The ease with which we found parking close to the town center told us the main event was over. Down the main street all the shops were garlanded with leaves and flowers looking a bit tired now in the afternoon sun. But hundreds of people milled about, including some of the dancers and children in… Continue reading Helston Furry Dance,7 May
Author: HFM
Cornwall, 7 May: Lizard
The ASDA clerk’s description of the Flora Dances in Helston being an all-day affair was true enough, but not precise: There are four dances, from 7 am to 5 pm. Today we attempted to visit, about the time of the noon dance. So did most of Cornwall. The lots were full and branch streets had… Continue reading Cornwall, 7 May: Lizard
Cornwall, 6 May
What should have been a four or five-hour drive from Hereford to Maenporth stretched to almost seven. The long drive came with many vexations, all made worse by not having cell coverage to cope with the poor signage. There were detours and delays, some caused by road work and others by heavy traffic: it was… Continue reading Cornwall, 6 May
Hereford, 5 May, continued
After visiting the cathedral and its treasures, we wandered over to the Black and White House, through the last of the fair rides and booths. The Black and White House Built in 1621 as a residence and shop, the house narrowly escaped the destruction in the early 1800s and was left standing alone. Afterward, it… Continue reading Hereford, 5 May, continued
Hereford Cathedral, 5 May
The principal building of Hereford Cathedral dates from the 11th century, but there is evidence of church buildings from the seventh century. A beautiful building, it is still a cultural and spiritual center for the region. Besides its manuscript treasures, the Cathedral also houses relics of two saints: St. Ethelbert and St. Thomas Cantilupe. The… Continue reading Hereford Cathedral, 5 May
Hereford: Mappa Mundi
You would not use the Mappa Mundi to create a travel plan. Even in the Middle Ages, long before the plotting of latitude and longitude, there were navigational charts and land maps with some degree of accuracy.The Mappa Mundi, instead, represents an idea of the world and what it contains. Accordingly, the map portrays not… Continue reading Hereford: Mappa Mundi
On to Hereford, 4 May
Our route to Hereford (NB: the word has three syllables, not two like the town in Texas) had its charms, despite being on major highways. Hereford is on the river Wye, and getting there we weaved through Wales, stopping for a break and language lessons from a Sainsbury’s: From Shropshire into Herefordshire, the air was… Continue reading On to Hereford, 4 May
Mar sin leibh an-dràsta
We said “farewell for now” to the Highlands, heading down to Carlisle, with a stop at Rosslyn Chapel. Rosslyn Chapel An architectural curiosity, Rosslyn Chapel achieved notoriety with the Da Vinci Code and multiplied its tourist trade five-fold. The money has been very welcome, as the chapel was falling apart at the time. The purported… Continue reading Mar sin leibh an-dràsta
Black Isle, 2 May
Another easy day, with a drive around the Black Isle. Drumsmittal School is on the southern tip of Black Isle (which is actually a peninsula) and surrounded by idyllic countryside. We headed out to Cromarty, on the north coast, hoping to see the porpoises that are reputed to play off its shores. Once again, not… Continue reading Black Isle, 2 May
Culloden, 1 May
We took it easy in Inverness. Getting caught up with a week’s worth of laundry, which had to be dried on racks (not that this was strange: at home we use a line and racks), takes time. And it was good to have a break from restaurants, even though that meant some cooking. No proper… Continue reading Culloden, 1 May