Sad news

Hello there,


I am afraid we have some sad news.  Fraser, the shetland pony is no longer with us.  He passed away in late September having had terrible problems with his feet.  After consultation with the vet over a number of months we decided it was kinder on him if he was put to sleep as he could hardly walk on his feet.  It is always an agonising decision to have to make especially when we loved him so much and so many people were so fond of him.  He leaves behind Alice, who it seems is coping remarkably well.  She has been moved in with Spoldge the pig for the time being to keep her company, but she remains her usual cheeky self.


I also have to report that two of the donkey's are also under the weather.  One is lame, and one is just very down in the dumps, so the vet (who we seem to be keeping busy) has run some blood tests to see if he can pin point the problem.  For the time being both donkeys are being kept in a stable to try and give them time to recover, and to make it easier for the vet when he visits.


You may have seen the west on the news today, we have been fit by some torrential rain which has flooded a few places locally.  Luckily we were not floode, so just kept in the warm all day.  It is quite a change in the weather, we spent Saturday and Sunday on the beach.  Saturday we walked from River Valley Holiday Park, down the Pentewan cycle train to Pentewan, where we had a coffee on the beach, it was absolutely stunning with the rough seas.


Cornwall is busy this week with the half term holidays, which means that there are lots of extra things happening across the county from ghost tours at Pendennis Castle, to trails in Cardiham Woods, food foraging at Heligan to Ice skating at Eden, there really is something for everyone.

Sun glorious sun!

Hopefully you have also been blessed with this wonderful weather this weekend too.  It has been stunning down here in Cornwall and we have loved making the most of it.  We ventured to the North coast last week to St Agnes where the waves were crashing in with glorious sunshine.  I a took a picture of the surfers - pictured right.

I am pleased to report that our stay at Tregongeeves finished without too many other adventures.  The chickens persisted on trying to stay up later than they should, but I managed to get them in in the evenings.  The dogs and I had some lovely walks, apart from the night it rained.  After a five mile walk in the pelting rain we were all soaked.  So much so we had to bring Jack in next to the Aga and dry him off with a towel just to stop him shivering.  The next day I took them down to River Valley where both dogs decided being wet was the way forward...I had both of them in the River, which made for very smelly dogs in the back of the car!

My Mum and Dad have been visiting for a week, during their stay Judith treated us to one of home homemade pasties.  I think I have mentioned before she struggles to make small ones, to prove it I took a picture to show you.  I have to say they were delicious!

Judith's sister, Jacky is hosting a two day sale down at  River  Valley Storage units, behind River Valley on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 October, 10am-4pm.  The sale includes outdoor clothes and lovely gift items.  I shall also be there with my ice cream bike selling refreshments so do pop in for a look.

We are pleased to report the Kings Wood Restaurant has reopened under new management.  Having visited we can confirm the food is very good.  We ventured there last weekend for Judith's birthday.  I won't tell you her age, but it was a significant mile stone!  The Kings Wood is in London Apprentice, the next village along from Polgooth.  Serving local food in lovely surroundings it is well worth a visit.

I noticed the other days adverts for Christmas markets around Cornwall, which seems odd when it is so hot!  The markets down here are always very festive and a lovely treat to visit.  There is Fowey Christmas Market, Padstow Christmas Market, Carols at Christmas at Pendennis Castle, Santa by Steam in Bodmin or the Victorian Christmas Fair in Truro.

How do you out-wit a chicken?

Well this week you will notice a big change at Tregongeeves...we have moved in!  Only temporarily, Judith and John are away with friends for the week.  It means I am in charge of the ever increasing animals!  Last night Ginnie (the black lab), Alice (the Shetland) and I had to hide around the corner as a rather naughty chicken kept seeing me coming when I was trying to shut them up for the night before Dr Martin started.  Every time I went near the run the chicken got all the other chickens out of their house.  In the end we out witted them and got them in before the start of my programme.  Bloomin' things!  Hopefully that will be the only story to tell from the week....


Opposite is a picture of Martha and Evie feeding the chickens last week.  They had a lovely week helping out move the animals around and they met the blacksmith we mentioned last week.


Last week I mentioned about the start of the food festival in Cornwall, this is followed by music festivals in October.  In October you can catch the Penzance Proms or why not pop along to the Lowender Peran Festival in late October - a festival celebrating all things Cornish!  I think Richard would like this as he has started going to Cornish lessoons every week.  Now to help spread this dying language I shall include a few words each week.  Dydh da, fatla genes?  Which means 'Hello, how are you?'.


This weekend sees a family fun day Griggs, the local outdoor shop.  The day promises to be fun for all the family.


We has a shock on Saturday when two different people arrived for the same cottage.  It turned out one guest had confused their weeks and in fact arrived a week early.  Luckily we were able to accommodate them in one of five star caravans at River Valley, but it does now mean we have Corner Cottage available at very short notice.  If you are interested in booking the cottage, then please call Alison or Richard (01726 73533) and mention you read about it on the blog.  The cottage is available for the week for £300.

The craft of the blacksmith

I am not going to lie to you, the weather has taken a little bit of an autumn turn over the last few days.  I have given up predicting whether it will get warm again, but I can confirm the leaves are taking on the most beautiful colours already.  Autumn is such a wonderful season, bringing with it stunning colours and a quieter Cornwall.


With the schools back this week, Cornwall seems to step down a gear, meaning it is a wonderful time to visit.  We still have some availability throughout the Autumn months so why not pop down and have a rest? I think Judith would agree that a walk along a windy beach, followed by a lovely meal in the village pub really is a good way to send the afternoon.  You can now borrow our dogs; Jack and/or Ginnie if you would like to have a hound as company - just after Judith when you arrive.


