Monday, 5th August, 2019
Today we are exploring the coastline of Cornwall. We start by finding Sennen cove, with lots of other people and traffic every where. It is a very busy, humming, happening place, so we don't stop, as finding a parking spot is highly unlikely. Next we go to Lands End, which is the most westerly point of Cornwall and England. As to be expected, there are many people here, but the place was not what we were expecting. It had many gift shops, and cafes, and a bakery, and assorted other shops. I was thinking it would be an place of where you could wander, with no buildings. But no, which did disappoint somewhat, but we did buy a Cornish pastie, because, we are in Cornwall. But in saying that, there was a bit of information about all the ship wrecks that were out in  the ocean just of the coastline. The coastline is peppered with rocks jutting out of the ocean, and that was only the ones we could see. There would be a lit more at low tide, that sailors in the early times would not have seen. This coast line had the Spanish Amanda sail by it. The channel  between Lands End and the Marin headland claimed 300 ships. 3 are still visible at low tide.
Next we head for Levant mine and Beam engine. Once again, we travel down so dubious roads, all twisty and turny, and at some places, just wide enough for our small hire car that we have. But the narrow road opens up to a car parking place, and it is, as all of them are, a pay and display park. But we were greeting by a nice young lady, who directed us where to park  and gave us some idea of what was here. This done, ( displaying the parking  ticket) we head off  down the hill to gain admission to the mine and Beam engine. A tour guide tells us the history of the place and what life we like for the folks back then. The life expectancy for men in the tin mine was about 40 years of age. The mine started in 1748, and the most astonishing thing is that the tin and copper was mined from underneath the sea bed. And did so for a great number of years. They employed both men and women, as well as children from as young as 8.  We watched the stream beam engine operate, and also I went down into the mine to see where the shaft was. I was fascinated by a clock on the wall in the engine room, as it didn't have numerals on it, but rather the fathoms of where the barrels would be, when they were coming up and down. It's what is called a level indicator which works on cables.

Tuesday, 6th August 2019

Today, we are going to walk the Cobbled causeway to St Michaels mount. Naturally, we have to wait for the low tide, and find the car parking place. When we get to the car parks, there is so many people we see crossing the causeway. It's like a constant stream of ants weaving their way along.  Again we pay our dues to the parking people, and set off to make our crossing. The island has always been accessible at low tide by foot, but in recent years, a cobbled pathway was laid. There is a very strong seaweed odour  as we walk across. We get to the island, and look about the surrounding area. The line up for tickets is long, and we decide to make our way back,  as I am not feeling so well.  Must be from the smell of the seaweed. We go into St Buryan and grab something to cook for tea. 

Wednesday, 7th August 2019.

We leave our bnb accommodation today, and make way to Monacute. This has special relevance to Bob, as it is where his forebears came from. The trip is a 3 and a half hour  trip, but we have got a couple of points of interest to go to on the way. We pass by the RAF seahawk base,  then onto the first one,  Lizard point. The road is up to the usual standard, although, it seems a tiny bit smaller, and a couple of times, someone has had to back up to allow us to get past.  The road winds and we come upon the carparks with the usual parking requirements.  Lizard point is the most southern point in England. There is a working lighthouse, and a few walks if one chooses to do them. It also has a seal colony, of which we veiwed a few. It is amazing to look out at the coast line and see all the jagged rocks, and you just think of all the ship wrecks that are resting out there in the ocean. Back on the road again, and given we still have a way to go, we make one more stop for lunch, until we get to Monacute. Finding our next accommodation is good, and after we check in, we explore the township, starting with the church next door, and the cemetery. During our walk we meet a couple, who live in the town and they tell us some things about the area. We go to tea at the Kings arms, and are enjoying our meal and a Guinness shandy, when I notice some people walk in, and I recognise the three of the 4 faces. They  are a family from my childhood school days. It was my old bus driver Mrs Zerk, and her two daughter, Janeene and Anita. Of which I have not seen for decades. How obscure is that, that here we all are across the other side of the world for a catch up.  My memories flood back of my school memories, and when they settle at their table, I get somewhat emotional, and tear up. Memories of Mum and Dad, and the years that have past, old school days in our little tiny school of Muckadilla, of which my sister and I attended for our primary school education. Each grade had no more than two or three in it, and just the one teacher, and a teacher aid. Mrs Zerk and her family are here doing what Bob is doing, chasing family ties. But it does get weirder, it turns out that Mrs Zerk has a Hockey in her family line, and Bob has a Chant, which is Mrs Zerk's maiden name. Very bazaar. After I finish my meal, I go to say goodbye, as they have a busy few days chasing up records, so no time to sit and chat. I am flabbergasted as to whst has happened,  and will continue to shake my head for a while to come.

