Standing at the edge of the world, not knowing which way to go

So last weekend was a delightful one spent in Cornwall. Obviously I prepared intensely for the trip, watching both a mid-afternoon episode of Wycliffe and Doc Martin on ITV.

The only slightly troubling event was a visit to Land’s End.

Surely the point of visiting somewhere like Land’s End,is to be able to stand and enjoy that place. Afterall, you go to Niagara to see the waterfalls, you get on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Lady with the pointy head thing and a lamp. Or am I completely out to sea on this?

Land’s End, in my mind anyway, should consist of 1) Amusing road sign, 2) Cliff, 3) Sea View, 4) Maybe, and this is more a method of getting a more aesthetically pleasing 4 things, a small coffee shop run by an elderly lady called Nora selling Kendle Mint Cake and Coffee served with a saucer.

So not Cornwall’s answer to Vegas then? We’re all agreed on that?

There were all sorts of things to divert me from actually seeing the place. A Videomaxdomebigplasmascreen thing, showcasing a daring rescue of a walker (no Kendle Mint Cake) being airlifted into an RAF SeaKing. A gift shop selling all sorts of stuff at ludicrous prices. Oh, and a Dr Who exhibition. Now, I enjoyed the exhibition when it was in Cardiff, and I enjoyed having them film outside my house, but why is it here?

Are people arriving at the Sphinx and being lured into a small display of props from The West Wing? Is there a small marquee next to Aire’s Rock selling Are you being served? stills and bumper stickers with slogans about Mrs Sloackham’s kittens?

I guess it’s all part of our i-life. This is no ordinary point of interest. This is Land’s End 2.0.

It must be – there was a chain around the Land’s End sign and a photographer charging £10 for you to have your picture taken next to the sign so you can put it on your MyFace profile.