Time for a Cider Break!

At this point, Sugar Bear was tired of the epic views and historical lectures.

(Who is this child?) 

She was over it and wanted something a little more fun, preferably with animals.

So when we spotted this place in a local travel guide, we made it our next stop. 

Cider, shopping, critters AND a tractor ride?  We're there!

 Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm is the home of Cornish Scrumpy and Cornish Rattler.  

 You can visit the working cider farm, shop and restaurant for free.  

We opted to spend a few extra quid and took the guided tour

of the press house and a tractor ride through the orchards.

Our guides were very informed and cute, young men with Cornish accents,

so SB perked up quite a bit. 

For TE & me, they even have a museum of old presses that was very interesting

... (and historical, but don't tell SB.)   

There's a petting zoo and a jam cellar.  

The Cyder Farm turned out to be a highlight of our trip even without the epic views.

 

Happy Girl.

 I love their bangs (fringe).  Too cute!

We capped off our visit with a cider tasting.  We didn't think we liked cider much, but after the tasting we realized that we actually did like it.

It was pretty good!  

We ended up bringing several bottles home, including the

Texas Style Hard Cyder!

We then continued north along the western coast and this was our view most of the way...

Narrow one lane roads with hedges on both sides.

The exciting part was when you met another vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

Talk about a tight squeeze.  TE did an excellent job.

I offered to drive, but he declined.  Can't imagine why?

We passed through a few more picturesque coastal towns

including Port Isaac where Doc Martin (very funny British sitcom) is filmed.

We also stopped at an old church and had a walk around the peaceful, old graveyard. 

Can you believe this was only our second full day on the road?

That night we stayed at another B&B, The Lane End Farm in Pendoggett, Cornwall. 

It was comfy and we had a good night's sleep.  

We were heading back to London the next day, but not before two more stops...

one with history and views and one with more furry creatures.

xoxo

Selena

Go West, Young Man!

The next stop of our road trip was Land's End, Cornwall which is the Western most point of England.  

After paying £5 to park we walked through a very uninviting walkway

and were greeted with enticements to spend more of our hard earned pounds.  

I would suggest you bypass all of this man-made stuff

and just make your way straight to the real attraction of Land's End... 

the views.  

As usual, I just don't have the words so I'll show you the pictures. 

But, even the pictures don't really capture the true magnificence.  

We had a little companion on the cliff paths.  He was adorable and not skittish at all.  

We explored and admired the spectacular views for about an hour and were on our way.  

Just as the German tour buses arrived.

Next stop... a Cider Farm!

xoxo

Selena

St. Michael's Mount

Last year I installed the Castle Screensavers on my work computer and decided that I had to visit every one of the castles that were pictured.  

Mont St. Michel in Normandy, France is at the top of that list and I can't wait to visit. 

But, I didn't realize that there is a counterpart to that amazing sight in Cornwall, England.

St. Michael's Mount 

 St. Michael's Mount was given to the Benedictine monks in the 11th Century and in 1135, the French Monks built the first church on the tidal island and it became a pilgrimage site.  

 

In the 1400's it was taken by the English Monarchy and given to a subject by Queen Elizabeth I.  

 In 1659 it was sold to the John St. Aubyn and became a personal home.  His ancestors still live on the island. 

In the 50's the family gifted the Mount to the National Trust with a 999 year family lease.

 We visited early in the morning while the tide was in. 

We loaded up on to little boats for the the quick trip across (£2 each per trip).

 When the tide is out, you walk over to the island on a stone pathway.  

There is a small harbor and gift shops at the base of the Mount.  

The rocky climb up to the top is a bit of a challenge,

but not too bad if you take it slow and wear comfy shoes.  

Once you get to the top, the views are breathtaking!

The exteriors are ancient but the interiors aren't what you expect.

It is a modern home and we were able to walk through a few of the rooms.

It was interesting to read about how the home has been managed over the past 500 years.

A butler made this model with wine corks.  Now that's what you do with wine corks.

I'm going to Pin this, I think.  

 There is a large verandah and a path around the building with more spectacular views. 

I was struggling a little with my fear of heights as it was straight down on one side.

You can see the walkway that is covered up by the tides.  

 After a good explore, as the tide went out and the clouds rolled in, we took the small boat back over to the mainland and said goodbye to St. Michael's Mount.

I looked out and saw this image rising out of the sea and it was like traveling back in time.  

I still can't believe there are places like this in the world

and I have to pinch myself when I see them.

It was magical.  I know, I know.

I really need to get a thesaurus because I just don't have the words.

I definitely had a moment or two while at St. Michael's Mount.

I hope you aren't getting bored of our Cornwall trip.  There are still a few more posts.

More magic.

xoxo

Selena