Today we split up, with the adult ladies going to St. Ives, an artsy seaside community on the north coast.  With the bright, sunny weather, people were out in droves on the beaches and the waterfront streets and shops were humming.  We visited the Tate St Ives, a modern art museum whose architecture was its best exhibit – the way the rotunda captures the sunlight and frames the blue sky was mesmerizing.  We also saw the Barbara Hepworth museum, which showcased many of her sculptures in a garden she designed – a quiet oasis in the midst of the city.

We got take-away for lunch (including pasties!) and ate it on a bench overlooking the beach.  We had no sooner been warned about the seagulls by a nice local lady sitting next to us when one swooped down and nearly knocked away one of our pasties.  Thereafter, we guarded our lunches fiercely, shooing away all beady-eyed seagulls who came close.

We had a scenic walk around “The Island”, a peninsula at one edge of the city that at one time became an island at high tide – great views in all directions.  The way back to the bus station took us past more galleries, affording the opportunity to scout for painting reprints and jewelry.  There really is something about the scenery and light in St. Ives that begs to be painted!

Once back in Penzance we took a short jaunt to Mousehole – with a name like that, who could resist!?  (It’s pronounced Mowzel, though…). The harbor is full of algae but that didn’t stop the kids from swimming!

As we were going to St. Ives… the other group was doing something silly – or, rather Scilly.  Nick and the kids took the Scillonian ferry to St. Mary’s, the largest island of the Isles of Scilly.  There they followed yet another coastal path past the heather and a close-up encounter with a local bovine to arrive at remains of an Iron Age village and a Bronze Age burial site.  They rounded out the visit viewing the archaeological finds and shipwreck salvage at the island museum.  Then back to the quay in plenty of time so they wouldn’t miss the only ferry back – luckily no one got seasick on the return trip. 

Our two parties connected for a quintessential British meal of fish and chips.  Note for future: “mushy peas” are even less tasty than they sound on a menu, but pear cider – even the £1 variety – is quite delicious.

 (St. Ives)  
    
    
  

(Mousehole)

(Isles of Scilly, St Mary’s – note, picture quality is reduced because these are pictures of pictures)