^[2] It is Cornwall’s highest cliff and is also classified as southern Britain’s highest sheer-drop cliff (Great Hangman in Devon has a cliff face of 820 feet (250 m).

No thanks, you’re welcome to wander down to it on one of THOSE paths but I’ll explore this small place.

Ok some shots of the village:

and I we won’t forget our dog of the moment:  Crackington style:

and I fancy we’ll do lunch here:

The village has a small shop, two tea rooms and a pub called the Coombe Barton Inn in a building which was originally the house of the manager of a local slate quarry.

Must be nice to have such a posh place to have our lunch at…..nice how for this small valley—wanta kick back a couple pints with me?

and a ploughman’s lunch for me I think…best cheddar cheese and it’s made locally—You’re buying how nice.

if we’d came by car there’s a big Park…with that same great view.

but we have to go wait for the bus:

and there’s always room for one more pup:

even the view from the bus stop ain’t bad.

I’ve got it–let’s buy this house in the village and just enjoy the view every day.

Well it works for me…..

Ok then let’s get on the bus and head home

and a bus puppy

and bus blogger

and back thru Boscastle

and back in Tintagel—-do something again?  Tomorrow?  OK…but we’ll hang here ok?  OK!

6/19 WAS ANOTHER OF THOSE Rainy Sundays…but I am making bunches of progress on my book…so didn’t do a lot and Monday was better, but just hung about Tintagel on the 20th…

I am enjoying myself here and write and take it easy when it rains and am out and about when it doesn’t…..it’s a much slower pace than I’m use to an I am actually enjoying it which is something that surprises me…but it shouldn’t as a couple of weeks in the Keys use to do the same thing to me.

The country here is a rogued beauty of stark landscapes, barely covered with a thin disguise of green….there are beaches but many are guarded by these towering stone buttresses that challenge the waters for the space.   On the other hand only a short distance inland you have grazing cattle (that here actually seem to outnumber the sheep—which are mostly kept for mutton) set on green rolling pastures set on rolling hills, for no where have I found the country flat for any distance.

The people are friendly and the greeting here is “You Alright?” or  “You OK?”  Strangers are welcome and they are for the most part a people that enjoys a good laugh, and a good pint.

As I enter my last week I wander how I will cope returning to London’s constant din or Florida’s constant heat….we shall see.

But now let’s return to St, Materiana—an early Parrish Church of Tintagel:

THE NAVE

THE FONT.  One of the first things you see when you enter is this Norman Font.  Fonts are large containers often stone (as this is) which held water for baptisms—usually for infants as adult baptisms would need a bit more space.

This Font is Norman in Origin and according the guide book I purchased at the church and contains 4 head (you can see one in the picture) with serpents between, with their heads curved upwards “representing the evil spirit expelled by grace. One of the corners of this primitive piece, is patched with pieces of  a Norman carving from another source, and evidently was knocked over or dropped sometime in the distant past.

Also in the Nave is this figure:

This s the figure of Christ the King which is on the north wall…carved by Faust Lang, late of Oberammergau, and was given in 1948 in memory of John Cherry Cotton, sometime churchwarden.

These windows are obviously old and less finished looking than their more modern counterparts.

Three of the Norman windows (though none of the original glass) remain, two primitive ones on the north and one larger on the south.

A lot of the history of the people of the church appears on plaques of dedication and rememberance….as these to members of the Radcliffe family witness to.

Obviously one of the new window settings.

The large south window is of St. George and was given to the parish in 1903 in memory of Lord Wharncliffe, th last of his line to be involved with the parrish thought the family in the past owned the majority of it for 200 years

Such a lovely OLD church.

The saddest thing it the walls-in medieval times they like most churches of the time were covered with a mural painting, mostly of Norman arcading in various colours, briefly exposed in 1851.  The
“restorers” covered them over again with ‘wash’ and later the plaster wall hacked away so that hardly a trace of the precious painting remain.

This organ from 1988 replaced an earlier pipe organ

The Memorial Stone lying on the south side of the central space bears no inscription but is evidently that of a priest.  It is of the time of Edward I, 1292.  It is of unusual length and has a beautifully-carved foliated cross.

I’ll be back tomorrow with The Church’s Chancel.

OF course there’s gotta be

MY DOG OF THE DAY

Contemplating life under a café table in Tintagel.

Who can think of the UK w/out this staple?

On and around the village.

If there aren’t any flowers you’re probably not in Cornwall.

and just couldn’t miss this baby.

Tintagel reminds me of the Keys in so many ways.

