Author's note: We're not yet in St. Ives so the trip continues.

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They drove on, shortly stopped at Poldhu Cove to marvel at the beach and the lovely view to the former Poldhu Hotel and the old radio station from where the first transatlantic radio message had been transmitted in 1901, and soon they were in Marazion.

"This is Marhasyow." They stopped in the car park just above the slipway to the passage to St. Michael's Mount but stayed in the car. The drizzle had now turned into some rain so they had no intention of getting out.

With the windscreen wiper turned on they looked across the water to the grey rock. Thomas could tell that it is called Karrek Loos yn Koos in Cornish which means grey rock in the woods. One could see remains of trees at low tides which might be a proof that once St. Michael's Mount had been located on the mainland and deep in the woods. Something about six miles from the sea like old chronicles relate under the year 1099. But only until the sea overflowed the land, destroying people, animals and towns.

"Looks like Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy!" Barbara wondered.

"Indeed. It's the counterpart and just as well Benedictine."

Thomas started the engine. With all that water from above it was no real pleasure looking at a grey rock in the grey water with a grey sky in the back.

"It never rains in the pub." he suggested. "Let's have a pint. Or would you prefer visiting a gallery. They've loads of arts here."

Barbara rolled her eyes. "Prefer a drink."

They left the car in front of the Post Office and ran across the street into the Kings Arms where they each had half a pint of Cornish Stingers, the bubbly nestle wine.

"Do you really speak Cornish?" Barbara asked.

"No, just some local historical names and some single words like Nadelik Lowen, which means Merry Christmas. And of course Yeghes da!" he raised his glass to toast. "Cheers, Barbara, I am so happy to be with you!"

Barbara reddened and answered his salute. "Cheers!"

"If the Camp Site's open I'll show you something. It's the best view I've ever had when camping. Hope that the rain stops."

After finishing their drinks they drove up Green Lane until they arrived at the camping site entrance. It was closed but there was no fence and luckily the rain had just stopped so they got out of the car and went a few yards.

Thomas pointed at the big bushes at the end of the meadow.

"There stood our tent, the camping chairs right next to it, looking this way and..." he took Barbaras arm and turned around. "...straight looking to St. Michael's Mount."

He smiled as if he was twelve again. "It's an amazingly romantic vibe for young boys, isn't it."

Barbara was overwhelmed by a warm feeling for that boyishly grinning man at her side.

"It's an amazingly romantic vibe for you!" she said and pulled at his arm to get him down to kiss her.

"Shall I ask for a tent-to-rent and we'll get romantic right here?" Thomas purred on her lips.

Barbara chuckled. "Sounds good to me. But wouldn't you prefer to put your aristocratic butt into a real mattress in a solid and firewarmed house?"

He ignored her sarcasm. "You seduce me!"

"I don't!"

They shared another deep kiss when it started to drizzle again.

"Who had ordered that bloody rain when I want to go sightseeing with my girlfriend?!" Thomas sighed.

On the way to Mousehole, a name that made Barbara ridiculously giggle, they passed Longrock and drove around Penzance, one of the bigger towns in Cornwall. From Newlyn on they took the Cliff Road and Barbara was constantly steering out of her window, trying not to miss any view.

"We should get here again in summer and walk the South West Coast Path from Marsland Mouth to Cremyll, all around the Cornish Coast."

"You're crazy."

"Is it too long?"

"Far too long. I embark on two daylong walks. Tops!"

"You're a lazy one."

"I am." Barbara nodded affirmative.

"Well, here we are in Mousehole." Barbara giggled again.

Thomas raised his eyebrows. "Or Porthenys, to stop your ridiculousness."

They drove through the streets and with the darkness caused by the clouds and the beginning of the evening they could see illuminated figures and coloured lights all over the village.

"What the...?" Barbara wondered.

"Porthenys is known for its Christmas illuminations. They create it every year to raise money for charity."

"Funny folks!"

"You see that islet over there?" Thomas indicated out of the passenger's window. "This is St. Clement's Isle. In the summer we'll return and dive there."

"Now, you stop your diving thing, Thomas!"

"Mh... a shower will do." He kissed her shoulder.

"Yes, a cold one."

"As long as you are with me I would jump into the Arctic Ocean."

Barbara smiled out of the window at her side.

"What's more of that Islet?"

"Nothing. It's just beautiful. Did I mention that almost a third of Cornwall lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?"

