Tuesday 30 April 2013

Curry Rivel

We enjoyed treating both Grandmas to high tea at http://livingpretty.co.uk/ tea shop in the heart of Curry Rivel village, my home for my first two years. From our table, Mum could see 'Bell Cottage' out of the window, while she tucked into scones and cake in what she accurately described was the old Bakery. A pleasant day of reminiscences and memories.  

Friday 26 April 2013

Spring Cleaning

Suddenly everything in the garden looks amazing: Grandad's tulips rise to enhance the yellow and blue tones around them, the trees are in bud and the birds are busy nest-building. Beautiful - it makes the cleaning, preparing, painting and varnishing so much more enjoyable. 

Sunday 21 April 2013

1962 Vintage

It's not everyday you get to celebrate with friends who have reached a career milestone: David marked his retirement (but not quite not-working-for) Zurich with a wonderful meal (thanks Kath) and a bottle of wine that was 51 years old. The great thing about The French is that they just don't worry about 'sell by' or 'best before' labels on their stuff, even if it has lain in a cellar for half a century. They did stick a 17% proof note on it as a warning. Once we had decanted this precious liquid onto our tongues, we could truly appreciate that good things come to those who wait. We also appreciate our lovely friends and are thankful for every one of them. 

Friday 19 April 2013

Padstow and the rest of the week

Careful study of prevailing wind and the map, took us to sheltered Padstow and The River Camel estuary. The bonus of bright sunny weather encouraged sunbathing and faces with a 'healthy glow'. The surf was still blown out along the North coast all week but Newquay and the Fal estuary each provided a calm oasis free from the summer crowds. 

Monday 15 April 2013

The Cribbar

Despite persistent howling winds, meaning that my board stayed in it's bag, the arrival of a huge swell overnight raised the possibility of seeing pro surfers tackle 'The Cribbar', a break off the headland North of Fistral Beach. We had spotted Ben 'Skindog' Skinner's jetski support in town the previous evening and sure enough, barely had we finished our lunch in The Headland Hotel, when we spied through the window two jetskis outback. We got ourselves a windswept rocky frontrow seat and settled back to watch huge drop-ins, wipeouts and superfast rides (video). We missed the accident later.  

Saturday 13 April 2013

Cornwall Dreckly

After a quick stop at St Agnes, we rolled into Truro and took a tour of The Cathedral, where the talented Cornwall Youth Orchestra were practising and making a great sound. Then we had high tea at  Charlotte's Antique Teahouse to replace the calories we might use later this week. 

Saturday 6 April 2013

Iain and Joss

Iain arrived on a most beautiful Saturday, where the endless Winter was briefly suspended in favour of warm sunshine. As we headed off for a hike, we spotted paragliders riding the uplift off the North Eastern end of the Leckhampton scarp. We decided to climb up and watch them taking off over first lunch, before heading SW and refueling at The Air Balloon. Circling back to the South, we maxxed out the wonderful day in the fresh air. Several of the flexible wing pilots were hiking back, having managed some reasonable trips to the Stroud area, riding the slope lift and some thermals under the odd cloud. Apparently you can get set up to go for about £1000.... great window seats but there's no in-flight service. Perhaps 'not yet' so early into my gap year.