Child Friendly Cornwall

Living in a place it is easy to become complacent and take what you have for granted.  It is only having gone away up country recently that we realised just how child friendly Cornwall is and how you can pretty much go anyway and be welcomed with small people.  St Austell itself has an array of child friendly cafes that provide activities and entertainment for free.  Tengo Cafe on the main high street has just introduced 'Tengo Tots' with a large indoor play area, selection of toys and a good children's menu.  The Eden Cafe, also in St Austell not only has a lovely toy box and lots of highchairs but they also offer a number of free children's activities that you can drop into such as Tots Rocks (this is brilliant), which is every Wednesday from 10am or Rhymetime every Tuesday from 3.30pm.  Both great activities for a rainy day.  Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, a short drive away has a large soft play area which you can use for free if you purchase a coffee.

Cornwall also boasts a large number of attractions that are great for all the family.  For the younger ones why not take a ride on a train at Lappa Valley.  The park has a number of small trains for your to ride on, a maze, canoeing, play area and lots to keep small people amused.  The National Maritine Museum will entertain the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits and displays to engage everyone.

There are many great places to eat as a family here too.  Our favourite is Lewinnick Lodge in Newquay as it offers great food, with stunning views and is very child friendly.  For an upmarket experience visit the Bedrutham Wild Cafe.  Set on the cliffs this child friendly hotel offers non guest a brilliant child friendly cafe.  Great place to stop off at if you are enjoying the north coast.  Sam's in Fowey offers a lovely children's menu with lots of things other than chips on the menu such as homemade lasagne.

If the selection of animals at Tregongeeves is not enough for you then why not venture out to Newquay Zoo. The small zoo is laid out well and has a good selection of animals.  Newquay Aquarium is also worth a trip too.  A real treat is a visit to The Monkey Sancturay in Looe.  Located in beautiful grounds the sanctuary has a selection of rescure monkey.

Talking of animals everyone is well here at Tregongeeves.  In fact Judith will be adding to her wide collection of animals over the festive period as she adds Dave - the one eyed guinea pig to her collection. He belongs to her grandaughter who is away over Christmas so she has kindly agreed to look after him - what's one more to add to the collection!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly, tra la la la laaaaaaa la la la laaaa

Seasons Greetings!  Here at Tregongeeves life is like one big Nativity scene with the donkeys being moved around frequently to ensure enough grazing.  The sheep have grown their winter coats - it is actually surprising how quickly they thicken up.  The pigs - Cinnamon and Nutmeg - have gone on a winter jolly to River Valley Holiday Park to help graze a paddock down there.  We have had to say goodbye to some of the older hens so we are awaiting some new arrivals.  Alice the Shetland is, well Alice, sometimes happy some times grumpy depending on the size of the carrot you greet her with.

With the reduction in animal duties for a few weeks whilst the pigs are away and fewer chickens Judith does not know what to do with herself in the morning.  So much so that I received reports that when she kindly looked after Jessica, her grand daughter, over night, the breakfast treat was a chocolate digestive and a glass of milk in bed with Granny and Grandad!

St Austell Christmas lights

If you are visiting Cornwall over the coming weeks you are in for a real treat - it really does feel special down here with festivals and celebrations happening across the County.  If you arrive this weekend be sure to head to Padstow for their Christmas Fair.  The list of talented chefs giving talks and demonstrations is amazing.  If lights are more your thing be sure to head down west to Mousehole - the small fishing village is famed for their lights display.  If you still need to do a little bit of shopping then why not head in to Truro on a Wednesday for late night shopping.  The atmosphere is always alive with childhood memories provoked by the smell of mulled wine and chestnuts.

Father Christmas will be busy this month across the whole of the county.  To see the great man is person then why not enjoy a ride on the Bodmin and Wentford Railway and meet Father Christmas on the journey.  Or he is also at The Eden Project where you can meet his elves, go ice skating and partake in a trail Lappa Valley is running Santa Express trains throughout December with the chance to meet Father Christmas too.  Or closer to home St Austell is looking beautiful with a magnificent light display and Father Christmas's Grotto to visit.
around the site.

Half term fun

Hello, and sorry I have not managed to blog for a while - we have all been taking a few well earned breaks after a very busy summer season.  We hope this blog finds you well after the bad weather over the last 24 hours.  Judith was on patrol last night getting up a number of times to check everything was okay, but in fact we seemed to not get too battered down here.

Despite it being a little bit damp it is actually quite mild in Cornwall at the moment.  A few days ago Judith, Jessica and I walked to Heligan to enjoy the harvest that they have on at the moment.  It was so hot we ended up in just our t-shirts.  Obviously after walking around we had to enjoy a lovely slice of cake - the pineapple cake is Judith's favourite.

It is all change in the chicken run here- the old shed has been replaced with a snazzy new one, which looks beautiful after Judith spent her evenings painting it before the chickens went to bed.  The chickens are not lying very many eggs at the moment - this often happens when the weather changes, hopefully they will start again after a bit of a rest.  Everyone else is keeping well - the donkeys are often found in their shelter in the mornings during the winter months, whilst the sheep look like little clouds on legs as they grow their winter coats in preparation for the cold.

At this time of year there is nothing better than a lovely walk followed by a hot chocolate in front of a fire and a big slice of cake.  At the weekend we walked from Charlestown on the coastal path to Carlyon Bay.  It was just stunning.  We took a flask with us and found a lovely bench to

sit and take in the views whilst warming up with a cup of tea.  One of our favourite places to walk this time of year is Cardinham Woods, just a 20 minute drive away the woods are a stunning mixture of colour.  The cafe in the woods is well worth a visit to.  If you fancy a bit more of a challenge then why not try doing the Hall Walk over looking Fowey - get a river taxi back at the end of the walk to make it a memorable adventure.

Rainy day ideas

It is 3.20pm and it has just stopped raining.  Luckily the whole of the country is like this however the weather man did say it was meant to be sunny and muggy here today so it is always disappointing when you wake up to find that horrible lingering mist that we are occasionally blessed with down here.

Do not despair though; there is  always something to to keep you entertained in Cornwall and we proved that last week when my parents visited and they tested out lots of places with Jessica who is now 13 months old.  They highly recommend Newquay Aquarium - it was very child friendly and the cafe was very accommodating too.  With a child that is almost walking the layout was good and allowed little people to get right up close to the glass.

