Cornwall in December

What a great time we had down in Cornwall last week-end at the Padstow Christmas festival - even bigger and better than last year. Unfortunately the downside is that it was so busy and at times you really couldn't move.

On Friday night there is a lantern parade with local children following Father Christmas around Padstow carrying their homemade lanterns - nothing like that to get you in the mood for Christmas.

Later they have a firework display over the harbour. We didn't stay for that this year but here is a taste of it from last year.

We had an early start on Saturday as my godson David was helping with one of the cookery demonstrations in the main marque. He works at the Treglos Hotel at Constantine Bay, gradually working up the ladder to very near the top now. Whilst Gavin Hill (Head Chef) demonstrated, David was busy in the background preparing delicious canapes for us to try

(David on the right)

I have suggested that when he is 'up north' for Christmas he might like to come and make some for us with me acting as his sous chef!
It was still quieter when David had finished so easier to look and buy gorgeous goodies

My David was attracted to the brewery stands (no surprise there) which were very generous with their samples, apparently Doombar tastes very good at 10-30am!

We had a walk over the road to the Memorial hall where local crafts people had their stands and I was very pleased to find Coastees. A newish enterprise run by Richard Bond (known as Bondy) and helped by Sarah and little Mabel. Both Sarah and Richard are friends of Charlotte and Angus's and I first met Sarah several years ago when she and Charlotte were working together. I had seen this photo of their mugs on facebook so was so pleased to be able to buy

So many mugs of our favourite beaches, but for me it had to be Constantine. I was also given a teatowel as a gift.

Charlotte, David and I moved on from Padstow to Wadebridge and after a successful visit to the large shoe shop there, where I managed to get a pair of  boots (a Christmas present from the girls), we went for a much needed coffee and cake at Tim's Place on Foundry Street. You may remember we visited him  here at Spring Bank.

We finished our afternoon on both Harlyn and of course Constantine beaches

There's no better sunsets than those on Constantine! 

We were out in the evening back in Padstow starting off at BinTwo 

where I had the nicest mug of mulled wine ever

and then it was onto the Basement, the restaurant where Charlotte works, for a VERY delicious meal

Sunday was much more of a lazy day and David and I went down to Watergate Bay where the sun was shinning and the wind was blowing, just what we needed to blow the cobwebs away. The kite surfers were out in large numbers and we spent a long time watching them.

Finally we left to pick Charlotte up and we ended up on Harlyn beach again as I had had an idea for my homemade Christmas cards - a Christmas tree out of slate, decorated with shells and a string of gold beads. 

So here is the final result

What do you think? 

Too soon it was time to come home but with Charlotte and Angus buying their first house I guess it will not be long before we are back.

Now back at home preparations for Christmas are getting under way and I'll share those with you next time so have a lovely weekend and enjoy the sun whilst it lasts.