Enjoying days outs

I have been lucky enough to go on lots of outings this week as my parents have been down visiting.  As an annual pass holder at Heligan we were back there again.  A short car journey away,  Heligan really is a great day out - I know I rave about it a lot, but right now the flowers are sensational and with it being pretty quiet you can visit without seeing hardly a soul.  We also ventured up to The Eden Project.  We only popped into the shop for lunch and a few sovereigns for my parents to take home - but the gardens were looking beautiful - again the daffodils are a delight right now with so many different and interesting varieties out.  Don't forget though if you are planning a visit to book your tickets online, or search for an offer as it is pretty pricey to get in.  If you are a National Trust Member you can get in half price for example.

We also had our first ever trip to Trebah Gardens.  Over near Falmouth the gardens are well loved by young and old with a stunning selection of plants coupled with a brilliant children's play area.  The walk down to the beach is magical - a real must if in Cornwall.

I was also spoilt on the food front with a lunch out at the Duchy Nursery.  I love the Duchy; the plants are stunning, and I always have to stop myself spending a fortune - and as for the food.  Well it is delicious.  You have to get there early to nab a table but even if you have to wait the food is well worth it.  As you arrive you are greeted by the smell of a roaring log fire and a huge selection of cakes.  The millionaires shortbread (by which I judge most tea rooms) is one of the best I have tasted - worth a visit just for that!

No blog would be complete without a weather update.  It is good news I am pleased to say.  After a very long wet period we have been enjoying wonderful warm days and stunning blue skies.  It is so strange not going out for the day without layers and layers of coats.  It really feels like spring is on the way and with the nights really drawing out there is a real buzz in the air that we can finally start thinking about the summer in front of us.

I also need to mention the animals.  There has been no more escaping pigs for now, I feared for their future at Tregongeeves if they kept terrorising Judith!  We have a chicken decided to sit on her eggs in the donkey house - hopefully we might have some chicks in a few weeks.  Judith is borrowing an incubator to hopefully hatch what she calls 'brown eggs' - ask her about them when you see her, they make lovely chickens and eggs.  As for everyone else, they are all okay, enjoying the new lush grass that is starting to grow and making the most of the lovely weather.

Spring has sprung

The daffodils are out and there is a real spring in our step!  Especially in Ronnie and Ruby's step who have yet again escaped.  They just like company and also like to make Judith work harder than normal!  We have yet more new arrivals.  We have new hens, rescued locally, they are already earning their keep and laying some lovely eggs for us, we have missed fresh eggs so much.

After a pretty hard winter Cornwall really is beginning to flourish with bulbs out, and glorious sun rises and sun sets.  It is in fact our most favourite time of year to go and visit all the gardens that are within easy reach of Tregongeeves.  We were at The Eden Project over half term and had a lovely time searching for seeds and making seed bombs.  Then at Heligan we has great fun with the adorable lambs on show.  More recently Judith had a well deserved day off enjoying a leisurely stroll around Fowey.  The pretty fishing village is home to some delightful tea rooms and restaurants and has a lovely selection of shops, many of which are independent.