Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Encore! Encore!

Time flies so quick when you're having fun. And certainly that was the case with our week long stay in Cornwall.


Scilla peruviana
Come Friday afternoon of that week it was time to go home. But to end the holiday in a falsetto high we did a flying visit to one of our favourite places in Cornwall (for me personally, the world), the Minack Theatre.



We featured this dramatic place before, and certainly will do so many times more in the future for we absolutely love this place. Encore! Encore!


A lovely place to sit just just before you enter the theatre itself
Gorgeous backdrop, a place oozing with character and artistic flair, stunning views and scenery from almost every angle seen from within, and for plant lovers a beautiful garden that complements the place well, what's not to love about it? Okay, perhaps not the exposure during windy days but as long as you keep an eye on the weather forecast and wrap up accordingly before visiting then you should be fine.


The beautiful views out into the sea immediately hits you as you enter the theatre
And the descent to the stage begins

And fortunately that afternoon the weather remained on the relatively pleasant side. Largely overcast yes but was still bright enough and more importantly dry to make our short visit this year pleasant and comfortable.


Out into the blue horizon








A pensive Gaz admiring the views beyond...


Would you dare go beyond the rocks?
A dense carpet of Carpobrotus wraps onto parts of the cliffs, adding drama and rich colour contrast to the views
Ready for some action...

To cap off our visit we had lunch and cups of warm tea in their cafe. The food was good (and very reasonably priced too, usually attraction cafes tend to be priced on the steep side but not this one) but the views during our nibbles were downright unbeatable. In the shelter of their cafe and visitor centre, behind the glass windows one could continue to admire the views even if the weather did turn adverse.



Best admired than sat on, lovely!
A rich mix and tapestry of colour
Agaves and other succulents thriving in the exposed but mild location, with the cafe just above them



Beautiful isn't it?
Gorse, gorse, and gorse in bloom, adding shots of yellow colour into the horizon
Well fed, well watered, and well dosed with the beauty of the place, we headed back to our place, packed our bags (and plant purchases!), and drove back home. And not long after setting off the heavens opened and rain poured almost continuously throughout our journey. Talk about perfect timing. Weather can be such a diva, and I'm glad we were in the car already before it unleashed its drama!

Mark :-)

36 comments :

  1. One of my favorite places in Cornwall, too. Your post does it justice--so many beautiful photos! The yellow accents provided by the gorse are stunning.

    Based on looks alone, the mystery agave could indeed be Agave pedunculifera. An offspring would be quite special since this species is anything but common. From what I read, though, Agave pedunculifera is mostly solitary so I'm not 100% sure the ID is right.

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    1. I'm not surprised Gerhard, and hopefully you'll get to visit it again soon :)

      Thanks for the input regarding Agave pedunculifera, hopefully the ID is correct. They said the agave above is solitary for most of time but does produce an offset every few years (!). One of the plants he has in the nursery only produced a single pup after three years, talk about a long wait to get another plant out of one!

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  2. Wow what a time to visit. Their gardens are gorgeous right now. That Scilla in the first photo makes a spectacular photo in the shot you caught. I wouldn't want to mow those grass step areas though. :)
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. The scilla blooms does look lovely against the blue skies :)

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  3. This place looks amazing! It almost makes me feel bad that I just threw out my Scilla peruviana...

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    1. The place is indeed amazing Tom :) If only you were near we could have given your scilla a new home!

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  4. It looks so Californian... Those last two shots with the gorse coloring the hill sides and the water taking on that turquoise-teal shade are stunning!

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    1. If the weather was Californian summer too it would have been even better :) but just glad enough that it was bright and not raining whilst we were there. Glad you enjoyed the shots!

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  5. What a magnificent place!! Where is this? Somewhere in the Mediterranean? Lucky you guys to have holiday at such beautiful place.

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    1. It does look almost mediterranean but it's in mild and moist Cornwall. It is a beautiful place indeed :)

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  6. What an incredible last stop on your marvelous vacation! Truly a spectacular spot!

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  7. It really is completely out of this world, I never would have known about it if not for your blog posts, now I almost feel like I've visited (almost). The only problem with actually seeing a production there would be trying to focus on the stage, I don't think I would be able to do it.

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    1. Hopefully you'll get the chance to see it in the flesh someday soon Loree, you'll definitely love it! If ever you find your mind wandering whilst watching a show at least the backdrop (and plantings) are worth watching as well :)

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  8. So special. I hadn't heard of the Minack before. It looks absolutely spectacular, it is now permanently ensconced on my list until I visit!

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    1. You'll definitely have to see it soon Paul!

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  9. This place is awesome and so are your photos. The scillia is beautiful. I so have to get to Cornwall! Jeannine

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    1. Definitely Jeannine, next time your cross the pond :)

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  10. There's nowhere like Cornwall, is there?

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  11. Once again back to your blog and this time I was in for a major surprise. This place is heaven! Steps of this theater are so beautifully designed, including garden and opens up to the sea. Nothing could be better than this. Thanks for sharing. I will keep coming back for such wonderful surprises.

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    1. Thank you and you're welcome Aron :) And yes, the place is heavenly indeed!

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  12. Holy Macherel, what an amazing amphitheatre! Thanks for all the gorgeous photos. I would love to see a production there. How lucky that you missed the rain, such good timing.

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    1. We missed the rain just in time! Next time we're down that way we ought to see a production there again, we enjoyed it the last time we did :)

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  13. Mark and Gaz what A wierd and wonderful place - have to get to it and as for the scilla peruviana... so big and blue and shiney.

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  14. Thanks for the introduction to this totally mind-blowing place...not sure my feeble mind could take actual real life total exposure.

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  15. Truly breathtaking. It's hard to compete with the beauty of the sea, but this place accomplishes it.

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    1. The lovely theatre compliments the beautiful sea beyond :)

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  16. Thanks for reminding me of this wondeful place, we used to visit this time of year when we lived in the UK. Some years the weather was fabulous others not! Glad you had a good time. Christina

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    1. Thanks Christina, hope you get to visit it again soon :)

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  17. And I think I have a dramatic view to keep in mind when planning a garden!! Fabulous.

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  18. Great pics guys if frustrating! We have just came back from a week in Mousehole,but without a car were limited where to go.Visited Trengwainton and St Micheals Mount Gardens but didn't make it to the Minack.Damn!

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  19. Hi Mark and Gaz, I've read your other posts about this but never tire of seeing the pictures, it really is incredible, what they have done with the planting and landscaping, such drama and scenery. I wouldn't go for the theatre, I'd go just for the plants.

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  20. Oh what an amazing setting for a theatre. I suffer from vertigo and am getting dizzy just looking at your photos :)

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  21. I love the look of this place. Stunning agaves and flowers. David/:0)

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