ON THE EDGE

Climbers, mountaineers, alpinists.

Surely more on the edge than most. In fact, they often go over the edge, very often fatally.

Some of these stories have been told by the climbers themselves (those who lived to tell the tale), and some have been told by friends, writers, filmmakers and even their own families.

'Torn' is a film directed by Max Lowe about his father Alex Lowe, a larger than life character who led an extraordinarily adventurous life. But it is Max's examination of what happened in the wake of that life that makes this film so incredibly poignant.

'The Last Mountain' - another incredible story of a climbing family and the deep & lasting legacy of how the pursuit of adventure in the mountains can be life-changing for everyone involved. The film follows Kate Ballard's journey to find peace following the loss of both her mother, Alison Hargreaves, and her brother, Tom Ballard. Both of whom died at almost the same age, in the same mountain range doing what they loved to do.

'Free Solo' - captures all of the utter nail-biting tension as Alex Honnold attempts the first free ascent of the sheer face of El Capitan in Yosemite. The heart-in-mouth terror of watching him free-climb is stunning. But it is the interplay between Alex and his fiancee Sani McCandless, that creates the personal drama. Alex, single-minded, obsessively determined, seemingly oblivious to danger. Sani, emotionally open and engaged with the project, supportive yet also very honest about her struggle to balance her love for Alex with the very real fear she feels.

Just three of many amazing films about extraordinary people who are happiest when they're on the edge.

VISITORS GUIDE

5 ways you can make your visit to Cornwall a happy one (for everyone else)

1. Don't bother

Seriously, just don't come. Nobody really wants you here, even the tourism businesses are not that interested in you personally. They only want your money. You clog up the roads and car parks, snaffle up all the best housing as your vacation accommodation and generally get in the way. This is first and foremost our home, it's more than just your holiday destination. You are an uninvited guest, on top of this, your presence doesn't contribute to our communities and certainly doesn't help our environment.

2. Don't imagine Cornwall is your spiritual home

Just don't, even because you've been 'coming here for years'. Nothing makes you look more like a fool and actually we find it insulting that you would assume this faux ownership status based on some imagined affinity. I've been to Gordano motorway services (Bristol, M5) more times than I care to remember, doesn't mean it's my spiritual home. Nobody cares.  Just be honest about it - you like the place and you can afford to take a holiday here.

3. Have some respect

The beautiful beaches, quaint villages and towns are home to us, we live and work here. You are here as a guest, be considerate of this fact. 

For example at the beach closest to where I live there is limited parking. It's always been a great place to take the dog for a walk or get a quick surf in. Because we may only be an hour doing the above we have always parked on the side of the approach road when the car park is full. Just a few locals doing this sporadically over the years, temporarily in & out, not causing any bother to others and no harm done. Last year visitors started also parking on the approach road. The crucial difference being that there were hundreds of them, badly parked, staying all day long, complete with outdoor chairs and roadside BBQs, showing no respect for local farmers, damaging the verges and causing chaos and traffic congestion. Because of their lack of respect this once low-key, local resource has now been ruined as the Council have decided to put double yellows all along the road in both directions. This is a classic example of how visitor ignorance, lack of awareness and zero respect for others has lasting consequences. Surely, ironic too that their very presence is destroying what made this location such a special place.

4. Look beyond the brochure

Parts of Cornwall have extreme poverty, poor housing, high unemployment & low wages. Think about contributing something to the people that actually live here. Seek out some local charities who might benefit from your wealth as opposed to directing the bulk of your tourist £s directly to Air BnB, out-of-county second home owners and international supermarket chains. Try to contribute directly to the community you are staying in.

5. Drive better - be aware

Honestly if you insist on hogging the middle of the road then you'll have to learn to reverse when you meet oncoming traffic. Use your indicators, don't dawdle, some of us have things to do and places to be. Similarly when you're in town, spare a thought for others by not strolling four abreast on a narrow pavement. 

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You are basically a visitor in somebody else's home - try to remember that.