The Charm of Cornwall

In 1997, a small group of fellow artists and myself were fortunate enough to holiday in Cornwall, England. I wanted to go there because my ancestors , on dads side, came from St. Ives, Cornwall , England. Of the many places I have visited in the world, Cornwall is one of my favorites.

It is somewhat of a peninsula situated on the southwest coast of England surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. We stayed in the little quaint village of Mousehole and were lodged in an old stone cottage built in 1495. We were but a stones throw, along a winding cobbled road, from the ocean, the source of livelihood for the inhabitants.

Fishing is a primary industry there now, but years back it was also tin mining. There are many remains of the old tin mining shafts. The sight and sound of seagulls everywhere color the sky, always waiting for fishing boats to draw into the harbor.

Every cottage had a door painted in bright colors, as purple, yellow, blue or whatever they desired. Each door had a small door at the bottom,for the cat to come and go freely. The cottage windows had lacy curtains inside and a flower filled window box outside. Flowers of all kinds seem to thrive in the climate, especially roses. Foxglove grew wild along the seaside walking paths that followed the rocky coastline.

What makes Cornwall so memorable to me ? Is it the many narrow winding streets that passed by shops and small cottages with flowers covering even their garbage bins? Or is it the fact that around every bend in the road there was a reminder of times gone by. Small tea shops still invite visitors and locals in each afternoon for tea and delicious scones with clotted cream. They maintain the simplicity of life which binds them all together.

In a world of constant change, it is good to know there is a place like Cornwall where time almost seems to stand still.