An Extravagant Tent: A Yurt

Who wouldn’t want to stay in a yurt? It’s an inexpensive, fun, unique place to stay. Get away from the traditional hotels and motels and experience something new. A relaxing, circular, tall ceiling, and echo-friendly environment. Their history goes way back to central asian nomads. Meredith Bower discusses in her article "A Yurt Holiday on the Isle Wight: Cheap and Cheerful," the history, the facts, and the attractions of a yurt and surroundings.

However, the name of the company was intriguing (who isn’t making an effort to be “green” these days) and we still needed a place to stay, so we followed the link. We were sold on the idea as soon as we saw that the yurts came furnished with full-size beds (some four poster), and could each comfortably sleep five people.
We were shuttled to Afton Park Orchard and there, nestled among the apple trees, was a crop of four yurts, each completely and comfortably outfitted. From lanterns to linens just about everything in the yurt appeared to be from Ikea.

A quick tour of the site revealed the many environmentally friendly features of the compound. Of course there is recycling, and the wood used in the stoves and outdoor grills is collected from local landowners who have cut down dead or unsafe trees.

The shower is solar heated and environmentally friendly soaps are provided for bathing as well as dish washing. And then there is the composting toilet…enough said.
Being on the western end of the island we were within hiking distance of the famous Needles Rocks, stacks of chalk that jut out of the tip of the island into the blue waters of Alum Bay. We endured gale force winds as we explored the Battery, a Victorian coastal defense and secret rocket testing site perched high above the bright, white rocks.

“From what people tell us, we are popular because we are different and fall between traditional camping and a holiday cottage. I also think most people are more aware of things like recycling and reducing our carbon footprint, and we are one of the few holidays in the UK that genuinely try to make it easy for guests to be as green as they want to be.”

Tintagel, England King Arthur's Legend Lives On

Tucked away on the corner of southwest England stands remarkable stone cliffs at the sea's edge. This historical site is Tintagel where myths and poems claim King Arthur was originally conceived at the fortress of a Cornish Duke. Whether he was conceived here or lived here for sometime remains in debate, but there is no question that the midevil castle was in fact built at Tintagel by Richard, Earl of Cornwall a younger sibling of Kinh Henry III. If you visit the region today the crumbling stone barriers and doorways are still visible.

The penninsula-like area is connected to land by a deeply eroded path. Ambitious travelers are enthused by the challenging dirt hike and long flights of wooden stairs that spiral around the cliffs. For the curious traveler, you can tour what is believed to be the inner courtyard of Richard's castle. There lies a sandy inlet where ships were once loaded with cargo.

Because of the harsh sea weather, a mixture of lime and sand is applied to the walls for protection against the elements. "You can tell the way the weather has been beating at this," says Robert Tremain site supervisor. "The elements are always there. It's the natural erosion from the sea and the storms," he says.

Looking across from the southern cliffs, there is a huge chasm at the coastline, pounded by frothy waves, and buildings on the horizon in the nearby village of Tintagel, where pubs and guest houses line narrow streets. This region's history is rich to say the least.

Artifacts unearthed in the area suggest it was an outpost on the fringes of the Roman Empire at one time. Pieces of wine jars and other luxury wares from Spain, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean could mean a king or prince frequented Tintagel.

A wall built from dirt, rock and timber indicates it may have been a stronghold in the Dark Ages.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the area became famous for its slate quarries, which employed local men.

"Generations of visitors, including writers such as Dickens and Tennyson, have traveled to Tintagel to see the place reputed to be a cornerstone of the Arthurian legend. For today's visitors, its natural splendor may be just as rewarding," says Daniel Lovering of USA Today.


By, Melissa Vitti