St Michael's Mount
The reason for staying in Falmouth has way less to do with Falmouth and more to do with Mount St. Michael, or St Michael's Mount. I was organized enough to have booked my ticket on the boat for this, and I wanted to be close enough to not have to stress too much getting there.
St Michael's Mount is one of the top tourist attractions in Cornwall. It is a tidal island which can be walked to over a causeway when the tide is low. The known occupation goes back to the 800's CE with a Benedictine Abbey. Edward the Confessor gave the island so that it would be an counterpart Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, which is also a tidal island. That relationship was severed during the wars with France and then with Henry VIII's dissolution it ceased to be a Priory. During the English Civil War it was converted into a fortress for the King. And since 1650 the castle and chapel have been the home of the St Aubyn family. And it is now home and a very busy tourist attraction and historic treasure.


But I was grateful for those climbing experiences, and for my Sketchers with their octopus like grip. I kept a look out for the legend of Jack who freed the people of Marazon from the giant who stole their livestock - trapping him in a well (I think) and somehow the Giants heart is now part of the road.
I took my time around the whole complex. Partly it was interesting, and partly I was waiting for the causeway to appear and be dry enough for me to walk on it. Once I had explored and read a lot with the little guide book I had purchased showing me the way, I had a leisurely lunch (out of the rain) and waited. (yes fruit scones and coffee.) I had caught the boat over, but I wanted to walk back. At last, the rain stopped, and people started to walk the causeway. It was still wet, so I took my shoes and socks off and set off. It was worth the wait.
Once back in Marazon I paid for my parking - I didn't note what time I had arrived so had to guess how long to pay for with signs around warning me of fines if I did not pay enough - please God not another ticket - and then set off for my next little adventure.
You can find more photos on my Facebook post here
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