The blog followers have enjoyed our varying days out together and some have prompted people to make their own visits and plan others when things are safer to travel. Today we thought a quick trip to Cornwall would be bracing and beautiful. It is a county we so often associate with our holidays when we are relaxed and in full holiday mode. It is though, quite an amazing place all year round whether we live there, work there or just holiday there.
To start off today, let's embark on a short trip to give us a quick flavour of the beautiful Cornish coastline - let's have a look from the air!
Next, for the artists amongst us, we're popping over to St Ives, the artist's paradise. James my brother took Art, as his "relaxing" A level amongst the others. It was hugely demanding and certainly wasn't a relaxing option! However, St Ives and the community of artists focused highly as did the two practical weeks spent there learning and working amongst the community. So I thought we could pop over and visit. When I was there last with my parents it was busy, touristy and not my sort of place, but I bet out of season it is quieter and a more reflective sort of community.
Mousehole is quaint, typically Cornish and has a good fishermen's choir. We can round off our very brief trip here with some of the Mousehole sights and not forgetting of course the world famous Mousehole Christmas Lights.
I wonder if these will still be place this Advent and Christmas time? They are pretty and twinkling, but they are more than that they are a message of hope to the community and beyond in these troublesome days.
The Mousehole Cat - Poetry Soup
One dreaded day when the storm clouds turned black,
the sea took a new face and began its attack.
When the hunting Great Storm-Cat and all of its weight,
came prowling the shoreline, dark eyes filled with hate.
He stalked the old harbours for scurrying foes,
chasing and bashing with crashing great blows.
He spied the little mouse-men seeking refuge on land,
as they hurriedly worked in their boats that they manned.
Then turning and waving a cross tail at his prey,
he focused his senses and coiled in their way.
The Great Storm-Cat gathered, bunched and then pounced,
on the poor little mouse-men who were easily trounced.
But Mousehole could weather this Storm-Cat’s assault,
standing behind strong walls with a small gap to bolt.
Now nothing was missed from an old window sill,
for there sat a witness attentive and still.
The big yellow eyes of the wise cat called Mowzer,
who knew what would happen as did Old Tom whom housed her.
For this storm had stopped all trawling for fishes,
the boats couldn’t go out to provide fish for the dishes.
When Mousehole’s food stores were eaten and gone,
old Tom left his house where his window lamp shone.
With children grown up and so none to look after,
the inseparable pair took a chance on disaster.
Old Tom and brave Mowzer were to face the cruel beast,
for in Tom’s trusty boat they would fish for a feast.
They set out at dawn to the gap they would creep,
but the Great Storm-Cat lay waiting, awake not asleep.
Trailing them all day he listened for noise,
for the little cat Mowzer sang out in her voice.
He stayed his greedy claws from wrecking this boat,
and straining his storm ears he caught every note.
The Great Storm-Cat and Mowzer struck up a duet,
Tom began fishing and cast out his net.
Mowzer was warbling her best night time sound,
as Tom landed his catch then turned the boat round.
She blinked a gentle cat kiss and began a soft purring,
surprising the Great Storm-Cat who’s memories were stirring.
He forgot his angry yowling and tried not to miss,
a warm mother’s contentment that he remembered with bliss.
For he once was a sweet kitten some long time ago,
his waves became even their pace nice and slow.
A bright lantern vigil soon hoved in to view,
as the villagers had missed them and were out that night too.
All cheering and waving with happy delight,
their worst fears forgotten at this marvellous sight.
Here old Tom and brave Mowzer were home safe and sound,
their boat full of fish and none of them drowned.
They all then witnessed a yarn they could tell,
for the Great Storm-Cat’s big paw was waving farewell.
Soon they were feasting from the extraordinary haul,
the streets were all empty and so was the wall.
Now old Tom and Mouser have long since departed,
but on that same night a tradition was started.
Lights are there lit to remember the brave,
and sometimes the Great Storm- Cat appears with a wave.
If you look up on the twenty third of December,
you might catch a glimpse of them if you remember.
A black and white cat who likes tickles just there,
behind her left ear by Tom in his chair.
Di has been on a special Remembrance walk and has sent us some photos which reflect what she saw and felt. Thanks Di for these. It certainly has been quite a week and all interspersed with Diwali fireworks.
Wasn't Edwin's poppy pebble lovely and it has been used on here a few times in the week too.
Don't forget, your Advent calendar photos "through a window" need to be with me by 29.11.2020. They can reflect in a photo anything of an Advent or Christmas, religious or secular nature and importantly must have a title eg White Christmas, or O Come, O come Emmanuel. They can include a brief description if you wish, but this isn't necessary and will be put on on community hubs too from 1-25th December 2020. Do be creative! Thanks.
コメント