Cornwall Cogitation #10, Sunday 10 April 2016–“From the ridiculous to the sublime,” Marty says of the title. From a white coffee and bacon sandwich at Sullivan’s Diner in Penzance on Monday to a cream tea at the Carbis Bay Hotel  today, we’ve found pleasure and profit in both the ridiculous and the sublime.

During the week we covered 57 miles on foot. We encountered muddy footpaths; had a brush with brambles; steered clear of a bull in a field; got wind burn; chatted with other walkers; saw seals, a hare and wild horses; visited a rural church; enjoyed pub lunches; tapped our feet in an evening of jazz (with a fish and chips dinner) at the West Cornwall Golf Club –what’s not to like about the week gone by? Even though my eyes watered in sea breezes strong enough to carry away the tears and my boots occasionally made that distinctive suction sound of being extracted from mud, sublime and ridiculous both win.

After 10 days here, niece Rachel Bender returns home to Canada tomorrow. We’ve enjoyed her stay and her enjoyment of Cornwall.

Here’s a prayer from Saint Pol de Leon Church in Paul, where we stopped on our walk from Penzance to Mousehole. “Dear Lord, be with us on life’s journey wherever our particular road may take us, near or far. Keep us obedient to your will, brave in your spirit, and always responsive to new challenges in your name, so that we may share your blessing with all we meet.”

The footpath from Penryn (near Truro) to Flushing was a mess. I called it “Mud River.” Thankfully, the BBC helped me put the path in perspective. Someone on  BBC Breakfast talked about Random Acts of Wildness, that is, how venturing out-of-doors even in less than ideal conditions can be good for you. I think that’s the gist of the argument.

The path to Flushing was muddier than we anticipated, but we pressed on. Our act of wildness included coursing through the mud, feeling the breeze and sun, hearing the birds, smelling the remains of a cauliflower field, greeting other walkers–altogether stimulating body and mind.  Further refreshment awaited at the Royal Standard Pub in Flushing, where, thankfully they served lunch until 2:30. After an al fresco lunch we caught the ferry across to Falmouth.

Random gallery

With these photos I say good night and a good new week to you. -John

Rachel, Marty, Ann and Terry at church today.

Green grocer in St Ives.

St Ives looking out over the Atlantic.

Bluebells are still to pop in profusion.

The path home from Halsetown Inn passes a massive rock-bound wall.

Tulip twins.

Steps across the Towans, St Ives in the distance.

One of the wild horses on the Towans (and dunes)

Beauty at your feet.

The Coast Path goes that way, yes, that way.

Ancient bridge at Relubbus.

The sea and sky exchange ever-changing colours.

On the English Channel side of the SW Coast Path.

Loo Bar, a lake, and fields at Penrose Estate, near Helston.

Margaret, Rachel, Sue and Marty–the walking party after lunch in Porthleven.

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View from Mousehole.

Mr. Bull and friends did not bother us nor we them. We took to an adjacent field.

The church at Paul has a Celtic cross built into its foundation, members recently discovered.

Saint Pol de Leon Church, Paul. Beautiful, ancient, active.

A Celtic cross with a human figure is the oldest part of the church in the village of Paul.

Countless steps, with running water and tricky branches, slowed our ascent to the fields that led to Paul.

Marty looks seaward in the almost hidden steps en route to Paul.

Beauty underfoot cheers you on your way.

Looking out to the Atlantic over Mousehole.