It was pouring rain when our train left the station and Penzance, and
for the first time we caught a hint of the potential fury of a storm in
Cornwall. The wind whipped the waves into mountains of seething white
foam. We had come across other signs of the damage caused by storms in
this area. The stone wall that enclosed the Jubilee Pool was broken
down by waves in "a horrific storm" this past January. When we stood at Land's End,
Lyle read a notice that said we stood within thirty-seven different
shipwrecks.
Perhaps the notice that moved me most was the memorial at Penlee. In
1981, at the height of a winter storm, the volunteers of the coastal
lifeboat set out to rescue the crew and passengers of a stranded Dutch
freighter. They battled fifty-foot high waves and hundred mile an hour
winds. The rescue attempt was in vain and all were lost at sea. This
was a particular tragedy for Mousehole. All the volunteer crew were men
from this small community. Even today on December 19, the village shuts off its Christmas lights for one hour to commemorate the anniversary of the loss of eight courageous men.
We are now back in London and the sun is shining. This morning we went
to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Because I can't
see across the road this was a bit of a nonevent for me. However, the
band played, the horses clattered by, and Lyle took several pictures
which I hope to see on my magnifying device once we are home.
Tonight we are off to the theatre.
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