Minack Theatre and on to Land’s End

When Nadine suggested we saw a production at the famous Minack Theatre, I jumped at the chance. It wasn’t exactly Shakespeare but Nadine, Alfie & I were very amused by Horrible Histories’ ‘Gorgeous Georgians & Vile Victorians’. The title says it all!

And what a setting it was…

…the theatre carved into the cliffs 

In position, picnic lunch in hand

It was a 2-man show, and very funny indeed…

…but all too soon we were back climbing the steps to the car…

…but one last look of the amazing views

We were so near to Land’s End that we couldn’t resist the extra few miles…

…there’s nowhere  further west until you hit the USA!

Porthtowan to Chapel Porth

One day Nadine & co went to visit a friend so we took the opportunity to follow a walk we discovered on the internet, taking us on a circuit of old mines.

The remains of an old pumping station at Great Wheal Charlotte, with Tine in the background…

…or is it your faithful blogger?  (‘Wheal’ meant place of work in Cornish).

A close-up of this photo will show you several other industrial buildings, now abandoned

This was the old engine house, remains of the Charlotte United Mine which mined copper…

…but not as successfully as the Great Wheal Charlotte.

On occasion you can see this odd structure, a ‘filled-in’ shaft complete with ironwork to stop accidents.

Elsewhere there’s just a post signifying a disused shaft nearby. We didn’t venture near!

There was a belief by the Pagan Celtic Cornish that springs were portals to another world complete with fairies, hence the decorations at this one.

We’re on the home-run now and the rain has started to come down…

…but there is evidence of much old industrial activity still.

Christmas 2021

We made it the UK just a day before new Covid restrictions were imposed in France. Luckily Tine being a French citizen, and your faithful blogger with his permanent residency card should mean we have no problems returning in the new year.

But before then we had to isolate on our arrival, despite being tested before leaving La Tranche. Our results took a while to come through but thankfully Philippe was the perfect host in his new Sheffield home.

Back in La Tranche the Christmas lights are as good as ever…

…perhaps they could go for a new look next year?

A river of lights between the cheese shop and the PMU…

…and the main square with the church in the foreground.

Christmas has arrived at the Starfish

In Dronfield Nadine has been very busy baking (Alfie too, they’re his mince pies)…

…but this gingerbread house is outstanding!

New family purchase for the Hills, a hot tub being enjoyed on Christmas Eve by Alfie, Betty & Nadine. Mr & Mrs Blogger will wait for another day!

A few hours later, it looks like Father Christmas has been!

Perranporth

Another day, another beach: this time a short car journey north to the golden sands of Perranporth.

Again, a lovely day to show off the resort’s famous stack and archway

The trouble is, you can’t help taking photos as it’s so beautiful…

…even if your faithful blogger gets in on the action…

…or Nadine with Betty & Alfie.

I love this shot (we’d left poor Simon working back at the house)

The beach is renowned for its surfing but also for dangerous tides…

…hence the RNLI presence (RNLI = Royal National Lifeboat Institution pour les français)

Here’s a view of the top of the stack. You used to be able to walk across but no more!

Nadine & Alfie trying to tell what time it is

We wandered down some steep steps to a very small cove

Just a couple of photos to prove we got there…

…and made it back again!

The beach at Porthtowan

We were lucky with the weather at the beginning of the week and made the most of exploring the beach just minutes away from our AirBnb.

Someone’s playing hard to get again…

…the element of surprise helps though (poor Tine scrambling over the rocks)!

Oops, Betty’s hiding again…

…but intrigued by the pile of pebbles.

Of course, ice cream is always a winner…

…’brain-freeze’ or not!

Back to our home for the week via the bridge over the stream