Day 32: Oct. 5, 2018 - Lands End

We arise uncertainly. I have come down with a cold and I coughed on and off all night. I stopped coughing in the early morning and I feel better now, but am not 100%. I don't know how much activity I am up for in my current state. Amy has a nice run on the Promenade while I stay fairly lethargic.

Sunrise During Amy's Run

When she returns, I feel well enough that we decide that today’s destination is Lands End and, perhaps, other sites in Cornwall. I am a little fearful as this will be my first real test at the right-hand wheel of an automobile this trip in very rural country.

We get to breakfast late in the morning, but have a nice meal. We head out about 10:30 for the 10-mile drive west. Lands End is the westernmost point of England, akin to Key West for the Continental USA’s southernmost point. The driving is easy! We park in the large parking area just inland from the LE Hotel and a host of other activities (King Arthur’s Quest, Return to Jurassic Park, Trinket Shops, Ice Cream).

At Lands End

We walk both north and south along the cliffs. The overcast was thinning as we started walking, but the fog is now coming in a little thicker while we walk back to the LE Hotel. We find the Ice Cream Shop and indulge ourselves with servings of Cornwall’s finest. Delicious.

We have enjoyed Lands End and now we head back towards Penzance with 3 stops along the way. It is challenging driving along very narrow lanes, but all goes well, except for the fact that MapMe (the App on Amy’s iPhone) keeps getting lost (confused about where it really is).

Our first stop is the Minack Theatre. Created by Rowena Cade and opening in 1932, it is an open-air theatre with the Sea as its backdrop. The original production: The Tempest. Since then, the theatre has been improved and many more plays have been staged.

Minack Theatre

Thanks to Betty for the suggestion. It’s a really stunning place to view a dramatic production. I’d really like to see The Tempest here.

Our second stop is The Merry Maidens. This is a Neolithic stone circle just south of the village of St. Buryan. MapMe has a little difficulty finding the right road, but once we do, there are good signs and we locate the correct turnout and walk the few dozen meters to the stone circle.

The Merry Maidens

Yes, the stones are small; it isn’t Stonehenge, but it is ancient. The local legend is that these were Young Ladies who skipped Church on a Sunday morning and were turned into stone as punishment. Yeah, Right!

Our third and final stop is the Rock Pool Café, also suggested by Betty. It works out nicely as we are getting hungry. Situated in the town of Mousehole, it is easy to find. We pull into the parking area, find a nice spot on the terrace and order our food. We enjoy the views while waiting for our food.

Rock Pool Cafe

Amy has a cranberry and brie sandwich. I enjoy a crab sandwich. Both are very tasty. We are now only 3 miles from the Queen’s Hotel, so we hop back in the car and are relaxing in our room in no time.

After our day on the Cornwall peninsula, we opt for the Promenade Restaurant at our Queen’s Hotel for Dinner (again). Amy has the Hake and I have the Roast Lamb. Delicious as usual. We retire well fed. It has been a good day.