Tuesday 5th April 2016

A very warm day, touching on actually being hot.
What an experience this morning. An early morning sea safari on a RIB over two hours. Spotted seals and a host of sea birds you would expect to see but the real excitement was watching a pod of 35 dolphins. What an amazing sight, clearly playing games with the boat. It really wad an amazing twenty minutes watching such a spectacle.
Once back on dry land we drove to a pub at Rock for lunch and working out what to do for the rest of the day.
We chose to drive to Charlestown which supposedly had an interesting and quaint harbour. Was that alright, a harbour with no boats? Was like going back in time, amazing history and so can fully understand the reason for not 'tarting' up the area. Having now read more of this areas history I would like to return again.
After a stop for afternoon tea we headed for home feeling absolutely worn out but also thrilled at what had been achieved today.
Pictures 1 - 9 - RIB Sea Safari.
      "  10 - 13 - Charlestown.
      "  14 - 16 - RIB Sea Safari.
      "17 & 18 - Charlestown.

Monday 4th April 2016

A stunning day. Sun and very mild all day.
A visit to Padstow this morning booking an evening meal for later in the week at Rick Steins Harbour Restaurant and also booking a two hour sea safari trip for early tomorrow morning.
Took the Padstow Ferry over to Rock where we enjoyed a good coastal walk and a stop for coffee before the ferry back to Padstow.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Padstow Harbour.
      "             3 - Rick Stein's Restaurant.
      "             4 - Ferry over to Rock.
      "       5 - 7 -  Rock.
      "             8 - Padstow.
      "      9 - 14 - Lanyhdrock House.
      "            15 - Cornish Arms.
      "            16 - Sunset from bungalow.

This afternoon drove to Lanhydrock a very large country house set in over a thousand acres of amazing grounds. Stunning trees, just loved it. House equally as impressive but the outside did it for me.
Will be finishing the day with a meal and another couple of pints at the Cornish Arms in the village.

Sunday 3rd April 2016

After an early morning shower then thick fog the day turned out to be good, fair amount of sun and very mild.
Spent a most enjoyable morning at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Last visited 14 years ago, with this style of jungle, garden, rainforest nothing much changes but always a delight to experience. The one addition however that was pretty scary was the construction of a rope bridge over the gorge. We both walked it but by jove not for the faint hearted.
Spent some time in the hide watching live pictures of a barn owl nesting, also interesting to see from the hide was a white dove, crow, pheasant and sparrows feeding together.
This afternoon with the weather so good took the short drive to Mevagissey. What a stunning afternoon, can't beat a well stocked English harbour on such a delightful day. Push ourselves a little by walking the coastal path for some way enjoying some fantastic harbour views from high up.
My poor arthritic foot is giving me grief now, not surprised.
Finished the day by a good meal and a couple of pints of Proper Job at the local pup in the village.
Pictures 1 - 12 - Lost Gardens of Heligan.
      "    13 - 16 - Mevagissey.

Saturday 2nd April 2016

Good weather from Reading to Cornwall.
Left home at 10am and arrived in Padstow at 4pm, a good drive in glorious weather. Not going to last it appears. Forecast for week is very mixed.
To start the holiday we hope to visit Lost Gardens of Heligan tomorrow. Apparently the gardens have been found.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Dead postbox on Bodmin Moor (Jamaica Inn).

Friday 1st April 2016

A pretty good day. Mild and sun most of the day.
A day getting ready for the impending Cornwall holiday. Case packed, all the bird feeders emptied, cleaned and re-filled.
Trail cameras all cleared and re-formated, will position before leaving tomorrow.
        Managed to spot a couple of interesting garden wildlife this afternoon. After a little research I can confirm a hairy foot bee (black) was photographed on the alpine gravel border.
A young brown rat appeared by the back door, not particularly happy about that. Could be why I have no frogs about. Where are the cats when you want them.
Next blog tomorrow night from Padstow.