Although Boscastle wasn't on my itinerary, after we arrived in Port Isaac we heard of it several times ... people saying to go there. So one day we took the bus from Port Isaac (at the top of the steep hill) to the quaint, small village of Boscastle that was also a cove.
I took photos of the drive through the bus windows, and even had the 'flaming' driver on the way back that we'd had returning from Tintagel earlier in the week. Only this time he had pink fingernails whereas before they were ruby red. :) He lives in Tintagel, a very entertaining and informative driver. Nice guy, someone that would be fun to know.
At The Riverside Inn (owners - Peter and Margaret Templar), we had lunch at the hotel restaurant/tearoom & Garden overlooking the River Valency (we call them creeks here) in Boscastle. We met the proprietor, Peter, a really nice man. His son also works there. In fact I took a pic of Peter as we were leaving while he was on the phone. Wonderful food, wonderful relaxing restaurant with lovely ambiance.
There's also a pic of the owner of The Leather Shop in Boscastle holding up a handmade journal, his wife made the paper and the fabric of the cover. I bought it, the last of its kind, she won't be making any more. Now she only makes dolls, first collection (more to come) called The Woodland Collection . . .
"Inspiration for this collection is drawn from the magical woodlands of North Cornwall incorporating the textures and hues that mirror its natural beauty. THE BRACKEN have been individually created using embellished handmade fabrics. Their characters and personalties develop in the making with time and care taken to ensure each one is unique. All THE BRACKEN have a name carefully chosen to be in harmony with the woodland and its surroundings. They are all numbered and are part of a Limited Edition of 250 with their own Certificate of Authenticity." www.thebracken.com
Trish bought one of the dolls - Shamrock, I believe is her name.
We didn't meet the artist, only her husband, he makes the leather goods in "The Leather Shop" at "The Old Mill". Very interesting afternoon we spent in Boscastle, regardless of the rain.
You'll also see the back alleyway that actually fronts cottages and houses along the 'river' that empties into the sea. An afternoon well spent. Glad we went.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Charming Port Isaac!
I think the best way to encapsulate a description of Port Isaac is ... one of the most charming seacoast villages in England, set in a cove stretching up the enbankment, peaceful with cobblestone alleyways (streets), shops, pubs, and holiday cottages. The perfect place to get away from it all and settle in to write, rest, eat and drink.
I could live there, easily, except for the steep climb to the CoOp (grocery store) and lack of medical facilities and drug store. For medical treatment one has to travel to another town if you need more than aspirin and simple cold remedies. But that's easy, just have to plan in advance for all of that. As well as grocery. We would take the hike up the hill maybe every other day to get what we needed at the grocery, I was always bringing up the rear of course, since I'm not good on uphill hikes. And we could only carry a lightly packed bag of goods at a time. So we planned our purchases carefully. There were always the pubs and cafes in which to dine, too, so if one wanted to eat out all the time, no problem. But I'm a finger food sort of person, sometimes cheese and bread is enough for me in a meal. I was hooked on the beet root, ate several packages of that while there with my cheese and bread. Yum yum.
We would build a nightly fire in the fireplace, in fact in some of the Port Isaac photos to the left you will see the smoke rising from our chimney, the light is on in the living room ... cozy, huh? Trish was in the cottage while I was down in the cove taking pics. We stayed in the White House Cottage to the left of the White House which is to the left of 'Doc Martin's' brick dwelling used in the TV series. Ironic that a series with a doctor is set in a village that doesn't have any doctors. And the candy store is used as a pharmacy in the series, no pharmacy in Port Isaac. lol lol Interesting.
The photo of the four men that you'll see as you watch the slide show, are the 2 husbands of the gals that I wrote of in the previous post who helped me plot a novel (the two men on the left). That was a fun evening with those four guys at the Slipway, before and after the wives returned. Hilarious, actually. They were calling me Jessica ... of Murder She Wrote. The two on the right were visiting the cove from the Midlands - wild and crazy guys - dentists. Where were they when I lost a cap the last day we were there?
As you'll see, the streets are narrow and winding between the dwellings and other buildings and although looking grey and dismal, there is a tranquil, joyous feeling amidst them. I always feel that way in England wherever I am. One reason I'm drawn back to it time and time again. And in that tranquility, I am always inspired in my quiet thoughts. So much so that I look forward to time alone with my thoughts. But then I'm the same at home, even here in Arizona or wherever I call home.
More later ...
I could live there, easily, except for the steep climb to the CoOp (grocery store) and lack of medical facilities and drug store. For medical treatment one has to travel to another town if you need more than aspirin and simple cold remedies. But that's easy, just have to plan in advance for all of that. As well as grocery. We would take the hike up the hill maybe every other day to get what we needed at the grocery, I was always bringing up the rear of course, since I'm not good on uphill hikes. And we could only carry a lightly packed bag of goods at a time. So we planned our purchases carefully. There were always the pubs and cafes in which to dine, too, so if one wanted to eat out all the time, no problem. But I'm a finger food sort of person, sometimes cheese and bread is enough for me in a meal. I was hooked on the beet root, ate several packages of that while there with my cheese and bread. Yum yum.
We would build a nightly fire in the fireplace, in fact in some of the Port Isaac photos to the left you will see the smoke rising from our chimney, the light is on in the living room ... cozy, huh? Trish was in the cottage while I was down in the cove taking pics. We stayed in the White House Cottage to the left of the White House which is to the left of 'Doc Martin's' brick dwelling used in the TV series. Ironic that a series with a doctor is set in a village that doesn't have any doctors. And the candy store is used as a pharmacy in the series, no pharmacy in Port Isaac. lol lol Interesting.
The photo of the four men that you'll see as you watch the slide show, are the 2 husbands of the gals that I wrote of in the previous post who helped me plot a novel (the two men on the left). That was a fun evening with those four guys at the Slipway, before and after the wives returned. Hilarious, actually. They were calling me Jessica ... of Murder She Wrote. The two on the right were visiting the cove from the Midlands - wild and crazy guys - dentists. Where were they when I lost a cap the last day we were there?
As you'll see, the streets are narrow and winding between the dwellings and other buildings and although looking grey and dismal, there is a tranquil, joyous feeling amidst them. I always feel that way in England wherever I am. One reason I'm drawn back to it time and time again. And in that tranquility, I am always inspired in my quiet thoughts. So much so that I look forward to time alone with my thoughts. But then I'm the same at home, even here in Arizona or wherever I call home.
More later ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)