EVERY NOW AND THEN*I KNOW

This started off as a duvet day, lay in bed listening to the rain and wind, caught Jeremy Kyle, Phil and Fearn and finally Loose Women which is a programme I truly enjoyed.. Headed for the shower, and by 3 o’clock the weather looked half decent and we headed off. Where to at the point of departure we didnt know, but after a drive around and a coastal walk this is where we ended up. 

The sun made an appearance for a couple of hours and this veiw point was one I really didnt want to leave, it was so peaceful, tranquil and isolated, its always good to find spaces like this in the busy, busy world and something I find very healing and soothing about them.

Yet even here there was the sense of history, tragedy, past events and sad story. From the viewpoint Im looking down at what little remains of what was once the Panamanian registered coaster The Johanna which came ashore less than 400metres from the lighthouse in the early hours of 31st December 1982. 4 crew members were rescued from RAF Chivenor and 3 officers were taken off later in the day by the Clovelly lifeboat. The ship was carrying wheat from Holland to Barry Island.. I should imagine it was a poignant end to the year for the crew, but thankful to be safe nontheless

The lighthouse itself was automated in 1984 and is now monitored and controlled from a centre in Harwich, Essex.  Little remains of the living quarters that housed the 4 keepers and their families other than traces of the foundations that were once their homes.  The lighthouse area is not accessable to the public as the cliff ledges are deemed as too dangerous… In the far background can be seen Lundy Island.

I really enjoyed the scenery, the walk and when Alan suggested we have a cuppa at the little wooden hut in the car park at the end of the walk I readily agreed…However on the menu were not the usual burgers, hot dogs etc, but home made soup with warm granary bread and YES!!! homemade sticky toffee pudding..How could I resist after all that walking.

I have to say the food was of a standard one would get in a good hotel, served hot and delicious, this was the best meal I had during my stay quality wise, amazing really given that this was a little wooden hut in the middle of nowhere

A delicious Cappucinno to finish, then back in the car just in time as minutes later the heavens opened. The scenery etched in my memory, well fed and happy

Ahhhhhhhh big sigh of contentment

Despite dismal weather most days Alan and I were determined not to let the wind and rain stop us from enjoying our time away. I even found myself laying in bed watching morning t.v. until near on noon, something I would never do at home, I must admit I found myself really enjoying it as the winds blew and the rain pitter pattered on the roof.  What I called my duvet days.

 This picture was taken in Port Issac on a day when the camera crews were filming scenes for the tv series Doc Martin. Ive not watched this as yet but will be tuning in to see if I can catch the episode they were filming here. What a life!!! it obviously takes so long to shoot a scene and to be honest it all looks so tedious and boring, I wouldnt swap jobs for the world. 

 I had to smile this morning as Laura,my daughter,who works for Gold Crest films in London was online saying, she was mingling with Jude Law and Jessica Simpson the other night, she is over at the Cannes film festival at the moment. Hardly competition given I was feet away from the great Martin Clunes..LOL….Back to reality

As you can imagine the narrow streets have to accomodate all the lights extra people standing around waiting to shoot a scene, this looks quite empty, but thats because all the traffic has to be controlled or stopped, it must be a real headache for the inhabitants of the town, but it obvoiusly creates some added revenue. We watched as they changed a shop door replacing it with a replica made of balsa wood and sugar glass, prior to this tractor speeding up the hill with stunt lady on the back, who then alights and runs straight through said glass door…All very exciting.

I had managed to take a picture of the young girl who had been made up to look like she had serious cuts and gashes to her face and hands, however I will spare you this horror..LOL and leave you with these lovely flowers that really brightened an otherwise dank and wet and windy day in Port Issac.