So much of the old with the new set around it …a very interesting town.

and of course my church

and then there are the trees…..what can I say….it’s a GREAT TREE, just off the village’s square.

just down the hill from main street

don’t ask I have no idea what it was, now it just appears to be an interesting thing to take pictures of.

You don’t find this in Longwood

Where to next….

Back to the square

and will close out with my 3’s a charm doggie of the day.

More tomorrow

THE WEATHER IN CORNWALL HAS NOT BEEN THE GREATEST…but no where near in the other parts of the country so guess my weather luck is still not so bad.  Anyway Since I had done Thurs out I spent Friday 6/17 (dismal) at the Inn avoiding the rain and bothering the staff.

But the 18th while not all coming up sunshine did at least not bring any major rain and so I turned my feet down the lane by the Inn and up to the ancient church that sets on the hill and can be seen for miles in any direction.

The road is steep and narrow…but I was on my way.

The Parish Church of Matriana , Tintagel. was built almost entirely as it appears today, in its cruciform shape of nave, chancel and transepts, between the years of 1080 and 1150 in the time of the first Norman eals of Cornwall, Robert of Mortain and his son William.

The window to the left is part of the bar at the Inn…which includes 2 pool tables.

They held Tintagel with other lands of the earldom, and built their castle at Bossiney, some small remains of which of which may still be seen  (Bossiney Castle is located east of the village centre, next to the Methodist Chapel. 17 miles south-east of Bude, on the A39-B3263.)

This road is just to the church though there are village abodes along the way.

The next ruler of the area was Earl Reginald, a son of Henry I, who seems to have built a castle on the Island of Tintagel and probably finished the building of the church, perhaps being responsible for the extension of the south transept.

It is unbelievable how beautiful Cornwall is.

The Church is dedicated to St. Materiana, who has been identified with St. Madryn, a princess of Gwent, and who according to tradition, evangelized these parts about 500 A.D., and whose other and chief shrine lay at Minster, a few miles away to the east, where her relics were preserved until the Reformation whch swept all these things away.

A nice view of the village–Camelot Hotel on the left and some inhabitants which I haven’t seen downtown yet.

It seems likely therefore that the present church was built on the site of an oratory served in Celtic days by the monks of Minster and later replaced by a Saxon-style building.

 Finally after climbing another hill I’ve reached my destination.

If you consider all this back ground it mean that Christian worship has been continually offered on this spot for 1400 years.

The stones range from very old to much more recent.  Since the last time I’d been there they’d mowed it which made it so much easier to get around.

The Church and Churchyard in any town or village is often a source of historical facts and this is certainly true of the St. Materiana Church.

The village may be small but there has been a religious site here for over a thousand years.

Archaeological excavations here and at Castle Island show that there were numerous early Christian burials here during the 5th to 7th centuries AD.

I moved about viewing the broken and braken covered marveling at the long memory of the land.

A dig started by one of the pastors here in 1942 and in greater detail in 1990 showed that there were two “High Status” mounds here and that this had likely had been a post Roman burial site.

and the view from here is spectacular.

The churchyard has two entrances  one from the village and the other from those living on the island and residents of surrounding hamlets.

I met a lovely lady who was trying to cut up the remains of a ghost of Christmas Past—-the remains of a tree that had been left to the rear of the church….with the help of her little black dog.  We talked for awhile and last I saw her she had decided to do a little sharpening on her clippers.

Both entrances have stone seats and coffin rests.

Again my interest is captured by some small place among the whole.

These seats and rests were vitally important before the advent of cars because most funeral parties had to walk across the cliffs from the hamlets such as Treknow.

At their final resting a view of the sea.

The oldest surviving fragments of tombstone (badly mutilated by stone masons mixing mortar) are that of John Davey and his wife, Jane, dated 1669.

and the variations of the Celtic Cross

There are two other stones dated before 1700..one is John Arthur (1672) and the other John Parson (1694).

Just about competed the circuit of the church.

There are many children’s graves in the churchyard, particularly from the Victorian Era.

I love this one.

In 1931 the churchyard was extended and according to Fr. Blissard-Barnes, the priest at the time, they came across burials in what had been up to that time an open field.

A bit closer look at the very old cross.

This Parish Churchyard was used by all denominations until the Methodist Churches established their own cemetery at Trwarmett in the 1920’s.

That’s it for the Churchyard

The reason for the Methodist changing Churchyards was that they felt this Parish Churchyard far too remote and difficult to approach at that time.

Tomorrow we’ll enter the church itself.

ANOTHER day and another bit of my adventure…though the weather has been increasingly rainy I’ve found time to write and to relax–two things I haven’t been doing much of lately—so this down time may well be a blessing in disguise.  Also have been walking a lot which is good for me, and my heart.