Thursday, 8th August 2019

We start the day planning to catch the bus into Yeovil, so check out the historical place. Our host come up and asks us whst we want to breakfast,  Bob had a full English breakfast,  and I have poached eggs on toast. Our host brings up everything, including proper cloth servettets in silver servettet rings. I live using cloth servettets, but don't use the rings, but my grandmother used to,  every day.  So after our breakfast,  we catch the bus into town, and get off in the centre of town. Again it is a bustling place, with musicians playing in the street. It adds to the atmosphere, and we stand for a moment soaking it in, wondering which way to go. We see a sign for the tourist information centre, and head to that. Eventually we find it, and they are very helpful, and direct us to where we need to go. So we now head to the historical place that has been suggested, via a pharmacy, to try and get a script filled that was written in Ireland, but with no luck. Inside the historical place, the lady was very helpful, and remembered emailing Bob at times. Ok, so that mission is accomplished. Bob will come back tomorrow, and do research on his family, and check what he has with records that are here. Next we stroll into the shopping area, I now have a mission of my own, as it is Bob's birthday in a couple of days, I want to sort out the gift I wish to get him. I have done some research, and find the jewellers I was looking at online, while Bob is taking a pit stop. Now, I know I will have to consult him at some point, so I coax him into the store, and tell him what I am getting him. Just to get him to go in was difficult enough, anyhow long story shortened a bit, I want to buy him a eco drive watch, so he has to choose. Choice made, now come the time to pay for it, after Bob says the watch won't fit, so he tries it on and presto, it does. The gods are with me so far, but now they abandon me. I use my card to pay via the contactless method, and nothing, I try again and it gets voided again. Third time, I try my other card and use a pin. The ladies say they need to make a call to verify the transaction. Hmmmm. So off they go, and come back to say it didn't go through, meanwhile, I check my account, and the transaction has gone through as the money is taken out of my account. I show the sales lass this, and she asks if we have any shopping to do. So we go and get coffee. I go back to the store, and check my account, and the money is back again, so I ask where the closest atm is, go and get the cash, and watch is paid for. 

We catch the bus back, and decide to take dinner at the other pub in town, get there, and settle in for our meal, and guess what? Yep, you guessed it, the Zerk family walk in. Who could credit that. 

Friday, 9th August 2019

Today is a bit of a quiet day. Bob went into Yeovil on the bus to go do some research on his family history. I stay back and just chilled. Made a reservation for tea tomorrow night. Took a walk about the village, had a cuppa at the tea house. Went  into the church as I wanted do some quiet sitting, and taking in the church. As i was about to walk in, I  noticed there were people inside. Anyhow i ventured in, and it was the Zerk family yet again. We chatted for a while, and then they left, and I reflected on things that were. I came back to the unit did some needle work. I took a drive into Yeovil and checked out the hobby shop.when Bob got back we went for a drive around the local area, and grabbed something to heat up for tea. 

Saturday, 10th August

Bob's birthday. 

Spent the morning relaxing at the unit. Sam and Marnie and Angus arrived just after one. It was really great to see them. We all went for a little walk, checked out the church again with Sam and Marnie and looked through the cemetery with then. Sam and Marnie checked into their accommodation, which is just around the corner and up the street a bit, it is a barn that has been converted. Very nice. We leave Sam and Marnie and Angus, for a whole, and arrange to meet them at 6. We are running a little late, and when we get to the pub for tea, we discover that as we are late it may make it difficult for the chef, as there is a party of 27 coming. So we choose to find somewhere else, and after some time we do. We had a good meal, and enjoyed having family with us for this special occasion. 

Sunday, 11th August 

Today we have plans to walk up  St Micheals hill and then  check out the Monacute house. We walk the hill and up on the top there is a building of some sort. St Michaels hill, has a story about it, that there was a historical cross found on the hill. There are wonderful views of the town and country side. We go down the hill, and make a stop at the children's playground. There are a few people out with their dogs, walking them up the hill. We continue back into the village, and make a bee line to Monacute house. I never seem to be amazed by the amount of people who are at attractions. Monacute is a small village, but the car park if full up almost, and people are lining up to get in. After we grab a light lunch, we go with the tour to get the information on the house. This is one very impressive building. It was built by a man, Sir Edward Phelips, who was a lawyer, member of Elizbeth 1's parliament, speaker of the house of commons and was involved with the Guy Fawkes trail. then went on to become Master of the Rolls. He inherited land from his father,and it was built in 1598, one would think the house was built by royalty, or nobility, but not this one. It is very decadent in appearance and that was why the whole building was built. The third floor is the longest galley room in the UK. It was a place were guests would go to walk off their meals and exercise. There is a large amount of glass windows, and back in the day, glass was very expensive. The front of the house has about 40% glass. The whole house was to impress everyone who came to it, and it still does today, and not to mention the gardens. It certainly was a wonderful place to go and see. We eventually make our way back to our lodgings, and together again at 6.30 for a meal at the pub at the top of Ham Hill. Ham Hill, has  hamstone quarry, of which the stones are used for building. It is also a place were locals go to walk and exercise their dogs also. This pub, is out in the middle of nowhere,  but is doing a lively trade. It has been a great day.