Wednesday afternoon in Penzance and Mousehole

Seeing as I was already half-way there I decided to have a look round Penzance. I haven't been there for years and when I drive through it always looks a bit down at heel but other people seem to like it so I decided to give the place the benefit of the doubt. Crawley-On-Sea I'm afraid. Not helped that the first shop you see when you cross the road from the harbour car-park is Iceland. Who let that happen? In fact who let Penzance fall into such a sorry state? The whole place has such a down at heel feel about it not helped by the fact that Penzance has more than its fair share of drug addicts. There was a little more of a bohemian vibe once you got away from the high street. I found a huge vintage shop full of most of my childhood and some nice little independent galleries but not a lot else.

Next stop Newlyn; which is famous for two very different reasons. It is the biggest fishing port in England but also has a vibrant art scene which started back in the late 19th century when artists from all over flocked to the area and founded the Newlyn School (of art). I like Newlyn. It has a functional, practical feel to it. Very much a take us as you find us vibe.

And then onto Mousehole. By now it was quite late in the afternoon but Mousehole was still busy, busy, busy and oh so pretty, pretty, pretty.

I had a lovely time wandering around the harbour and the narrow back streets and alleyways of Mousehole. Along with many other visitors I might add. As the shadows grew longer I left this picturesque village, bypassed Penzance, and headed for home and a delicious bag of chips from Smugglers in Lizard.

Love from The Lizard Girl