We had one last breakfast in Padstow. I reverted to the veggie option before checking out. We loaded our luggage into the car and drove to Boscastle to visit the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. We arrived at the museum just after a coach party had arrived and so were advised to wait about fifteen minutes before visiting. We bided our time visiting the nearby National Trust shop.
The museum is well worth a visit I found it interesting, intriguing and disturbing in equal measures.
Before leaving Boscastle I picked up a book and a hat clip from the National Trust shop and Mr C found a nice shirt in the outdoor clothing shop. We also took the opportunity to have a browse in the pottery shop. It had some lovely items on display but weren’t tempted to purchase anything.
Another place on Mr C’s bucket list was Tintagel Castle, so that was our next port of call. We found a suitable car park where Mr C inadvertently paid for (only) a two-hour parking slot This meant that after lunch we only had around an hour to explore Tintagel Castle. I had explained that a visit to Tintagel is about walking in the landscape and that you need time to explore the area. Having visited before I knew that one hour was no where near enough to enjoy the site.
It was extremely hot and very windy so I only went as far as I knew I could manage in the time we had available leaving Mr C to stride out further whilst I retraced my steps to allow us to get back to the carpark on time.
Walking across the new bridge that scans the gap between the two parts of the castle the wind was howling across the gap making it difficult to stay upright. On my way back I was walking a steady measured pace, bracing the wind when the couple in front of my stopped to look at the gap between the two parts of the cantilever bridge. Just as I overtook them, they decided to walk on causing me to break my stride. The lady of the couple asked me if I wanted to link arms so that I didn’t get blown off the bridge. This, and being asked if I needed help to get up the steepest park of the path near to the visitor centre, made me feel old!
Interestingly, I would like to go back and explore Tintagel again when I have more time to enjoy it whereas Mr C was a little disappointed with what he thought would be a more substantial ruin and not so inclined to return now it is ticked off his bucket list.
Next stop was The Waterwheel near St Austell where would be spending the next few nights. We checked in, unpacked and chilled out in our room until it was time to dine in the Inn’s restaurant.
For dinner I chose Mediterranean tart with salad and new potatoes, and as we were dining, we got chatting to a couple on a nearby table. Before retiring for the evening, we had a nightcap in the bar where a man started chatting to us. He told us he was a stonemason which led to a conversation about English Cathedrals and which were the best. He had no hesitation in saying York and then after consideration he added Winchester.
After a while he left to watch the England match in his room leaving us to our own devices.
