The weather forecast was not good and the closer we got to Penzance the more the cloud closed in. By the time we got to Mousehole it was raining and misty so we didn' t even stop (Mousehill is a village that hugs the coastline. Not quite what you'd call cliff-top, but it is a bit above sea level and on a rocky coastline. We think the name Mousehole might have come from the location of rescue boat - it is in a "cave" in the rock face beneath the village, and is launched down a ramp into the sea. It would give the appearance of a mouse coming in and out of its hole EDIT : Not quite true, but a nice story). We were headed for the Minack Theatre, an open air performance space cut into a cliff face , at Porthcurno not far from Lands End.
As usual the roads were narrow (we seem to get narrower and narrower roads every day we travel!), and with the misty rain, we nearly gave up several times. Greg, not being keen on cliffs and suffering with a heavy cold, waited the car while I popped down to the theatre entrance still not sure if it was worth paying the entrance fee. As soon as I caught a glimpse of the site and the surrounding cliffs and sandy beaches I knew it was worth it and the rain had stopped. The Minack Theatre was planned, built and fnanced by Rowena Cade, an extraordinary woman. Performances of all kinds are held regularly with the audience on terraced seating, some of it grass and some from carved rock, with the spectacular cliffs and water as the backdrop. It would be a fabulous experience.
Heading north again the weather improved as we left Lands End behind. We drove to St Erth and parked at the little station and caught the train to St Ives. The line runs along the river and then along the bay to St Ives. Even in the overcast weather it was a very pretty trip. We had lunch at The Ship Inn. Greg had a traditional bangers and mash, and I had local crab sandwich. The sun came out for our return train trip to St Erth. The water in the bay became a Carribean blue.
We dined at our usual table at our usual Padstow local, The London Inn (it's got free wifi). We attract lots of looks and some enquiries from other customers as we sit there checking emails and writing the blog. We haven't seen anyone else taking advantage of the wifi.
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