With Kalista over here. I think it was originally going to be for this site, but they were having issues, so I got my own space, which is good, as I don't always play well with others.
If you're thinking of coming to Cornwall, or thinking of thinking of coming to Cornwall, or just like the look of Cornwall (we don't have jousting owls every day, but there's always something on - today in Falmouth they're recreating the arrival of the news that the French Armada was defeated, but Nelson was killed. A coach (possibly a phaeton, I'm not sure yet) will be passing my window in a bit, at which point I shall wave my tricorne hat and shout 'Huzzah!' And then 'Boo!', responding to each news item as it comes).
But I digress. If you like the whole Cornwall thing, please go to saveoursleeper.com and add your name to the petition, as it might get scrapped, which would be a shame. And as Cornwall is the poorest county in the UK*, it would make quite a crushing blow to the local economy, which we could really do without. So please go and sign the petition, it would mean a lot to me. Ta.
* And yet has some of the highest house prices outside London - damn you, advanced capitalism!
28 comments:
I've signed, and not just 'cos you asked. I've been on that sleeper and it's magical. I've done loads of train sleepers - to Wales, Avignon, Fort William, Alassio - but they are all disappearing.
But sleepers to Scotland are the best because when you wake at 6am you're likely to open the blinds to a nosey herd of deer on Rannoch Moor. Indeed, Pashmina and I have a favourite film called 'I Know Where I'm Going" where the sleeper to Scotland features prominently.
Oh, and good interview, Kalista.
No! no! they can't get rid of the sleeper! I dreamed of the Penzance sleeper for a very long time and then *finally* got taken on it for a romantic surprise anniversary weekend away last year.
[pause to allow passing of nausea]
It's one of the Great Things, even though it's a bit of a pretend sleeper (unlike, say, Fort William - what Cello said about that and the film) and has to stop for a bit at about 5.00am so that people have a chance to get a decent stab at a night's sleep before it arrives.
Also what Cello said (which is turning into my catchphrase of the week) about the interview, most enjoyable.
I'm staying with a friend in Cornwall in a couple of weeks in what she described as the 'poshest B&B she has ever seen'. Ring any bells? She said it was in Earlston or Hurleston or summat like tha'.
Don't know any posh b&b, or 'stuns, I'm afraid. I will think on't, however.
I want to know what kind of show it was. Owls with lasers? An owl musical? Tribute band? Unless the whole thing was a set up by a roving band of well-choeographed owlish spear looseners...
Which Essex museum is this, Belladonna? I recall two that feature Norman knights with spears: Mountfitchet Castle and Cressing Temple. Am I warm?
I'm just back from 2 weeks in Switzerland (although, sadly, not Zurich) and, after reading Kalista's interview, I was reminded of something I think of when someone says "Switzerland" to me - trains. The Swiss do trains fantastically well and seem to enjoy a high standard of living. Ditto the Japanese (although I've only been there once and then only to Tokyo). Anyway, my point is both these countries have good, integrated transport infrastuctures (can you tell I work for a firm of roads and transportation engineers?!) and strong economies. Whereas Britain has patchy transport provision and a patchy economy, with some pockets of real rural and urban deprivation. When will government realise that "regeneration projects" of the garden festival/ retail and leisure complex variety don't necessarily produce an increase in prosperity but improved public transport does?
(The Eden Project would seem to be a notable exception - in which case cutting the links to Corwall makes even less sense)
P.S Have signed petition by the way.
P.P.S Why am I unable to write jolly, witty posts like everyone else?
"Don't know any posh b&b, or 'stuns, I'm afraid."
Helston! I didn't know there was anywhere very posh in Helston, mind...
Well, the sleeper being threatened with closure is indicative of something pretty crap going on. And yes, travel anywhere else in Europe and prepare to be astounded at how cheap/clean/efficient their transport systems are.
Thanks to people who've signed/are going to sign the petition by the way.
I can confirm Helston as defiantly un-posh.
I once slept in the most comfortable bed in Britain in a B&B in Porthleven, but I don't know if the B&B itself would qualify as "posh". It was certainly very nice.
Incidentally, I wonder if anyone can confirm my theory about Cornish B&Bs that the pinker the décor in the bedrooms, the weaker the tea in the morning?
Signed. Cos you asked nicely and Sleepers are a Good Thing :-)
I've signed it - even from the other end of the country, with no links to Cornwall at all, I can see it's a stupid idea to stop that train running. It's almost worth going into politics solely to try and prevent stupid shit like this...
And Patroclus, perhaps it's because pink = weak-ass. I haven't thought this theory through yet, so bear with me, but Barbie = weak. My Little Pony = weak. But rocks = strong, and they are seldom pink. Likewise concrete, Challenger tanks and Chuck Norris. Coincidence? I think not.
Rocks, concrete, Challenger tanks and Chuck Norris? That would be some hardcore B&B. I sense a gap in the tourist market...
Oh, and granite can be pink...likewise rose quartz. But rose quartz is getting into the Realm Of The Hippy, which brings us back to weak (indeed, herbal) tea. I'm sure there's a splendid theory in here somewhere.
The weaker the tea, the saltier the butter, the weedier the shower, the fluffier the slippers, the more synthetic the textiles, the whiter the toast.
Pink was a boys' colour, pre 20thC, apparently (watered-down red). This according to Google Answers / wikipedia.
When I holidayed in Cornwall I was always impressed by the way the natives could relieve me of huge amounts of my holiday money while giving the impression that they'd have been more than happy if I'd buggered off to the Costa Brava instead.
I suppose this could be considered an antidote to Have A Nice Day-ery and therefore a Good Thing.
Could we write a protest song about it?
If so, could its title please be "The Weaker The Tea, The Saltier The Butter, The Weedier The Shower, The Fluffier The Slippers, The More Synthetic The Textiles, The Whiter The Toast"?
I've got a minor obsession going with songs that have long names, and that would just be the best title ever.
I was quite taken with that, as well. Has kind of a post-punk vibe to it methinks. Go cello.
JonnyB, that's a great idea. I shall also have some white wristbands made up as well.
I'm pretty sure its a very posh b&b as the friend who described it has a very posh house at number 28 AND 29! It takes up two numbers! In London! Sorry.
By the way its near a place called Tintagel. Heehee, Tintagel! Sounds like 'Just for Men'. Sorry.
Ooh, Tintagel's great. Very spooky and atmospheric, unless you're in the giftshop, in which case less so.
Yes, I like Tintagel a lot, though there is the constant threat of plunging down a cliff and breaking your neck.
And post-punk. That is so me.
On long song names, I've always wanted to hear the (real) song "Get Your Tongue Outta My Mouth 'Cause I'm Kissing You Goodbye". That and "Oh, I've Got Hair Oil On My Ears And My Glasses Are Slipping Down, But Baby I Can See Through You".
p.s. Have signed petition also.
IIM, I think you just made Patroclus very happy.
Fantastic, IIM. Though I'm not sure if I should include genuine (i.e. old school) C&W songs in my collection, because they have such an unfair advantage. Current favourite title is "What Godzilla Said To God When His Name Wasn't Found In The Book Of Life" by American Music Club, although the song itself is something of a disappointment.
Damn, I'm bloody slow this week! Glad everyone enjoyed, am going to officially join the relms of the bloggers- hoorah!
Have also signed petition. Lovely stuff.
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