Giant killers, angels and ghosts are just part of the charm of St Michael's Mount, writes David Wilson. In England, if you head for the Cornish coast, five kilometres east of the town of Penzance, you will find what enthusiasts call the jewel of Cornwall: St Michael's Mount.This 8.5-hectare island is small enough to take in easily, but also dramatic, thanks to the castle perched on top. Approached by ferry at high tide and causeway at low tide, the mount, which is essentially a granite crag rearing out of the sea, has hidden depths.According to legend, it was created by a giant called Cormoran, who would wade to the mainland to seize cattle from local farms and carry them back across the water. After a reward was offered for killing the giant, a boy called Jack came forward. One night, as Cormoran slept, Jack crept over to the mount and hollowed out a pit halfway up one side. In the morning, Jack blew on his horn to wake the thief.The giant raced down the side of the mount but, blinded by the sun, failed to see Jack or the hole and fell in. Jack then filled it, burying Cormoran alive. Apparently delighted by this, the local people dubbed the perpetrator Jack the Giant Killer and he promptly went professional, butchering a slew of overgrown men.If you climb the pathway to the castle at the top of the mount you will stumble upon a heart-shaped stone said to be Cormoran's heart. Stand on it and you can supposedly hear the giant's heartbeat.Another supernatural with a stake in the mount is St Michael, the high-flying angel who led the army of God during an uprising led by an upstart called Lucifer.

Even by the standards of immortals, St Michael has a dazzling resumé. He supposedly works against temptation and on behalf of ambulance drivers, artists, bakers, bankers, boatmen, medical technicians, paratroopers and paramedics. He also moonlights for Spanish cops, sailors and radiotherapists, among others. In his spare time, he lobbies for Texas, Florida and, of course, Cornwall (and you thought you were busy).

View: Full Article | Source: theage.com.au

Funny.

Wish there was more ghosts in this one today that's why I clicked on the link.

I used to work as a guide on St Michael's Mount when I was a student. A long time ago. I used to have my lunch on my own in a little room just off the hall. I used to quite like it in there and couldn't wait to eat my sandwiches in that little room overlooking the sea. And then I was told it was haunted, and there had been poltergeist activity in there. Suddenly I didn't look forward to my lunchbreak any more. But I never did see or feel anything paranormal in all my time there.