Tintagel, Take 2

[pjthompson]

I promised mnfaure that I'd post the rest of my "panoramas" of Cornwall, but I thought Tintagel required some explanation. Or maybe I just think it does and wanted an excuse to blab. Either way. Four years later, this is still one of the high points of the trip for me. A beautiful, rugged landscape and a beautiful release of endorphins.

Be warned: there are more photos behind the cut then are indicated by the labels.

We visited towards the end of our week there, and as may be evident from the pictures, it was a chilly spring day—although most of the weather we'd had in Cornwall up until then had been sunny and beautiful. It was actually perfect weather for visiting Tintagel, I think, which is quite a romantic and dramatic site. Plus, it's a sodding great climb to get onto the "island." I wouldn't like to do that in hot weather. As you'll be able to see in...





1. You start off in the town of Tintagel itself—a quaint little place that's been rather tarted up with Arthurian associations for the tourist trade. Merlin's taverns and that sort of rot. The Arthurian associations with Tinagel may be tenuous, historically speaking, but tourist-wise they are mighty! Certainly got me there. And my forbearing companions went along good-naturedly.

2. Then you have to walk down a steep path towards the sea. You can see the upper stretch of it there on Arrow #2. Here's a close up of that path:







3. You can see the white buildings near the end of the path just above Arrow #3 in the first panorama. Arrow #3 actually points to the beginning of the foot bridge that leads over the chasm separating the mainland from the large spit of rock that comprises "Tintagel Castle." The ruin that you see near Arrow #2 is actually on the mainland, and the picture was taken from the island of Tintagel.

4. Arrow #4 points to the ruins at the top of the climb to get onto the island.

Here's a picture I borrowed from the English Heritage web page to give you an idea of what that chasm looks like:



Why am I borrowing pictures for this portion of the lecture? Because I didn't have the presence of mind to snap any of my own. I got caught up in a conversation about archaeology and Arthur with the nice young man who manned the booth there and took the entrance fee. My comrades had to wait it out with rolling eyes. I hurried to catch up and then the climb itself was a bit strenuous and there were actually a number of people climbing up behind us so every time I stopped to snap a picture it caused logistical problems. Besides, I was experiencing this and loving it, and wasn't that inclined to photographic documentation.

Here's one of the few I took on the climb, of the dramatic and evocative caves that burrow into the mainland at this point.



This picture of the bridge to Tintagel island by Damien Ryan taken from the mainland gives you a good overall idea of the place:



And this one, taken by Dougal, gives you and idea of the steepness of the climb and the incredible beauty of the place. Just breathtaking:



Once on the island I resumed my photo snapping ways. Here's a panorama of the headland opposite the island:











And here's one of the mainland, Tintagel village, and the Tintagel hotel at the extreme left of the picture:



That's the last of the panoramas, but there were plenty more snaps. I'll spare you that experience.

If you want my full trip report on Tintagel from just after I got back (and why would you after all this?), you can go here. I do wax rhapsodic and philosophic, so be warned.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Those are AMAZING!

[pjthompson]

Thanks! I wish I'd taken the one looking down from the steps. That one gob-smacks me, it does.

[sharaith.livejournal.com]

Wow. These look exactly like how I pictured the town in Susan Cooper's book Over Sea, Under Stone. Cave in the cliff and all.

[pjthompson]

It's one of those places that seems straight out of a novel or a film. And those caves...I regret not going down there and poking around. Maybe next time.

[athenais.livejournal.com]

I should find my photos of Tintagel. I'd completely forgotten what a pain it is to get there. These are fun!

[pjthompson]

Thanks. It was quite a hike, wasn't it?

[pdlloyd.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous pictures. Thanks for sharing. 8)

[pjthompson]

Thanks--and you're welcome.

[brigidsblest.livejournal.com]

Those shots are amazing. I'm a wee bit jealous (but I get to go there and to Ireland in 5 more years, so only a wee bit.)

[pjthompson]

Thanks--and I'm jealous as I've never been to Ireland. ;-)

[darkspires.livejournal.com]

I am thrilled you got a picture of the caves. Now you know where I got my cave in the book from. Brilliant pickkys. More?

[pjthompson]

I used to have them all up at yahoo, but they stopped hosting pictures and I haven't gotten around to reorganizing yet. I'm sort of insane when it comes to taking vacation snaps, so there are a lot, and I was using my Canon AE-1 so I still have more of them to scan. Not too many, but I no longer have access to a good scanner, so I'm at something of an impasse.

[darkspires.livejournal.com]

I am very patient. I will look forward to seeing the rest in the course of time. Glares hatred at yahoo.

[pjthompson]

Maybe I can use you as inspiration to get my act together.

[pjthompson]

Oh, p.s., did you go there, too? re: the caves

[darkspires.livejournal.com]

Many years back. Ouch, don't want to think of how many.

[pjthompson]

I'd wanted to go ever since I read the Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart and I don't want to think about how many years ago that was...

[darkspires.livejournal.com]

This was where my urge came from. And I really wanted to find a cave.

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

Here via sartorias. These are amazing!

[pjthompson]

Thank you!

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

very nice!

[pjthompson]

Thanks!

[stlscape.livejournal.com]

Here from sartorias. Thanks so much for posting the photos. Goodness, they bring back memories. I must have been about 10 the last time I was there (mumblety decades ago). The wind was blowing so hard my little brother and I got pinned against the "bridge" rails. My father, who doesn't do heights at all, was stuck on the mainland, and we were going across to the island with my mother. She had to wrap my arms around an upright while she dragged my brother the rest of the way across, then come back for me. Exciting times, those. It looks like that bridge has been replaced with a much less adventurous version.

Thanks again. I haven't thought about that for *years*.

[pjthompson]

Adventurous indeed! I think I remember hearing about the old bridge. I'm not good with heights, either, and I doubt I would have made it across that one. As it was I had a couple of "fretful" moments.

Glad to have facilitated the memories.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Fabulous. You sure know how to make a happy Miq. :D I love the mood and atmosphere apparent in so many of the shots, and I agree about the looking down the stairs one. Great photo!

[pjthompson]

Isn't it, though? I hope Dougal doesn't mind me stealing it in a good cause. Ironically, I'd pictured all of Cornwall as windswept moors and dramatic coastlines. It certainly has interesting coastlines, some of them quite dramatic, but most of it is quite balmy compared to the rest of England. It benefits from the warmer waters of the Mediterranean coming off France.

[hollailama.livejournal.com]

Woooooow. *stares for hours* Truly amazing, Peej.

[pjthompson]

Thanks you, sweetums!