I Heart St Ives

Oh, St Ives. I have such lovely memories of this small fishing town. I first visited it as a college student studying Art and instantly fell in love with its maze of little back streets, mixture of querky houses, lichen rooftops and of course, the artistic buzz from its many galleries and small artist workshops.

Taken during my most recent visit to St Ives ~ September 2009

A legend tells of the virgin Saint La, who was to depart from her native Ireland with other Saints. However, when she reached the shore, they had already left without her. Much saddened, she began to pray and then noticed a small leaf floating on the water. She is said to have touched it with a rod and the leaf grew bigger and bigger and she knew that it was from God. She stepped onto the leaf and sailed across the waters, reaching St Ives before the other saints. The legend goes on to say that she founded an oratory in a clearing of a wood on the site of the existing Parish Church that is dedicated to her.

Nagib Karsan ~ View Across the Bay, St. Ives

Today, St Ives is home to many artists. It is said that the light is different in these parts. I have painted here and sat and watched the sun set and I believe there is an element of truth to this. At certain times of the day, you may even forget that you are in England as a warm tropical light bathes the town and harbour and the sea turns a wonderful shade of azure blue.

View of St Ives and Azure Sea from Hayle ~ Matt_lisa_fuller’s Photostream via Flickr

St Ives has since found a place in my heart and having introduced my Fiance, we are planning on getting married there. Whether it be the lovely little chuch of St La, or in one of the many weather worn hotels in the town. When I first saw St Ives, I didn’t think it was a place of chocolate box beauty (in my humble opinion of course) but I love it even more for that. It’s rough around the edges, a little bit shabby and even though it’s a popular tourist haven, it seems to have kept its original charm in a word full of typical and generic spaces. I am happy to say I haven’t seen a starbucks in sight. Yet.

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