Day 30: Oct. 3, 2018 - On to Penzance

We arise early to finish packing up and close the flat. We take an Uber to Paddington Station. We board our train and find our seats. We share a table with an interesting woman, about our age, who is headed to Exeter. We have a nice discussion which turns a little  uncomfortable when she explains that she is traveling to execute the will of her recently deceased Uncle.

The ride through the southwestern countryside is beautiful. We get to Exeter in two hours. The last bit of the ride to Penzance takes another 3 hours (the express that we were on has become a local). But shortly after Exeter, we catch sight of the sea and the ride is even more picturesque than before Exeter.

Harbour at Plymouth

South from the Bridge at Plymouth

We arrive in Penzance and debark.

Our Train, Arrived in Penzance

We need to get to the Hotel with our three bags, but there are no taxis to hire! We walk the half mile to the Queen’s Hotel, at least it is flat. Our room is cozy and warm. I am thirsty, so we stop by the hotel’s bar for a pint. Amy has a half-pint of cider.

We have been sitting on a train for most of the day, so we need to stretch our legs. Penzance is a very historic town and the town has a Heritage Trail. We finish our drinks and head out to explore.

Most interesting to me: The Statue of Humphry Davy (1778 – 1829).

Statue of Humphry Davy

Davy was a local chemist and inventor, who, using electricity, was the first to isolate potassium, sodium, calcium as well as other chemicals. He created electrochemistry. He also investigated the properties of nitrous oxide and named it laughing gas, proposing its use as an anaesthetic during surgery.

Also interesting on the walk is …

The Union Hotel

…said to be the first place in Britain where the news of Nelson’s death and victory at Trafalgar were heard (1805), and the Admiral Benbow Inn. (See Day 31.)

We have a nice walk and return to our hotel for a little down time before dinner. We eat at 19:00 in the hotel’s restaurant, The Promenade. The view out the front windows is wonderful. We spot a couple of people swimming in the little bay as twilight approaches. Amy and I each have the Filet of Sole, cooked to perfection. It is a wonderful end to our first post-London day.