The staff at the Cornishman http://www.cornishmaninn.com/ have been wonderful for me…since I’m all on my own they’ve kinda adopted me and I feel one of the gang….despite the fact I’m a Yank and a bit older than the group…..But when Sharon (she like the rest of the crew carries out multiple jobs including tending bar and serving tables. ) This is a town with people who move about and in and out…in some)ways it reminds me of Key West in that it is laid back and the facilities while not new are comfortable and clean and made for a great stay.  So you see a permanent staff dedicated to working full time and making the place a great success, while a few that come and then wander off, leaving them looking for a new person to fill the gap.  It amazes me some days how they stay cheerful and helpful with all they do…but they are amazing people and I salute them for it.

But back to Sharon…she was going to be in Boscastle helping out a friend and asked if I’d like to ride over with her and then we could meet in the afternoon and she’d bring me back to the Inn.

Boscastle is quite close, but while Tintagel is located on a single road along a high laying area, Boscastle is bigger (or looks that way and the “newer” part of the town is along the river which was seriously flooded in 2004.

On our trip over I discovered that Sharon is a native of Cornwall and has a long family history in Boscastle.  That she lived there until she got married and lived in Greece for several years before returning to Cornwall. 

She brought me into town through the oldest section—this is a steep climb from what is now the town centr and she didn’t figure my bad knee would make the effort up it.

The name of the village comes from Botreaux Castle (pronounced “But’ry”), a 12th-century motte-and-bailey fortress, of which few remains survive. The castle was anciently in the possession of the de Botreaux family, which became under William de Botereaux (1337–91) the Barons Botreaux.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boscastle

It was a wonderful little part of the town, with it’s stone buildings and Sharon pointing out places were her family had lived over the years and other places of interest.

  Boscastle, with its little harbour, handled a large proportion of the trade between Bristol and the south western ports. In fact, the district between Boscastle, Tintagel, Camelford and Delabole was mainly dependent on the harbour at Boscastle for its supplies of coal and other imports. This trade was, at the time, carried out by sailing ships of up to 90, 100 and 200 tons. These ships were mostly registered at the old port of Appledore. Some of their names were Saint Mary, Francis Drake, Whynot, Lively and Beddoe. (late 19th and early 20th century)   http://www.cornwall-opc.org/Par_new/e_g/pdfs/boscastle_trevalga.pdf

What amazed me the most was Sharon’s ability to weave her car in and out of the parked and oncoming cars with effortless skill.  Driving in Cornwall is not for the unskilled.

The historic picturesque fishing village of Boscastle with its Medieval core and distinctive harbour is one of Cornwall’s most romantic places. It is a village steeped in history, associated with authors and artists who have been inspired by its remoteness and rugged beauty.  

More of the old town

Then back to the now main downtown

The village is very pleasing to the eye….and the main area here is along the valley and doesn’t strain my knee.

Boscastle, village lies within the parish of Forrabury and Minster on the North Cornish Coast 14 miles south from Bude and 5 miles from Tintagel, a conservation area amongst some of the most beautiful countryside within the British Isles, and is one of the few remaining unspoilt harbour villages in Cornwall. Designated an Area of Outstanding beauty, the National Trust own and care for the beautiful medieval harbour and surrounding coastline.  http://www.boscastlecornwall.org.uk/villagewebsites.htm

Some many little spots of beauty and though it was a bit overcast which has been common lately it wasn’t raining and I did a bit of walking about.

The landscape, coastline and quaint old buildings are undoubtedly the main attraction of the local area. These are made all the more interesting with local potteries, art galleries and the Museum of Witchcraft. Also nearby is sacred site Saint Nectan’s Glen where the River Trevillet has created a magnificent 60 foot waterfall cascading into a beautiful valley.

As usual I tend to fixate on the little things.

The area also has a number of gorgeous churches, most dating from Norman times and there are plenty of good walks into the beautiful countryside that start in the village.

A bit more walking about:

That’s the street she brought me down to begin my day.

As you wander around Boscastle you will begin to notice the quaint old buildings which have been converted into pubs, restaurants and coffee shops. Look out for the wonky rooftops and crooked cottages, they have real character. The limekiln and storage buildings give a brief reminder of Boscastle’s industrial past.    https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/boscastle

More of the beauty of a little town in Cornwall:

The Old Forge   Now an artist’s studio and gallery, the last blacksmith to work in the forge was Bill Gent in the 1940s.
It became a tea room in the 1950’s and the National Trust shop from the 1960’s until the 2004 flood.  Post-flood the National Trust moved to its new location and the Forge entered its present use.       http://www.visitboscastleandtintagel.com/about-the-area/boscastle

the flood

Into the Harbor

For fantastic coastal views take the left hand path at the harbour that leads to a slate platform where you can see the ‘Blowhole’ an hour before or after low tide. Boscastle’s blow-hole beneath Penally Point is often called the Devil’s Bellows. It can be seen thumping and snorting about an hour either side of low tide, blowing a horizontal waterspout halfway across the harbour entrance if the conditions are right.

