| Photos on this page are courtesy of: Cornwall Guide, TourBlaze, Cornwall 365 and Flickr Creative Commons': john47kent, Graham&Dairne, rutty, AntoonFoobar, NellieWindmill, CrossDuck, TheBrit2, DanieVDM, jonl1973. Camelot lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. |
| By the Sea |
There are so many quaint coastal villages in England, when I started searching for
photos for this page, I soon realized I would have to narrow my search parameters! I
finally settled on the county of Cornwall, an area unique in its geography, because it's
surrounded on three sides by the sea. It's the furthermost southern and western point
of the English mainland, jutting out into the Celtic Sea on two sides and the English
Channel on the third. Recognized as one of the Celtic nations, Cornwall retains a distinct
and unique identity, reflecting its history and its strong cultural ties to neighboring
Wales, Ireland and Brittany.
Cornwall is known for the rugged beauty of its coastline, the vastness of its moorlands
and the interesting names of its villages, which were derived from the Cornish
language. (And, also, known for its town of St. Ives, which has given us a very old and
often-repeated riddle.)
According to Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th century "History of the Kings of Britain,"
Tintagel Castle, situated on Cornwall's northern coast, was the birthplace of the
legendary King Arthur. Some have gone so far as to say that - if King Arthur actually
existed - Cornwall would have been the logical setting for his fabled kingdom of Camelot.
We'll let others debate the legends of King Arthur and Lancelot. Why don't we just take a
quick trip to Cornwall and enjoy a few relaxing moments sitting by the sea? -- Nancy
photos for this page, I soon realized I would have to narrow my search parameters! I
finally settled on the county of Cornwall, an area unique in its geography, because it's
surrounded on three sides by the sea. It's the furthermost southern and western point
of the English mainland, jutting out into the Celtic Sea on two sides and the English
Channel on the third. Recognized as one of the Celtic nations, Cornwall retains a distinct
and unique identity, reflecting its history and its strong cultural ties to neighboring
Wales, Ireland and Brittany.
Cornwall is known for the rugged beauty of its coastline, the vastness of its moorlands
and the interesting names of its villages, which were derived from the Cornish
language. (And, also, known for its town of St. Ives, which has given us a very old and
often-repeated riddle.)
According to Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th century "History of the Kings of Britain,"
Tintagel Castle, situated on Cornwall's northern coast, was the birthplace of the
legendary King Arthur. Some have gone so far as to say that - if King Arthur actually
existed - Cornwall would have been the logical setting for his fabled kingdom of Camelot.
We'll let others debate the legends of King Arthur and Lancelot. Why don't we just take a
quick trip to Cornwall and enjoy a few relaxing moments sitting by the sea? -- Nancy
| Riddle - (Answer at bottom of page) As I was walking to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives. On each wife's back were seven sacks, And in each sack were seven cats. Cats, sacks, man, wives, How many were going to St. Ives? |
| Land's End, Cornwall, is located on the most western tip of the English mainland - next stop, moving west, is Newfoundland. Sign reads, "First and last refreshment house in England." |
| Left & above, the ruins of Tintagel Castle, said to be the birthplace of King Arthur. |
| Camelot It's true! The crown has made it clear, The climate must be perfect all the year. A law was made a distant moon ago, here July and August cannot be too hot. And there's a legal limit to the snow - In Camelot. The winter is forbidden till December And exits March the second on the dot. By order, summer lingers through September - In Camelot. I know it sounds a little bit bizarre, But in Camelot, that's how conditions are. In short, there's simply not A more congenial spot For happy-ever-aftering than here - In Camelot. |
| Photo locations: St. Ives, Mevagissey, Looe, Mousehole, Fowey, Penzance, Polperro, Staithes, Port Quin, Boscastle & Port Isaac. ~ ~ ~ How many were going to St. Ives? Only one...the man, wives, sacks and cats were headed in the other direction. |
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| Music: The Old Mill Whispers - Home Old New Orleans Friday's Journal |