Fowey, England
After several stops on various islands over the past ten or so days, this morning just before breakfast, National Geographic Explorer arrived in our first mainland port of the voyage – Fowey, Cornwall, England. With skilful maneuvering the ship was positioned between two buoys in the fast flowing river and soon we were aboard Zodiacs and heading to shore in this charming old port whose solid, granite houses with steeply sloping gardens watched over us in the morning sunshine.
Our destination was the astonishing botanical experiment with the very science-fiction-like title The Eden Project. Constructed some ten years ago in a disused clay quarry this vast interactive site is dominated by two truly enormous ‘biospheres,’ one of which houses flora from tropical regions and the other flora from Mediterranean climes. But the whole site is a feast for the eye with gigantic outdoor sculptures, flowing vegetable and flower gardens, as well as other buildings necessary for the operation of what has become the top attraction in the area. It was peculiar to walk through a rain forest with temperatures in the 90s all the time knowing that we were in the southwest of England. The allotted two hours gave us time to get a sense of what a far-reaching, and so far successful, idea this place represents – the interaction of humans with plants.
The afternoon was divided between leaving The Eden Project for the Lost Gardens of Heligan, with lunch en-route, or returning to the ship for lunch on board and then taking a long, overland hike with Steve, Richard and Mike. The ‘Lost Gardeners’ reported on return that this had been a very exciting trip. The story behind these gardens, which were not so much lost as simply forgotten, was incredible enough but the finished ‘product’ was unique, visually appealing and surprising.
Back in Fowey (pronounced ‘Foy’) the long walkers covered a six-mile route that took them uphill, down dale, across a stream and along a precipitous cliff-top path. The views were spectacular and just the experience of roving through the wild and untamed countryside of Cornwall, to return to a centuries old fishing community with cobbled streets and a harbour awash with boats was an experience that gave a real feel for life in this ancient part of Great Britain.
Tomorrow we return to our island-hopping with two stops in the British Channel Islands, Sark and Guernsey, with ancient villages, quirky laws and customs, and more beautiful vistas to be photographed or simply enjoyed and cherished.
