A Parliament Of Rooks, A Cornish Pasty And A Celtic Legend

I’ve been publishing this blog since December 2009 and to the best of my knowledge there have only been three days when a post wasn’t published. But today, for the first time, I’m struggling what to write!

Karin and I have had a day out and I took the two photos while we were parked up, overlooking the Truro River, to have our lunch – Cornish Pasties (one traditional and for me a vegetarian) followed by an apple pastry and, of course, cups of tea – we travel with hot water in a flask, tea bags and milk.

We were parked at a place called Malpas in Cornwall overlooking the river. In the wing mirror you can see that behind us was a small hut where people can pay to play tennis. There’s lots of space to the rear of our car with football and cricket pitches, a children’s play area, fields and gardens – and there’s a walk alongside the river.

The rook/crow was in the tree next to our parked car. After I had snapped the photo, out of the car window, about twenty or thirty rooks flew overhead.

Ah! A group of rooks is known as a parliament, due to their habit of forming large assemblies during which one bird will seem to ‘speak’ or orate at length.

I’m writing this on a Wednesday (though it’ll be published on a different day) and today is when the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is questioned on anything by MP’s in Parliament. So that’s the only synchro or coincidence I can find today. The crows will have no doubt talked more sense than Mr Cameron.

As for Malpas itself, the village is said to be part of the love story of Tristan and Iseult. This tells how Iseult crossed the Truro River at La Mal Pas, the early name for today’s Malpas (pronounced Mopus). A ferry crossing which was to reunite her with her lover as she travelled from the ancient Moresk to Kea.

Oh well, looks like I’ve ended up with a post of sorts after all!

Other Posts On Cornwall:
The Mystery Of The Cornish Roche Rock And Hermitage (also has more on Tristan and Iseult)
The Cornish Mystery Of Trevethy Quoit Stones
The Holy Well Of St Sampson At Golant In Cornwall