Mel's Cornish Adventure

Friday at last and a couple of days rest ( I thought) after a busy and somewhat eventful week at work.

My job was going really well and I was getting some great feedback from my bosses, then they decided it was time for me to take on some new tasks.
1. Clean the floor of the bar area - well that sounded fine until they let me loose with the buffer machine - within minutes the bar tables were sent flying at great speed across the room and I was left hanging on to the stupid machine in a desperate attempt to prevent any further destruction.
2. Fitting new light bulbs in the main entrance - simple I thought but I needed a step ladder so I asked the duty manager where I could find one. Kindly he offered to show me, so off we went, chatting about how well I was settling in. The cupboard we needed was under the staff living quarters and when we got there it was all in darkness. Trying to be helpful I reached out and switched on what I thought was the light. BIG MISTAKE ....... it was the fire alarm!!! The building evacuated at lightning speed and I had to face my scantily clad, newly made friends and admit - yep it was me!

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7am Friday morning and Anne is up and ready for the off. Seems it's Flora Day in Helston and we just have to be there.
We were soon on the road and after a 40 mile drive we reached the town. Some of you oldies may remember the Terry Wogan version of the Flora Dance song - pretty awful!

The town was thronging with people and shops and houses were decorated with colourful spring flowers.
We arrived just as the children began their dance through the streets. More than 1000 children , dressed in white, danced their way around the town accompanied by the band playing the traditional music.

The dancing continues thoughout the day but the famous, ancient (pre- christian) Furry Dance
takes place at 12 noon. Ladies in their finery and gents dressed in morming suit dance around the town and in and out of the shops and houses.

Kid in a sweet shop!

On the way back to the car we came across an old fashioned sweet shop. They had all the old favourites like Bull's Eyes, Pear drops, Pineapple chunks and I just couldn't resist the rum and butter toffees.

After watching some of the dancing we walked back to the car and headed off towards The Lizard Peninsular. Anne has been wanting to take me down there for some time - and now I know why.

After passing RNAS Culdrose - the largest helicopter base in Europe, our first stop was Kynance Cove.

The National Trust took £3.20 off us to park the car, then tried to sell us membership for another £79!

We began the steep walk down to the cove.

Thrift covers much of the cliff tops along the walk.

Wow- what a beach!

Anne had carefully timed our arrival for low tide because at high tide there is very little beach. Even though the sun was shining today the sea was very rough - the photos do not portray very well the sheer size of the breakers.

Looking at the size of Anne's rucksac I wondered how long we were staying!

Not content with just the beach Anne had me climbibg - again! Good job I bought these boots, going to need a new pair soon I fear!

Looking along the coast towards The Lizard.

Kynance from the cliff top

When I started moaning about my legs aching..................out of the rucksac came a cider!

Clear blue skies over Cornwall and stunning scenery.

After a good couple of hours at Kynance we were off again.

Next stop was the Lizard itself. Everyone else drove down but we had to walk of course! The Lizard is the most southerly point in the UK. We saw seals just off the shore and then wandered down to the old lifeboat station where I found this very nice boat!

I answered the call of nature in what I thought was a secluded spot, but on our return to the cliff top I realised I had been in full view of ther people having their cream teas in the cafe!!

Tired out, I thought we were ready to head home............... Don't be silly, there's lots to see yet.

Next stop - Cadgwith, a very pretty fishing village with lots of thatched cottages...................and a pub.....at last!

But, guess what......... we had to walk down to it because the road was too narrow.

Oh joy, I didn't know which bit hurt the most, my back, my legs or my toes.