Dozmary Pool, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, 25 June 2013

It’s England.  Romance and legends abound and what traveller does not wish to find themselves standing in the very place they have read about in fairytales and novels.  Arthur and Excalibur, the legend does not get much bigger than that. Books, movies, television- everyone has had a go at the story.  Claims are everywhere for where he was born, where he died and so too where Excalibur is resting in wait for the next true king.  Ah yes I too was bitten by the expectation when I was searching for places to visit while in Cornwall. I was looking for unique places and happened upon Dozmary Pool.   

Dozmary Pool is one of several shimmering pools that lay claim to where Sir Bedivere cast Excalibur at the wishes of a dying King Arthur. You just have to seek out a place like this don’t you?   The chance to stand at the edge of the pool and wonder. Is it really in there somewhere?

Whether it is or it isn’t doesn’t matter.  Dozmary Pool is lovely. The perfect place to let your mind wander and imagine Sir Bedivere as he stood at it's edge contemplating sending such a beautiful sword as Excalibur, into the depths of the pool before him. 

It wasn’t a sunny day nor was the sky filled with dramatic clouds.  In fact it was an overcast and dull early afternoon when we arrived.  The only building within view is a cozy stone farmhouse from which the cows and calves were making their way along the water’s edge toward us. There was a moment of trepidation as we wondered whether it was a good idea to be in their path, but as we remained rooted to the spot, they just wandered by us as if we did not exist. Four young males remained at a distance and stared.  It was as if they did not know what to do; obviously disturbed by our presence. The larger part of the herd were soon busy munching on the grass or wading into the water for a bath and a drink.
 

It is a very beautiful setting. The water is crystal clear with a sandy bottom surrounded by long grass. Threaded within the grass you will find a lovely and delicate flower, the Yellow Flag Iris [flagg: middle English for reed].  It seemed at odds with the surroundings, as if someone had planted it there, but it is in fact a wildflower found commonly along rivers and lakes. 

                                                                                              
Dozmary, legend or not is a really sweet place.  A place of quiet solitude but not desolate in it's atmosphere. You can sit and while away the time with a nice cup of tea and watch the world go by. There is only the one road leading in and out so there is no traffic.  You fell free to enjoying the scenery.  There was a light breeze that day causing ripples on the water's surface. No high drama, not knights, just a few friendly cows and spectacular views.  Still you can't help but wonder...
 

                               Was Sir Thomas Malory right when he wrote that Arthur …

                                                                 ‘ys nat dede'

                                          It’s all in what you want to believe….

 

 

 

Woodcutting by Aubrey Beardsley (1894) 'Bedivere casting Excalibur into the Lake'

 

 

MORE MYSTERY CONTINUES AS WE HEAD FOR AN ISLAND WITH LINKS TO AN AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVEL AND AN ABANDONED CHURCH BY THE SEA...