May Day

On May Day (1st of May, not the Monday Bank holiday), we went into Padstow for the celebrations. In Cornwall they still celebrate May day as a pagan festival, celebrating the start of summer. It is very much a holiday for them, and not a tourist thing, though tourists (like us) do go to watch the celebrations. There are two groups. Both wear white with either something blue or red depending on which team they are from. Throughout the day, there are processions around the town. There  are flowers everywhere!
Each team also has a 'Obby 'Oss, which means Hobby Horse. They apparently chase and try to catch "young maidens". Each 'Oss has a stable, commonly known as a pub base. So you can imagine as the day goes on (the first parade is a 6am) the dancers become less stable!

Main part of the parade for the red team

One of the accordion players

The 'Obby 'Oss

At the end of the day, the two teams meet up at the May Pole and dance around it. The May Pole was really colourful.

The May Pole

We had crab sandwiches for lunch from a little stand. (The usual place we go to was shut and it looks like it has been taken over by Rick Stein.) Still the view was much better than my view most days for my lunch!

The Camel Estuary in Padstow

On the evening we went to the local pub. It was packed. They really like to celebrate down here. People just start singing. Everyone else quiets down and listens and joins in. Some songs were sweet but most were risqué and really funny! The atmosphere was brilliant.