More sheep and cows than people in Cornwall.
St. Austell Brewery--wonderful selection of beers!
Town centre of St. Austell, Cornwall.
I enjoyed a delicious locally-sourced dinner and a pint of the local pear cider here at the Green Tourism approved White Hart Hotel (on the right).
The sandy beach in Charlestown, Cornwall.
The charming seaside town of Mevagissey, Cornwall.
The cliffs meet the sea in dramatic scenes like this in Cornwall, England.
The Eden Project: St. Austell, Cornwall
I was drawn to Cornwall to see the Eden Project, the site of a former china clay quarry that was reclaimed and turned into a plant paradise in 2000 by Tim Smit and his team of visionaries. Now, over 1 million plants are thriving, in an effort to show people how humans can transform blighted places into stunning examples of sustainability and creativity. The Eden Project features two giant biome ecosystems, one with rainforest fauna and the other with Mediterranean fauna. The sprawling grounds showcase local species and sculptures made from trash. I spent 4 hours here, but could have spent many, many more! Too bad it was my only day of rain so far on the trip...
Mediterranean biome.
Rainforest biome.
A rock dwelling and some classic Cornwall landscaping in the hinterland of the Eden Project.
The Eden Project offered an extensive selection of foods, all locally-sourced and enjoyed amidst an edible vegetable garden shown here.
A metal sculpture of a crocodile set in a primitive fern garden, showing life before the evolution of flowers.
This piece is made from all the electronic equipment that the average person disposes of during her/his lifetime. Pretty shocking (pun intended)!
Another lovely sculpture. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the woman's face is a mosaic of mirrors.
What you can't see is the columns and rows of 'trashed' refrigerators of all sizes stacked on top of one another behind me. You could create your own messages with these plastic magnets.
Narberth, Wales
In 1987, the 23-year old Mayor of Narberth, Wales, Andrew Walker, paid an official visit to Narberth, Pennsylvania, the so-called sister city. My grandfather, Chet Tyson (Pop Pop), was very involved in mainline Narberth politics, and was part of the welcoming committee that hosted Andrew in Narberth. Before leaving on my trip, Pop Pop gave me Andrew's address in Narberth, Wales, just in case I happened to be passing through this area. Little did he know I would be stopping by Narberth, Wales, just to pay a visit to Andrew and his family.
Two kind Welsh girls drove me from the Narberth train station to the middle of town, where I proceeded to ask the locals if they recognized the name and address printed on the index card Pop Pop had given me just days before I left on my trip. No one recognized the name, but someone showed the girls where to drop me off, at the end of his lane. They pointed me in the right direction, and off they went, wishing me luck.
I approached a home at the end of the road that was guarded by lion statues, looking over the cow fields that sloped into the most wonderful view of the neighboring valley. I practiced what I would say to whomever may answer the door, hoping the Walkers still lived there and would have me in. An older woman opened the door, and I began explaining who I was and how Andrew Walker had visited my grandparents in Narberth, Pennsylvania, 22 years ago. She motioned to Andrew that he had a guest, and just as soon as I mentioned my family and his visit to the States, he smiled and they both ushered me into their sitting room for a cup of tea.
They asked if I had any plans for the night, and I replied that I hadn't, so they welcomed me to stay with them in the spare room. Andrew gave me a splendid tour of Narberth while Cati fixed me supper. The next morning, Cati made me an incredible English breakfast, and drove me to the train station, as I then made my way to Pembroke Dock for the ferry to Ireland.
I was so grateful and impressed with the hospitality and kindness of the Walkers, who took in a virtual stranger and cared for me like a queen. I was nearly moved to tears seeing this humanity in action.
I was so grateful and impressed with the hospitality and kindness of the Walkers, who took in a virtual stranger and cared for me like a queen. I was nearly moved to tears seeing this humanity in action.
The view from the Walker residence. The mountains in the back contain the exact type of rock used in Stonehenge, England--although no one quite knows how they got the stones so far from here!
St. Andrew church, where Andrew is a Eucharist, serving communion to the congregants.
St. Andrew's cemetary and lovely view.
Old Town Hall, Narberth, Wales.
The castle ruins in Narberth.
Sunset over the valley next to the Walker residence.
Cati Walker, Andrew's 'mum', made me the most fantastic English breakfast, featuring local sausages with sage. Definitely a good way to start the day!
The Walker residence, with mum Cati in the foreground.
Are you kidding me! The walkers seem wonderful and so kind! Holly, I'm so glad that your having a good time! I miss you dearly and can't wait to skype you when your with Mike and Lisa...that reminds me, I have a letter and a surprise that I still need to send you there!
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