The Day of Saints - Day 1

The first day of sabbatical began with an early trip to the edge of the Tamar River beneath the bridges at Saltash. The mist rolled in as the sun rose on the still water creating perfect reflections. As I begin my exploration of Cornish saints, I feel a hesitancy - a friend suggested that the mist might reflect a degree of confusion at this point, and I think he may well be right.

My basic intention is to travel around Cornwall, a county in the far South West of the UK, visiting places associate with Christian saints. Cornwall has a very rich heritage in this, with legends and stories that date back a thousand years and more, though most are the product of well-meaning invention rather than based on historical facts. In each place, I will be writing a poem or poems connected to what I see or discover, and an accompanying reflection. Also, as I have a strong interest in photography, I will be documenting the journey with images.

I plan to start at Morwenstow, on the North Coast between Hartland and Bude, as there resided the redoutable Revd Hawker, renowned eccentric, clergyman and Cornish poet. I will visit in the next few days as my ideas begin to form.

The Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash at dawn on Day 1