A Post On Cornwall, Part II
Where did I leave off?
Wednesday, the 1st of September
I am absolutely kicking myself for not taking photos of this day.
Anne and I visited Padstow, the fishing village just across the water from where we were staying. In order to get there we had to take a ferry, which wasn't quite the same as the massive, car-bearing beast I had used in Washington. This seated about 25 people on three benches that stretched the not-very impressive length of the boat. The surrounding water did not help my plummeting body temperature but I loved it.
Once we arrived in Padstow we walked around, looking at the little houses all built one on top of the other and visited some art galleries. We also stopped for ice-cream and I guzzled mine down which was lucky because Anne, who had taken her time to eat hers like a lady, was pillaged by a seagull! It swooped down onto her shoulder, grabbed the ice-cream in his beak and swallowed it whole. At least the seagulls at the Waterfront in Cape Town have the manners to peck around you thus giving you a warning, before swooping down and gobbling your slap chips.
Thursday, the 2nd of September
On this day, we visited Port Isaac, another fishing village near to where we were staying. This one was my favourite, and not because it is were the series Doc Martin was filmed. Having never watched it, I wasn't too fussed about this fact. The streets in between the houses were more like paths, they were so tiny. There was even a little path called Squeeze-Belly Alley that was so thin that many people have to suck in their tummies to get through. The houses, like the ones in Padstow, were old and slightly cramped in the most endearing way. We had supper in a little pub that wasn't actually that little because on the way to the loos I managed to walk through room after room, all leading on from one another with little parties of people having what seemed like the times of their lives.
Friday, the 3rd of September
As we planned to leave on Sunday, Friday was generally full of little jobs like finishing up the laundry and attaching the sign that had fallen off the gate along with general packing up. I managed to get involved by repainting the sign (see below). This was on request, I might add, I didn't just charge into the scene with a paintbrush and oils.
Wednesday, the 1st of September
I am absolutely kicking myself for not taking photos of this day.
Anne and I visited Padstow, the fishing village just across the water from where we were staying. In order to get there we had to take a ferry, which wasn't quite the same as the massive, car-bearing beast I had used in Washington. This seated about 25 people on three benches that stretched the not-very impressive length of the boat. The surrounding water did not help my plummeting body temperature but I loved it.
Once we arrived in Padstow we walked around, looking at the little houses all built one on top of the other and visited some art galleries. We also stopped for ice-cream and I guzzled mine down which was lucky because Anne, who had taken her time to eat hers like a lady, was pillaged by a seagull! It swooped down onto her shoulder, grabbed the ice-cream in his beak and swallowed it whole. At least the seagulls at the Waterfront in Cape Town have the manners to peck around you thus giving you a warning, before swooping down and gobbling your slap chips.
Thursday, the 2nd of September
On this day, we visited Port Isaac, another fishing village near to where we were staying. This one was my favourite, and not because it is were the series Doc Martin was filmed. Having never watched it, I wasn't too fussed about this fact. The streets in between the houses were more like paths, they were so tiny. There was even a little path called Squeeze-Belly Alley that was so thin that many people have to suck in their tummies to get through. The houses, like the ones in Padstow, were old and slightly cramped in the most endearing way. We had supper in a little pub that wasn't actually that little because on the way to the loos I managed to walk through room after room, all leading on from one another with little parties of people having what seemed like the times of their lives.
Friday, the 3rd of September
As we planned to leave on Sunday, Friday was generally full of little jobs like finishing up the laundry and attaching the sign that had fallen off the gate along with general packing up. I managed to get involved by repainting the sign (see below). This was on request, I might add, I didn't just charge into the scene with a paintbrush and oils.
That night we went to another little pub, which we were drawn to because of the live music that was playing. The live music turned out to be one-man-band. He mainly played the accordion but also had a guitar. The percussion was prerecorded on his laptop. It was very exciting. The bar-tender also had a microphone on a stand and would causally harmonise along with the music whilst sorting out payment and drinks which was in my mind, the epitome of a multi-tasking genius. Mike Somers was roped into singing a couple of tunes which was very funny.
Saturday, the 4th of September
This was more of the same in terms of end-of-season packing although I did manage to go on the most beautiful run:
I mean.
We arrived home late on Sunday night after a long 7 hour car journey on which we listened to most of Ian Flemming's Live And Let Die. I fell into bed after that, exhausted but happy.
I love you all,
Jen x
P.S. Get excited for Dad's birthday on Sunday! YAY DAD!
I have just written along comment and I seem to have lost it! Maddening. Trouble was I wanted Grandpa to read your blogs and did not say Save or Publish or whatever one has to do. So here goes again.
ReplyDeleteFirstly I LOVE your blogs. Can't wait to read them. Yesterday as you know was your Dad's birthday. We were to convene here at No 3 at 5:30 for teas and cake and singing, then of not of drinks and snack and thereafter work the proverbial braai for those who wanted to or could stay. Of course with these family get-togethers there is inevitably clashes. Len could not make it - sad, sad - so we had to live with it and then at the last minute Wendy Brown phoned to say they were having a family reunion as Malcolm, Margie and William (at Bristol University) from London were visiting here to see his Dad and celebrate Amanda his sister's 50th birthday and would we please come along too. We being the family!! This was a major blow as Malcolm is and has been rather like a son to us. So.. the best thing we could do was to pop in briefly at about 4:30, where we found the usual Sunday afternoon full scale family and friends hockey match taking place on their side lawn. Very nostalgic indeed. Your Dad, Helen and Matthew grabbed some hockey sticks and joined in while Grandpa, Chris and I chatted to those on the try line. Grandpa and I had to dash back to be there for the 5:30 teas etc. We were there in time for Margs, Pug and the girls to join us shortly followed by Rob, Helen, Matthew & Chris (someone missing?). We had a great evening together with birthday loot for all the birthday folk and we fell into bed later. Not too late because of exams and studying. Josie is in the middle of Mock to be followed shortly by the real thing. I will be so glad when that is over foe her as sh will then be able to feel free from school. Varsity is so much better but much more work. She will not know what hit her. Of course as you know Helen who is looking stunning is also completing her final exams.
We miss you Jen and look forward to seeing you soon. Please give our love to Mike and Anne and hold Anne's hand for when Mike goes into hospital on Wednesday. I know that she is very anxious. We are planning some nice trips for recuperation for the two ex ops men. Not quite finalised i n our minds yet so we are not saying.
We have to think about this week as cousin Jane Worthington from the Lake District - Cockermouth to be exact - and Will, arrive on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday we take them off to Niewoudville for two days to see the flowers. Pray for good weather and that the flowers are not over. You can never tell. Then they go and stay with Rose and James and we may even try and take them off again to Hermanus or the River. We will see as we can' hog them all the time.
We must do a face time some time again.
NOW I am going to try to put some pics on this blog for you. I do not know if it will work.
No it did not. Could not find 'Insert', so I shall sen this off and I am sure Aunty Margs will send some pics from last nights party.
Meanwhile have a lovely time and we send you lots and lots of love.
Granny and Gramps.
P.S. Grandpa is so much better. Back to his old self and going to start to play golf next week.. I shall start Aquarobics next week too as the nasty wound (usual one occasioned by skirting around the bed and not the dishwasher lid) is now on the mend and I can swim again.