Sunday 28th Sept 2008

Got back from Cornwall on Friday evening after a torturous drive back lasting 8 hours. Nick did all the driving and didn’t stop so that was some going by him...don’t think I would have managed the whole drive without stopping. Below is a brief synopsis of the holiday. I label the photos where I can.
Can I just add before going on that Cornwall is amazing and we had wall-to-wall sunshine the whole time...amazing!

Thurs 19th Sept 08
Set off to Gloucester as stayed overnight with Nick’s friend Gin who is a lovely girl. Initially we got lost and Gin had to come and find us. Luckily she has a bright yellow VW Beetle so it was easy to spot. Gloucester looks a good town to explore someday.

Fri 20th Sept 08
Set off to Exeter at 6.30am to meet up with Jane and Noreen at “Darts farm” in Topsham (a little village just outside Exeter.)Farm shop was great and we got some giant free range eggs and thick cut bacon for the holiday. Thy also have a great Aga showroom.

http://www.qype.co.uk/place/187396-Darts-Farm-Ltd-Exeter

http://www.aga-rayburn.co.uk/southwest_topsham.asp

From there we drove to Carbis Bay to the cottage close to St Ives in Cornwall. The cottage is called April cottage and was so picturesque. Soon found out the Aga wasn’t switched on which was a little disappointing but there was another oven to use. Quick explore of the house and then off to the beach to explore. See the house by clicking the link...how great is that! From the house we could see the sea.

http://www.classic.co.uk/holiday-cottage/desc-1871.html

Sat 21st Sept 08

Took a day trip to land’s End which has spectacular cliffs and scenery but is a little spoil by the visitor centre...I mean we really didn’t need a Dr Who exhibition here. The on to Porthcurno to the museum of telegraphy...which despite the title was actually very good.

http://www.porthcurno.org.uk/

Sun 22nd Sept 08

Went to the lost gardens of Heligan (near St Austell) I have to say that the walled vegetable and fruit gardens were good but the rest of the gardens didn’t seem all that great. Still nice birdsong on the website and Nick made a big roast dinner when we got home.

http://www.heligan.com/flash_intro.html

Mon 23rd Sept 08

Off to St Michael’s Mount at Marazion (close to Penzance.)Excellent day out! The island is located very close to the shore. Spectacular views and what a great place to be able to live in. We took a boat out but walked back along the causeway. The causeway is only exposed at low tide for a few hours each day. We didn’t wait for the causeway to dry completely so off came our boots and we waded through the last few inches of freezing cold water.

http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/about.htm

Tues 24th Sept 08

The hot weather throughout the holiday is strange but so welcome. We are all tired and in bed early and poor Jane has a cold. We’re having a quiet day today. I think I had a bit of a cold or something too...maybe an allergic reaction to the sunshine. I’m sat in the garden looking out to sea with the wind and waves merging into a melody of airy roars. It is very peaceful. No songbirds but maybe that is the seagulls keeping them away. Tonight I cooked a lamb tangine for dinner. I later earned the name the “Darwen poisoner” for it but suspect it was a rogue Cornish pasty or too much wine on certain people’s parts. We’ve had some good food this week and Nick has cooked most of it. Bit of a busman’s holiday for him really. It’s been great to be able to use the computer while we have been here. Nick and Jane seem to have been playing Mah-jong all week.

Weds 25th Sept 08

Went to Goonhilly and had a great time whizzing around on Segways. We both want one now. I wasn’t sure about Goonhilly but it was a good trip. Would definitely go back.

http://www.goonhilly.bt.com/

After that we went to “The National Seal sanctuary” which proved a bit of a disappointment and really a rip-off. £12) Wouldn’t go back there again.

Thurs 26th Sept 08

Saved the best till last and today we went to Kynance Cove which was just breathtaking. Spectacular cliffs, white sands and rock pools.

http://www.cornwall365.co.uk/cornwall/places,2,Kynance-Cove.html

If that wasn’t enough in the evening a bald eagle crashed into the garden tree mobbed by around a hundred crows and seagulls. The whole episode was like bedlam and so extraordinary to say the least. The eagle thrashed around in the tree and then headed off pursued by the mobbing birds. We later found out he had absconded from the local bird of prey centre in Hayle.
Hope you enjoy the pictures...back to work tomorrow...