I had the pleasure of visiting Newquay Zoo with them and Jessica.  Not the world's biggest zoo but it is very well laid out and there are some nice touches like the tarzan trail for older children.   We went on a misty day and as often happens on a wet day here the weather had cleared by lunchtime, however with our water proofs and lots of trees to protect us we had a great time.  We really liked the petting area and the cafe was very good too with lovely freshly prepared food.

Continuing on the food theme we also visited Griggs Cafe and shop.  The food in the Cafe was lovely, it tasted fantastic and it was really busy too.  We will certainly be going back to sample the breakfasts there in the very near future.

We also spent a few days down at Charlestown as the old fishing harbour is playing host to a Norwegian film crew at the moment.  The production company have taken over the whole of the harbour and have even added an island, forge and market stalls.  Whilst we were there we saw a young boy climb down the harbour wall and a scene where there are coming off a tall ship being filmed.  They even had real life geese, chickens, donkeys and Shetland ponies on set.  It was absolutely fascinating to watch it being film.

If you are not able to visit Cornwall for a while then you can see it as it's best in Richard Curtis' latest, and apparently final block buster - About Time.  The film is set in London and Porthpean, just down the road from here.  It was filmed down here last summer, so the wedding scene where it gets completely washed out is fairly accurate we think!  It is a brilliant film - Richard Curtis at his best - just take a box of tissues with you.

Lots of dates for your diaries

I think most locals will agree that there is certainly a chill in the air, however I can confirm when the sun is out it is still very powerful and warm.   If I am honest with you we are moving into our favourite time of year here.  Don't get me wrong, summer in a sunny Cornwall is awesome, however hot days in September and October feel extra special, especially as everything is a little bit quieter and calmer.  

As locals we know that there are some brilliant events in the coming weeks and we also know the best places to find a roaring fire to snuggle up next to after a long bracing walk.  My favourite fire to nestle in to is at the Polgooth Inn.  The fire is in the heart of the pub, and with a pint of local ale warming your insides you can't go wrong.  The Eden Cafe in town also has an amazing fire.  The large open burner has sofas all around it so you can enjoy a lovely treat off their menu whilst being tucked into cosy chairs.  Right now, at this time of year when it is still warm enough to enjoy the lunch time sun but you want to feel like winter is coming my all time favourite place to go is the Duchy Nursery just outside Lostwithel.  Their food is brilliant, their plants are fantastic and their shop will want you make to buy everything.  But my favoutite thing is sitting outside in the sun whilst smelling their wood burner that burns away inside...there is something about that smell that gets me ready for the winter!

If you are planning a visit to Cornwall in the quieter months then why not plan it around one of the many events up and coming.  

Roseland Festival - 21st September - 6th October.  The full programme can be found here, but with lots of community events, talks, shows, dining and a quiz you are sure to find something of interest.  The Philleigh Way Cookery evenings looks particularly good.

Cornwall Food & Drink Fair - 27th - 29th September.  We loved this last year with all things foodie and Cornish showcased in one location.  We would advise going early though as it does get very busy.  If you don't manage to fill yourself up on all the tasters then why not treat yourself to lunch at The Old Grammar School - we love their food.

Boscastle Food, Art & Craft Festival - 5th - 6th October.  This small village knows how to enjoy food -and this year the programme looks even better than usual with famous chefs, cooking demonstrations, talks, barn dances and concerts this is one not to be missed.

Falmouth Oyster Festival - 10th - 13th October.  Love them or hate them oysters are a bit like marmite. But the festival celebrates the start of dredging season and brings together music, food and crafts to celebrate.

St Austell Torch Light Carnival - 16th November.  This stunning events sees the streets of St Austell lit up with stunning torches crafted by local community groups and businesses   The Family event creeps through the streets of St Austell with a carnival feel to it

Fowey Christmas Market - 29th November -1st December.  The beautiful village of Fowey is transformed with a Christmas market and Christmas light switch on.

Padstow Christmas Festival - 5th - 8th December.  With the harbour decked out and some of Cornwall's best chefs all under one roof then you will be spoilt for choice.  The small fishing harbour has a magical feel for this wonderful festival.

Indian summer?

After a fantastic summer we could just be about to enjoy an Indian Summer too as it has been fantastic here over the past few days.  We have had lots of friends visiting so have been enjoying Cornwall with them, which to be honest is a rare treat over the summer months.  We have been off enjoying breakfast at The Lewinnick Lodge recently - set on the edge of the cliff the stunning views are perfectly complimented with great food at reasonable prices.  There were thirteen of us and three babies so we opted for breakfast which was just lovely.  Most of the group had food envy for my waffles with bacon and maple syrup, whilst I looked on enviously at the hearty Cornish breakfast.  After we had eaten we headed on to Watergate Bay to enjoy the sun.  It was stunning as the tide was the furthest I have seen it out.

We also ventured over to Padstow.  The more energetic biked from here, whilst the more sensible biked from Wadebridge along the Camel Trail which is a brilliant way to get to Padstow.  We were rewarded with a pasty from the award winning Chough Bakery.  There are delious with the additional of clotted cream making them extra special.  We the strolled around the pretty village taking in the lovely shops and in particular Rick Stein's small empire.  His cake shop is very good!  We then indulged in some Roskilly's ice cream.  I had cream tea flavour, which was divine and well worth every single calorie!

Finally we went for a stroll around The Lost Gardens of Heligan.  It is the best I have seen the vegetable patch and put my efforts to shame, however it was beautiful and despite the car park being full it didn't feel like it was full of people.  We were spoilt for choice at lunch with their delicious selection  - I opted for Marconi cheese which was a good choice.  Now it is back to work and back to the diet!

With the children heading back to school Cornwall steps back to it's sleepy pace that so many people fall in love with after the busy school holidays.  Don't be fooled into thinking there is nothing on - on the contrary they are lots of local events and festivals that are well worth a visit in fact September is a wonderful time to visit Cornwall, not only is it quieter but it is also often very warm too.  Dates to put in your diary include:

• 8th September - World Bellyboard Championships at St Agness
• 12th - 15th September - Heritage Open Days with free entry to
• Lanhydroch
• Gribbin Daymark
• Glendurgan
• Godolphin Garden
• Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
• East Pool Mine, to name but a few
• 14th September - St Ives September Fest, with exhibitions, poetry, walks and festivals
• 21st September - Roseland Fesitval - a community festival celebrating all local things.

summer is back

Hello,

Sorry I have not posted for a few weeks; what with us all being at one time or another over the last few weeks and it being the peak of the season we have been a little bit rushed off our feet.  I am pleased to report we are all now fighting fit and raring to go and enjoying this stunning weather again.  We watched Countryfile last night with everything crossed and it looks like we are going to be blessed with sun, sun and more sun over the bank holiday!  We are even hopeful for an Indian Summer.

