October 16 - Leaving Penzance

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.