Brown Willy

First stop - the Lost Gardens of Heligan.  This is an estate that went to weeds after decades of neglect and then through herculean efforts the gardens were restored.  There was even a jungle section that was like being in some sort of Amazonian rain forest.  Of course, our favorites were the moss sculptures. 

 Then it was on to Boscastle - which had it's own story to tell.  Boscastle is a gorgeous little village nestled in a valley with a river that flows out to the Celtic Sea.  In 2004 there was a flood that nearly washed out the entire village.  Go google Boscastle flood and you'll see a You Tube video, pictures etc that are worth checking out.  Some of the pictures show people standing on dry grass and only a few feet away cars are being washed out to sea.    The flooding was caused by excessive rainfall from a meteorological phenomenon known as the "Brown Willy" effect (I am not making this up) that has something to do specifically with the Cornwall mountains.   

We stayed in the center of the village on the river here:

We found a foot path that took us up one side of the valley so we got some good shots of what the town looks like from above.  Our hotel is the one near that bridge where a tiny person is walking in a red coat.

 Then we walked in the other direction and it lead us around the mountain to the sea.  Spectacular views.   Now this is the kind of seaside town that I can fall in love with - no ferris wheels, no arcades, and the history of an exciting weather event.