Lulu is the New Pirate From Penzance

Lulu just visited her roots. With Keith just arriving Saturday - Lulu decided that we must make a trip to the southwest corner of England to Cornwall - the place where her great grandfather lived before he came to the United States for work. The trip had all the chances of disaster - 6 hours on a train each way - staying in a questionable hotel because most places were booked - Keith with jet lag - and also Harry and Keith having to catch a jet for Germany on Tuesday morning at 7 AM. But if we didn't do the trip this weekend - we could not fit it in.

Lulu went online - got the train tickets - then she got the hotel. Sunday morning early - we grabbed our bags and head to the train station. After a short subway trip - we were at Paddington Station with plenty of time because our train was delayed 13 minutes for repair. The train left a little after 8 AM. After getting on the train - we found our first class reserved seats. We had a table - had something to eat.

We had our GPS stuck to the train and were cruising at 110 MPH in some places - but near the end of the line our train slowed down a bit. Pretty soon we were alone - as our train pulled into Penzance at 2 PM. We found our hotel easily because it was just a pub with about 10 rooms on Market Jew Street across from the train station. The place was old and rustic - Harry's style. So far - not bad.

Lulu was excited so out we went to catch a bus to Lamorna - her great grandfathers "fatherland." Unfortunately a bus was not due for two hours - so we saw a lonely cab - and he said he would take us to Lamorna. After a 6 mile winding road - we got to our destination. Lamorna is smaller than Tuscarora - maybe even smaller than Newkirk. But it was such a pretty place with the mountains dropping into the sea on a granite coast. The town was famous for its tin mines - but they petered closed when Asian tin was undercutting their price. Also on the side of the ridge one could see where granite was quarried with gigantic pieces pushed over the cliff to form a waterfall of rock.

It was such a serene beautiful oceanfront scene - we were speechless. We just absorbed it all - our minds running wild. We had a hearty lunch of mussels - crab salad - and beefsteak. The water was several pretty colors of blue. the locals were swimming and scuba diving in the waves near the old stone pier where granite was loaded onto ships.

Great grandfather Cox left there around 1880 - and we saw post card pictures of the area form 1890. virtually nothing changed.

Lulu wanted to walk the beach path back to our hotel - but after covering 3 of the 6 miles over very difficult rocky cliffs - we decided to catch a bus at Mousehole - pronounced Mow-zel - and saved our legs.

Back in Penzance - we walked the streets until late at night. It was Sunday evening quiet. We even bravely lurked into an old cemetery - but the names were worn off the tombstones - we could not read much. Finally - we turned into our hotel for the night - and all three of us slept soundly.

In the morning our train pulled out very early - and we enjoyed our trip back to Bath - a historic town in eastern England. Bath is the place where 120 degree water has been coming out of the ground for over 2000 years. The Romans developed a spa there and later Queen Victoria claimed its water help her breed after years of troubles. The town became famous for its spas and elite visitors.

After a fast train to London - we were back to our flat for supper. We are all tired - Keith is snoring away - but Lulu is smiling - and that is all that matters - isn't it?

CLICK PICTURES TO ENLARGE -

1. The new "Pirates of Penzance"
2. The Roman Baths in Bath
3. Lulu at a home in Lamorna
4. Lulu after walking the road from Lamorna
5. Keith and Lulu at Mousehole Post Office
6. 1890 post card of Lamorna Cove.
7. Our hotel in Penzance on Market Jew St
8. Lunch overlooking Lamorna Harbor
9. How many times did Pop Pop Pop Cox gaze at these blue waters?
10. Local helping Lulu with her "Cox" papers
11. Lulu after trying out the 70 degree waters
12. Keith and lulu returned to their roots.