Illumine Me

Can it really be time to go? Have 5 weeks really passed? They must have because: 

1.  a Yellow Canary crab sandwich awaits pickup at 9:15. 

2.  bags are packed and sit patiently by the door.

3.  kitchen items are dealt with and food tossed.

4. medications, makeup, and battery chargers for the laptop, iPhone, Apple Watch, hearing aids, and AirPods are all accounted for.

It's the fiddly bits that always get me, things that had been put into a Very Safe Place, and then forgotten (chief among these *for a while* was the front door key, which was in a Very Safe Place). But the bits are all remembered now, I'm pretty sure.

BBC Radio Cornwall is burbling away to itself, because I haven't the time to focus on anything but St Ives and the process of leaving it. Grandchildren await my reappearance! Not to mention their grandfather awaiting Same. I had already left St Ives once, but then came back, and...but hold on, Radio Cornwall is saying something about Truro Cathedral, which I love. She is the only cathedral in Cornwall and clearly the most beautiful in the kingdom. Those who look after her are thoroughly devoted to their task which I, and many of you, have seen close up.

So what is BBC Radio Cornwall saying? They are saying that the cathedral needs to reach netZERO for carbon emissions by the year 2030. Apparently it isn't easy to reach netZERO these days, so they want to turn off the soft, pretty illumination lights surrounding the cathedral. Have you ever seen it by night? It's a fair knockout! 

       (I don't have an illuminated picture)

                                                    

Maybe it makes people feel better to attach a number to a problem (zero, 2030, etc), and then hope the number will change. 

Five weeks ago St Ives turned off their street lights in order to reach netZERO while I was stumbling around trying to find my cottage in the dark. It would have helped immensely to have a light or two in the vicinity! 

I tend to lean in the direction of Light, myself. Don't you? And Light is what Truro Cathedral is all about (just ask the Docents), and somehow the idea of it sitting alone in the dark all night sounds sad. 

You are the Light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and hide it under a bushel. Instead they put it on a stand

and it gives Light to everyone in the house. Let your Light so shine before men.

Matthew 5:14-16

I am on the train now, watching bright green pastures flying past my window. There isn't a trolly lady this time, but a trolly man who is the jolliest trolly person I've ever seen! He constantly brings the weary travelers his sandwiches, fruitcake, flapjacks, horribly salty chips, and tea. 

I will make the dash for home tomorrow, where my loved ones wait and the Light of the world will not be hidden. 

(I just hope the plane has snacks and water and perhaps more than just one meal!).

"I'm gonna let it shine"

See you along the Way!

the SconeLady

You Never Know With Californians

                      

Sunrise this morning

 It is lovely sharing Cornwall with my California friends, whose names are Alex, Sam, Katie, Levi, and Jude. I had heard it would be a hilarious adventure. I had heard that wherever they go, there would be fun. There is!

 They all piled into their car yesterday to visit St Michael's Mount, climbing all the way up to the Castle church where stands the magnificent statue of St Michael, subduing Satan. It is no joke climbing up those steep, rough hewn cobblestone lanes because it can be tough on the ankles. But if you ever do it and survive, you will be rewarded by the beauty of that church, its view, and its statue. 

                                                 

Because my friends are here in England to celebrate their grandmother's 100th birthday, the St Michael's Mount people gave them complimentary tickets to the Mount! That is no small savings. Also, because she had reached 100 years, their grandmother received a letter from King Charles himself, delivered to her by his own agent dressed in beautiful royal clothing! Which they witnessed. And which the other people in her care home witnessed. They were the party guests! 

(A note about cars in Cornwall: if you use GoogleMaps you had better watch out, because you might find yourself guided smack dab onto a sidewalk-sized 'road' for miles and, if another car is coming your way? Somebody is going to have to drive all those miles BACKWARDS to the beginning!)

 Alex has it figured, but - man!

The Californians having Thai at Talay

 Have you ever gone surfing in absolutely freezing water in Cornwall in October? Well, guess who did this thing today? The Californians, of course! My photos of it haven't come through yet, but Levi and Jude were awesome.

 How brave do you have to be to tumble into what feels like ice cubes in a tub, with SCARCELY A SHRIEK (at least, I didn't hear them shriek). Over and over they plunged, further and further to where the locals surfed as if the water was as warm as Hawaii. When their dad finally said, "Time to go, guys!" there was a hesitation. "But - just one more, dad! Please?"

 When the surfing ended, the kids rested and we went on a loop hike that might have felt longer than it was (just think: BOULDERS). I did not know it yet, but we had set foot upon the South West Coastal Path! I recognized those boulders from the day Emmie and I vowed we would "never climb another boulder". 

 And yet, our small part of the Coastal Path is survivable. This was because: 

1. a nice farmer came by on a piece of machinery and told us we were on the right path, and that we would recognize 'more than two' styles ahead.

2. my companions gave me their strong hands up and over the boulders, and then up and over the several unexpected styles. 

3. my iPhone did not die.

4. Sam kept up a cheerful tone and made sure the SconeLady's feet were on the right hunk of granite (style).

5. Alex gave us helpful updates on the trail with his Trail App. Until his iphone died.

6. I don't like styles.

7. I like styles in about the same way David Copperfield liked Uriah Heep.

8. I like styles about like I like Marmite.

 At last, as we spilled out onto Burthallen Lane and saw Godrevey Lighthouse in the distance, we knew we were home free. It was a great day! I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. You never know with Californians.

See you along the way!

the SconeLady

My traveling companions

a 'style' (cattle grid)