The stories of my life on a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea ... and my occasional adventures beyond these shores.

Thursday 16 August 2012

The Simple Charm Of St Ives

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St Ives is, probably, one of the most iconic towns in Cornwall. Needless to say, it is pretty, picturesque and utterly charming. The shops are enticing and I could have spent hours just window-shopping or shop-hopping but I preferred to wander around in the winding back streets. After all, those are the best places to take some wonderful pictures. And to discover fragments of a place’s character.
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There is nothing grandiose about  St Ives. It’s made up of cottages, more cottages and cobble-stoned streets surrounding a harbor that, when the tide is out, is littered with stranded boats and restless gulls.
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But it has an innate Cornish charm – a certain cheeky sauciness that is, well, inherently British. I loved its upbeat feel, despite the grey and drizzling sky. And when the sun came out, that was just an added bonus. A little something extra to show-off its true colours.
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And colourful it certainly is. St Ives is a medley of whitewashed walls and old, old bricks; vibrant hues and pastel shades; a haven for artists and a mecca for tourists;
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traditional and trendy; sunshine and rain. It had a bit of everything that I love and it now forever holds a piece of my heart.
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St Ives, Cornwall
July 2012

17 comments:

  1. Ah! I would love to go to that chemist shop. I hold a candle for apothecaries. Sincerely, though, St. Ives entire has captured my heart through this post, Loree.

    My eyes have seen far too little in this lifetime -- thank you for broadening their view!

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    1. There's time enough for you to see more Suze but I am glad that my little world is broadening your view :)

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  2. Incredibly charming colors and patterns, you must have had a wonderful time taking it all in!

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    1. Yes, it was a wonderful experience. Definitely a place I would like to go back to.

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  3. it looks like a quiet town...a great place for a getaway.

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    1. Yes it is Kayni. I think you would like it too.

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  4. Loree what a beautiful place...love the word cobblestone - we don't have any of those streets around here . Is the Chemist another name for what we call a pharmacy here? You make me want to come there and hopefully someday I will but in the meantime I thank you for sharing Cornwall with me. Have a super day!

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    1. A chemist is a pharmacy. Most older pharmacy shops are still called chemists.

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  5. That's my dream to go there ! you make me "homesick" !

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    1. You would love it Gattina, I am sure of it :)

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  6. Hello Loree:
    For us this is a particularly wonderful post for the way in which it revives so very many memories of visits to this very attractive and, as you say, very English small seaside town. We are fortunate to have friends who live very close by, although it is now some years since we were there.

    Tate St Ives, the gallery established in and around an old gasometer building, is, we think, one of the wonders of Cornwall.

    Thank you so much for the comment left on our most recent post and to which we have replied.

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    1. We did not have time to visit Tate St Ives. Maybe next time. And thanks for adding yourselves to my readers. Much appreciated.

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  7. Oh your photos showed such charm and beauty of this town, Loree! I love places like this, with so much character and history!

    Beautiful images!

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  8. Oh wow, picturesque is almost an understatement Loree! I couldn't love your photos more!!

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  9. those narrow cobblestone streets really capture my heart - wonderful photos loree. that is the perfect place to wander around and then stop for a cuppa tea :))

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Thanks for stopping by. I read and appreciate every one of your comments. I will do my best to reply whenever I can.

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