St Hilary church.

It was very misty when we woke up, but by 9am the sun was fully out and we have had another glorious day. The best so far to finish off our holiday.

We had a full English breakfast at the lovely little cafe, Fisherman’s Rest, which we found the other day on the old quay in Newlyn.
( see extra photo)

Then after filling up with diesel we drove back’ home’ and then walked to St Hilary church, along lanes full of wild flowers, especially the frothy white cow parsley.
St Hilary was a 4th century bishop of Poitiers.
In the 14th and 15th century, the 13th Century tower and spire was white washed as a seamark.

Following a fire in 1853 the remainder of the church was rebuilt.

In the 1920s the Vicar, Bernard Walke, invited many Newlyn School artist friends to contribute works to decorate the church. The painting of St Joan was done by Annie Walker, the vicar’s wife.

I noticed a memorial to John Bawden. He died in Keraville, California in 1882 at the age of 38. ( see collage) One of the many local men who went over to America and left their wife and family behind, when the tin mines were closing down. Between 1861 and 1991, a fifth of the entire male population of Cornwall migrated abroad, including my great grandfather and some if his relatives.

Afterwards we went down to a Perranuthnoe and a last look at the sea. Unfortunately the tide was up and so we couldn’t have a walk along the beach. Instead walked part of the coastal path.
Such a beautiful late afternoon, with the sea glistening, and the birds singing.

Now beginning to pack. We have had such a wonderful holiday. The day it poured down has now been forgotten!