The Eden Project

 Today Katy and I traveled a few miles west of Fowey to the site of the Eden Project. It's a little hard to describe exactly what it is, but essentially it is a collection of interconnected geodesic domes containing non-native biomes: one set for a tropical rain forest, another for a Mediterranean climate. The domes were constructed in a reclaimed clay pit. It's a fascinating project.

We started the day with a beautiful sunrise over the eastern bank of the Fowey River, where Idril remains moored.

After breakfast we took the dinghy to shore and met a taxi that took us to the project. Our first view of the site was pretty amazing.

The domes lie at the bottom of the site, and to get to the entrance we took an indirect path that wound around the perimeter, allowing us to view some of the unusual sculptures scattered around the site.

Once inside the domes, plants (and occasionally birds) became the main attraction.

As Stephanie puts it: "The Brits really know how to do gardens."

I liked these murals depicting dances.

After several hours of browsing we got a ride back to Fowey and walked back to the dinghy dock. It was late afternoon, and I took this non-standard selfie.

Today is our wedding anniversary, and once back aboard our floating home we made a celebratory dinner.

There's no way I would ever have imagined, 34 years ago, that Katy and I would one day be living aboard a sailboat and wandering the shores of England. Life has been very generous with us.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

 This post is for Lisa.

Today Katy and I rode a ferry from Fowey to Mevagissey, a small port town we passed on the way from Falmouth to Fowey. From there we took a short bus ride to The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Pictures here, with a few favorites below.

The Fowey (rhymes with "Joy") River

 We finally got a break in the weather and left Mylor, sailing on Wednesday afternoon to the Fowey River, about 4 hours northeast of Falmouth. We had moderate winds (between 14 and 20 knots), on a broad reach, and we decided to try sailing with both foresails (the solent and staysail) raised. The boat sailed well, and we got a little extra speed from having them both up. 

We reached the cardinal mark outside of Fowey just before sunset. Katy took this picture shortly after we entered the harbor, as we were on our way to a mooring.

The next morning brought a mix of clouds and sun, and when the sun was shining from the east, Fowey to the west practically sparkled. This is an incredibly beautiful place.

As we were preparing to depart for the day in our dinghy, an enormous ship went past us up-river and then turned back, as if to take one of the large-ship moorings immediately beside us! Luckily, the ship came to a stop and was then towed further up-river, stern first. Whew!

We have spent the past two days exploring, first walking around the southwestern side of the river, then going inland and visiting the northeastern bank. Rather than do a blow-by-blow description of the walks, I'll just include some of my favorite images. Links to full albums will follow. 

Here's day one.

 

 

Believe it or not - this is a bus stop shelter.

It's TRUE! Katy had food stolen out of her hand, while walking on a semi-crowded street, by a seagull who just swooped in out of nowhere.

 

There are some very old, very large trees here.

 

And day two.

Has Katy become a QAnon follower?!?

One of our waypoints was this church, with its graveyard. The tombstones were fascinating, and sad.

How much tragic loss can one family stand?

Katy, in a rare moment of following directions.

 

 

Finally, some moments of levity

For more pictures:

• Fowey River - Day 1
• Fowey River - Day 2