After the nice young lady from Visit England came to assess Cider Cottage, we were told that we had provisionally been awarded Four Stars.  We were so pleased by the news.  All our hard work over the winter months, renovating, improving and redecorating the cottage was worth it.  It had resembled a building site, with electricians, builders and plumbers all doing their bit; together with obtaining certificates for the electrical appliances, the central heating boiler and such important jobs as fire safety risk assessments and inventories.

But it was worth it.  And yesterday, the plaque was delivered, which has now been duly fixed to the wall.  We now feel fully certified !

But it's good to know that a professional assessment has recognised the quality of what we have to offer our guests.

This week's guests in Cider Cottage have enjoyed some great weekend weather.  On Saturday, they visited the North Coast of Cornwall, calling in at Port Isaac, recently of Doc Martin's fame and the village of Boscastle. 

And on Sunday, they enjoyed a ride on the Bodmin and Wenford steam railway and headed to the South Coast to see Charlestown and the pretty village of Fowey (pronounced Foye). One of the nicest ways to approach Fowey is to leave your car in Polruan on the opposite bank of the River Fowey and catch the pedestrian ferry across.  In that way, you get to explore two riverside communities on foot.

Both the North and South Cornwall coasts are easily reached, for a memorable day out, from Cider Cottage.

A wonderful hot summer's day in Cornwall again today.  So, I was out in the garden attempting to build a dry stone wall.  Unfortunately, compared with the Cornish 'stone hedges' that have been built by generations past and have stood the test of time, my efforts just seem to look like a pile of rocks, balanced precariously in a higgledy piggledy fashion.  Much more practice needed !

But while I was outdoors, I could see some activity on the other side of our woods.  In the road was a gentleman painting our local milestone.  Seeking a break from the walling, I went to be nosey and have a chat. Was he from Cornwall Council?  No, he was Ian Thompson from the Milestone Society.  This brave fellow has taken it upon himself to repaint all 600 ancient milestones in the county, since the local authority has decided it doesn't wish to be responsible for their upkeep any more.  Cornwall is particularly well endowed with milestones, being rich in granite.  Indeed, along the A38 between Liskeard and Bodmin, there are many two-sided stones to be spotted, featuring a large L on one face and a big B on the other, followed by the mileage to each town.  But 'our' local milestone is much grander, even though our lane doesn't go anywhere particular.  He told me that it used to be the main route to St Cleer, but the 2 mile stone is no longer in existence.

He felt that our milestone dated from the 1850s when the turnpike trusts were being wound up.  This is the same period when the current Woodhill Manor was being built.  And, of course, the route from Caradon Hill to Liskeard and Looe will have been busy with the granite from the quarries and tin from the mines.  The copper bonanza had yet to occur, but that's a story for another day.

Peter

It's May Day today, which means only one thing.  Off to Padstow to join in the fun as the 'Obby 'Oss emerges to welcome the Celtic sun god for the beginning of summer.  From first light at 6am, the celebrations begin (and the pubs start serving).  Dancing and singing carry on all day until the evening, when, by all accounts, things can get rather boisterous.  We took the calm approach to Padstow, by walking along the beach at Rock to the Ferry across the Camel estuary and arrived in good time to see the Blue 'Obby 'Osse come out of his stable at 10.00am.

The crowds were out in force and Cornish people were proud to be celebrating this special day in their own unique way.  A very happy atmosphere filled the streets of Padstow, with colourful flags, white clothing and a very bright Maypole in the market square. Later having seen the Red 'Obby 'Oss come out of his stable 'The Golden Lion Inn' and dance through the streets, we were ready to leave the crowds and have lunch in a country Inn on the way home.

We decided to visit the Inn at Blisland on the north side of Bodmin Moor.  The Blisland Inn has been voted a top pub by the Campaign for Real Ale for a good number of years.  And quite right too.  A wide selection of fine ales and ciders were on offer (I had a pint of Blisland Special - lovely!).  Lynn had an Orchard Cider.  Another place with a very friendly atmosphere and generous portions of food too.  Must visit again, as it's only half an hour from Cider Cottage !

Peter