Days out - a wander around Fowey and a lovely lunch

With the sun making an appearance I took the advantage to get out and about and made my way to Fowey for a 'mouch' and lovely lunch.  Fowey (pronounced Foy) is a very old town and seaport and as one would expect full of narrow, windy streets.  There are lots of shops full of interesting and unique gifts and I feel very smug in telling you I picked up a couple of Christmas presents!

For lunch we called into the Dwelling House, a Grade II listed former merchant's house which serves wonderful light meals and afternoon tea.  Libby had recently visited as had Katherine and they both raved about the food.

There are a few tables in a small courtyard 'out the back' and we were lucky enough to secure one of these tables.  The Dwelling House works hard to use local produce and the menu is full of the best that Cornwall has to offer.  I chose the Deli Farm air-dried ham, tomato and mozzarella ciabatta which was accompanied by interesting salad leaves and a wonderful chilli jam.

After lunch we continued through the town, there was a wonderful buzz and everyone was clearly enjoying the sunshine on and off the river.  Whilst wandering I spotted Julie Walters which was very exciting.

 

 

Kenneth Grahame spent much time in Fowey, indeed was married here, and his wonderful story "The Wind in The Willows" was inspired by Fowey, and the riversides up to Lerryn inspired the Wild Wood. He liked nothing more than just "messing about in boats", just as Ratty did.

Below is 'Ferryside' which once belonged to the Du Maurier family and from where Daphne wrote her first novel "The Loving Spirit".  Fowey has inspired many literary greats and has a wonderful festival each May and attracts many big names who come to celebrate the written and spoken word.

 

 Regards,

Judith

Poltarrow Farm

Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast

Self Catering Cottages

Best in Show

Many of our local agricultural shows have been cancelled or postponed because of unfavourable weather; I am sure it in no different in your part of the world.  With the jet stream moving north later this week I am hoping that 'normal service will resume' and the rest of the show season will carry on as usual.  Here at Poltarrow we have known for some time that glorious weather is on its way as Katherine, our middle daughter, is having a wood burner installed on Thursday - a surefire way to ensure a heatwave!

One show that did go ahead was the local Young Farmers' Club's 'Fun Day'.  Those of you that have stayed with us in November may have come across them as they use the sports hall to practice 'indoor sports' for a competition that they take part in with other young farmers from around the county.

Part of the Fun Day included a Dog Show so seeing that Titus has recently had his bi-annual trim and was looking relatively presentable I decided to take him along.  There were 10 classes and included friendliest dog, smiliest dog, waggiest tail, dog the judge would like to take home most, best dog etc.  Due to the recent wet weather the farmer had not been able to cut the grass so it was rather long and the smaller dogs had to be put onto straw bales so the judge could actually see them!  I am pleased to report that Titus did us proud; here he is with his collection of rosettes.

I was thrilled that he was placed first in 'best dog' as the judge thought he was the most like his breed ought to be.  I can confirm however that he would win no prizes for 'dog that stands nicely to have his photo taken'!

We had great fun and would definately enter another show - Libby's not too keen on the rosettes that are now proudly displayed in the kitchen and calls them 'dustcatchers' so I don't know how long they'll last!

Regards,

Judith

Poltarrow Farm

Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast

Self Catering Cottages

Days Out - Enys Gardens

I have been meaning to blog for some time about a day out that Libby and husband Mark had a few weeks ago - they visited Enys gardens said by some to be the oldest garden in Cornwall.  Between Truro and Falmouth the gardens are perhaps best known for the wonderful bluebells in Spring.

Parts of the lower gardens remind me of the Lost Valley at Heligan.

And after all that walking you can take a short drive to the Pandora Inn set right on the estuary for a refreshing drink (better to eat elsewhere though).  A couple of years ago the Pandora suffered a terrible fire and has been rebuilt to its former glory - as you can see the it was a spring tide and pretty high, it has been know to rush right into the pub so you won't find any carpets just serviceable slate flags.

