Day 26 / Chapel Crawl Pt 2
AKA the redemption edition
After last week’s slightly chaotic attempt at a chapel crawl (TLDR: popped tyre, had to be rescued by friendly locals), I decided it was time to finish what I started.
This time, I’m cautious but determined and incredibly wary of island roads.
I start off with a sweet little chapel I’ve passed several times on my way to the goat sunset spot. Crucially, I know the roads are drivable and do not turn into a staircase for humans.
And she’s nice. Compact. Nothing too flashy. But also nothing to really write home about. A solid six in the chapel rankings. But I do have all my tyres still in tact so let’s bump that up to a seven.
Then it's on to another tucked-away gem just above the war tunnel museum. And this one? Gorgeous. Teeny tiny door. Lovely curve to the roof. A bright blue colour palette that happens to match my chapel crawl outfit just so. If I were a chapel, it would probably be this one. Lovely stuff. Nine out of ten.
Feeling brave, I venture inland and take a road I’ve never driven before (risky business). The road quickly rises up a hill (along with my driving-related incident anxiety levels) before reaching a small village.
The chapel could be cute but is surrounded by rubbish and seems a little unloved. Four cats are sunbathing outside so I’ll give it a point for each of them.
I follow the road through the village and it soon plunges into the woods. The concrete disappears and I’m left on a sandy dirt track. Great. I tentatively keep going, pausing here and there to double check the road doesn’t fade out completely and soon find myself in a little valley.
It’s giving Mamma Mia meets The Hobbit with well looked after but mini fields of wheat growing and two little chapels. One baby blue and curvy, the other cubist and navy. A lovely complimentary duo.
It’s peaceful here and there’s a lovely view. I decide I like it and give them a combined eight out of ten.
The next chapel is a slightly larger affair. It has an imposing entrance and a rather lovely view over the sea. Inside there is a brilliant painted wooden screen thing and more little charms. I offer another prayer up for my running ankle injury and give the chapel a seven out of ten.
Around now, Google Maps tries to take me over a cliff down what looks like an old riverbed. I get out of the car for a quick SitRep.
No, I decide, this is not the path for me and follow another actual road out of the valley. Hurrah. Excellent personal growth Coops.
I’m now heading to my last stop and have reached the far North-Eastern tip of the island. The sun is starting to hang low in the sky and the road runs along the sea past boats bobbing in little bays.
Time for a grand finale.
And indeed, she doesn’t disappoint. First you need to cross (or rather run between waves) across a little pier and then climb the few steps up onto the small island. In the sunset’s dusky pink, she’s glowing and you’re surrounded by sea.
The actual interior is underwhelming but I like the island. I like the chapel. I like the treacherous dash along the pier. Nine out of ten.
It’s hungry work this chapel crawl malarky and my phone battery is running perilously low (there’s always something huh) so I head back towards my hermit house and stop off for dinner at a little taverna down by the sea.
I munch my way through fresh sourdough, a courgette salad and prawn carpaccio, washed down with a crisp white. Bliss.
No tyre mishaps. No disappearing roads. Just chapels, sunset cruising and a really good dinner.
Chapel crawl, (finally) complete.