West Cornwall June 2026

 

Well I never expected to be able to snap away so many pictures while staying down

in Cornwall last week after the horrendous weather predictions for that week. But on my

first Sunday there, St Ives was looking spectacular, like a picture postcard. And so thankfully

the weather held for the rest of the week with on and off sunshine plus some occasional rain,

although sadly not good enough for a trip to the Islands, The Isles of Scilly.

I've visited most major British seaside coastal resorts, but when the sun shines in St Ives

then no other British resort can compete with it. It must be why I'm drawn back there

each Summer. Oh sure, global travel has it's attractions and I enjoyed my six trips to

The United States, but it was all a lot of work and stress. And the current delays and

the endless queuing and document checking at U.K and European Airports makes British

Staycation holidays a tempting alternative.

St Ives is a five hour journey from Paddington London, and perhaps 6 hours in all from

door to door. 

I wonder how long the journey takes if you're coming from Scotland or the North of England.

  

 

 

 

It was good to finally get over to Marazion and check out the damage to the Castle Island

St Michael's Mount after the devastation of last Winter's Storm Goretti.

Apparently the storm brought down eighty percent of the Island's trees, some almost 100 years old.

And as you can see from my new pictures, the gaps where trees once stood look very visible. Yet still

the Island looks spectacular.

Apparently the oldest building on the Island dates back to 12th century.

 Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me

leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good fortune,

I myself am good fortune, strong and content

I travel the open road.

Walt Whitman - American Poet - 1819 - 1892

( From  Song of The Open Road )

Above:  Rosewall Hill just outside St Ives.

Below:  The surrounding area by Rosewall Hill.

Of course I had to pick up a few more Cornish souvenirs including another ceramic

tile with a painted image of The Mount. 

On the Thursday afternoon I just happened to be in Penzance when I saw The Scillonian III

Ferry all tied up at the Penzance harbour dock. What was it doing there? It doesn't normally

return to Penzance until around 7:00 pm each evening. So I'm guessing that the day's sailing

to The Isles of Scilly got cancelled due to bad weather that morning.

But how lucky I was to see the Boat, as this Summer is the last time it will sail as it's going to be

replaced by the new more modern and up to date Scillonian IV next year.

The old Scillonian III has been in service for more than 40 years.

This is the holiday property I stayed in during last week. And with it's three floors

it was once a fisherman's cottage. And if it looks familiar then that's because I stayed 

here in 2023.

And it's main attraction is it's central location in St Ives being right next to the two main

supermarkets. I can only imagine that it must get quite crowded when a whole family

stays here, being a small quaint property. But for me staying here on my own was absolutely

perfect. And I will certainly book this property for my next stay here, hopefully next Summer.

I did actually book this property again for early September but then changed my mind while there

last week. So I lost my deposit, But at least I won't now have to pay the full balance fee at

the end of this month. These places really are expensive to stay in just for a single week.

So I was happy to settle into the middle floor bedroom right next to the bathroom.

Above: The top floor bedroom which never actually got used as my usual travelling partner

didn't join me, being unwell and unable to travel. 

One of my favourite treats in St Ives is a piece of apple pie from The Yellow Canary

Cafe in Fore Street. And it's even nicer with Swedish dairy free vanilla Ice cream.