Lands End at Penzance is equivalent to Byron Bay being Australia's main land furthest east point.

Penzance is also famous for the unique St Micheals Mount structure built on a rocky outcrop a few hundred metres offshore. Ancestors of the original family who built St Micheals in the 17th century, the St Aubyn family, still reside there. In 1954 a large endowment was paid to the National Trust by the family retaining a 999 year lease while the Trust ensures the conservation of the site.

In it's heyday 300 islanders lived on the mount but only 35 live there today.

Apart from these major tourist attractions Penzance is a popular summer holiday destination.

                                            Be back soon

                                           Port Isaac.

Apart from being used as a regular film set for movies ( Oscar & Lucinda 1971, Saving Grace 2000 ) and TV series such as the original Poldark (1975-77), The Nightmare Man (BBC 1981), The Shell Seekers with Vanessa Redgrave (2005) and Doc Martin  (2004 - present), Port Isaac has an interesting history dating back prior to the 16th Century with pilchard fishing.

The village centre dates from the 18th century and local fisherman still land catches of lobster, crab and fish. The village centre was designated a conservation area in 1971.

The walk down into the village.

Entering the village.

We knew Doc Martin was filming the day we visited but could not have imagined what was in store.

Doc Martin (Martin Clunes) on set.

Mrs Tishell (Selina Cadell) on set

Clive Tishell (Malcolm Story) on set.\
We were able to view a number of rehearsals from up close while having coffee at the outdoor section of the cafe directly opposite Mrs Tishell's pharmacy. When the rehearsals were complete and to our surprise onlookers were allowed access to the stars.

                                   What a great day.

                                Falmouth, Cornwall.

The precursor to the founding of Falmouth was with the construction of Pendennis Castle, ordered by King Henry V111 in 1540 as a defensive battlement. It continued in this role in various forms through to the end of WW11. Falmouth was established in 1613.

Falmouth has the third deepest natural harbour in the world and the deepest in Western Europe. During WW11 the US Navy had a large base in Falmouth harbour as well as an army base in the town. Some of the D-Day landings originated from Falmouth. The Royal Navy continue to use the harbour facilities which include modern dry dock infrastructure along with commercial and private vessels.

Pendennis Castle.

 

Early cannon range 2 mile.

6 inch artillery range 13 miles.

                          Some views from Pendennis

                        Falmouth Town and Harbour.

                                   Falmouth Harbour

                            Da weles ( Cornish for---?)

Sunday April 23 travel to our next destination at Falmouth in Cornwall. 

Scenery between Salisbury and Exeter.

Typical station along route

Rail bridge over River Plym.

Wreck on River Tamar Plymouth.

Truro Cathedral from train into Truro.

to this for short trip to Falmouth.

Changing at Truro from this-----

Arriving Adelaide Airport.
After refining the blog and making some edits and adjustments for it to present better I inadvertently deleted two of the earlier posts. I am re blogging them in case some may have missed them and also for my own benefit.Departing Monday April 17 and flying Adelaide, Melbourne, Dubai and London.

Ngaire relaxing in the Qantas Lounge.

Small section of our A380.

Skycam taking off from  Dubai.

Heathrow Airport.

Spent first night at Thistle Hotel Heathrow which has a great terrace attached to the restaurant/bar that overlooks one of the runways.

Caught bus next morning from Heathrow to Woking train station for train trip to Salisbury and 4 nights at the Cathedral Hotel.

Arriving here marked the beginning of our so long awaited holiday.