If you need a bit of a Cornish fix you can get one in cinemas in the next few weeks as the latest Richard Curtis film - About Time- is screened.  The romantic comedy was shot around local areas including Porthpean, Port Holland and on the north coast.  If you want to see how filming takes place for yourself then pop along to Charlestown where the harbour is currently being used for filming - no one knows which film it is they are shooting, but they have built new bits into the docks and are there until September.

Sometimes real life action is much better than movie screens and this week you can capture some real excitement with the Fowey Regatta.  The fantastic event takes place throughout the week with children's story telling tomorrow along with the Town Band playing on the Quay and raft racing.  On Wednesday there is a carnival possession throughout the town.  On Thursday there is a pasty eating competition (only in Cornwall!) and a giant pasty competition, music and by far the highlight of the week for me - the Red Arrows, give a breath taking display through the estuary.  You can sit in a number of places and watch the demonstration for free.  On Friday there is a family sports day and a band playing on the Quay.  Then finally on Saturday there is gig racing (a type of Cornish boat), entertainment and fireworks.

If food is more your 'thing' then the Cornwall will certainly deliver and the Cornwall Food & Drink website will provide you with all the information about events that are happening locally.  Of note is the Cornwall Food and Drink Festival taking place 27th -29th September.  The huge festival will showcase the best of Cornish produce, so well worth a visit.  We are very much looking forward to sampling the Philleigh Way.  A brand new cookery school and eatery which seems to be getting rave reviews.  Nestled in the heart of the Roseland the Philleigh Way has a fresh vibrant feel to it and offers some really interesting evenings, all of which must be booked in advance.

Wonderful walks and fabulous regattas

So we have had a wet and wide 24 hours but thinks have thankfully calmed down a lot now which is a relief and meets if you are staying you can really get out and enjoy Cornwall.  I always think after a good dumping of rain is a good time to get put and go for a walk as everything is lovely and refreshed and looking at it's best.  There are so many brilliant walks in Cornwall it is hard to know where to begin but we we stumbled across one that is a short drive away.  Why not start from Mevagissey  and enjoy a beautiful circular walk?  If you would like to explore a little more how about the Hall Walk - my all time favourite walk I have to confess; taking in a magical cove and the village of Polruan, with a river taxi back to Fowey at the end -  it is real adventure walk.  Or why not venture onto the North Coast with a circular walk from Rock.  The tiny village has become 'the' place to be seen in Cornwall with exceptionally high house prices.  The circular walk will let you enjoy some stunning houses.

If you would prefer to relax rather than walk why not treat yourself to some serious relaxation whilst on holiday.  The Cornwall is a short drive away and boasts a large selection of treatments and day packages.  Or how about venturing to Falmouth to enjoy the St Michael's Hotel.  I have been luckily enough to enjoy their delights a few times!

If you are in Cornwall over the next few weeks don't forget that the Charlestown Regatta is well under way and the 18th sees the start of the Fowey Regatta with their fantastic Red Arrows and fireworks to close the celebrations - both are well worth a visit.

Ben and his catch

Apologies for the delay but here is the promised picture of Ben and his dad fishing.  They had a fantastic day catching whiting and mackerel, having departed on a boat from Mevagissey.  I was lucky enough to sample their catch and can confirm it was so yummy.  Ben, and his brother, dad and grandad earnt their keep whilst at Tregongeeves; up with the larks each day helping myself and Judith collect the eggs and making sure the pigs, donkeys, sheep and Alice the shetland were fed and water - all important jobs that we couldn't do without the help of guests.  Thank you if you have helped us over the holidays.

Cornwall is bursting with people visiting at the moment, and it has a real buzz about it; especially with so many activities taking place.  Next week sees the start of Charlestown Regatta, which has things on throughout the week including music on the quay and a children's sports evening and a donkey derby with real life donkeys!  Or if knights in shining armor are more your thing then why not head to the Medieval Joust at Pendennis Castle.  Next Sunday sees the Tregony Heavy Horse Show or later in month there is the St Ewe Country Fair.  Despite a being a small village St Ewe Country Fair is a real date in the diary event attracting thousands of people each year.

Don't forget if you take some good pictures
whilst on holiday to send them to us - we would love to feature you on our blog!

We love our guests

Our job is great.  It is officially great.  This week Judith is away so I (Heidi, Judith's daughter in law) have been promoted again to chief animal person, which is a huge responsibility but with it comes the great pleasure of meeting so many wonderful guests.  We have a great crowd in this week with many egg collecting volunteers.  Today we even watched Alice the Sheltand Pony have her hair cut.  Today has been made even better by one of our guests bringing us back some mackerel and whiting from their fishing trip - I can't tell you how excited I am about cooking them tomorrow.


I have been speaking to guests in the mornings about what they are up to and where they are visiting so here are some ideas about how can you get the most out of Cornwall?. Firstly, we are always here to help,  we can point in the direction that you are thinking of heading - even look up things such as whether the Mevagissey to Fowey Ferry is running or as proper locals, give you directions which your Sat Nav might miss!

You might like to consider planning your stay a little and booking things in advance to save some pennies. For example you can book Eden Project tickets here and save nearly £10 per ticket.  Or if you are thinking about visiting some of Cornwall's stunning gardens pick up a Great Gardens of Cornwall leaflet in the games room. You pay full price with the leaflet at your first visit then after that you get discounted rates at all other featured gardens.  As Eden is the most expensive visit one of the other gardens then head there to enjoy a discounted rate! To see the featured gardens click here.

A number of places offer a 7 day ticket once you have visited one, such at Newquay Zoo, Kidworld, Springfield Fun Park and Pony Centre or an annual past if you Gift Aid at The Maratime Museum in Falmouth or The Eden Project.

HOT HOT HOT!

