I have died and gone to England.
I don’t know if you have realized it yet gentle readers, but I am utterly charmed by this place.
There’s something about England that inspires rapturous descriptions, olde worlde mannerisms and the use of the phrase “gentle readers.”
If San Francisco’s word is “earnest,” New York’s is “strive” and Los Angeles is “appearance,” then Ilfracombe is “charm” at its best.
I woke up to a glorious spring morning, all sunshine and nearly cloudless aquamarine skies. No, really. It was almost all anyone could talk about. The proprietress at the Towers Bed and Breakfast (a FABULOUS place—ok, I’ll stop gushing after this, really I will) said it was highly unusual for it to be so sunny and warm this time of year.
(Speaking of the Towers– it’s an immaculate Victorian home with real stained glass, rooms with crisp white sheets, comfy beds, sparkling bathrooms, amazing seaside views, an array of breakfast choices cooked to your liking and amazingly friendly and hospitable owners. OK, OK, I know I’m gushing, but seriously one of the best places I’ve ever stayed at).
After a tip from the proprietress about a hike that even I could manage, I was treated to stunning views.
Then it was off to the wedding!
Bjorn’s sister had her wedding at a place called Tunnels beaches. To get to the venue you had to walk through a hand-carved tunnel, emerging into a place where man- and nature-made objects melded in perfect harmony (this isn’t gushing; think of it more as “oozing.”)
The view to the left of the wedding site
The view to the right of the wedding site
The bride and groom looked beautiful (they are gonna have some good-looking babies) and the flower girl was indeed “a fairy princess.” I was especially enamored with the Best Brother/Maid of Honor.
Love and tears were free-flowing at the ceremony. The groom was crying as soon as he saw his bride. The bride was crying throughout her vows. And Bjorn’s mom cried through it all. Trust me, it was a joyful wedding.
The happy couple
Best Brother/Maid of Honor and the flower girl
Flip-flops and slippers were provided for the guests so that they could wander down to the beach and explore the tide pools or go “rock pooling” (as I guess it is called over there.) There were also appetizers so good (one was a miniature scone withe cream and jam) that I stationed myself by the door where the servers came out. The guests were talkative and genuinely friendly. It was an alarmingly drama-free wedding.
And seriously, the weather was so good, I got to work on my tan!
END OF THE THIRD DAY (sort of; after this, everything kind of melds together)
Around the world in about 4 days – Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Around the world in about 4 days – Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Around the world in about 4 days – Friday, March 30, 2012
If San Francisco’s word is “earnest,” New York’s is “strive” and Los Angeles is “appearance,” then Ilfracombe is “charm” at its best and Chico needs better restaurants.
You can find them if you try!