Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Return to Tintagel

In my last post I mentioned that I had recently taken a short trip to Cornwall.  So here I am back again to share some of the pictures...
We started off driving down via the north coast as I wanted to visit a favourite spot. Tintagel  The last trip was in 2011,  so it was definitely time to say hello again to this mythical, magical old rugged place.
It's always a good time to visit, but May has it's advantages. The wild and jutted jagged edges are  softened by bluebells, yellow tom thumb, purple thrift, sea campion and other coastal cliff flowers.
I picked a sprig of thrift to dry and keep. I shall keep it with my dried clover flower that I picked on top of the Tor, at Glastonbury.
High on top stands the new sculpture 'Gallos' by Rubin Eynon.  It means power in Cornish. An 8ft bronze sculpture inspired by the legend of King Arthur. I believe that some people are not happy about new additions here and feel that it is making Tintagel too commercial... I personally really liked it and thought it was a beautiful thing. Standing tall with the wild winds and stormy skies around him he looked so at home. I loved the way he faced inland. looking back home to his lands. I also love the way the artist has left parts of him as just gaps, as if he is only partially here. A ghost you can see through. Arthur stepping through the veil.
Another angle.
Magical.
Carrying on the Arthurian theme, we crossed Bodmin moor and passed Dozmary Pool.
Dozmary Pool is a fresh water natural lake. In local legend, it is believed to be the final resting place of Excalibur and the home to the Lady of the lake.  After Arthur was mortally wounded at the battle of Camlann, Sir Bedevere threw Excalibur into the lake, returning it to the Lady. 

I would have been happy to carry on visiting Arthurian sites, but there were other plans on the list too, so that will have to wait to another day. Instead we drove across to the southern coast and met a sea mist in Polperro.
Polperro was one place I had never been in Cornwall, so a visit was long overdue. It didn't disappoint and looked even more atmospheric in the grey and mist. 
For those of you that like me have never been. It is a place of winding narrow streets, white washed cottages and is filled with quirky corners 
The Shell House...
We browsed in the lovely little shops, visited the museum, in between dodging the rain showers and were enticed into cosy cafes by tempting treats. 
The next day the sun came out so we went in search of the wild and rugged places once more and walked some of the coastal path.
A lovely walk was had. 
We finished our short trip by returning via the northern side again and back to the more magical .  Many years back I visited the famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle.  After so many years I  thought it about time to make a re visit. Such an interesting museum filled to the brim with so many things to look at. Spells and talismans and all manner of magical tools and information about magic and witchcraft through the ages.  
It was a perfect end to a short break. :-)  

11 comments:

  1. Thank you Karen, place of my heart and the heart of my childhood. I miss the SW alot.

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  2. Sounds utter bliss i love Cornwall and it has been years my children are yet to go there.

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  3. Wow you packed in a lot for a short stay!♥ The statue at Tintagel looks amazing, I must go and see it next time I'm over that way. I love Polperro, it's the first place I ever visited in Cornwall and I think that's the reason for me, it holds so much magic. In the high summer it has to be the most prettiest place in the whole world with all the flowers and those tiny lanes. Thanks for sharing your magical trip!xx

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  4. We visited Tintagel in 2009 and loved it! (Also the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle). I think the new statue of King Arthur at Tintagel's peak is wonderful and very evocative!

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  5. We will have to visit Tintagel now when we visit Cornwall. Magical post as always xx

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  6. It must be near enough 50 years since I visited Tintagel but I still remember how wild and beautiful it was. I really like the bronze sculpture, it fits its surroundings perfectly.

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  7. gosh...what a stunning world you guys live in...you are very lucky to have such magical places around you! One day I'll get to Britain again and spend more time exploring! Cornwall is now certainly on my (very) long list.... thanks for sharing Karen xx

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  8. So beautiful; thank you for sharing it.

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  9. Fantastic - thank you for sharing. I love Cornwall and dream of visiting someday.

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