Last week I went on a Cornish adventure, visiting the coves
and harbours that tickle this tiny
foot of old England. I took with me my copy of 'The secret History of Mermaids’
an illustrated guide to the
wonders of oceanic folklore, compiled by the respected Professor, Ari Berk.
On my travels I was hoping to meet a Cornish Merrymaid or two or hear the call of the Mermaid of Zennor or
discover some Atlantean treasures in a smuggler's cave. These remained elusive to me on this occasion except for one evening, whilst
dining in a seafood restaurant, I
was disturbed to see that on the menu
"Hagfish" was the "catch of the day".
I refrained from ordering it as it bared a striking resemblance to my
grandmother, god rest her lemon sole.
Here are a few of my depictions of Merfolk, some of which feature in the book.
There were some quite dramatic seascapes in Cornwall too