I don't need to tell you how hot it is, I am sure you know, but isn't it wonderful?  What would be more wonderful is sitting outside a Tregongeeves Cottage sipping a cool glass of wine, listening to the pond trickling in the back ground whilst the BBQ heats up...so why not book up!  Or if you would like to learn how Cornish wine is made why not visit Bosue Vineyard.  An up and coming Vine Yard, tours take place on Thursday and Friday's and you get to taste some too!  Or how about trying Knighnor Winery - they make they own wine on site and have a lovely restaurant too.  If ale is more you thing then the St Austell Brewery is the place for you.  Everyone raves about their tours - it seems in places they have forgotten about the dreaded health and safety so you get a real insight into how they do things.  If cider is your drink of choice then why not try Healey Cyder Farm, just a short drive away but worth a visit (and a sample!)

I am sorry I have not blogged for a few weeks - I have been up country for a week visiting my parents with Jessica.  I flew from Norwich to Newquay - it took less than an hour - I couldn't believe it when we flew over London within 30 minutes of taking off!  Opposite is a picture I managed to take of St Austell Bay as we came into land, you can see the bay and the Eden Project and if you squint you might be able to make out Tregongeeves.  Of course flying to Cornwall makes it a really accessible place and I can highly recommend it.  Or why not consider getting the train?  With great services running from London you can sit back and let someone else worry about road works and traffic.  The train journey is stunning with views to keep awake for.

In my last blog I mentioned the animals.  Sadly nature has taken it's course and we are left with just three chicks, we think a magpie might have taken one of the chicks.  Jessica is pictured with one of them. (No animals were harmed in the making of this picture but we took our eyes off her for a second and when we looked she had a chick by it's neck - she carries her bunny toy like that so we think she thought it was a moving bunny teddy bear, but like I say the chick is fine now and Jessica has learnt chickens are not toys!).

We have had a lot of brilliant helpers; collecting eggs, feeding the donkeys and sheep and making sure the pigs are okay - I will sort out the pictures this week and put them up for you to see on Facebook.

If you are visiting in the coming heatwave then really the best place to be is the beach.  Judith spent her youth playing on Caerhays Beach so that is her favourite.  Richard and I like Porthpean as we can walk to it from our house and it has rock pools for the children - but do ask Judith for recommendations when you see her.

animal update

Golly, the animals have been busy.  We have 4 chicks hatched.  I was promised they would hatch whilst I was on watch but they hatched a few days after Judith returned from her hols.  They are growing fast and in an ark at the moment so keep an eye out for them if you are visiting.  I have to confess I have a picture for you that Judith has sent me but I have a new phone after my last one went for a swim and I can't get the picture off it - so just imagine 4 little chicks if you can!

The sheep have had their summer hair cut.  They look so small and naked now!  But with this glorious weather we have had down here, which has even made the evenings warm now they needed to have a trim.

Poor Alice the donkey has a sore nose.  She has 'butter cup burn'. Judith was explaining to me that the pollen in the butter cups burns the donkeys noses if they get too much on them so each day Judith is busy rubbing ointment into her which is helping her lots.  She is particularly fond of a carrot at the moment to make her feel better so do indulge her if you see her (Alice that is, not Judith!).

If you like animals why not visit some of the lovely family places nearby.  Newquay Zoo has a lovely selection of animals, or my particular favourite is the Monkey Sanctuary.  We took our own picnic with us and found a lovely spot over looking the coast before admiring the monkeys.  Or you could always chance your luck and take a ride on the Fowey to Mevagissey Ferry.  At the moment you might be really lucky and get to see some dolphin, seals or basking sharks - check the ferry is running as it is very weather dependant.

Animal antics

Last week I told you I was house sitting for Judith.  Now I will be honest with you I actually texted Judith and asked her to stay away longer, not in a bad way, it was just so lovely staying at Tregongeeves!  Firstly it is very baby proof.  Other than terrorising Mitsy the Cat Jessica was fairly safe and absolutely loved feeding the animals each morning.

Luckily I have a sling to wear her in so each morning we have under taken the huge task of making sure everyone had their breakfast and as Judith put it were still on 'two/four feet'.  I was grateful to have the assistance of a very eager volunteer who helped me collect the eggs, feed the chickens, give the pigs a tickle and provide the donkeys and Alice the Shetland with a carrot each morning.  My biggest mistake was going into to see Rosie, Jim, Declan and Betty the sheep.  They are so very, very friendly, so much so that they want to lean against you which is lovely apart from when it has been damp over night - I got soaked!!  Jessica and I loved the animals.  The guinea pig and cat we have at our own house now seem rather lacking compared to the vast collection Judith has acquired.

After breakfast we then enjoyed a lovely play, sometimes in the games room, making the most of the toys and books.   With a little person almost walking the games room was a perfect practice area, safe, secure and fairly soft for when she nosed dived!

Following lunch we were then lucky enough to have a dip in the heated pool.  For some reason children love the pool as the roof is slightly reflective so they can see themselves splashing around.  The shrieks of laughter from splashing around were very loud from both of us - then a chill out on the side of the pool as it is lovely and toasty.

I felt like I was on holiday! Back to work now and the cleaning of my own home!  If you would like to book your own stay at Tregongeeves to meet the animals, relax in the pool, barbecue on the patio or explore Cornwall then please do contact us.

'Tis balmy

Now hopefully I will not curse the weather but  it is gorgeous at the moment.  Two days on the beach this week have resulted in a house full of sand but it is worth it to hear the crashing of the waves and see our little one exploring the sand.  Day one was spent on this coast at Porthpean - I have mentioned it before but it is such a lovely little spot and a little bit of a hidden gem.  The car park is £3 for the day and there is a small shop on the beach selling ice creams and bits & bobs.  There are also toilets.  As for the beach itself it is clean and sheltered and has a large selection of rock pools to explore.  If you fancy a change whilst there you could venture up onto the coastal path; Duporth and then Charlestown are only a short walk away.

Our second beach this week was Treyarnon Bay which is on the north coast.  The large sandy expanse was very quiet and sheltered but the waves were big.  The beach, which has lifeguards present is stunning and bigger enough to hold the crowds I am sure it would attract on a Saturday.  Again the car park was £3 for the whole day and there were toilets and food on offer - we took a picnic which was just lovely.  After the beach we strolled along the flat cliffs taken in a bit more of the coastal path - it is such a different coast to the south coast.

