Anyone who knows me well has discovered that I adore fairy tales. I believe in the independent princess( a la Atalanta in Free to Be You and Me), the gallant knight who listens to all her problems without trying to solve them and cooks her delicious macrobiotic food appropriate to her condition, and the self cleaning castle. So we could not pass up a visit to an authentic castle named St Michael's Mount in Marazion, one town away. Started in the twelfth century as a monastery for the Benedictine Abbey of Mont St Michael in France later it would become a castle fortress, port and family home to the St Aubyn family. We arrived at high tide which necessitated the use of a bumpy motorboat to approach the castle. Later we would return at low tide across an uneven cobblestone trail which floods at high tide. Flanking the path, but now exposed, were oodles of what looked like kombu seaweed and other forms of sea life. In order to reach the lofty summit we put on our magic non slip super sneakers to conquer the wicked steep, winding, wet, weathered walkway that would certainly have deterred any sane marauding invader! Following Henry VIII's banishment of Catholicism, so he could divorce his wives, and the establishment of the Church of England, the monastery was abolished. The Mont became a stony fortress which has been inhabited by the same family for all these years. The furnishings date back to medieval times. Hidden passageways lead to unknown destinations. The lovely stain glass windows in the chapel surround stone tablets which commemorate past family members. Exiting the royal dining room, we meandered out on a lovely terrace which overlooks the stunning gardens below. Gun batteries used during the War of the Roses and the Civil War serve to protect the castle from interloping seagulls nowadays. Descending the peak down the treacherous rocky embankment we wonder how many serfs lost their lives here just fetching a bottle of Mead for The Lord of the Manor. ("We just lost another one, honey!)
We had an amazing history lesson with one of the guides at the castle. An aspiring historian, she detailed the descriptions of King, Queen, Prince, Duke, Marquis, Lord and Baronette. Then we discussed the order of descending to the throne and why the Royals are referred to as the Duke of Cornwall or the Prince of Wales. I am ready to take my quiz on this right now! There will soon be a change in law so that if Prince Wills and Kate have a first born girl she will be able to take the throne if her number comes up.
Sadly we must bid farewell to the Cornish coast. We will never forget its dazzling sea views, Afternoon tea with scones, friendly chats with the locals, KO's new passion for pasties, and the peaceful serenity we experienced here. On to London for one more night tomorrow and then we are taking the Eurostar to Paris.
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