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.

Happy New Year!

We would like to wish all our guests, visitors and friends a wonderful 2013  and we look forward to welcoming many of you throughout the coming year.   As with every year it has been a great pleasure welcoming many of you back and meeting many new people.   Whilst you are enjoying this break from work don't forget to book you holidays with us to avoid any disappointment.

We have had a lovely festive season. After preparing the cottages for guests we enjoyed a beautiful family meal on Christmas Eve at Lewinnick Lodge, followed by a lovely family meal on Christmas Day at Richard & Heidi's whe we seemed to eat the whole of Cornwall's cheese supply.

As I write this I am in fact in Norfolk visiting my family (I am a born and breed Norfolk girl who has married into a born and breed Cornish family). But I am looking forward to returning home to walk along the coast path, visit the star gazing event at The Eden Project and sample the new tapas bar -The Boathouse in Charlestown.

Whatever you have planned over the coming weeks we wish you a Happy New Year

The Clemo Family.

Why not spend Christmas with us?

We still have Donkey Mill Cottage available at Christmas so why not relax, unwind and make the most of the stunning Cornish coast this festive season?  To find out more visit our website or call Judith on 01726 68202 - it promises to be a fantastic family Christmas!

I am pleased to report the donkey shelter is fully built now and the donkeys are loving their new home.  I will confess that I didn't have my wellies with me so I haven't managed to get a picture but I will do very soon.

Cornwall has hit the headlines in the last few days thanks to the terrible weather.  I am not going to lie to you - it has been horrendous.  The worst weather for sometime. I am very pleased to report we managed to avoid any flooding and only a few fence panels came loose.  It was though touch and go on Saturday night.  Judith and John were working in horrid conditions filling sand bags to protect the cottages, but their hard work paid off thank goodness.

We have now turned out attentions to our winter work.  Currently we are refurbishing Lovedays Cottage ready for Christmas.  Judith and Alison are chief interior designers and spend a lot of time trawling local fabric shops to get just the right material and furnishings for each cottage.

Preparations under way for the navity - so why not join us at Christmas?

Work never stops at Tregongeeves and our latest project is preparing for a navity in the paddock.  Richard and George, supervised by Judith have been busy building a shelter for the donkeys.  The shelter is a bit of a challege especially as it is being built on a slope.  Someone forgot to shut the chickens away so they have left their foot prints in the freshly laid concrete...at least it will stop the donkeys slipping.

John & Judith had a wonderful holiday away, fully refershed and rearing to go again.  I am sure Judith will show you her pictures if you ask the next time to are visiting.

Half Term was lovely here, the weather was kind to the guests.  We had some lovely carved pumkins and the winners of the quiz were Evie and Morgan who stayed in Quakers.

Our thoughts now turn to the festive period.  There is so many lovely things to go to in Cornwall in the run up to Christmas; whether it is ice skating at The Eden Project, carols at The Lost Garden of Heligan, Fowey Chritsmas Market or the Padstow Food Festive which is attracting more and more top chefs.

Judith is taking to being a Granny like a duck to water, which none of us are surprised about given her amazing ability to entertain children.  She is pictured giving Jessica some milk opposite, she is also in full charge as I type, giving me full use of my arms for a short while!

We have had some very sad news, unfortunately Wilma, one of our sheep recently passed away.  She sadly got an infection which we were unable to treat.  Alice has also been on stable rest as I mentioned last time after a run in with a bigger horse, however she is recovering well and getting back to her cheeky self.

Don't forget we offer short breaks here throughout the winter.  As I type right now the skies are bright blue and there is a lovely crispness in the air.  Cornwall is lovely all year round, but I think it is even more special in the winter.  You can also find details of some fantastic offers we have over the Christmas period.

Half term Halloween Fun

Tregongeeves is all set for the Halloween Half Term Fun.  Next week younger visitors are invited to take part in a pumpkin carving competition (I will be carving mine over the weekend!).  There is also a Half Term Quiz to see how much the young guests can find out about Tregongeeves - some quiz clues might even be within the blog!

Judith and John continue to enjoy their trip away in South America - tomorrow they fly to Brazil having been in Peru.  In the meantime their children Alison and Richard are holding the fort at Tregongeeves - anyone arriving this weekend will get to meet Alison if you have not met her before.

There are lots of things for you to enjoy across Cornwall during half term.  Why not visit Halloweden at The Eden Project - their ice skating rink is now open, a real winter treat.  Or if you fancy braving ghosts then why not visit Pendennis Castle near Falmouth followed by a trip to the Maritime Museum.

If animals are more your thing then a trip to Newquay Zoo would be a great day out. There are also a whole host of seals awaiting your visit at the Seal Sanctuary near Helston.

Talking of animals Alice the Shetland Pony is on stable rest after a run in with a much bigger horse.  She is healing well and loves company in the stable.  In fact since she has not been able to roll around in the mud she is looking rather glamorous!  The chickens are in the dog house so to speak at the moment as they are not laying many eggs - maybe they are missing Judith?!  Jack and Ginnie are being looked after by Mo & Eric while Judith is away so you may see them around the cottages if you visit.  Jack has had a short back and sides and looks more like a puppy now rather the old fella he is.

We hope you enjoy half term where ever you are.

Judith has disappeared!

Hello,

Sorry there has been a bit of time since our last post - the summer has flown for us all down here, especially since the new addition joined the family.  However Granny Judith has eagerly volunteered to look after her new grandchild every week which will mean more regular updates about what is happening here and around Cornwall.  However as I write this blog today I have a wriggly little person my lap which means i can't put in the usual links!

Anyone visiting in the next few weeks will notice a big difference - no Judith!  Judith and John are on a very well deserved holiday in South America - a real adventure of a holiday.  Mo and Eric are living in the house and have the massive task of looking after all the animals including the dogs Ginnie and Jack whilst they are away.

This week Cornwall has been bashed by the weather like the rest of country - this morning on the news we heard that some of Mevagissey has been flooded.  Despite the wind and rain, it is still really warm here and in between the showers we have had glorious blue skies.

Cornwall has so much on offer even when it is raining - locally there is the ship wrecked centre in Charlestown - the museum that time forgot!  Or you could get an annual pass for The Eden Project and visit the Biomes on a rainy day and go back another day to enjoy the outside gardens.  St Austell also has a bowling alley and lovely cinema.  Or for you brave souls don your water proofs and visit the Camel Trail.  We did this Sunday - if you start from the Borough Arms, which has a huge car park and does a great carvery you can walk through the sheltered valley admiring the Camel Valley Vineyard.