Saturday, September 10, 2022

Guess Where I am today?

 RHYS BOWEN: When you are reading this I am on a train, heading out of London for one of my very favorite places: CORNWALL!

If you're not sure where Cornwall is--it's the far western tip of England, sticking out into the Atlantic Ocean. It's one of the last remaining vestiges of Celtic Britain with its own language (now almost lost but a sister language to Welsh). It has a colorful history of smugglers and wreckers (Du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek) and a mild climate that allows sub tropical plants to grow. It also provides all the daffodils for Britain in early spring. It's lovely to drive past field after field of them.

Driving in Cornwall is not for the faint-hearted: the lines are just wide enough for one car and very winding      


Anyone who has seen Doc Martin knows what a Cornish village looks like. And how Cornish people speak with that lovely slow burr to their sound. And the temperament to go with it. I was once hurrying to catch a ferry when an old man looked up from where he was sitting on the quay. "You don't need to rush, my lovey," he said. "He's still having his dinner."  Everyone is called 'my love' or my lovey. So nice.








TTomorrow I'll talk about the food. Yum.


We stay with my sister-in-law at her lovely fourteenth century manor house (complete with haunted room).  I always loved the relaxed way the family spoke about this. "Will you take these sheets up to the haunted room, please."   The ghost is a young woman and doesn't bother the family. But she once ripped the bedclothes off the bed of a girlfriend one of the sons had brought to stay. Clearly she thought she was the wrong choice for him (he didn't marry her).  I've never encountered her personally but that room is always icy cold.

The manor has been in BIL Tony's family since it was built. They are the Vyvyans--a noble family who used to own much of that part of Cornwall. Now Tony's cousin Ferrers (Sir Ferrers!) still owns the stately home, Trelowarren, and Tony got Merthen Manor. Not too bad.


The manor has around three hundred acres of fields and woodlands going down to the Helston River (right opposite Frenchman's Creek) and we can dig for mussels to barbecue and in the springtime the woods are full of bluebells.  It's magical.  We've taken all our grandkids to stay there and for the first time in their lives they could play outdoors in the woods, only coming home when they are hungry--just like I used to as a child. 

I'll be enjoying myself in the little fishing villages, looking at local crafts, sketching of course. A whole week of being away from the world.  So I won't be chiming in much next week. But I'll be thinking of you.

30 comments:

  1. Hope you have a wonderful visit . . . .

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  2. It sounds just glorious, Rhys. And the photos add to the charm of your description. Everything you've told us about the manor house and the Vyvyans and the ghost and the woods full of bluebells reinforces my Anglophilia and my romantic stereotypes about England. But there's a reason for stereotypes--some are pretty close to the truth! Besides, I have enough brain cells left that I can recognize the problems class and monetary disparities cause and still be absolutely delighted for your in-laws and, this week, for YOU, getting to be in such a beautiful historic place. Have a fabulous time and eat some scones with jam and clotted cream for me!

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  3. Rhys, this sounds lovely! And reminds me of Georgie:). Have a wonderful visit, but we'll miss you!

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  4. Rhys, I'll be smiling all day, thinking of you and John in your happy place, surrounded by beauty, and family, and a friendly ghost. Enjoy revisiting your peace.

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  5. Have a wonderful week, Rhys. Cornwall is also the setting for Poldark. A couple of other authors have set stories there recently and Georgie and Belinda's visit was most memorable. It is the type of natural and cultural environment I'd love to see first hand.

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    1. Poldark (both book and TV show) are favorites of mine. The Coroner (not to be confused with Coroner) TV show also took place there. Such glorious scenery!

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  6. Enjoy every minute...and all that clotted cream on scones!

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  7. That’s an amazing place to be able to retreat to. Enjoy every second of your time there.

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  8. Enjoy beautiful Cornwall and your family! It looks just magical.

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  9. I discovered the beauty of Cornwall watching Escape to the Country when people want to establish their home there.
    I wish you the best for this week, make the most of it.
    Danielle

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    1. I love Escape to the Country! Rhys

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  10. Rhys, sounds wonderful! So happy for you!

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  11. How lovely. Enjoy every second, Rhys! I'm adding it onto my list of places I need to visit.

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  12. Sounds fabulous, Rhys. Hope you have a wonderful time!

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  13. It sounds like a great getaway! Enjoy every minute of it. Thank you for posting those pictures. Just LOOKING at them is relaxing! Sometimes I think I watch Dic Martin more for the scenery than anything else!

    DebRo

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  14. Cornwall sounds like heaven on earth!

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  15. Thinking of you, too! And oh, so gorgeous!

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  16. Rhys, that estate looks exactly like I imagine Manderley to appear! I know Du Maurier based it on Menabilly. BTW, Daphne Du Maurier wrote a wonderful book called Vanishing Cornwall. I was supposed to interview her about it but she wasn't well enough, so I interviewed her son.

    I have fond memories of an unrelated trip to Cornwall. We were on one of those tiny roads when a bunch of sheep passed in front of us. We waited a long wait until all of them sauntered across.

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  17. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing and have a great visit!

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  18. I love that haunted room! I love all things Celtic, too. There is some Welsh in our family. And the wife in one of our favorite couples is from Cornwall. So Cornwall piques my curiosity.

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  19. A friend and I have been talking about going to Cornwall for two decades. We are finally making it happen next April!
    Lisa in Long Beach

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  20. Rhys, I'm so glad that you and John have at last gotten back to England and the Cornwall stay at the manor. It sounds like a magical place indeed. The trips to the little fishing villages would be so much fun, and the haunted aspect of the manor is delightful. I would love to come stay next door in Devon sometime, as that's where my ancestors lie buried. I look forward to your pics on FB from you stay.

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  21. It sounds delightful! (Storyteller Mary)

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  22. Rhys, I haven't been to Cornwall in years but I remember well how beautiful it was--and the scones and clotted cream!! Your family's manor house is gorgeous. Have a wonderful time!!

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  23. Sounds like a perfect getaway, especially the ghost! And a manor house. And winding roads.

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  24. Sounds SO lovely! Enjoy!

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  25. This is Diana. Have a wonderful visit. You are blessed to be there with family and fresh air 💚💚💚💚💚💚

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