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.