Cornwall: A little bit of Portugal with more dogs

Cornwall is remarkably similar to Portugal in many ways, with its beautiful beaches, picturesque coastline and old historic buildings. However, there is one thing I really miss about the place: the friendliness of the Cornish people. Even Londoners are more friendly when visiting the SW. Everyone you pass seems happy to say hello, good morning or good evening, usually accompanied by a smile. 
And then there are the dogs. I had forgotten just how much the Brits love their four-legged friends. I would say eight out of ten people we passed had a dog, and not just any dog. Cockapoos, Labradoodles and every conceivable combination of breeds. One of the easiest ways to start a conversation is to compliment someone's dog or say hello to it. Before you know it, you are discussing its age, breed, personality and eating habits — and quite possibly the dog's entire family history.
The wonderful thing is that dogs are welcome on public transport and in many restaurants and pubs and appear to have better social lives than some humans. They are certainly more likely to be invited to the pub!
Our main trip was to Polperro, a charming fishing village with a fascinating history of smuggling. One lady told me that if the British economy continues as it is, the town may well have to take up smuggling again. I couldn't help wondering whether they would be smuggling pasties and Cornish ale. If so, I suspect there would be plenty of willing customers.
The only downside to Cornwall was its bus system. Those electronic schedules are a wonderful invention — when they work. They display the bus times, and then, without warning, the bus you are waiting for completely vanishes. I was later informed by a local that the electronic device is not quite clever enough to tell you whether the bus is delayed or cancelled. Apparently, it prefers to keep you guessing.
On one occasion, we waited fifteen minutes for a bus that never arrived. Just as we were about to call a taxi, there it was! On another occasion, we were walking towards the bus stop when the bus decided to arrive early and went flying past us. 
The trains are usually very reliable, although a couple of unfortunate incidents involving suicides that weekend caused considerable disruption. It was a sad reminder that some people have real problems and can’t get help.
As for prices, Cornwall is not cheap. A pasty can cost around £6, which seems a little steep for what is essentially a pastry case filled with meat and potatoes. A pint of beer costs about the same, so you have to decide whether you are hungry or thirsty. Taxis are also expensive, and there is no Uber in the smaller towns. By the time you have paid for your transport, your pasty and your pint, you may find yourself considering a return to smuggling after all! Photos to follow ...I hope