I've just figured out that I AM organized, after all, and have decided to tackle the Cornwall part of our recent England trip first.
So, after Roche last post, you'll see a smattering of both Charlestown and Fowey this time, small towns on the coast near Pauline and Chris' home.
1. Charlestown, Cornwall
Charlestown is only 6 miles from Pauline's, so it was an easy trip our first day,
after arriving by train from Bath.
It's a fishing port developed in the late 1790's and has remained relatively unchanged.
Because of that, it's been used as a filming location for both movies and TV series.
We stayed long enough to get a feel for the place, looking out to the Celtic Sea!
I wonder, of course, if Charleston, SC, in the USA, is a distant relative?
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
2. Fowey, Cornwall
The next day, after our morning visit to the Roche Rock and parish church, we spent the afternoon in Fowey (pronounced foy), this time with Chris along for the ride.
Fowey is another small town and cargo port, this time 12 miles from "home base."
The parking lot near the ferry even has spaces for boats.
It was a good start to our trip.
Fowey has been the inspiration of many authors, apparently,
with Daphne de Maurier's house across the River Fowey pointed out to us.
We wandered our way through the town, stopping whenever and wherever we wished...
ending up at the harbor.
That's where we watched the school kids catch their ferry across the river home.
It's a cozy inlet from the Celtic Sea.
But it was the parish church, dedicated to Saint Finbarr, that Pauline wanted us to see,
and where we spent the rest of the afternoon.
The earlier Norman church was rebuilt in the 1460s after the French destroyed it.
Pauline wanted us to see the green men!
You could spend hours looking at the details.
This is o l d.
This is o l d.
But Pauline wanted us to see the other green men inside...
after I got my first impressions of the nave.
What is it about the green men in these churches????
Lisl and Philine know a lot about them...and now they've got my atrention.
Even the pulpit, constructed from a Spanish galleon's captain's cabin, has them.
Don't you want to know everything about them?
By now the stained glass windows seem ordinary by comparison.
Did I say that?
And in case we didn't know, yes, it is still an active parish church,
keeping the needs of the impoverished in mind.
As I always say, Impressions, Impressions, Impressions.
Cornwall is gorgeous! The heads are interesting, especially the one with the tongue out, giving a raspberry down through the ages.
ReplyDeleteI want to keep going back to Cornwall as often as possible, Marie. It is, indeed, gorgeous! And, yes, I'm learning a lot about these green men, sticking out their tongues and showing all kinds of angry faces.
DeleteI love seeing your pictures of Cornwall. Don and I enjoy Doc Martin, partly because of the scenery.
ReplyDeleteLove those green men. Don's mom had a cabinet with one, which Lesley inherited!
We love everywhere we go in England, Ruth, and now especially in Cornwall. The Lake District is another place we want to visit one of these years. So much to see; so little time.
DeleteLisl and Pauline always want us to see the green men, some of which you have to hunt for. I want to learn more about them...and why we don't see them here in the Netherlands, for instance???
Nothing like old seaports. No wood ages like wood near the ocean and no weather changes so frequently as coastal weather. You’ve found a gem with all those old churches. I’m not sure what to make of green men, but they seem another form of gargoyle. Those Normans were haunted folk. Did you get to hear the organ play?
ReplyDeleteWe saw so much of how the weather wreaks havoc in Malta, Ted, but I can see what you mean about these coastal towns of England. I need to pay more attention to that...the weather effects.
DeleteThe green men are most fascinating, indeed. With each consecutive year in England, we learn more about them! I'm even learning that they don't always want to be photographed! (I've heard that about many churches...even St. Peter's in the Vatican.)
Wow, these little towns are goldmines for photography buff. The scenery is outstanding too. Are these considered touristy towns?
ReplyDeleteThese towns are indeed touristy, Maria. In fact, the Cornish economy depends on the tourists, often to their chagrin. While in Malta, we felt the tourists were gladly welcomed by everyone...but while in Cornwall, not so much. But yes, the photo ops are everywhere!
DeleteI was going to ask the exact question as Photo Cache asked...interesting!!
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised to hear from Pauline that the Cornish economy is really struggling. Many voted for BREXIT, which tells you everything. (sigh)
DeleteWHAT? you're not going to TELL US about the green men? lol pffft :)
ReplyDeletei liked that picture of the wee crab, so trusting and comfy in your hand!!
and you two are cute with the ice creme licking lol
and Daphne D'umauriay or how ever you spell it, that's impressive isn't it? mostly coz she wrote more than ONE novel lolol
I'm still learning about the green men, Elaine, and have so much more research to do...but later, when I have more time. HA!
DeleteThat's Astrid's hand holding the wee crab she found...and then gave back to the sea. But who can resist an ice cream, right? We often get a taste of each other's flavor...but she says this time I got hers but she didn't get mine. LOL.
Daphne du Maurier...take a Google of her and read why I'm suddenly interested in her. :)