On the Lookout for Pirates

12.09.2009 - 19.09.2009 20 °C
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Sheer cliffs, tiny sheltered harbours with secret caves, and wild seas with hidden reefs - the perfect home for those pirates of Penzance.

We are on the search for pirates in the deep darkest reaches of Cornwall, searching every fishing village and smuggler’s inlet from Cadgwith, to Mousehole to Port Isaac. Searching every fish and chip shop and Cornish pasty franchise.

Up and down the coast we go, under the salt-spray drenched blue skies, walking the high cliffs bombarded by the Atlantic. Screeching seagulls circle overhead waiting impatiently for a tasty chip or sandwich crust.

The fishing boats rest quietly waiting for their turn to catch a quota from the remnants of a once fish-filled sea. The fishermen debate EU regulations over a pint of warm ale in the local inn.

Once in a while golden sands stretch across a cove, overlooked by thousands of holiday lets and B&Bs. Small family groups huddle behind temporary windbreaks trying to capture the last rays of sunshine before their nine month hibernation.

The once rugged home for crusty old sea salts and smugglers is now a holiday haven for the multitude from London and beyond. Every shop filled with souvenir t-shirts, plastic bucket and spade sets, and the dream of a hot summer’s day.

And for those pirates – well the only pirates we found were those that set the car parking fees. Officials only too ready to fleece tourists of their last pennies, night and day. The local car parking monopoly is such a wonderful thing.