Last week we decided to try the round trip walk from Lerryn to St Winnow Church on the River Fowey estuary. Lerryn is  a lovely little village that spreads itself around both banks of River Lerryn creek and is just 20 minutes drive from Cider Cottage.  There is a village green right next to the water and at low tide stepping stones appear, to allow access to the other side of the village.

The area is delightful and is the probable inspiration for the Wind in the Willows story. We had a very pleasant walk next to the water and through wooded areas reaching the lovely remote St.Winnow Church on the bank of the River Fowey. It’s a favourite with film crews, and featured in the TV series Poldark - not surprising as it must have one of the most spectacular views from a churchyard in Britain.  Our return trip gave super views back down to the church and river, crossing fields and heading inland past the disused Winnow Mill, before returning to Lerryn for refreshments.

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

I have just been out to photograph a train.  Not just any old train.  This was the Great Britain railtour.  It started last Saturday (a week ago), steaming from London to Edinburgh.  It then proceeded behind a variety of different steam engines to the west coast of Scotland (Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh), before returning down the country via the Settle & Carlisle line, Preston, the Welsh Marches to Bristol.  Today's leg was from Bristol to Penzance.  The weary passengers, who have paid royally for their experience, will finally get back to London tomorrow, on Day 9.

Today's train was a rarity.  A double headed steam train on the main line through Cornwall, with neither of the engines being a native Great Western engine.  Southern Railway Pacific engine 'Tangmere' was leading Britannia class Pacific 'Oliver Cromwell', although the steam from Tangmere is obscuring much of the second loco in my photo.  The train came within a mile and a half of Cider Cottage, although my picture was a little further up the line at St Germans viaduct, with Polbathic Lake in the foreground.

Peter

The Great Britain railtour crossing St Germans viaduct, Cornwall

Last weekend, we visited Lanhydrock House, near Bodmin.  It's less than 30 minutes drive from Cider Cottage and was the family home of the Agar Robartes family; now run by the National Trust.  The estate covers 900 acres of garden, parkland and woods, while the house boasts over 50 rooms.  It is preserved to show family life in a past age.  As you wander through the corridors and rooms, visitors are allowed to touch and feel a number of artefacts, while others are kept safe from visitors' fingers to prevent deterioration.  A particular highlight was the Long Gallery, a very large 17th century room with a ceiling carved showing scenes from the Old Testament, while a visitor played a Schubert melody on one of the pianos.  Locally produced meals were served in the restaurant by a jolly waitress.  A good day out.

Lanhydrock House - Garden and Church

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Last night, we went to the Crow's Nest Inn in the delightful hamlet of Crow's Nest.  The reason? It was the monthly pub quiz and great fun it was, too.  Thanks to Abi behind the bar, with a warm welcome for visitors.  And our fun-loving quizmistress, Sarah, who set us some challenging questions.  Also, the teams were invited to produce a clay model of the Titanic.  Unfortunately, the scale of our model was so small that it wasn't possible to portray Kate Winslet at the bow - shame!  Even though the Woodhill Wonders failed to win, we had a lot of fun.  The Crow's Nest is a cosy country pub, offering a great pint of St Austell Tribute and the food is of high quality.  And the best part is that it's only ten minutes from Cider Cottage.  No wonder it's a favourite with our visitors.

Oh, and we now know where in the world you can find Friday coming before Thursday.  Do you ?

17th Century Crow's Nest !nn