After a visit to the north coast why not pop into Kingsley Village - this shopping outlet stocks locks of local bits and bobs and has a fantastic food hall that does amazing cakes and meat for the BBQ.

Finally I must apolgise for the delay writing this blog.  My brother got married in Southampton last week so we have been away for a few days which with a little one means lots of packing and then lots of washing.  Any of you staying from this Saturday (8th June) will notice one big difference - no Judith & John! They are off for a few days away so Richard, Jessica and I will be moving in

 to man the ship whilst they are away.  I am in charge of the animals - which I am slightly nervous about so be prepared for lots of animal stories next week.  Apparently I just need to ensure they are all standing when Judith returns.... fingers crossed!

Rainy day ideas

Ok, I am not going to liar to you, the sun does not always shine in Cornwall.  In fact right now it is horrid, heavy rain and a little bit of wind thrown in too.  I think most of the country is getting this, but I thought I would give you some rainy day ideas for when you come to stay.

How about doing something where you get wet anyway?  You could take a surf lesson at Fistral?  Or try your hand at canoeing on the River Fowey? Or how about learning to fish or a sea safari?

If you just want to go somewhere and stay dry then how about the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay?  Or visit some real caves.  The Carnglaze Caverns are not only interesting; they will also set you imagination going of times gone by.  Or as you are near the coast wherever you are in Cornwall why not take a stroll around the Maritime Muesum.  You can convert your ticket into an annual past so you can go back again again throughout your stay. It is worth noting that many people (some times thousands) flock to The Eden Project on a rainy day thinking that a) it is all indoors and b) it will be quiet - two HUGE mistakes.  The Biomes at Eden are good but the grounds it is set in are equally as impressive.  If you do want to go on a rainy day our advice is to head there as soon as it opens or just after lunch when it will be a little bit quieter.

If history is more your thing how about a tour round a historic house.  Cornwall has some stunning houses that are well worth a visit including; Pencarrow House is not only stunning but is also dog friendly.  Lanhydrock is a firm favorite of ours as is Cotehele - the drive is well worth it.

How about just being a kid for the day and enjoying Cornwall's equivalent of theme parks; there is Dairyland, Flambards, Crealy's or Paradise Park.  Or if you need to have some soft play fun why now visit St Austell's Kidzone.

Half term ideas

With the half term upon us it is time to start thinking up ideas of things to keep little people happy.  Here is my top ten:

1. Learn all about the Beast of Bodmin Moor at Lanhyrock.  Should be fun for children and adults alike!
2. On the 26th May visit Kernow Fest at The Heartlands in Reduth.  Not only is there a free event celebrating all things Cornish, Heartlands is also home to the mothership of play areas
3. Have a little pamper at The Cornwall.  A short drive from Tregongeeves the Spa is well worth a visit and a great escape from little people.
4. Visit Lappa Valley.  We went before we had children with friends who had a two year at the time - now it is a firm favourite of ours - where children come first and life is all about having fun.
5. Enjoy breakfast at The Eden Cafe and then take a stroll around St Austell.  The breakfasts are a real treat and the family friendly cafe means you can relax in a safe environment.
6. Visit the impressive National Maritime Museum in Falmouth - with Seahorse Rocks activities for children you can make creatures inspired by the Cornish Coast.  For lunch why not indulge in a hearty feast at Gylly's Beach Cafe.
7. Visit the small precinct of shops opposite Tesco's known as Holmbush.  Here you will find the best local butchers (in our opinion) selling great pasties - why not pick up some 'bangers' for the BBQ whilst you are there, grab a cake from Niles (custard doughnuts are our favourite), then head out for a walk.  We recommend visiting the bluebells at Luxulyan Valley at the moment.
8. Explore Porthpean Beach.  This local haunt is small secluded beach with rock pools to explore - it's an ideal location for a picnic.
9. Hire a bike for the day and cycle the Camel Trail.  You can cycle into Padstow and enjoy the small fishing village without the hassle of finding somewhere to park.
10. Do nothing at all!  Just relax in the pool, get to know the animals, borrow a DVD, book or puzzle from the recreation room, have a game of tennis or sit with a glass of wine in your hand on your patio whilst the BBQ smokes away in the background - perfect!

Traditional skills at work

One of the many wonderful things about Cornwall is the heritage that still exists and family traditions and skills.  This week we had Trounce Guy, who is Cornish through and through, replacing some hedging.  Hedging is in his blood as his father taught him everything he knows.  You can admire his craft on the entrance to the cottages.

This week also saw some much needed days out for us as we had friends visiting and what an education in Cornish weather it was.  We headed to St Ives and on route the weather did not look in our favour - heavy rain and wind.  In fact we came close to turning round as we had a pregnant friend with us.  However as we turned the corner into St Ives we saw a glimmer of blue.  We headed straight to Porthminster Beach Cafe for lunch which I can sum up in one word - WOW!  The food was amazing.  We had Jessica who is 9 months old with us and the service couldn't have been better - she was looked after better than us in fact!  After an utterly delicious meal we headed onto a deserted Porthminster Beach - it was stunning; blue skies, clean sands and clear sea.  We explored the back streets of St Ives and admired much of the local art work whilst basking in the sun.

Our second outing saw us go to Fowey.  Although it is their festival week it was very quiet.  Yet more wandering around the streets, down the Espanage to Ready Money Cove, which again was deserted, it was so peaceful and relaxing. By the time we made it to the cove a grey, overcast day had turned into a scorcher and I was regretting not bringing a hat for Jessica.  Luckily I have a baby carrier for Jess as the tiny streets of Fowey are not great for pushchairs.  We made our way to The Galleon for lunch - another very accommodating baby friendly place to grab lunch.

Then one evening we were treated to a meal out at Sam's on the Beach.  What a location and what delicious food.  One of our favourite haunts did not fail to impress with a yummy crab and scallops pizza on the special accompanied by a scrummy local wine.  Well worth a visit - but book to avoid disappointment.

Our final outing of the week was Padstow via Griggs.  Griggs is a agriculture shop selling a great selection of clothes including Joules, Merrell, Frugi and Barbour to name but a few.  My friends got Hunter Wellies for half the price they had seen in John Lewis!  Padstow was busy but lovely - there is nothing better than exploring the fishing harbour, eyeing up the cakes & pasties in Chough Bakery or smelling the fish and chips from Rick's.

Now back to work...and the diet!

