I realise I tend to write about the weather a lot but that is because I am 1) British (even if not by birth), 2) highly dependent on sunshine and warmth both physically and mentally. I feel that in winter months, the grayness around me drains my soul, sucks the life out of my complexion, and makes my mind enter the weirdest places. No light equals misery, no bright colours mean emptiness, and no warmth leads to sickness.

I often feel that my wanderlust is nothing more than my desire to always seek sunnier pastures. Last weekend I found a sunny pasture in the beautiful harbour of St Ives in Cornwall, south-west of England. It is a rather quirky small town that claims to have the warmest and sunniest climate in Britain. Aptly named Kensington-on-Sea due to its sprawling development of high-end shops and restaurants, it also houses the Tate Gallery, by the beauty of which I was blown away last November.

As you slowly descent the hill leading into town, you are welcomed by these breathtaking views of St Ives harbour.

Wander through the town, admiring the bright colours, breathing in salty air, and every now and then stopping for a browse at one of St Ives’ ubiquitous small art galleries.

Until you realise it is time for brunch! Brunch in England is certainly not the same as brunch in America (deep sigh) but you can get pancakes and cappuccino, — or an omelet for your friend.

Then you realise that besides the omelet, your brunch companion ordered a nice bowl of fresh, plump prawns, cooked in fragrant lemon sauce, and you have an acute desire to dunk your bread into that gorgeous goodness of flavours… But manners first! You had your pancakes anyway, greedy.

To honour the budding beautiful spring around me, I wore my polka-dotty blazer and carried the colourful Shoe Therapy bag my cousin sent me all the way from Washington!

Afterwards, I needed to do some cardio to walk off all that food, and what is a better exercise than a spot of shopping?

The sign I urgently need in my kitchen.

Spotting a dapper gentleman outside Joules and taking it as a sign that I must check out the new collection.

Result! A new blouse that you can see in my previous post about my trip to Cornwall.

I don’t know about you but in my book, a nice (if slightly random) brunch, amazing sunshine, and some shopping mean a rather productive afternoon. Time to wander back home.

So long, sunny St Ives, I hope to see you again soon. Perhaps next time, I will do what this lady is doing and blog from this spot? What do you reckon — will my muse visit me here?