Penzance & Marazion

Start the day with the obligatory cuppa. It’s a beautiful sunny day. It’s still freezing in our room at the back of the house as our radiators appear to be broken. We all congregate in the front of the apartment as the view is stunning and its lovely and warm. Our large dining table is perfectly placed for breakfast with a view. It’s easy to just sit and watch the tiny fishing boats go in and out of the harbour. We also have a view of the Mousehole bus terminal where the expert drivers turn the bus on a sixpence. After breakfast & blogging for a while we shower and ready ourselves for the day. We are to take the little Mousehole bus into Penzance. Armed with our shopping list & brollies as its supposed to rain, we trundle off catch the bus and get off in the middle of Penzance for a walkabout. Being Easter Monday most shops are closed and the town is deserted. We walk to the bus station and wait for the bus to Marazion. This is a lovely quick ride along the coast. Of course we stop for the famous Cornish pasty and coffee which we eat by the beach in front of St Michaels Mount. Watching out for hungry seagulls!!! Olly has booked a slot for the castle of 2.30pm so we set off across the causeway intending to walk over and boat back when the tide in in. Roger races ahead leaving Olly to help with this old invalid bless him. I’m just still very conscious of my torn meniscus which is still troubling me so I take it easy. It’s very windy. As we cross the causeway it gets even windier. The forecast is 30 miles and hour winds & my hair is blowing into my eyes so I can hardly see which makes me very nervous. As we reach the castle, they guide tells us to be very careful and even more coming down. We begin to climb the steep steps to the castle and pass the giants well and heart. Janet has disappeared up the steps like a racing snake. The wind is getting much stronger now and I’m immediately worried about the descent before I’ve climbed up! Fortunately there is a hand rail most of the way so I don’t have a problem. The castle is amazing – the views from the battlements are terrific. I can’t remember our first visit which Roger tells me was with our children in the early 80’s. In one room there are photos of the Queen Elizabeth 11 and I asked the guide how she made it up and down. She had a little help I’m told…I’m amazed and think they must be an easier way up and down, surely the old owners dont use these steps? I’m then shown a photo of Charles and Camilla who both climbed up just a few years back which makes me feel even more invalided. Once round the castle we come to the exit where I am told to be extremely careful as the wind is so bad the castle has been closed and the boats cancelled as winds have now reached 40 miles an hour. I take it easy so not to jar my knee and make it down to my great relief having wrapped my head in my scarf to keep my hair out of my eyes. Roger says I look like her majesty I’m not amused… Back down we walk to the bus stop and wait for the next bus back to Penzance. At Penzance bus station we wait ages for the Mousehole bus only to find out it has broken down. The next one arrives and we are soon back in our lovely pad. On the door step are two fan heaters and our welcome pack of local goodies that should arrived on Saturday. A cuppa is followed swiftly by large g & t’s and the room begins to fill with laughter again. Janet cooks a splendid supper with Richard as her commis. Supper is our fabulous wild bass purchased on Saturday. Served with Parmentier potatoes, crushed garlic peas and tenderstem broccoli washed down with a few bottles Garvi followed by Sauv Blanc and some cheese. Another episode of “Piano” is watched as we don’t think we can stay awake for a film. Bed around 11pm.