A Frightening Incident
A Memory of St Ives.
In 1969 we visited St Ives in Cornwall for our annual summer holidays but on this occasion due to it being a last minute decision we had not booked our accommodation.
Travelling from Bedfordshire in those days was considered by most to be a bit of a trek and it was usual to stop-over but we chose to plough- on arriving in the early evening. After enjoying a quick cuppa we set out to find a B&B but we were unsuccessful despite travelling the length and breadth of St.Ives.
On the following day we did however secure a single night at the "Sea Urchin" in nearby Carpis Bay and a booking for the remainder of our holiday in Levant, all good so far!
Back to day one, we had no alternative other than to sleep in the car and chose a lay-by just outside the town but being a main road it turned out to be too noisy and we returned to the town centre finding a quite tree lined road. I parked on the offside of the road and we settled down for our nights sleep tucked up under a blanket in the back seat.
Sometime in the early hours I was awakened by a sound and noticed a flash of light in the drivers door mirror that I very soon identified as the blade of a knife being inserted into the top of the door window obviously with the aim of gaining entry. The attacker had no knowledge of our presence under the blanket and fled as soon as I opened the rear door to approach him, who was the more shocked I don't know!
I do not clearly recall our next action but I would guess that we returned to "bed" as there was nothing that we could then do. I t was a good talking point for a while but did not take away any of our enjoyment of an otherwise great beach holilday in fine Cornish weather.
John Russell
14th July 2016
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Comments & Feedback
You know,I am sure what a lovely scenic little journey it is
as the train travels parallel to the ocean and Porthminster beach. I was totally enchanted by the Aquamarine clear
sea and golden sand. I spent what was to have been a week long holiday exploring everywhere but mainly Porthminster.
We were lodged with a lovely lady in Fore Street, she made us so welcome and I had not ever tasted such lovely fresh food. The weather was always a perfect summer day.
My mother unfortunately had to return home after the week for hospital treatments but I and my Aunt Maisie stayed a further week; it was and still is the most idyllic holiday of my life. I spent hours with Aunt Maisie collecting
what I thought were pieces of coloured glass but I think they were Cornish Stone clippings. I did keep them but over time they sadly disappeared. Though memories of
our beautiful county remained and I and my family, grandchildren had holidays here most years. Like me my eldest grandson, on each visit, would say I am going to live here one day, and he did, 15 years ago. My daughter and her husband and me also now live in Cornwall. And to make it complete my two greatgrandchildren were born here, the first Cornish family connections.
I am still exploring at 82 years and 'pinch' myself because I feel so happy here and most decidedly, very lucky!
The Cornish are a warm, caring and a very proud people,
The county is the biggest and most precious jewel in England's crown.
Rosanna Poller