8/2 (Sunday) – St. Michael's Mount, Chysauster, Land's End, Cornwall

Today we headed out on another driving tour.  Mary had copied half of an old book of Jim and Phyllis’ that had lots of driving trips in the UK…we are trying to hit all the ones in Cornwall…monumental task.  To shorten the route we took King Harry’s Ferry, a chain ferry, across the Fal River.  Two chains are strung across the river and are threaded through a mechanism in the ferry that then pulls the ferry across. 

Fal River Ferry Landing

Fal River

Today, the highlight for Mary was the long anticipated St. Michael’s Mount, the English answer to Mont Saint-Michel in France.  The island is managed by the National Trust and the castle has been home of the St. Aubyn’s family since the 1650s.  At low tide (scheduled for 1:30 today) the island can be reached on foot by causeway (at high tide by boat). 

The first view of the island was by sheer accident when a wrong turn took us to the Mount Haven hotel instead of Mount Bay.  However, the tide was in at the time and we had glorious views of the island surrounded by water. 

After a few pictures we decided to wait out the tide by going to visit the ancient village of Chysauster.  The original village consisted of about a half dozen courtyard stone dwelling (courtyard with several surrounding rooms) built about 2500 years ago.  All that is left now are the lower two to four feet of some of the stone walls.  The construction job must have been exhausting as the walls were generally at least three feet thick.

The village was high on a hill with wonderful views of the countryside and the ocean in the distance.  It was a great location to live …but very windy.

By now the tide was out so we headed to St. Michael’s Mount for lunch and an afternoon of touring the island.  When we arrived at the harbor there were dozens of small sailing boats setting out for some sort of race or regatta.  The sight of all the white sails was pretty impressive.

With the tide low we were able to walk across the causeway to the island. 

Causeway to the mainland.

The little harbor at low tide.

We had a light lunch at one of the eateries and then wandered around.  Paul and Mary walked up the steep path to the castle for views... 

and a tour of the castle...

Castle Armory

and the small chapel. 

From the battlements there were great views of the castle gardens that terraced down the steep island side.  Unfortunately the gardens were closed to the public so we couldn't visit them up close.

Jim and Phyllis opted to not take the climb.  Their reward was a concert by a local men’s chorus. 

Then it was on to Land’s End and the far tip of Cornwall - home of the last (or first depending on whether you were leaving England or returning) sight of England, with the last or first inn, pub, and hotel in the country. 

The coastline was rugged and very beautiful.



Longships Islands and Lighthouse



We nearly got blown away but at least we all made it there…for bragging rights if nothing else.