Here is the second part of my trip with my brother, Paul. Susie was with friends hiking the Cotswolds, visiting Bath and London. We will meet up again in the US at the end of September.
Dartmoor National Park
We drove back into Dartmoor and walked a loop trail from Cadover Bridge to Shaugh Bridge and back. This took us over pastures, past horses and sheep through moor lands, out to granite promitories (tors) down into forests, along the Meavy and Plym rivers and back into the moors. Very enjoyable and so varied in the terrain. We passed by Cadover Cross, likely a 13th century waypoint for travelers, To Dewerstone Rock, the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort.
Hurlers Stone Circles
Three prehistoric stone circles in a row. Particularly erie with the clouds as backdrop, and a nearby ruin of a mine buildings.
A costal stronghold since time of the Romans (and likely well before), and a small harbour for trade. This area was the inspiration for the stories of King Aurthur, and the location of a secure residence for the Earl of Cornwall built in 1230. Many modifications over the years, but ultimately abandoned and fallen into ruins. The narrow land bridge to the headlands eventually collapsed long ago due to sea erosion. Those wanting to see the ruins on the headlands had to hike down and then back up to the “island”. In 2019 a bridge was built to span the gap where the original land-bridge had been. But not just an ordinary bridge, it is actually two separate cantilevered bridge that nearly meet in the middle. No castle here anymore, just ruins but what a setting!
Tregiffian
Our BnB was out near the end of a single-lane road by the sea. At the end of the road was John La Carre’s house, the author of many famous spy novels. With only two guest rooms, it was a cozy place with very nice and conscientious owners. We managed to dodge the rain enough to enjoy the area.
St Ives
We drove to the north coast to visit this quaint fishing/tourist town. We did get pretty wet in a downpour and dashed into a restaurant for some fish and chips.
Tate Modern
This is a modern art museum, and to me, most modern art seems excessive in imagination and lacking in uh, skill? Still I did like these two paintings with I think were painted by Cherkaoui, as there was a big section dedicated to the Casablanca School of Art.
Tregiffian Farm to Porthcurno walk
We spent a few hours walking the piece of the Coastal Way from our BnB to Porthcurno. Beautiful sights along the way. Muddy at the start, rainy at times, windy all the time, but glorious views.
Land’s End
After the hike we grabbed a bus to Land’s End to get a bite to eat. Disappointing. It is a tourist trap with bad hamburgers. The sit down restaurant may be better. People posing at the “world famous signpost” paid about $25 for the photo. And the establishment isn’t even at the end of the land, which is a few hundred yards to the north.
Geevor and Levant Tin mines
Tin has been extracted from Cornwall mines from the stone age through to recent times. We visited the Geevor mine, which closed in the 1990’s, walked through wheal Mexico mine shafts dug in the 18th century, and looked at the ruins of the Levant Mine which operated in the 19th century.
After a long and wet drive back to London, Paul stayed for an extra day before flying home and I took a flight to Berlin for my final, solo chapter of this very long trip! Susie went on with her friends to Greece. One more week and we are back in the US!
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