The joys of sea mist

Now I am not going to lie to you.  Despite our sun burn from yesterday contradicting me, the sun does not always shine in Cornwall.  Today we have had the dreaded sea mist in for the best part of the day.  It started glorious, in fact I shocked the world with my lily white legs and put poor Jessica in a summer dress.  By the time we had done our four mile stroll the sea mist had come in from the coast and it is now flipping freezing.  The strange thing about sea mist is you can be in one place and it is dull and horrid, yet a mile away it is glorious and bright.  Luckily the week ahead looks much more promising.

My walk got me thinking about the glorious walks around here, we really are so lucky.  In fact from the cottages you can enjoy a splendid walk 'around the block via the pub' if you fancy a car free day.  Simply turn right out of the cottages, walk down Tregongeeves hill and into the village.  At the t-junction turn left, go past the coal shop (here if you turn right you will get to Polgooth Stores who sell all the usual plus pasties and lovely ham) just a bit further past the coal shop you will find the pub - The Polgooth Inn.  After relaxing in the beer garden come out the car park and turn left, you retrace you steps for a little bit but instead of turning right back up Tregongeeves hill, continue up the village.  At the next lane turn right go between the houses and eventually you will come to a path, carry on the path, as you get into the fields you will be able to look across the valley to Tregongeeves, when you get to the main road turn right and walk along our boundary until you get back to Tregongeeves Lane.  (Judith will be happy to point you in the right direction.)

From the cottages you can also walk into St Austell.  We can recommend doing the St Austell Treasure Trail  (or any of the Treasure Trails - they are brilliant fun).  You get to learn so much about the place.  It is a great family activity that does not cost very much but gets you exploring a new location.  We have Treasure Trails for sale at Little Winnick  for £4.50- if you would like one ask Judith and she will pick you one up or we can put one in your cottage for your arrival.

New venture keeping us busy and feasts galore

We are not a family to stand still...that is for sure.  As well as Tregongeeves Farm Cottages Judith and John have River Valley Holiday Park and in January they became the proud owners of Little Winnick Touring Park.  Formerly Penhaven Touring Park the site is just a few miles down the road from Tregongeeves and River Valley.  The whole family have been hard at rejuvenating the large touring park to it's former glory.  It has been a labour of love and we are on the final count down to opening next Wednesday.  After her animal duties this morning  Judith whizzed down to Little Winnick to muck in with sorting out toilet blocks, gardening and many other things.  If you fancied camping in Cornwall why not come and stay with us at Little Winnick?

This weekend we were blessed with fantastic sunshine.  In fact Judith already has a Cornish glow about her as we have had some really lovely days recently.  It feels like Cornwall is waking up after a long winter.  It doesn't seem long until the local events we look forward to will get underway.

Why not combine your holiday with one of the many summer celebrations down here?  The Fowey Festival of Music and Words is very popular and attracts some big names talking about their books and lives.  This year you can have an audience with Ruthie Henshall, Tony Hawkes, Ken Livingstone and Kate Humble to name but a few.

If fireworks and carnivals are more your thing then why not visit the Mevagissey Feast Week - it has some of the best fireworks around out over the harbour.  Throughout the whole week there are activities for all the family.  Or there is Charlestown Regatta; highlights include bands on the front, a Donkey Derby and a carnival.

If you love the roar of a plane then why not visit the Fowey Royal Regatta.  The Red Arrows fly through the valley putting on a truly spectacle display.  Throughout the week there are many bands and activities for you to enjoy.

Mud, Mud Glorious mud

Now I think we need a disclaimer in our terms and conditions that we can not be held responsible for how muddy your children may get while out with Judith!  As you will see from the pictures one young visitor decided to get rather covered in mud - all part of the learning process I guess.

There is never a quiet time a Tregongeeves - this week sees the Horse Dentist pay a visit to help spruce the horses up and shortly we will have the black smith in again.  The chickens have started laying again at a fair rate of knots - nothing makes cakes quite like the bantam eggs - not that you will be thinking about baking whilst you are staying here.

Talking of cakes, we have been doing some research for you and can highly recommend The Lost Gardens of Heligan cakes and the food in general.  A new chef has resulted in a new line of cakes.  We walked up the hill from the Pentewan Cycle trail.  It is a steep hill but I managed it with a pushchair and means you can indulge in a cake without feeling the slightest bit guilty.

Judith has been out to the theatre recently, she is a great fan of local groups, but especially the Kneehigh Theatre, a local Cornish troupe who specialise in comedy.  Keep an eye out for their outdoor shows or performances at the Asylum.  Throughout the summer many outdoor spaces are turned into theatres for a short time, but Cornwall is lucky to have an amazing purpose built theatre - The Minack.  It is a bit of a drive away but well worth it -you will not have seen anything like it before.  The Miracle Theatre are my favourites.  Their comedy shows are a breathe of fresh air and come rain or shine an out door show of theirs promises to be a real treat.

Judith's little helpers

The cottages are buzzing with people and children at the moment at the beginning of the Easter holidays.  Judith has been very, very grateful of the gang of helpers this week.  I ventured out this morning with everyone.  We had great fun feeding the the pigs, trying to make sure all the donkeys get food and not just grumpy Bob, we gave Alice a little cuddle who is in a stable to keep warm, we tended to the numerous chickens and visited the sheep who came galloping over.  Phew...there are so many animals to see!

We are certain that warm sun is just around the corner, so much so we have started to plan things to do in April.  Why not visit Cornwall for a short break - we have some availability throughout April.  Whether it is warm or cold spring is defiantly in full force down here with the start of the flower festivals   Why not visit the impressive Cornwall Spring Shower Show at Boconnoc House the 6th - 7th April.

The Tregothnan Estate will be opening it's doors to the public on the 20th-21st April.  This privately owner estate rarely lets the public in.  The yearly opening is a real treat of a garden.

If the sea is more your thing then the new Legends of the Bay; a combination of kite surfing and paddle boarding will be just your event.  Taking place the 27th-28th April at Watergate Bay this promises to be a great event.

 Along with Spring festivals we are also at the beginning of village and town events.  Padstow is famous for their May Day celebrations known locally as 'Obby 'Oss Day.  There is much debate about the origins of the event, however there is no debate about the popularity of this celebration.  The dancing, parade and general celebrations brings thousands to this beautiful fishing village.

