The very next day...

MONDAY 25/01/10

So...where was I? Oh yes, couchsurfing. Well, we did it a second night--this time in Gunnislake, a small village in Cornwall, not too far from Plymouth, the place of my birth.

Plymouth, while not a very time-consuming part of our plan, was an important part as this trip was in honor of my 40th birthday, and having never seen my birthplace, we decided back in the early planning stages that it should be a stop. Freedom Fields Hospital where I was born has since been demolished and turned into a housing estate, but we were able to see the site where the Mayflower took off for the US and some other interesting things around the harbor area.

Does anyone know what "tomb-stoning" is? I looked it up because I did not!

(British) The practice of jumping into the sea or similar body of water from a cliff or other high point such that the jumper enters the water vertically straight, like a tombstone.

This view was a bit surreal...

And it is unfortunate that you can't see the sign below "Luncheons" in this photo of the Strand Tea Rooms right on the harbor. It reads "Hippies use SIDE DOOR!"

After our afternoon in Plymouth, we headed to Gunnislake to meet Jo, Jem, & Bridie (pictured here the next morning are Randy, Jem, and Jo. Jo is an artist who has done commissioned work for royalty, and has two great kids, Jem (19) and Bridie (15?).

They live in the middle of nowhere and down some of the steepest "roads" that wouldn't be fit to be called alleys here in the US of A - at least outside of Arkansas. We and the mini car made it, but something about that drive, and the wrong turns which necessitated backing up steep "roads" produced a smell in our car that resembled rotten fish and 3 day old farts. It was really embarrassing when Jem got in the car to direct us to the Cornish pub where we dined amidst some Burns Night festivities.

After dinner, we hung out at home and watched the Disney movie Hercules. Is it me or are the gospel singers in that movie really annoying? Anyway, we had a good chilled out night and were fed some kind of waffle-y chocolate-y caramel-y cookie that hooked me instantly. Of course, I was unable to find it elsewhere in the UK afterwards...or I would have brought you some.

We slept on a futon in the middle of the living room, which was crowded with art supplies and laundry and laptops, etc. Every square inch of that house was being used, and while it would have put OCDs and type As in a frenzy, I have to say that the futon was good for a very comfortable nights' sleep, and the company was really good. It was great to be welcomed into a family so warm and easygoing. They made us feel instantly at home for our overnight stay, and we headed out the next morning for the drive north to Wales...