The Real Cornwall

Cornwall, a holiday for many and a home to others but why do we all love it so much? There’s so many reasons, it’s impossible to list them all but one thing I particularly value is the great local produce that’s available year on year. From bacon for your breakfast to the world-famous clotted cream, we’ve got the very best produce right here in Cornwall.

If you’ve stayed at Tregongeeves before you’ll have had the pleasure of trying some of the best Cornish produce in your welcome pack.  We think it’s about time to shine some light on those responsible for producing such tasty food. 

Niles Bakery: You can always rely on the team at St Austell to provide you with a nice fresh loaf or if you’re feeling like a sweet treat their pastries are on a whole new level of deliciousness.

TrewithenDairy Farm: As their slogan says “Happy Healthy Cornish Cows” and if that wasn’t enough to put a smile on your face, the creamy taste that runs throughout their produce definitely will be.

Kittow’sButchers: Famous for their sausages, this award-winning butchers is based just down the road at Kilhallon Farm in Par. They are the ideal of a family business and if you like you can even follow their blog to find out what’s going down on the farm including how Laudamus, the Pedigree Ruby Red Devon Cow, is getting on with all his wives.

These are only a few of our favourite producers - we haven't even mentioned all the amazing fishing folk! -  but it's thanks to them that our guests get a delicious taster of real Cornwall. 

Say hello to our new arrivals

I feel it’s only right that this week’s post begins with a bit of appreciation for the fine British weather, hasn't it been glorious? All the animals up here at Tregongeeves have been very glad to enjoy a spot of sunbathing, however for a few it is a long awaited experience.

We’ve recently welcomed a few new additions to our farm in the form of 18 chickens that were very much in need of some TLC. Sadly, these chickens had spent their lives in cages in a battery farm; can you imagine never seeing the great outdoors? Don’t worry though, thanks to the British Hen Welfare Trust we were able to give them a new home right here at Tregongeeves.

In just under two weeks they’ve settled right in with the other chickens and are even ruling the show a little bit! It’s so lovely to see them stomping around the field knowing that grass is a totally new experience and although they don’t look 100% yet, they’re well on their way.

Keep checking our Tregongeeves news to find out how these chickens are getting on in their new walk of life.

animal antics expected

I don't want to count my chickens too soon but I expect some animal antics over the next ten days as Richard and I have moved into Tregongeeves whilst Judith and John take a well deserved holiday to Ireland.  Usually there is some sort of animal antics  - I moved the children and me in at about 10am, we went and did our animal inspection, and by 11am I have noticed that a chicken has managed to escape their paddock and is currently down by the house.  This is not good.  Chicken catching is one of my least favorite activities, especially with a two year old as a helpful helper and a five month attached to me!    Other than escaping chickens everyone else looked good; Alice is much better after recovering from a sore eye, the pigs were in good voice grunting for a carrot and the sheep looked a bit disgruntled about the slightly damp weather.

I was every excited to spy a healthy helping of blackberries waiting for us to pick and the elder bushes full of berries - I am hoping to make elderberry juice.  Jessica on the other hand was every excited to spy the trampoline, swings and slide; luckily I managed to distract her long enough to get past them without too much of a fuss.  If you are staying over the next couple of weeks we look forward to meeting you and showing you around the animals.

Last week we had a great train adventure.  We went for lunch at Lanhydrock - a beautiful national trust property.  The House is one of the finest examples of upstairs downstairs living - it is really lovely.  We went to the new cafe at the huge bike centre and had lunch there.  We enjoyed one of nicest hot chocolates I have had in a long time - it was HUGE.  If you do go make sure you read the menu board just inside the door - we missed that and missed the seasonal soup.  We ended up having homemade burgers which were delicious.  After lunch we hopped in the car and drove a mile down the road to Respryn and walked the path up to Bodmin Parkway Station.  With a train obsessed child this was brilliant - we got to see two normal trains and the steam train part of the Bodmin and Wenford Railway - a real treat.  It was spotting with rain but this didn't matter as the walk is tree lined so we were well protected.  This will be a brilliant walk over the autumn and winter months and is buggy friendly.

Last week we had not one but two trips to The Lost Gardens of
Heligan.  Mainly because of the piglets.  They are adorable - there are two litters there and the mothers are working very hard to keep all the hungry mouths full! It really is worth a visit.  Obviously we had to sample the cake just to make sure the cake was up to the usual standard.  It was!

'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.