Animal fun

Funny things tickle me sometimes - we stayed over a Tregongeeves the other day (a real treat as it is so dark with no street lights)  when we had breakfast in the morning there were big patches where the sheep had been sleeping and the frost had laid around them.  It was so funny to see sheep body prints in the frost!  So I took the opportunity to have a wander round and capture the animals having their breakfast. Take a look at my handy work.

 With Easter around the corner there are plenty of Easter Egg hunts planned around Cornwall.  Cadbury's have teamed up with the National Trust so it promises to be a great Easter Egg Hunt at Lanhydroch and a great day out for the family too.  Or why not visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan for their Easter Egg bonanza which starts daily at 10am.  At Pendennis Castle there is a Easter Egg Trail and craft activities for all the family

If you prefer seeing Peppa and George (I am reliably informed they are from Peppa Pig - we are not at that stage yet!) they will be at Crealy's Great Adventure Park from the 2nd April

Spring is in the air

Yes, spring really is in the air down here in Cornwall!  Yesterday I walked the Pentewan Clay Trail with Jessica in the pushchair - I can confirm I didn't even need a coat.  The lambs were out in force and the trees were full of blossom    It was glorious and toady is more of the same.  With the fields filling up with lambs and daffodils everywhere Cornwall is waking up from the winter.

It is at this time of the year when the Cornish gardens are looking truly stunning (and a lot quieter than the summer).  On Saturday we were at The Eden Project for the Pasty World Championships.   We are lucky enough to go quite frequently, especially as it has such great facilities for children.  I must say the gardens were looking the best I have ever seen with lots of new things for you to explore.  At this time of year Caerhays Estate open their gardens - this private estate is a hidden treasure.  Why not pack a picnic for lunch afterwards?  In The Cornish Guardian paper there is a two for one offer for the gardens at the moment.  Or Pentille Castle is well worth a drive.  The gardens were lost until the next generation took on the project a few years ago.

Tomorrow Judith is treating me to lunch at The Duchy Nursery as we are going for an adventure to Trago Mills then on there for lunch.  The combination of food and plants are one of our favorites! 

A few weeks back I mentioned we had been busy decorating, well it is all finished now.  Judith and Alison along with their team have work exceptionally hard.  Hopefully you will agree that it has been worth all their hard wok.  Pictured is a sneak preview - we will have all the new pictures on the website hopefully by the end of the week.

If you have stayed with us please do leave a review on TripAdvisor - it helps other people when they come to book their holiday, and we love hear about your stay.

Splodge Clemo 1999-2013

It is never easy breaking sad news, and today we have very heavy hearts here at Tregongeeves.  Sadly we have had to say goodbye to our beloved pig Splodge.

Splodge was one of life’s characters who if you met once you would never forget.  The old chap joined the team here back in 1999.  Back then he was a sprightly soul who caused havoc  escaping and plotting how to make Judith work some more.

Over the years Splodge has lovingly greeted many of you with his dashing good looks and interesting teeth.  What Splodge lacked in looks he made up for in personality.  Leave the gate open for a second and he would seize the moment making a mad dash for it.  It has been the highlight of one or two guest’s holidays watching Judith trying to round up a pig with just a small piece of bread to encourage him back to his home.

As many of you will know where Judith was going wrong was not waving black bananas in his face – his favourite treat which so many of you offered him over the years.

Splodge brought love, laughter and countless smiles to many faces both big and small over the years and he will greatly missed by us all.  We hope he is wading through mud  - eating black bananas to his hearts content in Piggy Heaven, he will be sadly missed. x x

The great Cornish Pasty tasting competition

So what is there to do in Cornwall on a glorious sunny February afternoon?  Pasty tasting on the beach of course!  This weekend we took it upon ourselves to to taste test local pasties for you.  We took a scientific approach, the judging criteria included:

• pastry
• quality of meat
• amount of meat
• seasoning
• overall taste.

Now, I am sure you will appreciate the seriousness of the competition.  We sampled pasties from Polgooth Village Shop, Queenies Shop (this is opposite our campsite River Valley Holiday Park), Crib Box (which is just off the Charlestown roundabout) and Pearce's Butchers (ask Judith for directions - as her Dad swore by them).  Whilst this may not seem like the biggest list of pasties, believe me it is enough for Round One of the competition. 

In third place was The Crib Box.  They were a little bland and looked like they needed to sit out longer in the sun as they were very pale.

In joint second place were the Polgooth Village Shop and Queenies.  The seasoning was very good - lots of pepper and the meat was lovely.

The surprise winner was Pearce's Butchers.  Now I say surprise as our first mouthful was nice, but a little plain, however the more you ate the nicer it was and the pastry was scrummy.  Very flaky and lovely.

What is your favoutite pasty?  Do let us know so we can enter it in to future taste-offs.  For a more serious pasty competition why not visit the World Pasty Championships at The Eden Project.

The decorators have been hard at work



Painters



Gyllyngvase Beach



Richard enjoying lunch



January is traditionally the month when we roll up our sleeves and redecorate and in some cases refit the cottages – this year is no exception.  Pictured are Judith and George giving the front of the cottages a lick of paint.  Whilst on the inside we have been busy laying new carpets, redecorating a number of bedrooms, taking delivery of new sofas, installing new lights and painting the walls.  Hopefully you will enjoy the fruits of our labour when you come to stay next.

 

Thankfully again I can report we have been blessed with some glorious blue days (as I type the sun is warming my fingers through the window and there is not a cloud in the sky).  The garden is starting to wake up around Tregongeeves and this morning I even spotted some dwarf tulips up!  Tulips are my favourite so this made me smile a lot!

  



Last weekend we took the opportunity to enjoy the weather and popped over to Falmouth.  Famed as having the 3^rd largest deep-water habour this buzzing town has something for all the family.  Whether you fancy exploring the National Maritime Museum, a wander around the large selection or shops or sample some of the many fantastic places to eat you will be spoilt for choice.  We ate at Gylly’s Beach Café and what a treat it was.  We enjoyed people watching from our table – there were even people in the sea!  I had a divine hot chocolate with lashings of cream and marshmallows followed by chilli and nachos.  It was scrumptious.  Richard (pictured) had the burger and said it was delicious.  The chips I nabbed were very tasty indeed.



We do have some last minute availability in the cottages over half term.  If you fancy a last minute break in Cornwall please do get in touch with Judith.

