By Elen Sentier

If you're thinking of reading my novel Moon Song you may well like to visit Nectan's Kieve, between Boscastle and Tintagel. It's where a lot of the story is set :-). My dad used to live just across from there back before WWII, in the cottage of what is now a caravan park - Trewethett. It was just a cottage back in those days, no caravans, and the views were amazing!

Here's a pic of the cottage ...

My eldest brother, John, used to walk up the valley to visit the old lady who lived in the cottage above the waterfall at Nectan's Kieve. She had lots of cats and was the local wise woman, herbalist. John was very fond of her and always told me she was an incredible and fascinating person. He loved being in her company and learned much from her. She's long gone now and, sadly, may not even be remembered much.

Nectan's Kieve a beautiful place ... and it's an exciting climb down to the kieve (pool in the old tongue) but so worth it. It's somewhat deafening as you make your way down the stone staircase to the Kieve. The waterfall roars incredibly! It spins down 55 feet from the top of the cliff - just by where the cottage is perched - into the first pool and then the huge head of water rushes out through the big hole in the rock and into the main kieve.

I love it and I'll be back there in May ...

This article is from The Guardian - very good. We need to remake our connections to the land and her stories ...

St Nectan’s Kieve, Tintagel, Cornwall (OS Explorer 111)

Just off the B3263, north of Tintagel with its crowds of magic-seekers, is this little gem: a deep, haunted chasm scoured out by the Trevillet river in order to create a home for enough magical creatures to mount a production of Shrek. The walk down is lovely, through woodland to an 18-metre waterfall, St Nathan’s Kieve, where visitors have attached ribbons, crystals, photos and other items of spiritual significance. For the more scientifically minded, there are rare plants to spot. There’s also a cafe at the top to motivate the slower members of the party. If you want a longer walk, start at Boscastle and take in a gorgeous stretch of coast, too.

via UK days out with myths and legends | Travel | The Guardian.

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