Don't slip...

Hell of a fall to a watery grave

Once or twice a year I try and get professional photos done. I know - it’s pretty cringey… But occasionally I need some images that aren’t just my own dubious iPhone photos.

If I can, I get them done by my mate Liam. Partly because he’s a mate, partly because it’s fun, and also because he takes incredible pictures.

We go somewhere dramatic along the Cornish coast and I feel self conscious for an hour or so playing to myself whilst Liam hops around making me look cool… (I wish)

This time we went up onto Tubby’s Head for sunset and hoped to come back with a cover shot for a new song. It’s my version of the Wellerman. More on that soon.

Getting there is a twenty minute walk along the clifftops, then you drop down a little track onto this rocky outcrop that sits hundred feet or so above the sea. Definitely one of the best spots near me and I haven’t been there for years.

The cello I can wear like a backpack, so that bit’s fine. The cajon is not fine. There is no elegant way to carry my cajon along a clifftop path… I just have to carry it in my hand. Swearing gently. I made it years ago and stupidly, didn’t think about portability!

We got down onto the outcrop and the weather was amazing... Clear and calm, that low gold light just starting. Liam took a few shots first, getting his bearings, and then I sat down and just played while he took photos and the sun went down over the ocean behind.

I know it’s deeply contrived. Sitting on a rock, cello out, trying to look natural while someone points a fancy camera at you. However, after giving myself a ‘break’ I thought what a bled lovely place - how lucky am I to come and play here!

Playing to the sea with that view in front of me, why don’t I do this more often? Not for a photo or any other reason. Just because it’s fucking incredible.

Anyway.. Liam’s edging round for angles and at one point his foot slipped. Right above the cliff top. He didn’t seem that bothered at all, laughed it off and kept shooting. I on the other hand was well bothered. When we chatted about it afterwards we worked out that if he’d actually gone, it would have been certain death. The grass up there gets steeper the closer you get to the edge, then it’s a hundred foot drop straight into the sea.

“A hell of a splash for a watery grave,” as Liam put it.

Anyway. Nobody died. The photos are incredible, and one of them is going to be the cover for the Wellerman when it comes out. I’ll share it soon.

Cornwall does this to you. The real danger is that when you live here you stop noticing how amazing it is. But occasionally you’re sat on a clifftop at sunset with a mate on a mission and it smacks you round the face again. This place is ridiculous. Tea and medals all round…

Big love from Cornwall 🌊 Paddy