The month for love, snowdrops and pancakes!

Can you believe it is almost February - the year is whizzing by already.

We may be biase but Cornwall really is a romantic place to be.  You can wander on desserted beaches; explore lost woodlands or admire the lambs leaping in the fields (which I spotted on the way to Tregongeeves on Sunday, I promise to get a picture as soon as I can!).

Here are a few walks which we think are super romantic if you fancy a stroll this valentines day:

Gribbin Head, Cornwall (4.5 miles)
This area of headland just west of Fowey is famed for its association with Daphne du Maurier, who lived for many years at Menabillly at Gribbin Head and used it as a model for Manderley in her novel Rebecca. The South West Coast Path traverses the peninsula and combines breathtaking natural beauty with wildlife and unique heritage.

Porthcurno and Penberth, Cornwall (3 miles)
A romantic cliff walk high above turquoise seas and sandy coves, passing a tiny harbour and a promontory fort from prehistoric times. The area is immortalised by the author Rosamunde Pilcher in The Shell Seekers.

Sennen Cove & Land’s End (3 miles)
This is a bracing walk across the farmland above Sennen Cove, returning around the rugged and romantic coastline from Land’s End with its sandy beach and hidden caves. The lost land of Atlantis was once thought to lie offshore and the mythical world of Lyonesse is believed to have drowned just a few miles off the tip of the land. The legend and its Arthurian connections are immortalised in the poetry of Alfred Lord Tennyson, describing it as the site where King Arthur fought his last battle, while long before him Thomas Mallory asserted that it was the birthplace of Tristan.

Snowdrop Sunday
If you fancy taking in nature this February why not visit Pencarrow House for Snowdrop Sunday.  A wander around the privately owned estate is a real treat.  You can warm yourself up with a well deserved bowl of soup at the estate cafe.

Shrove Tuesday
How do you like your pancakes?  In the village of St Columb each Shrove Tuesday sees the 'Hurling of the Silver Ball'.  This is a very Cornish tradition so well worth a visit!  We will be enjoying our pancakes made with eggs from our chickens so they will be lovely and yellow.  Yummy!

Short winter days = short breaks at Tregongeeves!

Why not take a short break at Tregongeeves during the short winter and spring months?  Until  the end of April* we are offering you the chance to have a break away to relax, rewind and re charge.

A big selling point on the short breaks at the moment is that you can escape the snow!  We have had a maximum of three flakes over the last week so whilst the rest of the country tentatively skids to work on slippery roads we have been watching the daffodils open and the snowdrops dance.  The stunning blue days have meant we have been on many walks, enjoying soup looking out at Watergate Bay, we have visited The Eden Project, which is incrediably quiet and strolled along the Pentewan Cycle Trail.

Just imagine arriving to find a Cornish breakfast pack in your fridge, crisp white sheets and fluffy towels and settling down to a warm and snuggly cottage.  Once you have relaxed you could stroll over to the pool, read a book in the hot tub or take a wander to see the animals.

After some much deserved R&R why not pop to the local pub for a hearty lunch followed by a walk on the dramatic Cornish coastline?

To find out more visit our short breaks page on the website.

*excludes school holidays

No snow here (yet!)

Whilst the rest of the country is blasted with snow I can confirm we are enjoying stunning winter days with breathtaking blue skies.  On Friday I had a moment that I have only experienced living in Cornwall where you turn a corner and the view takes your breath away. I was pushing a rather overloaded pushchair up a hill, cursing the hill towards Porthpean when I glanced to my left and I could see St Austell bay twinkling in the distance. Smiling to myself I looked over to the right thinking how lucky I was when I noticed I could see pretty much the whole of St Austell too; Cornwall's views just creep up on you sometimes!

Talking of views we had a family day out to Luxulyan Valley on Sunday. Making the most of another stunning blue sky we headed off on a circular walk. The picturesque valley is not that well known - a bit of a locals hidden gem but it is well worth a visit. The stunning woodland walk is like stepping back in time full of Cornwall's industrial heritage including a 'leat', the remains of a water wheel and an impressive viaduct.

It is a little like changing rooms at the cottages at the moment; new sofas have arrived for Lovedays and Corner Cottage whilst Donkey Mill is being painted inside.  Judith and Alison have been very busy coordinating the work and finding the perfect finishing touches.

This time of year is always a muddy one at Tregongeeves with many of the animals being brought in at night to keep them nice and toasty.   I always think the sheep look funny with their very thick coats on and Alice never looks quite as smart with her extra furry coat!  I never realised until Judith educated me about chickens that they don't lay as many eggs during the winter - we do still have plenty for all the guests though.   I am waiting eagerly to hear if there will be any lambs joining us this spring!

I will get into trouble for sharing this with you but last week I was greeted by quite a sight!  I walked round the back of Tregongeeves to find Judith with a pink bobble hat, a green coat,  dirty jeans and her wheelies on wielding a gate - she looked quite a funny site. It turns out Alice had been moved for some fresh grass but the little madam had worked out how to escape and was on her way to the nice green grass at the golf course, so Judith was making a hurdle to stop her escaping!

Fun filled 2013

Hello,
With the turn of a New Year it is hard not to look to the year ahead and think about what exciting events we can put on our crisp new calender in our very best hand writing.  It is such an exciting time scouring the paper and web to see what Cornwall can offer throughout the year...and we were not disappointed.   Below are just a few of the lovely events taking place in 2013 - why not plan a break with us to incorporate one or two of them:

April 

Spring Flower Show – Boconnoc House

Caerhays Castle Open Garden

Trevithick Day, Camborne 

May 

Fowey Festive of Words and Music

Helston Flora Day 

Polo on the beach, Watergate Bay 

Fal River Festival 

June 

Royal Cornwall Show 

Polperro Music and Arts Festival

Mevagissey Feast Week

July 

RNAS Culdrose Air Day

August

Charlestown Regatta Week

Newquay Boardmasters Festival

Fowey Regatta Week

September 

Looe Music Festival

I am sad to tell you we have some bad news - Jack our beloved Golden Retriever passed away last week.  The old chap had been struggling for a while.  He quietly passed away curled up in his basket - the place he loved the most.  Poor Ginny is a little bit lost at the moment so give her a cuddle if you see her.

If you are missing Cornwall don't forget that  Cornwall With Caroline Quentin is back - 8.00pm pm on Monday nights.