The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #163606   Message #3908573
Posted By: Steve Shaw
28-Feb-18 - 11:48 AM
Thread Name: The Perfect Couplet
Subject: RE: The Perfect Couplet
That would be Parson Stephen Hawker, Pete. He was vicar of Morwenstow for forty years in the 19th century. A replica of the masthead rescued from the wreck of the Caledonia in on show in the same churchyard as the headstone I mentioned. The lovely old church has an extremely ancient baptismal font from Norman times which has ropework carving around the rim. The ancient carved bench ends are also well worth seeing. As with many old churches that have been subjected to restorations, there's a mixture of styles inside and out. The good vicar built a tiny hut on the nearby cliff top out of driftwood, where he would sit with his opium pipe contemplating his navel. It's a lovely spot, very high on the cliff, and the hut is the smallest property of the National Trust, free to visit. I have lots of photos of friends and family who love to sit in the hut to be snapped. The best time to see the churchyard is in the spring when it's full of celandines and primroses, but it's good at any time of year. If it's a nice day it's well worth walking the half-mile over the fields to the hut. And the Bush Inn is better then it used to be, with a nice beer garden. I've played music there a number of times. I especially remember some nights there in the late 1990s when it was a great spot to see Comet Hale-Bopp. Remember that one? Very close by are the Rectory Farm Tearooms, which are utterly excellent if you want a really nice lunch or cream tea. Who needs Rough Guides when you've got me!