Pic.1: A moving evening, Cape Cornwall © Glyn Davies 2009
It's been a bit strange the last few days, arriving back in the UK from Portugal, one day back in my favourite place in the whole world, my office!, and then off to my really favourite place in the whole world, my personal utopia, Cornwall.
We arrived after dark last night, after almost 9 hours on the road, loads of traffic, several traffic jams, and several pee stops for the women with us! We opened the side door of the VW and immediately a full force South Westerly wind raced in welcoming us to this exposed South West tip of Cornwall. We couldn't see the sea, but we could hear it clearly, it sounded massive and relentless in the darkness. I was ecstatic to be back in Cornwall, gripped by the elements and the smell of the sea.
Can't believe that we had to watch X Factor immediately upon arrival, over chewy steaks because we couldn't work out how to use the new oven:-) If it had been Merlin of course I'd have been well up for it, and he could also probably have saved the steaks with some Cornish magic :-)))
Pic.2: Summit of Carn Brea, early morning © Glyn Davies 2009
This morning I woke up early, threw open the lounge curtains and took in the stunning but now familiar view of sunrise over Cape Cornwall. I left the others in bed and headed for Carn Brea (the one near Sennen). The low rays of the sun warmed my face and showed up all the travel dirt on the windscreen! It all felt very 60's and hippy driving along in my VW with no one else on the road. I practically ran up the grassy path to the summit of the Carn to catch the light. I could see huge white waves breaking over Longships Lighthouse off Land's End and the Brisons Rocks off Cape Cornwall in the distance. The light was low and intense but the wind was blowing hard. Once again I was enjoying being alone, surrounded by stunning landscape, exposed and windswept. I was excited by the racing patches of sunshine tearing over the landscape, spotlighting features from time to time and daring me to take notice!
Pic.3: Sunshine over rolling hills © Glyn Davies 2009
I returned to the flat, spent half an hour trying to establish Mobile Broadband, and then with an impatient crew, we headed for Sennen and the surf :-) We spent about an hour in surprisingly and very unexpectedly small surf before heading for the pasty shop and lunch. TWO pasties and a coffee later (for me that is!!!) and we headed for Penzance for an hours shopping. I chose instead to window browse the amazing Charles Roff PZ photo gallery before kipping in the van! Charles is known for his simple and classic shots of Cornish rocks and beaches, mostly featuring stunning nudes! There was one particular wild nude shot, I was VERY impressed with, but as the gallery was closed, I had to just assume it was as good up close as it looked from a distance!
After 40 winks we headed back for the flat surrounded by stunning and intense evening light. I immediately headed for the boulder beach North of the Cape and even though the light was dropping rapidly, the wind was warm and the sea looked amazing and stormy. I headed for the far end, which was the only section still catching the strength of the evening sun. I literally jumped from huge granite boulder to granite boulder until I reached the other side but was aware that the Atlantic rollers were definitely progressing further up the beach with each wave, I was going to have to watch how long I spent taking pics! I utterly and totally LOVE these boulder beaches, they are the most perfect natural sculptures on earth, hundreds of Barbara Hepworth's or Henry Moore's in one place! Two soakings later from rogue waves and I had to rely on night vision to navigate the boulder alley to get me back home, trying to discern the slippery ankle breaking ones from the rough dry granite options :-)
Pic.4: Sundown over the Cape © Glyn Davies 2009
I revelled in the advancing darkness, especially once I had returned to the relative safety of the ramp onto the beach. There is something about Cornwall as dusk that is very spiritual, very Pagan and very inspiring. This was one of those nights.
Pic.5: Our barn conversion flat, a welcome light on the hill, middle distance © Glyn Davies 2009
The forecast is bad weather and rain for the next few days so I am delighted that today has been so productive! Wish I could do this for the next week!
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