At this time of year my mind starts planning good hearty feast ad food is one of my favourite subjects!  It is food festival season in Cornwall over the coming months, with the finale being the Cornwall Food and Drink Festival starting on Friday 23rd September.  Also coming up is the Newquay Fish Festival, St Mawes Fish Festival, Boscastle Food and Arts Festival and the Falmouth Oyster Festival, all worth a visit.


I am pleased to report that Tom is back in full health, Judith was meant to go out riding with Alison this evening but got side tracked helping us move yet more boxes (obviously we are very grateful she got side tracked!).  This week the blacksmith visited the stables, a real craftsman.  Opposite is the picture we managed to snap with Judith and some guests.


I have noticed that older blogs disappear off this page, if you would like to read any of the older blogs please visit the page I post them on, you can subscribe to the blog here too so you never miss an update!

Bank Holiday brings the sun out

The weather has turned for the better down here in Cornwall.  We have had blue skies since Saturday and it looks here to stay (hopefully!).  


I was pleased to met someone today who reads the blog and is staying in the cottages this week...it is always nice to know we have readers!  I should explain that the blogs have been a bit sporadic the last few weeks as Richard and I have moved into a house (from the temporary caravan we were in).  Turns our peak holiday season is not the best time to move, but we are in now and things are slowly returning to normal.


For the last few months there have been just two donkeys at Tregongeeves; Bob and Blossom have had a little holiday at River Valley.  They will be returning this week, so there will be once again four donkeys in the front paddock.  Judith has had yet more bad luck with Tom, her horse, he had now developed a cough which cut short a ride last week, hopefully he will be fighting fit again soon.  Thankfully Judith has been helped out this week lots with willing egg collectors and Splodge feeders!


Last week Richard took a trip to the St Austell Brewery for a tour.  He has been wanting to go for a while, and it certainly did not disappoint.  The inside tour is perfect for a rainy day, informing you on how the beer is made with an interesting and funny tour, followed by a little bit of tasting afterwards! (I think there may have been a bit more than a little tasting going on!!)


Tregongeeves is situated perfectly to reach so many nice places to eat.  The Polgooth is nearest pub, in the village.  It is within walking distance, although there is a big hill to contend with, however eat and drink enough and you will not notice.  A short drive away in Gorran is the Barley Sheaf, a newly opened family run pub (a favourite of Judith's at the moment), or why not try the Kings Arms at Tregony - great home cooked food.


Tomorrow Judith is cooking pasties for us all.  They really are an experience.  I have started starving myself already as Judith is unable to make small pasties, only very, very large ones!  Whilst visiting you have to experience a 'real pasty'.  According to locals Rowe's is the best pasty maker, which you can get hold of in St Austell town.


If you fancy a short break in Cornwall this Autumn, don't forget you could pop down to River Valley Holiday Park.  Our 5 star caravan and camping site is well equipped with in door swimming pool, bike hire and children's play area.  Prices start from £30 a night (minimum of three nights).  Give Alison or Richard a call for more information on 01726 73533

time 'flies' when you are having fun

My, my, where has the time gone this past few weeks?  We have been flat out at Tregongeeves and River Valley.  Both the cottages and the holiday park have been full, and on top of that my twin borther and his girl friend have been visiting.  That has meant Richard and I have taken a few days out to share some Cornish delights with them.

Last week was the Fowey Regatta.  We popped over to see the Red Arrows before their tragic accident.  We then went over to Sam's on the Beach at Polkerris for a late supper - the food was amazing, and the sunset was pretty good too!

 Last Sunday we look the train from St Erth, into St Ives.  It was a stunning day, making St Ives look as wonderful as ever.  After a stroll and a well deserved afternoon tea (lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam) we whizzed the short drive over to St Michael's Mount.

I spent a bit of time up with the animals at Tregongeeves this week.  Declan is my favourite!  If you stand in the field in front of the paddocks and call his name he comes running.  He loves it if you stratch his back - I don't think he can reach himself through all that wool!  He is pictured giving me a little kiss.

come rain or shine you can always have fun in Cornwall!

Richard and I decided to take note of the Blog and go to an outdoor show last week.   We went to see The Death of Sherlock Holmes at The Lost Garden of Heligans.  What an adventure it turned out to be!  We booked the tickets in the morning when the skies were blue.  By the evening fortunes had changed slightly, with the heavens opening.  Wet doesn't really do it justice - we were soaked to the skin.  But, we are British, so we picniced in style, we had a lovely spread with a bottle of Rose to help it go down.  The show was absolutely fantastic.  We have not laughed so much for a long time.  The show is touring all summer, and worth a visit if you get a chance.


This weekend we took the Mevagissey Ferry across to Fowey.  The small ferry takes 35 minutes to cross St Austell bay, it is lovely to see the coast line from a different angle, a thoroughly good day out.  Although I can recommend you don't sit at the back of the boat - I learnt the hard way that it is rather wet at the back (there is a common theme with this blog!)


Talking of Fowey, the Fowey Regatta starts this Sunday, there is a carnival on Wednesday night and the Red Arrows fly down the valley on the Thursday night.  I love the Red Arrows so am very excited about seeing them.


We can also highly recommend the Labyrinth Circus at Eden.  Now I must declare that I work part-time at Eden so I might be slightly bias, but the circus is utterly breath taking.  Not a circus as you know it, it is all on high ropes, and a little abstract but your heart will be in your mouth watching their stunning routine.  Also a handy tip for you, Eden is doing late night evening opening, if you go in after 3.30pm tickets are cheaper, but you can get annual passes so you could go back in your holiday for the full experience.


As I write the skies are lovely and blue, not a cloud in the sky, perfect barbecue weather.  If you are looking for a local butcher - Kittows is the place to go.  Situated opposite Tesco's the family run butchers produces the best sausages and burgers, and also has a large selection of local produce.