June 26: Cornwall

A taxi came at the prescribed time and whisked me through the silent streets to Paddington station, where I quickly found the right train to go to Truro in Cornwall.  Additionally, two women who sat with me at the platform waiting to be boarded told me they had been to Hyde Park the night before to hear and see the Rolling Stones in concert, including Mick Jagger, now a 78-year-old who gives 2-hour concerts!!!  There is hope.  

On board we traveled through the world of London highrises until we finally hit the rural, timeless British countryside, where it could have been 1500, 1914, or 1942.  The grass was beyond green—it was vibrant and gave your eyes a treat.  For most of the time I sat alone and was glued to the window.  It was hard to take pictures because of the glare, but I did garner a few worth sending.  In all, there were 18 stops from Paddington to Truro, and Truro was the 14th.  We had started at 10:03 a.m, and arrived at the Truro depot at 2:26 p.m.  

The landlady, Karen Colam, was there with her van to pick me up.  Hers is a tour called the One Week Poldark Holiday Package, 7 days in duration.  I am staying at her Residence at Bolenna in Parranporth.  It is there that Winston Graham, the author of the Poldark novels, lived and created them.  My stay will explore the sites of Cornwall used in the BBC production of “Poldark,” starring Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson.  Many locations were also used in the original 1970 series, starring Robin Ellis and Angharad Reese, and it was that series that Charles and I had watched with baited breath.  We will take in many of Cornwall’s unforgettable spots, historic homes and gardens, heritage sites and attractions.  

Since I had not slept well last night, I decided to have dinner early, and the staff kindly obliged with a kind of bruschetta topped with the best seasoned mushrooms.  And of course I have taken a few pics of the garden and the houses around it.  As we drove by the Atlantic and as people were sporting along the seashore, the waves, in sync, rolled placidly towards shore.  During the filming of the new series the majestic waves spelled a constant litany of well-regulated power and majesty.  Saw Holywell, two little islands which were filmed time and time again for the series.  I can’t wait to start exploring tomorrow.  Our weather, Karen states, is expected to be changeable, with squalls alternating with sun.  Pretty well says it all.  No need for air conditioning here!