Friday 27 April 2018

St Michael's Mount

The tide was out and mist completely obscured the castle when we first arrived in Marazion. But by the time we had parked the car the mist was clearing and people were walking across the sand and along the causeway to reach the mount.
A watery sky for Skywatch Friday.

This old painting shows that the mount has always been an intriguing place.

Information at the entry to the gardens 
with photos showing how magical it must have looked in the snow.
Looking down from the castle walls.
We had plenty of time to stroll around before walking back along the causeway without getting our feet wet. (Sometimes we've had to paddle back to the shore!) Then we drove to the graveyard where our friend, the artist David Ferguson is buried. It's very strange to be in this part of Cornwall without his company. The graveyard is full and David's was the last plot in this lovely old place. 
His headstone, suitably of Cornish granite, has been erected since our last visit. 
The ground is covered in wild flowers.
The old headstones are fascinating, not only are they beautifully carved but they also tell the history of the area. Young Cornish men traveled all over the world, digging the tunnels for the subways of New York and working in many other countries, wherever their mining skills could be used. This fine headstone records such journeys. One son, Thomas, lost his life aged 26 in Johannesburg and another, William, died in his early 40's in America. Times were hard. Their sister had already died, aged just fourteen, in England.
 
In the evenings during our stay we ate at our favourite place in St Ives, overlooking Porthmeor Beach as the sun went down. Delicious tapas!

18 comments:

  1. A magical place. I heart St Ives as well.

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    1. Even loads of tourists and mediocre art can't spoil it! (And, yes, I'm one of the tourists so I can't complain anyway.)

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  2. It looks incredible! I'm fascinated by the old headstones.

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    1. There is something magical about a place that retreats into the sea each day!
      Old headstones are fascinating, they give far more information than nowadays. We like to wander around graveyards when we are on holiday as they have such rich histories.

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  3. I have always wanted to go there.
    Thank You for the visit.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Dear Parsnip, I've posted about the mount several times before. I'm glad you enjoyed this visit.

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  4. Love this post. I have been intrigued by St Michael's Mount for decades.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the post, Yogi, it rather suited the early morning swirling mist.

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  5. Yes, as a child I was mesmerized by the place. I love old cemeteries too. Don't know why.

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    1. There are so many stories/histories to be gleaned from cemeteries. We were intrigued by the ones in New England (with flags and some fantastic names!) when we visited.

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  6. Replies
    1. I've been many times and it never fails to please me.

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  7. Oh it's a fantastic place, indeed. I was there some years ago, but we arrived late so I could only stroll through the gardens while my hubby went to see the Castle. We had a great time, just as you, I guess.

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    1. Perhaps a good setting for your next book?!! Congratulations on your new one.

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing your visit with us!

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    1. And you didn't get your feet wet either!
      I no longer seem able to access your blog - have you stopped writing? Hope all is well. Rx.

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. Thanks for the dry feet! And for your next adventure too. I posted a comment then deleted, BUT perhaps you can see it after all which says this & a little more?!?

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