"Say..." Barbara rolled her eyes mockingly. He had mentioned it repeatedly.

"I'd love to show you the gorgeous Minack Theatre. It's amazing. You're sitting like gulls in the cliffs and the stage looks like it is hovering above the water. You have the open sea and the horizon in the background." But due to that awful weather outside and the time running out they just passed Porthcurno and headed for Land's End.

"Welcome to Disney Land's End." Thomas quipped.

They parked the car and got out. The drizzling had lessened but it was still windy and cold and it really was a little late. Thomas got his arm around Barbaras shoulder when they walked through the themepark with its music permanently tootling and its countless so-called attractions and shops and cafés. At this time of the year they were closed what caused an even more odd feeling.

"It's a little bit creepy, huh?" Barbara looked around aghast by this sight.

"But we just have to walk through ...and here we are. This is Penn an Wlas, the most westerly point of Cornwall and England." They stood at the cliffs near the signpost and Thomas was gesturing vaguely to the sea. "And there is New York. Well, strictly speaking it's behind that Green Island, you know." he winked. "Legends say that the drowned land Lyoness was between Land's End and the Isles of Scilly."

"Don't forget to remark that we could dive for it."

"Now that you mention it..." Thomas laughed and put his arms around Barbara's waist.

Standing there huddled up to one another he told her that on days of very much sunnier weather one could see the Isles of Scilly. And if one dares to walk on the chain bridge some yards in the direction of the First and Last Refreshment House, and if one had paid for, of course, there are the remainders of a wreck to be seen. If it's not already washed away by the sea.

Thomas pulled Barbara a little closer and whispered "It's getting darker and colder, we've seen the best and now we should hurry to St. Ives. Agree?"

He kissed her. "And I feel a little hunger."

Barbara was well aware of the double meaning in his words and she smilingly agreed, also double meant.

They walked back to the car, put their coats onto the backseats and drove straight northwards, first on the A30, then on the B3306. Thomas went on playing the tourist guide because during the next 45 minutes they passed some more points of interest which now were lying in the darkness of the evening.

"When we drive back to Howenstow we could trudge round all the other sights. For example here's the way to Cape Cornwall, formerly to be thought of being the most westerly point in Cornwall. Very beautiful place to visit."

"And within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, I suppose?"

They passed St. Just and shortly after it there was the turning to the Levant Mine and Beam Engine.

"You know me as a science lunatic, huh?" Barbara laughed.

"I had the steam in mind, and the choochoo." Thomas smugly grinned.

Barbara ignored that. "How much longer 'til St. Ives?"

"'bout twentyfive minutes. Can't wait?" Thomas still was indecent.

"Shut up, Thomas! It's been long time since having the toast for breakfast and the scones. I'm just hungry!" Barbara chuckled, glad to hide her blushing in the darkness.

"So am I!" Thomas looked at her lecherously. "And it's been a long time since..."

"Keep your eyes on the street, Sir!"

They arrived at their destination at about six o'clock. Now it was totally dark except for the few streetlights and they experienced difficulties finding the cottage and then finding a nearby parking space. Barbara was amused that she got a little free tour through St. Ives. Finally they parked the car in an alley in the back of the cottage. Thomas handled her the keys and got the bags and the coats from the rear bench seat.

"Thomas, it's lovely!" Barbara still looked around the narrow cobble-stone streets and up the cottage that was walled in. They stood in front of a wooden outside door, three steps above streetlevel.

He kissed her neck. "You both are." he mumbled on her skin, leaving a tickling feeling there.

Barbara opened the outside door, they went across a very small courtyard and stood in front of the cottage door. Thomas was a few inches behind her and whispered again onto her neck.

"Barbara, I've indeed waited impatiently and much too long to have you for my own. But am I allowed to say that it is freezingly cold now without a coat on? And the bags are getting more and more weighty. Please be so kind to open the door and let's hurry inside."

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Feel free to make some internet research for Poldhu Cove, Marazion (I recommend the forementioned Kings Arms pub) and St. Michael's Mount (best be seen from that campsite I described above), Mousehole, Minack Theatre, Land's End (forget about that theme park but visit the First and Last Refreshment House in England), Cape Cornwall, Levant Mine and Beam Engine, St. Ives (town and port, on the coast of the Celtic Sea, lovely harbour, narrow streets, four beaches, Tate Gallery, St. Ives September Festival and a few very lovely pubs) – or better go and visit Cornwall!