Cotehele

This is one of the most lovely views from the garden of Cotehele, a Tudor manor on the edge of Cornwall. It is owned by the National Trust, but was once the home of the Edgcumbe family. Here one looks over the Calstock valley, with the viaduct taking centre place behind the wonderful planting of trees and bushes.

You can see the dovecote with its circular roof, tucked in amongst the Rhododendrons. In Tudor times it was used to house the doves who were to be on the menu, not so today. There is a flock of doves, but they are fed by the staff, rather than eaten!
This is the terrace of the house, looking over the valley.

I was delighted to see that swathes of wildflowers had been left, even though parts of the lawns had been cut. There were Campions, Bluebells and Lady's Lace, all giving that wonderful wild flower scent into the warm air.

We spent a happy day here doing as much as we could. It has been made easy now with disabled access, and each room has a seat, with a green cushion, where people are allowed to sit to admire the beautiful tapestries hung on the walls.

So many lovely places to explore!

Dartmoor.

Dartmoor, such a beautiful, rugged moorland.

We spent four days here last week, staying in a Bed and Breakfast near Tavistock.

We continue to wait for completion on our house, and it seemed a good time to take a short break.

Everywhere there were sheep with their lambs. Here we stood on a high spot and looked way over the distance.
At the end of a road is Dartmeet, where you can sit for a while by this lovely river, bubbling its way over the stones.

We drove over the moors several times, and realised how easy it would be to get lost if one was a walker.

Beautiful, but dangerous.

A ferry crossing.

Just below the National Trust gardens of Trelissick lies this stretch of water, which divides the Truro side from the Roseland peninsula. There has always been the 'King Harry Ferry ' here for as long as I can remember. As a child, when there was only a rickety ferry there, I used to cycle on to it with my mother, on a day's picnic trip to St Mawes. I think it cost pennies to cross in those days.

Now the ferry is very sophisticated, though still chain driven. It has a viewing area and even a public loo. It costs £4.00 each way ! It is still one of my favourite trips across the water.
This little cottage lies just above the ferry on the hill as one drives down to the water's edge. I remember being able to buy ice cream cornets there, many years ago. Not now. but still , happy memories of a cycle ride over the water, ice cream firmly in hand and picnic packed in my mum's bicycle basket.
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The flame arrives!

There has been a lot of Council gardening activity around Truro this week.

Roundabouts have had beds dug out and replanted.

Verges have been trimmed. Miles of bunting has been hung.

Truro has been getting ready for the arrival of the Olympic Flame.

The torch began its journey from Lands End, flown in by air.

It made its way through various towns in Cornwall, accompanied by crowds of waving people.

Watching it on Television this morning wasnt terribly exciting. We saw the rear`of the coach travelling from Falmouth to Truro, (half an hour late). One or two people stood at the side of the road waving.

But how different when it arrived in the city and the first runner took the torch down the long hill into the city. She was a teenager, who then handed it over to a popular disabled postman.

Hundreds of people thronged round the bodyguards as they processed into the main part of the city. Apparently many had been sitting on camping stools since early morning.
After the torch had passed through on its journey, Truro had celebrations and community events going on for the rest of the day....circus workshops, balloon modelling, theatre and sports parades were all planned through till 5pm.

We went for a quiet walk in Trelissick gardens!

Onward.

I shall miss this lovely place.

This weekend we say good bye to our little holiday cottage...with some sadness.

We have been able to rest and relax here. We have watched squirrels hopping along the path, climbing up to the bird table. We have enjoyed the flock of white doves that have swirled around the trees. We have wandered along the river path, and watched anxiously as the water reached abnormal heights.

But now we have signed the contract on our new house. We wait still for the completion date, hoping it wont be too long, and we are off to stay with a dear friend on the Roseland peninsula.

Soon, soon.....I hope we shall be unpacking our own furniture.

Memories of Helston Flora

Tomorrow, 8th May, is traditionally Helston Flora Day here in Cornwall. The little town of Helston comes alive to the sounds of brass bands, music and dancing. The streets are decorated with flowers , and the shops have greenery around their frontages. The Fair sets up in the bottom of the town, and revelry begins.

As a child it was so exciting to go to the Flora day. We caught a bus to Helston early in the morning, and walked into the town to find a good place to stand to watch the 10 am childrens dance. I remember standing by the bakery and smelling the wonderful new bread and Cornish pasty scents drifting around!

The brass band came marching down the street follwed by the children, and at the rear there was always a man carrying a radio also playing the taped music.

All the children wear white, the girls in pretty dresses, the boys in white shirts and trousers with their school tie. They are from the local schools.
Just before midday we used to race down through the town to a quiet little park by a lake. My mother would have made a picnic, and we found a place to sit on the grass while we waited for the midday dance.
This is led by a couple who have traditionally been born in Helston. Wonderful ball dresses are worn, with hats that rival anything seen at Ascot. A buttonhole of Lily of the Valley is worn, Helston's flower.
How excited we were when the dancers swept into the little park and danced round the lake!
We didnt always stay for the final dance at 5 pm...and sadly were never allowed to go to the fair! It would be fun to revisit, but things have changed, and crowded streets arent so easy now.

Cornish gardens

This week we have braved the awful rainy weather and wandered through the bluebells at Enys Gardens. Bluebell week is eagerly looked forward to by locals, and there were quite a few people enjoying the blueness.

Enys is thought to be one of the oldest gardens in Cornwall, mentioned in 1709 in 'Magna Britannia'. The Enys family have lived here since 1272, but it is now held as a Trust.

Isn't that carpet of blue just amazing?

(not my photo, camera stayed at home,

taken by Lauren Hogan)

Today we have pottered around the National Trust gardens of Trelissick, overlooking the Fal river, where many years ago we used to sail.

It wasn't sunny but neither was it raining so there were plenty of visitors enjoying the gardens, and taking coffee in the Courtyard Cafe, under the beautiful Wisteria.
So lovely to meet friends for Coffee and to wander through the garden.