A lovely café across the waterway.

The National Trust Visitor Centre has an extensive gift shop, tea rooms and the usual visitor information such as maps of the area and non expensive walking trail leaflets.

Doggie of the Day—walking about the byways of Boscastle with dad.

Literary and Thomas Hardy fans will be interested to hear that Boscastle features in Hardy’s novel A Pair of Blue Eyes and in several of his poems. Thomas Hardy came to Boscastle in 1870 to restore the nearby church of St Juliot and it was here he met his wife to be Emma Gifford.

The River maintains a bit of water and the seagulls seem to be enjoying us.

The harbour at Boscastle, now edged by tearooms and souvenirs shops, was until the 1890s bustling with the import of coal, limestone, ironwork and export of local products including slate, china clay and oats.

Low tide if you see that small break in the fall on the left you’ll see the opening out to the harbor.

The picture book harbour village of Boscastle Cornwall is sadly probably most famous for the terrible floods in 2004. Thankfully, due to the hard work and commitment of the villagers, little evidence of the flood is now visible and the village stands as beautiful as ever.     http://allaboutcornwall.com/Cornwall_Places/North_Cornwall/Boscastle/Boscastle_Cornwall.html

Setting in the mud waiting for he sea to return at High Tide

Boscastle is a tiny port with a natural harbour, set in a narrow ravine, and boasts some very attractive thatches and white-washed cottages. Before the railways, Boscastle was a thriving port, serving much of North Cornwall.

and though overcast not particularly chill, except for Susi.

Boat trips can be taken from Boscastle Harbour, down the coast as far as Long Island. During the breeding season you may be lucky to see razorbills, guillemots, and puffins. There are also seals in these waters. Other trips go as far as 5 miles offshore and take trippers wreck fishing..   http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/boscastle

Still a working port.

A ramble around the picturesque Boscastle Harbour, North Cornwall. Site of the 2004 floods. The surface is generally good and there are ample facilities in terms of eating, drinking and toilets, there is also a visitor centre and several shops. Visit http://www.cornwallrr.org.uk/

More of Harbour

Some AHHHHH scenes

It seems they usually come in threes..

and still rambling through town.

The Lime Kiln a well preserved double-sided lime kiln is next to the visitor centre.  A leaflet on the history and purpose of lime kilns is available to buy in the centre itself.

The Mill House originally known as Treknow Mill dates back to 1760 and was a working mill until the late 1930’s. It briefly became a private residence until 1945, when it was converted into a guesthouse. In 1960 the main building was refurbished and extended before becoming a public house for the first time. Since then it has been gradually upgraded by a number of different owners The Mill House offers visitors tranquility and comfort.     http://www.visitboscastleandtintagel.com/accommodation/the-mill-house-p41763

But Dragons are OK.

Then meet up with Sharon and bless her one more trip–just so I can see the church.

We stopped by to get a look at the Church.

up the steep, wooded hillside to historic Minster Church            http://www.visitboscastleandtintagel.com/about-the-area/boscastle

Such a quiet little places away in the woods.

There has been a religious foundation on this site since about 500AD when a small monastery was founded by the Holy Well which was thought to give healing.

Sharon remembered coming here for a wedding several years ago.

Very little of the original church remains, but recent research by historians tell us that the very first stone building was probably the size of the Chancel and Sanctuary with a small door in the North wall (if you go outside the building you can see the base of this door in the wall) and would have had the remains of the saint interned just under where the Vicars Stall now sits. (The top of this tomb is on the floor besides the font as you enter the church on your left hand side).

The church was then virtually rebuilt in two years by J P StAubyn.
All that now remains of the ancient fabric are a few special pieces: The Norman Font, a few carved bench ends which are now to be seen reused as the Credence Table, some lovely monuments and the window to the left hand side of the Altar is thought to be 13th century. There is also a very strange carving on the outside of the tower of a pair of scissors (nobody seems to know why this is here???)   http://www.strattondeanery.co.uk/churches/minster/history.html

Then we were heading home:

T

That’s the Cornishman on the Right

And that’s Chris behind the bar

.THANKS SO MUCH SHARON FOR MAKING THIS DAY POSSIBLE….LOVE & KISSES.

