Simply Me: King Arthur's Place

Today was another travel day. We left Newquay this morning at ten and travelled towards Trintagel (these names are so difficult for me to remember every day. I hope you appreciate the effort I’m going through. I’m sure I’ll appreciate it in the future, though, so it doesn’t really matter.), the location of King Arthur’s castle. Well, it’s where the ruins of that castle lie. It was incredible being there.

I understood why castles are built on hills as I was trying to catch my breath on the stairs leading up to the ruins. Hills and cliffs are truly defensible places. I would have been ready to surrender if I’d been met at the top with an army. Thankfully, there were just ruins, tourists, goats, and sheep.

Because of the large number of goats and sheep on the mountain one had to walk gingerly and watch one’s step. I think I managed to come home with clean shoes, though, so I consider my life a success.
Before we realized just how many goats and sheep there were our group decided to continue our tradition of giving newly found animal friends names. Of our bleating friends we named four: Gerald and Gina, Genevieve, and Gosephine (pronounced Josephine). Gosephine was probably our favorite because she was a little black lamb and was so precious. Genevieve was white and a little bigger, and much louder. She kept bleating over and over again, almost like she was crying, until her mother came over the ridge. Many others followed and we gave up assigning names.

Mary also found a seal as we were sitting on the edge. I forget what his name was, sadly, but it started with the letter “s” and was perfect for him. It was interesting seeing the seal from that far up; at some angles the seal looked like a person in the water and I suddenly understood how seals were thought to be beautiful women inside. I quite like seals.

After meeting the seal we decided to continue along the top of the ridge amongst breathtaking scenery along the ocean. I can imagine living up there, while it would be difficult at times, would be so amazing. I’m content to visit, but I can see why a king would want to make that place his residence.

The town itself has preserved its history marvelously. We walked along the streets and found ourselves in front of a post office from the 17th century (I think. It may have been older). It had been turned into a museum of sorts and we were able to wander the tiny rooms set up to depict the lifestyles of the times. I’ve decided that people were much shorter back then; I almost hit my head on several doorways and ceilings, and I’m only 5’10”.

We also popped out back to the garden there; that was probably my favorite location of today’s trip (though the place we ate lunch is a strong contender). It was lush and green and the flowers were tastefully arranged. In some ways it reminded me of the backyard of my great grandmother. I could have spent quite some time there, but the bees scared us away.

For lunch we stopped in at a small place called Treleavens. We were dying from the trek up the very long and steep hill to get back up from the ocean to the city, so we were looking for ice cream as well as food. This place had both, and the ladies running it were so sweet. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and a strawberry milkshake and I felt like I’d died and gone to heaven. I think it may have been my favorite meal this entire time I’ve been in London! It was certainly one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in my life. And I was so nice because the sandwiches were made to order by the sweetest little woman and it wasn’t prepackaged and soggy. The fact that there was actual lettuce and tomatoes on it certainly played in its favor. The milkshake was also delicious and refreshing. I took a picture of the place so I could remember it in case I ever find myself in Trintagel again.

We had a few more minutes to wander the street and look at the shops there. Mary, Sarah, and I wandered into a honey shop where we ran into Lizzie. The four of us continued to walk down the street together and we found a sweet shop. When we walked in Lizzie saw a sign at the ice cream counter advertising a famous ice cream cone. Lizzie got it: fudge brownie ice cream dipped in sweetened clotted cream, and rolled in crumbled-up fudge. Apparently it was heaven.

We then got back on the coach and headed towards Bath which is where we are now. I can’t wait to explore the city where Jane Austen set her novel, Persuasion. I’ll let you know how it is.

Beautiful beautiful beautiful.

Because a picture of James is rare enough that it must be posted. Also, look at those stairs behind him. Yeah. They were exhausting.

And these are the ruins. The castle was made out of lots of smallish flat stones. It would have taken so long to build.

Lizzie

Mary

The view from up top. I can see why King Arthur chose here.

Through a window.

Lauren and another girl in the program whose name escapes me.

Gerald

Gina

From left to right: Lizzie, Kenna, Caitlin, Sarah

Breathtaking views everywhere you turned.

Mary

More goats and a bunch of French students.

I was talking to Mary when I noticed that the ocean was being reflected in her glasses. I told her to freeze and she kindly obliged. So you can see the ocean in the left lens, and my camera and the rest of the group on the ledge in the right.

Some of the group

Chloe and James and the ocean

Kenna was so happy to be there.

Mary

This looks unintentionally artsy, but only because the other two didn't hear me when I told them to turn around.

Our group

This was a tunnel we found. I'm pretty sure they used it for bomb raids. (I said this in the tunnel and one of the girls didn't realize I was joking so. . . that was unfortunate).