St. Michael's Mount

Ever since we had walked across the salt flats to Mont St. Michel in Britany/Normandy I have had an interest in its English counterpart off the coast of Cornwall. Today I cancelled out of walking as I was invited to join Ruth and Elizabeth, two walkers from Marion's group of last week, in a day trip to St. Michael's Mount. Ruth has a car here so it was an easy trip. 

After the Norman Conquest, the abbey was granted to the Benedictine monks of Mont St Michel in France. The church on the island’s summit was built by the French Abbot, Bernard le Bec, and through the Middle Ages the Mount became a major pilgrimage destination. It was later fortified andplayed various military roles. In 1588, it was here that the first beacon was lit to warn of the arrival of the Spanish Armada. The St Aubyn family purchased the island in 1659, and the family still live here today. 

The tide was out when we arrived at 9:45am, so we were able to walk across the cobblestone causeway to the island. 

We made our way past the little village of stones houses huddled at the base of the hill, and up the rough cobblestone path to the castle near the top of the island. We entered the castle under the stone carving of the family crest, and toured the rooms, many of which seemed surprisingly small - library, study, smoking room, map room - most renovated in Victorian times. The dining room was most impressive, and is still used by the family on special occasions. 

The views from the rooftop terraces encompassed the whole countryside - harbour, the causeway we'd entered on, and the mainland town of Marazion. 

The original chapel still exists and is in use. It's also the burial place of the St. Aubyn family. 

By the time we finished exploring and made our way back down to sea level the tide had come in and covered the walking causeway, so we took a little ferry back to Marazion. 

All in all it was an excellent outing, and an enjoyable break from coastal path walks..