As you know I have been doing my activity days on Mon., Wed, and Fridays….but one of the lovely ladies at the Inn is going to Boscastle tomorrow and offered to take me with her and then we would meet in the afternoon and she’d bring me back here…She’s born and bred in Cornwall, but lived several years in Greece so she is going to point out some points of interest to me.  HURRAY.

Wandering about town and a few pictures later on in my day as well.

Since I’ve changed my days will entertain you with my 5/31 tour—now yesterday we did two Cotswold cities, which I was so happy about so that Susi could see some of these beautiful places too….we returned to two of the towns on this tour, but it was pouring when we got to the second one so I’m glad I saw it with Susi and Dan.

 Ok met my bus at the Victoria Station Bus Depot—don’t ask…..it was one of those huge tour buses though we only had about 40 but that’s a lot for a tour that I usually go on…..then we were leaving London (see main picture–that’s a posh lingerie shop and not a porn palace mate).

Out of London on the “M” ……..

First Town:  Burford…..famous for its wide main streets and houses built from differently hued local stone.

One a prosperous wool town (Middle Ages) it has beautiful architecture

During the Georgian time it was an important coach stop for the route between Oxford and the West Country.

The High Street is steep and has a large number of antique shops.

the houses here range from the 15th – 18th century with more Georgian than Tudor, but there are Tudor homes with gable and mullional windows.

Other buildings of interest in the town include a 14th – 16th c. wool merchant house (though it’s font is much later, the Compton Mackenzie–an older home with twin Flemish Gables, the Methodist Chapel, The Mansion on a side street and Falkland Hall (1558) probably the first construction of stone.

Other views of the village:

The pavement—while ancient and interesting is a B….. to walk on

Then back on the bus and off to our next stop.

Birbury

and if you have any doubts that this town isn’t a picture-postcard village, this picture should stop those.

we walked about the 17th century weavers cottages

The town has a Fishery

Talk about a village that looks like a Hollywood set:

and lunch at the Swan Inn

with it’s medieval atmosphere of oak-beamed ceilings and stone fire places with what have been described as witches marks.

Then back to the BIG BUS:

on to

Burton-on-the-Water

wandering about

Bourton-on-the-Water has been described as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds and is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region being serviced by the many shops, cafe’s, and attractions.

Bourton-on-the-Water straddles the river Windrush with its series of elegant low bridges beside neat tree-shaded greens and tidy stone banks.

Die Another Day (2002) – Part of the Ice Chase scenes were filmed in the car park at Bourton-on-the-Water and on the ex-RAF nearby aircraft runway at Upper Rissington. At one point Bond in his Aston Martin was chased across the car park in a Jaguar sports coupe; the car park was covered in artificial snow.    http://www.cotswolds.info/places/bourton-on-the-water.shtml

The name Bourton comes from the Saxon word BURGH which means a fort or camp and TON which means a village or settlement. If you put the two together, you get ‘the village beside the camp’. There is evidence of  far earlier settlements in this part of the Cotswolds. Stone Age and Bronze Age burial mounds are common throughout the area. On the northern edge of the village is the sight of a Stone Age encampment, which was subsequently occupied by later civilisations. Iron Age currency bars from about 300 BC were found on the sight during excavations carried out in the last century. They are now in the British Museum

During the civil war, which began in 1642, the area was loyal to the king. The Rector of Bourton-on-the-Water was Thomas Temple who was also chaplain to the Royal household and tutor to the Royal Princes. The Rector lived in the manor house opposite the church and Charles I paid several visits. In June 1644 the king on route to Evesham with his army stopped in the village. The king and his son, the future Charles II, stayed in the manor house and his army camped on what are now the playing fields of the Cotswold School .  http://www.cotswolds.info/blogs/bourton-on-the-water.shtml

Back on the bus:

and to our last stop (so glad I visited this one earlier as the pouring rain kept me more occupied than the sight seeing:  Stow-on-the-Wold

A small market town that’s one of the Cotswolds’ most charming spots.

Stow is a hill town that once held great sheep fairs.  Daniel Defoe recorded as many as 20,000 sheeps being sold on one occasion—they continue to have fairs but these are Horse ones in July and October.

The church:  St. Edward’s is a parish church.  After the last battle of the Civil War a 1,000 defeated Royalists were pinned in the church (1646).

This is another wool town.

It was grant a market by Henry I in 1107, the town’s lay out is based on that old market’s design.  It is another old wool time.

AND ONE MORE TIME….BACK TO THE BUS

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And back to 6/15 in the village—things were a bit quieter….and the pace a bit gentler

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Check out Sunday at the Inn if you don’t believe me.