Chapter 1 Cornwall, UK

It's that time of year again...vacation!!!
Michael and I once again started in the UK.  We spent 6 days in Cornwall.  I chose this location because of 2 reasons.
One is that it is the filming location of BBC's Doc Martin and Poldark. The other is for genealogical purposes. The scenery was breathtaking.

On my mother's paternal side, I am descended from the Quick family of Marlboro County, SC.  This particular line of Quicks, originated in Cornwall, UK. Specifically, St. Ives, and Towednack.  The Quick family is still present in Cornwall, and have a large presence in South and North Carolina as well.

In the early 1700's, the first Quick (of our line) arrived in the colonies, and lived in Bertie County, NC.  His name was Thomas. He had a son and grandson of the same name. This family participated in the American Revolution, and eventually migrated to South Carolina to Marlboro County. The Quicks soon intermarried with multiracial families, namely Skipper, Driggers, Grooms, Chavis, and Locklear, to name a few.  A very interesting history.

We hired a wonderful historian native to this area, that provided us with 3 days of enlightenment.  We began our touring in Port Isaac, (Port Wenn,) where Doc Martin is filmed  I really wanted the feeling of this place.  Cornwall is comprised of many tiny hamlets, with breathtaking cliffs and beaches.  Apparently fishing, tin, and clay mining supported the population of Cornwall at different points in history.
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Our lodging was spectacular. We stayed at the Alverton Hotel in the Capitol of Cornwall, of Truro.  By American standards, the Alverton is a castle, and was built in 1830 as a residence.  What a beautiful place to stay.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.

The first afternoon of our arrival, there was a marvelous Chamber Group performing on the patio.  Little did we know, a wedding party was soon due....P.S. We met the family, friends, the mother, and finally the bride.

Port Isaac 

This is the building used as the Doc Martin's clinic, or "surgery." in Port Issac.

Pam approaching Doc Martin's Surgery

Entrance to Port Isaac, one way in...one way out.  Lots of backing up.

 Mike watches Doc Martin with me.  He appreciated every location and fact....just as I did.
Here he is at Mrs. Tish's pharmacy, which is really a bake shop in real life.  Yes.  We went in and purchased food!
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Cornwall Continued.....then onto Bath...
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On our 2nd touring day of Cornwall, Steve took us to some of his favorite haunts.  We went to Tintagel Castle (legendary location of King Arthur) and we talked a great great deal about that.  I had read The Mists of Avalon Years ago (I highly recommend this book by the way.)  The Tintagel site consists of a castle foundation.  Below the foundation at sea level, is the location of Merlin's cave.  Yes Merlin.

Merlin's Cave is at the bottom left

We also went into a nearby museum featuring models and displays associated with the legend of Arthur and the Round table.  Very interesting.

We also hit Helston, the 2nd oldest town in Cornwall, which is famous for Spingo beer.  A very strong brew.

We also went down to the historic town of Mariozn, in the Penzance area.  St. Michael's Mount is located here and was an Abbey dating back before the time of Henry VIII.  Of course Henry took over the abbey and killed the monks, using the location for defense purposes.  The actual location was purchased by a family years later, and now is part of the National Trust.  The family still lives on the island in one of the residences.  The tides in this region reveal a footpath where during the day, one can walk to the abbey via rocks.  After the tide comes in, the game is over.

 We went on to Padstow, and learned about their Mayday Celebration (wow, how the custom changed in America!)

The celebration is huge.  This Mayday affair involves the entire town, and has for centuries.  It is a celebration of Spring and a wish for land fertility.  The prominent families have the household leader in a horse costume.  There is also a 'teaser' that does a dance through the town.  There is merry making from dawn to dusk.  Spectators usually dress in white.  Women that go under the horse costume should become pregnant.  It is different, I can't quite wrap my head around it.  But that's it.  Check out the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqiVm5OrvQI

One of several restaurants owned by a very famous Chef here, named...Stein.

Here you have Cornish Pasties

I have to be honest with this.  The pastry portion of these pastries are quite tasty.  What they fill them with is yucky.  We tried a few over several days.  Not agreeable to American taste buds. I plan on finding a good recipe for the pastry, then stuff it myself with good meat and gravies.