A Tour

Although we have now stayed in Newlyn several times and it is within walking distance of Penzance, we have never actually been to the latter itself. This morning Joanne took time out from her work and, leaving Greg working at home, she took us on a personalised walking tour of Penzance. Personalised because I had three places I wanted to go to and she incorporated all three in the tour. 

Penzance is a quirky place, some of it quite posh, some of it down at heel, some of it touristy, some of it not, but there is much of historical, and sometimes just crazy, interest. My Blip is The Egyptian House, which started out as two ordinary town houses, but was transformed in the 1830s with this Egyptian inspired frontage, much to the bewilderment, and some consternation, of the local people. After repainting in the 1960s it has become quite a tourist attraction. It came as a surprise to me as it was the business that has taken over the building in recent years that I wanted to visit. 

One Christmas my daughter bought me some hand cream and other bits and pieces from a shop in Penzance - Pure Nuff Stuff. I loved the hand cream so much that I started buying it, and other things, online. I really wanted to see the place and this was it - in The Egyptian House. All their lovely natural skincare products are made on the premises and it is possible to see the place in which they make them. It was good to talk to the owner and others and congratulate them on the way in which they package the products for posting. 

Our tour included a haberdashery, a lovely independent bookshop (books were bought!), great coffee from a tiny cafe in the old Market Kiosk (see extra) set up by a young guy who our daughter and her husband know, the Humphrey Davy statue by the impressive old Market Hall . . . and lots more. Excellent tour.

Tonight we are heading down the road to the Wine Bar run by friends of Jo and Greg . . . then it’s fish and chips and the final of the Sewing Bee. It will be nice to be able to watch this with my daughter instead of just exchanging messages about it. Should be good. Tomorrow they return to London (they have tickets for Wimbledon Centre Court for Friday) leaving us here in their house for the rest of the week.