Minack Theatre
The Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre perched on a cliff face overlooking the sea. Every year from June to September theatre companies from all over England put on productions at the theatre. We had hoped to see a play there, but unfortunately our trip coincided with a break in the season. It would be wonderful to watch a play at the Minack Theatre. No need for the set designer to build sets, nature has already provided a wonderful backdrop.

The theatre is divided into two seating areas. There is a grass area on one side and a series of granite seats on the other side. Each granite seat is decorated with the name of a play and the year that it was performed at Minack. I wonder if they use these as a seating reference. Maybe you're directed to sit in Midsummer Night's Dream 1968. Although the granite seats are an attractive and commemorative addition to the theatre, they aren't exactly comfortable to sit on. I can't imagine spending a couple of hours perched on a hard slab of rock. I think it would be a case of BYOC (bring your own cushion).

Juzzy and Ernie had joined in the Pirates theming for the weekend and brought their own props along. At the theatre, they donned pirate hats, bandannas and sashes. They had even brought along their own swords which made clanging sword sound effects (Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise). Juzzy and Ernie treated us to a bit of a sword play. I was surprised that that neither of them used Bonetti's defence. I thought it fitting considering the rocky terrain. (*G* anyone? anyone?)

The garden at Minack is beautifully maintained. There were lots of flowers in the garden that I'd never seen before. I really liked one interesting flower that was a deep red colour, almost black. It kind of looked like a cabbage. Does anyone know what it is?


Land's End
Land's End, a headland on the Penwith Peninsula, is the most westerly point in England. We are check-list tourists so visiting the most westerly, northerly, easterly and southerly points of countries is something we like to do. (We've both done the most easterly point in Australia. Andrew has done the most southerly point too.)

It was a sign of the tackiness to come, when we had to pay to park in the parking lot at Land's End. Tourist attractions worth visiting do not usually charge you to park. The whole place has a bit of a Darling Harbour / Big Merino / Fake Ayers Rock feel about it. Wikipedia calls Land's End a theme park but I think that's a generous description. I don't think a couple of simulators, a Dr Who exhibit and a few gift shops qualifies.

A number of attractions we've visited have a "how many miles to..." sign post. These signs display the distance between the attraction and some of the world's major cities. We always like finding Sydney because it's one of the furthest cities from most of the attractions in Europe. (Although Wellington and sometimes Melbourne usually make a showing. They are both further than Sydney... it's not a competition right!).

We were disappointed to discover that the sign-post at Land's End is a profit-making venture. The post is behind a fence and has just one sign which can be customised for different locations. You have to pay a man £10 for your photo to be taken with you standing next to the post with your location and distance on the sign. It was a bit of a rort.

A visit to Land's End is not really worthwhile. Unless, like us, you want to tick "Most westerly point of England" off your list. Of course, we also tossed a Frisbee round for a bit while we were there. Just so we can say that we've played ultimate at the most westerly point in England (Andrew is the dag, not me!)


St Ives
We headed to St Ives next, via St Just and a Cornish pasty. I tried a cheese and veggie Cornish pasty. It was filled with cheese, potato and sweet potato. It's a Jason Crane version of a veggie pasty. Personally I think peas and carrots would be a welcome addition. Although, I must admit it was my favourite pasty of the weekend.

St Ives is a beachside town on the northern side of the Cornish peninsula. Their tourist website boasts subtropical temperatures all year round. However, the weather was decidedly chilly and grey during our visit. (Brisbane has subtropical temperatures. I think St Ives may be stretching the definition.)

Natalie and Juzzy were impressed with the white sand on at Porthmeor beach. Certainly it is nicer to sit on sand than a typical rocky, pebbly surface of an English beach. (We're yet to visit a typical English beach.) Although, with the freezing water temperature, I don't think I'd be doing much swimming or lying on the beach. If you can't do either of these, sand is just an annoying something that gets in crevices *G*.


Navy Inn
Our chosen dinner venue for the evening was all booked out, so we picked The Navy Inn from the Good Food in Cornwall Guide as a replacement. What a serendipitous find! It was one of the best restaurants I've been to in England.

The service was impeccable. We were greeted by a very cheery barman who supplied us with drinks and directed us to a cosy table in the corner. The wait staff were attentive, informative and happy. It really makes a difference when your waitress gives the impression that she actually enjoys her job and that she's happy to be help you out.

The menu was varied with a focus on seafood, which is fitting considering Penzance's proximity to the sea. I was extremely happy with my meal selection for the evening. I shared an entrÉ of fishcake with Natalie. For my mains I tried the fish pie. The pie came with a "crust" of potato and cheese. It was delicious. By the time we hit dessert, we were all stuffed. However, we decided to share the recommended mango mousse.

Great service, great food and all for a reasonable price. Dinner worked out at about £25 per head, which included two (and a bit) courses and drinks. The Navy Inn is highly recommended. It's a must-dine if you're ever in that part of Cornwall.

The Navy Inn falls under the gastropub classification. Gastropub, that's what the Brits call pubs that serve food. I think it brings a completely different definition to mind.


Kerplunk
Apparently bank holidays are typically wet and windy in the UK. True to form, the weather forecasts that morning had warned of downpours and cooler temperatures. While we were at dinner the Bank Holiday weather finally hit. On our walk home, we ducked into a pub when it started to rain heavily (or as a Brit would say "it started to lash down"). We waited out the weather and amused ourselves in the pub's games room. While Juzzy schooled Andrew in foosball, Ernie, Natalie and I had a round of Hungry Hungry Hippo football followed by a round of Kerplunk. (Ernie was the victor at kerplunk. I demand a rematch!) I wish all pubs had a similar games room kit out.