Journey to Land's End via St. Ives, Zennor and Penzance

We left Polzeath to drive the coastal road from St. Ives to Land's End. St. Ives is an artsy fartsy sort of village with beautiful head lands to walk. From St. Ives, the coastal road was not only beautiful but fun to drive (says Steve). You can see the sea while driving the rolling hills and sharp turns (motorcycle must for Mauri and Rick Neyman!)

 Emily's husband Tim gave us a tip about a pub called Tinner Arm's on the way to Lands End. It turned out to be our favorite pub in Cornwall and the only place to serve Zennor Mermaid cask ale (our favorite to date). After a delicious detour in Zennor we stopped off at church on the side of the road and another quick pint in Sennon Bay.

Finally we reached Land's End Hotel where were quickly moved on to our final destination... the low tidal pool at Nanjizil Beach about a three mile coastal hike. I've really been challenging my fear of heights and cliffs on this trip. I'm clear I wouldn't have made it through this one if Steve had not been with me hand in hand. (Great video of what I look like when I'm terrified and we are walking a coastal path with a plunge below). To top off this epic day (and 9 coastal miles of hiking and 40 floors) we had an EPIC sunset and delicious dinner. Life does not suck.

The sky was incredible. See the dark to light contrast - post sunset glory!

I'm smiling but I'm SCARED.

The tidal pool -- pictures don't do it justice!

We started the hike beyond the far left mass of land.

The coastal path view

This dish was perfect - in your face Rick Stein. 

Front of Tinner's Arms Pub

That's a crank car in front of Tinners Arms. 

Chapel on top of St. Ives head land - Steve loved this crow on the cross.

St. Ives

Sunday Roast YUM

Traditional Sunday roast is a mid-day meal with family. This includes a protein (lamb or beef), gravy, roasted potatoes, vegetables and a Yorkshire pudding. Uncle Rob planned a family outing at the Polzeath Golf Club just across the road. The greens are lush and the weather (again) held up for us!

After the roast, Emily and Tim and their three kids Claudia, Seb and Hannah hung out at SouthWinds for the afternoon. Nothing is better than family time. 

Seb and Claudia having a laugh with Julie and Daddy (Tim)

Big sister!

Emily and Steve!

Hello Hannah Banana!

Claudia drew me a picture - Me, Steve, and Austin!

That's it. Right there. Sunday Roast. YUMMY!

Sophie and Me

Caudia is outgoing and FUN!

Duck Face. It's universal!

Eden Project - Bucket List - CHECK!

The Eden Project is an educational charity and social enterprise that creates gardens, exhibitions, art, events and experiences to explore how people can work together and with nature towards a better future. 35 acre global garden built in a 50m deep crater --- AMAZING.  There are two huge biomes at Eden that house a rainforest and a Mediterranean climate. We walked 4 miles throughout and enjoyed a lovely lunch inside the Mediterranean biome. Each biome includes cultural artifacts and all the food sold inside Eden is harvested inside the biomes and garden. I could spend days here and certainly plan to return on each and every visit to Cornwall.  Go to www.edenproject.com to learn more -- and check out the photos below.

Jay and Carmony - you would absolutely love this experience and rumor has it they are building another one in Japan. Land is cheap(er) in Salisbury, NC... what do you say? A social entrepreneurial family venture?

Pano from the entrance... sloping walkways through lush gardens to get down to the biomes.

Huge bee sculpture in the outdoor gardens!

Inside the Rainforest

These guys were all over the rainforest

Add caption

This plant is the largest flowering plant in the world. Check out the webcam on line to watch it grow!

A waterfall in the middle of the rainforest!

Harris' find a bar - no surprise! Rum and super fruit Baobab smoothie - yum!

Mediterranean Biome cafe - absolutely lovely. Birds for days. 

Sculptures among the grape vines!

An entire chili garden with the Scoville scale from least hot to the world's hottest!

This is an OPIUM POPPY! 

Woody and Jess in LOVE

This is an ENORMOUS sculpture called the "Seed." Shot taken from above. 

Oh yeah --- they built a seasonal ice rink too!