Cornwall Holiday - Week 2

This week we have had a second week in Cornwall, this time based in Falmouth.

Dawn's sisters Jilly and and Jane and their husbands Ian and David along with niece Rosie, her partner Dale (who joined us later in the week) and their daughter Cora were all staying in Falmouth and we joind them, sharing a holiday lodge with Jane and David.

We drove down from sister Sue's place in Oakhill in Somerset on Monday morning and joined the others at Gyllyngvase beach cafe before moving into our lodges when they were available. The lodges are next door to Falmouth Hotel and just across the road from Castle Beach.

The view from our upstairs balcony.

On Tuesday we visited the National Maritime Museum. It was a bit wet so a good time to be inside. There is lots to see.

The view from the balcony in the morning.

We saw some walkers, on the coastal path, perhaps with their waterproofs on.

Before going to the museum we had coffee, and Cora had her forst ever hot chocolate.

Inside the museum.

I liekd the surfing exhibition.

The voew from the museum over the harbour.

A passenger liner was docked - the Saga cruise liner Spirit of Discovery.

On returning to our lodge we visited the beach. The wind was getting up.

The Falmouth Hotel.

Back inside, we observed a helicopter over the sea in a practice air-sea rescue.

Later on, at high tide the waves were crashing quite spectacularly on the shore.

On Wednesday the weather had calmed down. In the morning we went for a walk along the coast to Swanpool beach and in theafternoon and we explored Falmouth town.

We all set off together, but the others stopped at the beach cafe and didn't get any further.

Dawn and I walked along the beach.

Swanpool beach.

And, yes, the pool has some swans.

We didn't venture any further. That is Pennance point, the next headland.

Returning to Falmouth.

There is an emporium in town called Trego Mills. I got an umbrella, a new hat and some sunglasses there for a total of about £10. Curiously, the back of the store is on stilts over the water's edge (when the tide is in).

But the tide wasn't in when we were there.

The bunting fluttered in the breeze.

There are plenty of interesting shops.

I spotted some absinthe.

You can see more of my photos and a couple of videos of Falmouth from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday here.

On Thursday we visited Glendurgan Gardens in the morning and then took a short walk to Pendennis point in the afternoon.

There were alot of showers around all week and it was great watching them come and go from our lodge. Would we get wet today?

It stayed dry for us at Gelndurgan gardens although we drove through a heavy shower on the way.

The old schoolhouse.

We walked down the path with steps to the hamlet of Durgan and then came back via the "accessible" route. Durgan is on the Helford River.

Looking up the valley to the house.

We didn't attempt the maze. It looks quite hard.

Our afternoon walk.

St. Antony's lighthouse.

Looking up at Pendennis Castle.

The fortifications at the point.

Great views! You can see more of my photos of Glendurgan Gardens here and Pendennis Point here.

On Friday we visited Trebah Garden with Jane and David.

The garden features tall trees....

...ferns...

...bamboo...

...bunnera (aka giant rhubarb)...

...and lots of different types of hydrangea.

The Monet bridge (q.v.).

This view was created to mimic this painting by Monet.

Trebah is the next valley along from Glendurgan and is also on the Helford River.

The hydrangeas are spectacular.

The amphitheatre is used sometimes for outdoor performances.

The house has a great view down the valley.

We had lunch at the cafe. David and Dawn enhoyed the liver and onions.

You can see more of my photos of our visit to Trebaj Garden here.

On Saturday we visited Pendennis Castle. It was just a short walk from where we were staying.

We enjoyed visitjing the control room of the half-moon battery.

Into the castle across the drawbruddge and under the portcullis.

There are great views from the roof.

The Falmouth hotel is close to the centre of the photos.

Looking up the Carrick Roads.

St. Mawes castle opposite was built at the same time as Pendennis castle and between them they guarded the entrance from the sea.

St. Antony's lighthouse.

Falmouth town and harbour.

St. Mawes.

We followed the path through the tunnels to the half-moon battery.

Before leaving we visited the exhibition of cartoons by George Butterworth.

We also joined English Heritage and got our entry fees for our vsiti refunded.

In the afternoon we visited the beach again.

Dawn did enjoy the rock-pooling.

You can see more of my photos of the castle here.

Yesterday, unfortunately, was a write-off as I had a tummy bug, but the weather was pretty dire so we just styed inside for most of the day. And today we returned home and had a great journey, covering the 400 or so miles in a little over 6 hours on the road.

Well that was a great 2 and 1/2 week's holiday, but we are glad to be home. Lots of harvesting and work for Tassle Pickles to come now a lot of our produce has ripened. More on that anon.