Jobs at Poltarrow - Roebuck's new balcony

This winter Peter has been beavering away creating a new addition to Roebuck.  To take advantage of the beautiful views from the cottage the large window in the sitting room was removed and replaced with doors that now open out onto a balcony.

We've had many conversations about the materials that would be used.  Green oak was an immediate definate but the balustrade caused much debate; contemporary glass versus traditional wrought iron.

In the end we have gone for the wrought iron which we believe is much more in keeping with the 200 year old barns.

Being South facing we hope that guests will take pleasure in having their coffee in the morning or their glass of wine in evening whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of the Cornish countryside.

Days Out - Watergate Bay

What absolutely glorious weather we have had this weekend, Libby and Mark have been over to Watergate Bay on the north coast for a stroll. The tide was out which meant the beach was huge.

There were a few surfers bobbing about

There was also a few families about. enjoying the unusually warm March weather

A quick snack after all that walking

Say Cheese!

Days Out - A walk around South Polgooth

Taking advantage of the glorious spring weather we have recently been enjoying Peter and I enjoyed a walk around a local landmark; high on the hill across the valley from Poltarrow is the South Polgooth engine house.

Polgooth has a rich mining history going back hundreds of years.  South Polgoothwas a relative late comer as it did not open until 1836.  It produced not only tin but tungsten and copper too. However, falling prices meant that by 1894 mining at Polgooth came to an end, though some little work continued at South Polgooth till 1916 and the spoil heaps were picked over till 1929.

The remains of the buidings offer plenty of opportunity to ponder on what exactly each were used for and to think about what a hard life the miners must have led.

 

Looking back to South Polgooth across the curiously named 'bungalow field' (there's not a bungalow in sight!) before making our way home with cobwebs having been definately blown out!

Days Out - Half Term Fun

On Saturday half term begins here - doesn't it seem like it was only Christmas yesterday?  Libby and I have been searching the internet for days out for our guests.  

Eden has perhaps the most tastiest offering with the whole week being devoted to Chocolate.  There is a chocolate quest around the jungle biome where you can trek through the tallest rainforest in captivity to discover the history of this ‘food of the gods’. There is also chocolate lolly making and hot chocolate tasting - yum!

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are celebrating that most beautiful of winter flowers, the Hellebore.  These are a real favourite of mine and I'll be making a trip myself to get a couple to add to those I already have in the garden.

Pencarrow House near Bodmin is again opening its doors for their Snowdrop Sunday, this year they are opening twice - the 12th and the 19th.  As well as being able to enjoy the grounds there will be stalls selling snowdrops and marmalade and the Peacock Cafe will be serving a heartwarming soup.

Lastly our latest, favourite haunt is the Duchy of Cornwall Nurseries near Lostwithiel, or more specifically the cafe! Libby, Katherine and I have been a couple of times each over the winter and each time we have been treated the most scrumptious, delicious fare which is very reasonably priced to boot!  Add to this the wonderful plant nursery and the shop which stocks lots of interesting homeware and gifts and there is enough for a day out in itself.

Wedding Bells at Poltarrow

I mentioned in our Christmas letter that in 2011 we celebrated the marriage of our daughter Katherine to Johnathan and a number of you have asked how it went so I thought I would show you some of the photos.  It was very much a family affair and anyone with a skill (or a vintage rover car) was roped into help.

The reception was held in the Sports Hall which was transformed with the help of a marquee lining; it worked very well and looked great.

As we know Libby's many abilities extend to flower arranging so she and Katherine spent the day before the wedding making the beautiful arrangements that adorned the tables. 

After the service drinks were served on the farmhouse lawn, the weather was kind to us!

The conservatory doors were opened wide and it was from here the welcome drink was served "Devon Lemonade", a delicious blend of Plymouth gin, elderflower and soda water.

Our son Thomas, Libby, Johnathan, Katherine, me and Peter - it was a wonderful day.

Christmas and New Year

No gaudy decorations, no singing/dancing Santas, no garish lights …instead we offered simple, warm festivities. 

Thank you to all our guests for joining us this year. We're already looking forward to welcoming guests again for Christmas and New Year 2012.