Friday Reads: Midsummer Magic

Midsummer Magic by Julia Williams

From Cornwall to Dorset

Our weeklong tour of Cornwall, England was sweeping eastward again, passing through the counties of Devon and Dorset on our way back to London, but there was still much more to see. The day ahead promised a visit to a village with a history of smuggling, a working Benedictine abbey, and a popular seaside resort.

Polperro, Cornwall

Daphne du Maurier's Fowey

“Fowey has a magic all of its own.”

~ Daphne du Maurier

One of my favourite stops on our tour of Cornwall was the town of Fowey with its scenic seaside location at the mouth of the River Fowey. When I stepped off the motor couch outside the Fowey Hotel I was welcomed by lush hydrangeas, fragrant English lavender and a grand view of the harbour below. The hotel also has a connection to author Daphne du Maurier.

Fowey, Cornwall

England's Tea Plantation

It’s no secret that the British love their tea but I was surprised to learn that England has its own tea plantation in the county of Cornwall. Tea bushes thrive in the microclimate of the Tregothnan estate near Truro, which mimics that of the Himalayan foothills.

England's Tea Plantation, Tregothnan

Falmouth and St. Mawes

The town of Falmouth on the southwest coast of England is Cornwall’s largest port. It boasts a National Maritime Museum plus two fortresses built by King Henry VIII. But we took a break from sightseeing one morning to browse through the town’s shops and soak up the seaside ambience. And I was delighted with the fishing village across the harbour, picturesque St. Mawes.

Coastal Marvels of Cornwall

My second day in Cornwall proved to be even wetter than the first; so much for my dream of strolling along a sunny beach with a Cornish ice cream in hand. I donned my rain jacket and grabbed an umbrella, reminding myself that I was experiencing authentic British weather. Despite the rain, the coast of Cornwall was spectacular.

Minack Theatre, Porthcurno

Doc Martin's Port Isaac

Morning skies filled with darkening clouds did not bode well for our visit to the Cornish coast and Port Isaac, the fishing village known as Portwenn on the hit British TV series, Doc Martin. If you’re a fan of the series you’ll recognize locations from the show; if you’ve never watched Doc Martin you may still appreciate the beauty of Cornwall.

The Cornish Coast at Port Isaac

England in Books and Film

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over. I spent a few lazy evenings catching up on episodes of some wonderful British programs that have aired on PBS recently. And I've realized how much my reading and TV viewing have influenced my travel plans. So, as promised, here's a preview of some places I'm going to visit in England next year.