Off to Devon

We've been to Devon for a day. (Cornwall is on the West side of the map)

Friends of ours from France have come over for a few days, staying in Tavistock, on the edge of the Moor, so we drove off to meet them.

It takes about an hour and a half to reach Tavistock, crossing the River Tamar on the border of Cornwall and Devon. Tavistock has a daily Pannier Market, licensed in 1105 by Henry 1.

We didnt have time today to go in there, but I know the stalls are many and fascinating, with everything from antiques to home made cheeses.

It's a pretty little town, dating from at least the 10th century, set on the River Tavy, from which comes the name Tavistock. One of its most famous citizens was Francis Drake who was born here in 1540.

We spent a happy lunch time meeting with our friends, caught up on the chat about our old village, collected the large box of shopping they had brought for us (coffee, more coffee...and yes, just a few bottles of red wine) We are delighted that we 'll be seeing more of them soon, as they have sold their house in Brittany and are hoping to buy a house in North Cornwall.

On our return journey we stopped off at Morwhellam Quay, about which more later.

Steam's up!

Some time ago I arranged a little surprise for my husband's birthday. He loves steam trains....what man of a certain age doesn't?! We have the Bodmin and Wenford Railway not far away, and one of their special trips is on a Dinner train, a steam train, naturally.

The tables were beautifully laid with pretty red cloths, lamps and a posy of flowers. There was a real 1950s nostalgia about it.

As we sat down the sound of the engine could be heard, swathes of smoke and steam wafting past the windows. The smell brought back so many memories! To those of us who were used to travelling by steam train it was a wonderful trip back in time.
We passed the little restored signal box, in which you could see all the levers waiting to be pulled. The sheds nearby housed other engines.





We chugged along the line for a couple of hours whilst a very good dinner was served. The train was full and the waiting staff were kept very busy running up and down with trays of drinks. (One lovely moment when one of the sweet Cornish waitresses stood in the aisle and yelled down, 'Allright my 'ansomes, then? All got what you want, have you?')




This little railway runs all sorts of special trips, some especially for children , featuring Paddington Bear, Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam. There is a Jazz train, and even Santa by Steam in December!


Volunteers work hard with cleaning, preparing, ticketing and just helping to secure the long term future of the railway.
We so enjoyed our trip into the past.

Compliment??

We've just been to our lawyer's office to sign our new wills.

During a discussion afterwards, I mentioned that I would be downloading some information about powers of attorney.

'Ah', he said, leaning back in his chair and smiling kindly,

' I think you are probably one of the most computer savvy of my elderly clients'.

Ohhhhh.....

Roses, roses....

We found a new (to us) Rose nursery today. not far away . On the edge of a village called Mitchell, lies the Cornish Rose Garden. It's a sister nursery to Pocock's Rose garden in Romsey, Hampshire, and was opened five years ago because they were sending so many roses 'down' to Cornwall.

We had gone to look for a red climber for the front of the house.

This is Dancing Queen, not at all red, but irresistible, pink and perfumed and just made for our house.

Naturally, we couldnt stop there, and my husband picked out a very beautiful Floribunda rose called Dr Jo. The perfume is incredible, and we love the peachy-apricot colour.
You may remember from my French garden, that I cannot resist roses.
So here we go again, continuing our collection, adding to generous gifts from friends and family. (Graham Thomas, gold; Sensation, stripy; Fascination, pink ; and The Shepherdess, blush pink)
More to come, I expect, having found such a lovely Nursery.

Go away!

Years ago nuisance calls used to be from people trying to persuade us to buy double glazing, or a conservatory. I still have the odd call from an 'energy provider', always asking to speak to my husband. I do wonder why a female isn't considered worthy of a discussion on energy?' Now, almost every day, I have an automated call which begins, sharply and loudly,

'Hello. This is an urgent call regarding your PPI.'

This is all due to the fact that many banks mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance schemes, which we have never had. Though with the amount of calls coming in , I'm beginning to wonder if we did, and have no memory of it!

The easiest way to deal with the calls is to switch off, but I have heard that many people have resorted to screams, whistles, bad language etc.

Easier just to ignore, I think.

Out of hibernation....

Back on track again with a new project.

I have started 'work' as a volunteer in the second hand bookshop at Trelissick Gardens, our nearby National Trust place. I didn't want to take tickets, or work in the gift shop, and since they now have a new bookshop for second hand books, I asked if I could sign up there. Due to my husband's health issues I only do a two hour lunch time relief, so I'm not away long.

(Photo courtesy of National Trust Trelissick website, as my camera is broken.)

I started today, fondly imagining a quiet two hours serving people, helping them choose books, and sorting a few things out. Oh no! I spent two hours heaving boxes and boxes of hundreds of donated books around, taking books off shelves, replacing them with new ones, and sorting through old ones unfit for lending. Oh, I did also learn to work the till, after a fashion, though even that had its scary moments. ('wail.....I've pressed all the buttons, why won't the drawer open??')

As it was a sunny day, my husband came along and had a short walk around part of the garden, where it is flat and safe, and then had a coffee in the cafe.

I think it's going to be fun.

Image...'Sleeping mouse, by Alison Blackwell.

Having a couple of days off.

Things to do, letters to write, people to see.......

Maybe I'll just sleep, like the mouse!

Very special post box.

We are rather pleased in this corner of the world. Ben Ainslie, who scooped the gold medals, sailing what looked to be a very tiny craft, grew up at the end of Restronguet Creek. At the head of the creek is a 13th century Inn, very famous, known as 'The Pandora Inn'.

In the wall is a red post box.

No longer red, as the Royal Mail are painting postboxes gold in the locality of the winner's home. Isnt that a great idea!

The Pandora Inn lies right on the waterside. Amazingly, it was burnt to the ground two years ago, but has been restored exactly as it was. The local people are thrilled to have it up and running again.



West Country Televsion caught the moment on camera, and it was shown on the local news that night. Well done Ben!

A few days ago we went to a little tearoom nearby. This is situated in a garden at the far far end of a lane. You would never know it existed except for the welcoming signs. It is only open on fine days as it is all outside in this wonderful cottage garden overlooking the Falmouth waters. The cottage was derelict when the now owners found it. It dates back to the 12th century and has been beautifully restored by them.
As you enjoy your Cornish cream tea or the light lunch, you can sit out under the shade of a parasol and gaze out at the stunning views. The scent of the roses in the flower beds wafts across the lawns.
In this photo you can just see the water in the distance.

There are so many little discoveries to make down the tiny Cornish lanes.

Back to 'normal'.

What a birthday!

At the end of my birthday day I feel so blessed to have had my lovely family around. My daughter from Canada, now on her way back, my son and his wife and grandson, my 'extra' daughter in law, with our grandaughter. What more could I have asked? A room full of beautiful birthday cards, a cake, flowers, gifts from near and far....

We fitted in time to talk, time to shop (Marks and Spencers of course), time to visit friends, time to go out for meals, even time to revisit my daughter's old Convent school which is now being rebuilt as a state of the art University campus.

Now, feet up, watching a bit more of the Olympics, then an early night.

Thank you for all your kind comments and good wishes.