1. DONE THAT
Been There
First hand reports from local travellers
What do Roxanne, Doc Martin,
Tintagel and Rick Stein have in
common?
By Danny and Sandy Babin
Nothing really, but they’re the kind of places, people
and events that inspire people to head out on a voyage
of discovery. The movie “Roxanne”, made right here in
Nelson back in the 80’s, enticed hundreds of travellers
to seek out the enchanted town and its scenery. Who
can remember groups of tourists trekking up to the
Firehall, or standing on the stump at the top of Vernon
St. where Steve Martin , a.k.a. C.D. Bales, performed
an impromptu dance?
The hit TV series “Doc Martin”, set in Cornwall UK
in the fictitious fishing village of Port Wenn, prompted
us to visit there this past spring. The real village, Port
Isaac, is exactly as portrayed in the series; we even
stayed in the “Schoolhouse” overlooking the harbour
(it’s a B&B). And that led us to another mythical place
in Cornwall. Tintagel Castle claims to be the birthplace
of King Arthur, and a more haunting location would be
very hard to find. Set on the rugged northern coast, the
castle endures the fury of the relentless North Sea. The
Cornish Coastal Path is close by and you can walk for
miles, reliving Arthurian legends. And Rick Stein? Well
the famous chef is in Cornwall too,
just down the road in Padstow. His
simple food is worthy of a trip to
Cornwall just for that alone(try the
whole grilled sea bass with pernod
and fennel mayonnaise).
Some call these journeys a
pilgrimage, others are just curious,
while others exhaust the research
before they go in order to maximize
their enjoyment and appreciation
of the destination. However you
approach it, it’s a great reason (or
excuse) to travel. Want to get a
feeling of what it must be like to
cycle the Tour de France? Join
a “Shadow Tour” that brings you
close to the action. What does it feel
like to stand in Royal Albert Hall in London, or the Teatro
La Fenice in Venice? Sports fans would enjoy visiting
some of the hallowed sports grounds in the world: Old
Trafford in Manchester; Wrigley Field in Chicago; the
Monaco Grand Prix. And readers of books can roam
the streets of any of their authors books: Sherlock
Holmes in London; Ian Rankin’s weary detective John
Rebus in Glasgow; or Rudyard Kipling’s India. Follow
your heart or follow your taste buds, or follow both. The
world awaits.
There are many reasons to travel and even more
reasons to visit a special place. Have you read about
somewhere or seen a film that makes you want to go
there? Have you travelled to experience the scenery,
the history, the art, the architecture, the food, the music,
the people, your ancestry?
This column is offering you an opportunity to share
your story. Do you have a funny anecdote or a life
changing experience? How about an encounter with the
locals and their customs? Have you eaten something
special or had a unique experience? Do you have a
travel experience that you will never forget?
We are waiting to hear about it! Send an email to Sandy
(sbabin@tpi.ca) for more details.
Meticulous Travel
Full Service Agency
3062 Hwy 3A
Nelson, BC V1L 6Z9
250-825-9668 •1-855-825-9668 • sbabin@tpi.ca • www.meticuloustravel.ca
Sandra Babin
Owner/Agent
CPBC licence No. 54033