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.

New venture keeping us busy and feasts galore

We are not a family to stand still...that is for sure.  As well as Tregongeeves Farm Cottages Judith and John have River Valley Holiday Park and in January they became the proud owners of Little Winnick Touring Park.  Formerly Penhaven Touring Park the site is just a few miles down the road from Tregongeeves and River Valley.  The whole family have been hard at rejuvenating the large touring park to it's former glory.  It has been a labour of love and we are on the final count down to opening next Wednesday.  After her animal duties this morning  Judith whizzed down to Little Winnick to muck in with sorting out toilet blocks, gardening and many other things.  If you fancied camping in Cornwall why not come and stay with us at Little Winnick?

This weekend we were blessed with fantastic sunshine.  In fact Judith already has a Cornish glow about her as we have had some really lovely days recently.  It feels like Cornwall is waking up after a long winter.  It doesn't seem long until the local events we look forward to will get underway.

Why not combine your holiday with one of the many summer celebrations down here?  The Fowey Festival of Music and Words is very popular and attracts some big names talking about their books and lives.  This year you can have an audience with Ruthie Henshall, Tony Hawkes, Ken Livingstone and Kate Humble to name but a few.

If fireworks and carnivals are more your thing then why not visit the Mevagissey Feast Week - it has some of the best fireworks around out over the harbour.  Throughout the whole week there are activities for all the family.  Or there is Charlestown Regatta; highlights include bands on the front, a Donkey Derby and a carnival.

If you love the roar of a plane then why not visit the Fowey Royal Regatta.  The Red Arrows fly through the valley putting on a truly spectacle display.  Throughout the week there are many bands and activities for you to enjoy.

Mud, Mud Glorious mud

Now I think we need a disclaimer in our terms and conditions that we can not be held responsible for how muddy your children may get while out with Judith!  As you will see from the pictures one young visitor decided to get rather covered in mud - all part of the learning process I guess.

There is never a quiet time a Tregongeeves - this week sees the Horse Dentist pay a visit to help spruce the horses up and shortly we will have the black smith in again.  The chickens have started laying again at a fair rate of knots - nothing makes cakes quite like the bantam eggs - not that you will be thinking about baking whilst you are staying here.

Talking of cakes, we have been doing some research for you and can highly recommend The Lost Gardens of Heligan cakes and the food in general.  A new chef has resulted in a new line of cakes.  We walked up the hill from the Pentewan Cycle trail.  It is a steep hill but I managed it with a pushchair and means you can indulge in a cake without feeling the slightest bit guilty.

Judith has been out to the theatre recently, she is a great fan of local groups, but especially the Kneehigh Theatre, a local Cornish troupe who specialise in comedy.  Keep an eye out for their outdoor shows or performances at the Asylum.  Throughout the summer many outdoor spaces are turned into theatres for a short time, but Cornwall is lucky to have an amazing purpose built theatre - The Minack.  It is a bit of a drive away but well worth it -you will not have seen anything like it before.  The Miracle Theatre are my favourites.  Their comedy shows are a breathe of fresh air and come rain or shine an out door show of theirs promises to be a real treat.

Judith's little helpers

The cottages are buzzing with people and children at the moment at the beginning of the Easter holidays.  Judith has been very, very grateful of the gang of helpers this week.  I ventured out this morning with everyone.  We had great fun feeding the the pigs, trying to make sure all the donkeys get food and not just grumpy Bob, we gave Alice a little cuddle who is in a stable to keep warm, we tended to the numerous chickens and visited the sheep who came galloping over.  Phew...there are so many animals to see!

We are certain that warm sun is just around the corner, so much so we have started to plan things to do in April.  Why not visit Cornwall for a short break - we have some availability throughout April.  Whether it is warm or cold spring is defiantly in full force down here with the start of the flower festivals   Why not visit the impressive Cornwall Spring Shower Show at Boconnoc House the 6th - 7th April.

The Tregothnan Estate will be opening it's doors to the public on the 20th-21st April.  This privately owner estate rarely lets the public in.  The yearly opening is a real treat of a garden.

If the sea is more your thing then the new Legends of the Bay; a combination of kite surfing and paddle boarding will be just your event.  Taking place the 27th-28th April at Watergate Bay this promises to be a great event.

 Along with Spring festivals we are also at the beginning of village and town events.  Padstow is famous for their May Day celebrations known locally as 'Obby 'Oss Day.  There is much debate about the origins of the event, however there is no debate about the popularity of this celebration.  The dancing, parade and general celebrations brings thousands to this beautiful fishing village.

Animal fun

Funny things tickle me sometimes - we stayed over a Tregongeeves the other day (a real treat as it is so dark with no street lights)  when we had breakfast in the morning there were big patches where the sheep had been sleeping and the frost had laid around them.  It was so funny to see sheep body prints in the frost!  So I took the opportunity to have a wander round and capture the animals having their breakfast. Take a look at my handy work.

 With Easter around the corner there are plenty of Easter Egg hunts planned around Cornwall.  Cadbury's have teamed up with the National Trust so it promises to be a great Easter Egg Hunt at Lanhydroch and a great day out for the family too.  Or why not visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan for their Easter Egg bonanza which starts daily at 10am.  At Pendennis Castle there is a Easter Egg Trail and craft activities for all the family

If you prefer seeing Peppa and George (I am reliably informed they are from Peppa Pig - we are not at that stage yet!) they will be at Crealy's Great Adventure Park from the 2nd April

Spring is in the air

Yes, spring really is in the air down here in Cornwall!  Yesterday I walked the Pentewan Clay Trail with Jessica in the pushchair - I can confirm I didn't even need a coat.  The lambs were out in force and the trees were full of blossom    It was glorious and toady is more of the same.  With the fields filling up with lambs and daffodils everywhere Cornwall is waking up from the winter.

It is at this time of the year when the Cornish gardens are looking truly stunning (and a lot quieter than the summer).  On Saturday we were at The Eden Project for the Pasty World Championships.   We are lucky enough to go quite frequently, especially as it has such great facilities for children.  I must say the gardens were looking the best I have ever seen with lots of new things for you to explore.  At this time of year Caerhays Estate open their gardens - this private estate is a hidden treasure.  Why not pack a picnic for lunch afterwards?  In The Cornish Guardian paper there is a two for one offer for the gardens at the moment.  Or Pentille Castle is well worth a drive.  The gardens were lost until the next generation took on the project a few years ago.

Tomorrow Judith is treating me to lunch at The Duchy Nursery as we are going for an adventure to Trago Mills then on there for lunch.  The combination of food and plants are one of our favorites! 

A few weeks back I mentioned we had been busy decorating, well it is all finished now.  Judith and Alison along with their team have work exceptionally hard.  Hopefully you will agree that it has been worth all their hard wok.  Pictured is a sneak preview - we will have all the new pictures on the website hopefully by the end of the week.

If you have stayed with us please do leave a review on TripAdvisor - it helps other people when they come to book their holiday, and we love hear about your stay.