Land's End
The edge of the west.
Land's End is the most westerly part of mainland England, and the end of the longest tip to tip distance in Britain. (In fact it is the most Westerly point on the British mainland, according to the British mapping system, but in true longitude, it is beaten by Corrachadh Mòr in Scotland.) It is far, far too commercialised. In fact, if it were not for the fact that once you are this close, you might as well go there so that you can say you have been there, I would say not to go there at all. Artificial tourist rubbish.
Anyway, we were close to it, so we had to go there anyway. There was at least something amusing; many businesses near Land's End had signs on one side saying "Last <insert name of business> in England" and on the other side "First <insert name of business> in England". A small piece of humour, but it misses the point that they are not the first or last in England - England is a country that also covers some offshore islands. However, they are the first or last on the island of Britain. Oh well, so many people with so little understanding of the country they live in.
The artificial tourist town at Land's End, complete with Cornish translation. From Becci's knowledge of Welsh, it looks like Head Of The Blue, with different spelling. This fake town irritates me, restaurants, theme shows, sweet shops, and various other rubbish. This is an area that should be treasured, not wasted like this. Plastic places invite plastic people.
Two old red phone boxes, an attempt to cling on to the tradition.
Trawler skipper.
A lifeboat, obviously not in service. These boats are designed to be unsinkable. Even if they capsize, they rotate to upright again because of the carefully weighted keel and buoyant cabin. I challenge you to sink this one.
A small tourist farm. I have had enough of this place. Time to head out to the cliffs.
Rainbow fields.
Oh lame tourist, thou must not step beyond the ropes, lest thou stumble and stubbeth thine toe. Bah! I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and the dangerous cliffs are what I came here to see, but no, they will not let me get near them.
The Land's End lighthouse, complete with helipad. Beyond that is the Atlantic ocean.
Sennen Cove. And yes, that is Sennen, not Semen - although due to poor printing, my map did have me questioning it for a while.
A shipwreck in Sennen Cove.
An arch in Sennen Cove.
Rocks in the swell.
Land's End crags.
Land's End.
Closeup.
A (quick) shag island.
South of Land's End, it breaks into beautiful cliffs, and this time the capable tourists are not forced to stay away - at last.
Tidal rock outcrops.
Together at Armageddon - the end of things.
Heading back. This is St. Michael's Mount at Penzance; an island at high tide that is home to a castle, church, and tiny community. At low tide you can walk there on a causeway.
The helicopters from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly.
Despite being famous, Penzance is so small, you could actually drive through it without even realising you had done so. But it is worth doing so. This is Newlyn, on the other side of Penzance, with hundreds of fishing boats moored in the cramped little harbour.
On the way back, this dude decided to cut us up at a roundabout. YA, RLY!
Mine engine house chimney.
Times three.
The artificial tourist town at Land's End, complete with Cornish translation. From Becci's knowledge of Welsh, it looks like Head Of The Blue, with different spelling. This fake town irritates me, restaurants, theme shows, sweet shops, and various other rubbish. This is an area that should be treasured, not wasted like this. Plastic places invite plastic people.
Two old red phone boxes, an attempt to cling on to the tradition.
Trawler skipper.
A lifeboat, obviously not in service. These boats are designed to be unsinkable. Even if they capsize, they rotate to upright again because of the carefully weighted keel and buoyant cabin. I challenge you to sink this one.
A small tourist farm. I have had enough of this place. Time to head out to the cliffs.
Rainbow fields.
Oh lame tourist, thou must not step beyond the ropes, lest thou stumble and stubbeth thine toe. Bah! I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and the dangerous cliffs are what I came here to see, but no, they will not let me get near them.
The Land's End lighthouse, complete with helipad. Beyond that is the Atlantic ocean.
Sennen Cove. And yes, that is Sennen, not Semen - although due to poor printing, my map did have me questioning it for a while.
A shipwreck in Sennen Cove.
An arch in Sennen Cove.
Rocks in the swell.
Land's End crags.
Land's End.
Closeup.
A (quick) shag island.
South of Land's End, it breaks into beautiful cliffs, and this time the capable tourists are not forced to stay away - at last.
Tidal rock outcrops.
Together at Armageddon - the end of things.
Heading back. This is St. Michael's Mount at Penzance; an island at high tide that is home to a castle, church, and tiny community. At low tide you can walk there on a causeway.
The helicopters from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly.
Despite being famous, Penzance is so small, you could actually drive through it without even realising you had done so. But it is worth doing so. This is Newlyn, on the other side of Penzance, with hundreds of fishing boats moored in the cramped little harbour.
On the way back, this dude decided to cut us up at a roundabout. YA, RLY!
Mine engine house chimney.
Times three.