Retired Nomads Part 4: Land’s End & St. Ives

July 11, 2026

Originally, I set up a private tour and only needed 2 couples to join, but there was NO interest. That’s a first for me and I’ve arranged literally hundreds of private tours! The tour was going to visit Tintagel, Boscastle & see the town where Doc Martin was set. We watched that show not long ago. I was looking forward to that and the Witchcraft Museum & Rocky Valley Labyrinths and the Hurlers Stone Circles. I let the tour go and we got 2 of the last 4 seats on a Princess Tour to Land’s End & St. Ives. It was a tender port, so we gathered in the Theater to meet the tour.

Once ashore we found our bus and our guide was Angus and our driver was Paul. Paul was great but Angus was one of our least favorite guides of the trip. (not helpful at stops on where to go and droned on about tin)

From Falmouth, we went along the River Fal and then stopped for a photo opportunity at St. Michael's Mount. Topped by a castle, this small granite island is only accessible by a narrow path exposed at low tide or by boat. Angus said that the people walking out to the island might not get back as the tide may come in by that time of day. (none from our tour) Angus wasn’t long on explaining anything. When we got off the bus, we couldn’t see the island and had no idea which way to go for our free time there. We asked and he briskly said that the beach is that way and didn’t even point.

views from the bus

arrival at St. Michael's Mount

the beach was on one side and the other was a marsh

It was beautiful countryside with small villages, granite farmhouses and hedged fields, and rolling hills, on our drive to Land's End, England's most westerly point. We now understand the words "amber waves of grain". The breeze was creating waves in the grain. We passed many fields of potatoes, wheat, and Cornish Lavender.

Angus pretty much talked non-stop about tin mining. Once when we were off the bus we ran into a couple that we had eaten dinner with and he said, “Have we learned all we need to know about tin?” As it turns out, we hadn’t heard all there was about tin mining, and it continued most of the way to Land’s End.

The granite mass of Land's End has been a landmark for seafarers for centuries. If you wanted a photo with the sign there was no way without paying for a photoshoot. (not that important) The views of the rocky Cornish coast were stunning.

Cornish Lavender

heavy traffic (there was roadwork)

arrival at Land's End

First and Last House (depending on how you were arriving at Land's End it was either the first house or the last house on the peninsula)

Paddington wouldn't share his sandwich

We then continued to St. Ives where we left the large motorcoach and transferred to St. Ives' city center by minibus. That was a bit of a mess but eventually it worked out. In the mid-19th century, St. Ives was home to a thriving fishing industry but today is a charming village noted for its traditional Cornish country architecture, artists' studios and fine crafts shops. We had a couple of hours here to have lunch and explore. There were so many locals out enjoying the hot day (and the cold water).

We had a couple of incredible Cornish Pasties. Steak & Stilton and Chicken, Bacon, Leek & Cheese. We wandered around the area and found yummy gelato. We had smooth chocolate and strawberries and cream. (real berries)

The public restroom was a pay entry, and it cost 50P to pee. (thinking of you Vicki) It said it took coins or credit cards, but it only took credit cards.

from the bus window

our bus is coming straight at his car on the narrow road

the Gurnards Head Pub - our guide didn't like the yellow color they used to repaint it

Steak & Stilton and Chicken, Bacon, Leek & Cheese Pasties - YUM!

St. Ives

very good gelato!

smooth chocolate & strawberries & cream

We did the minibus to motor coach transfer and went back to Falmouth. (1 hour 45 minutes) The driver and guide said the traffic was so bad that they wanted to take some back roads to get back and it might be quicker. Small country lanes in the huge coach was an insane idea. Many cars had to back up and find a space to tuck in for us to pass. It was a beautiful drive, however. Oddly, the closer we got to the port the heat was on and not the A/C in the bus. (on a hot day) The driver had his window open as he needed to communicate with passing vehicles.

Back on the ship at dinner, we passed Anthony's lighthouse which was featured in the intro of the UK version of Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock, known as the Fraggle Rock Lighthouse.

It was formal night and we got back to the port late and blew off formal night to eat at the buffet. Not a great buffet on this ship. They always had only 1 small section open and not a lot of choices. (later in the cruise we noticed people in hoodies, tee shirts and shorts on formal night so I guess we should have just gone as we were) We went to the production show “Encore”. It was the only show on the trip that we have seen before. This one has a much better stage & performers.

These photos of the sunset were taken on our embarkation day. We saw quite a few beautiful sunsets on this cruise. I'll post them here since I neglected to add them to the first album.