Holidays - Part 2

For the second part of the holidays we were asked if we would like to join some very good friends at a house they had rented near Falmouth. We jumped at the chance and organised ourselves to spend the night with Charlotte at her future in law's cottage near Tiverton. It was a very cold night and this was the garden the next morning

Charlotte, who was now back to normal after her tummy bug also needed to get back to Cornwall to work in that evening so we drove in convoy to her place near Padstow. After  helping her with some jobs, David and I went down to my beloved Constantine beach which was surprisingly busy. It was just lovely to be back on it and walking on the sand, although I did keep my boots on!!

We left as the sun was going down and carried on and got to Maenporth, our destination, just passed Falmouth where a gin and tonic was waiting for us!. The next morning we were delighted to find that from the lounge you looked over to the sea.

Later that morning (New Years Eve) saw us take the King Harry ferry across the river Fal,

We were on the hunt for a little place on a cliff top at Porthcurnick Beach called the Hidden Hut. I had first seen this place when watching Tom Kerridge, who went there to cook scampi and chips. I searched for ages through google trying to find it, and was eventually successful. We followed the directions on their web site parking on the road down to the beach. The Hidden Hut is certainly the right name for it as even as we reached the beach it was hidden until we rounded a corner and then we saw it!

It was heaving, so busy. Everyone was sitting at tables on the cliff top eating the most delicious looking food

We decided that we weren't quite ready for lunch so walked on the cliff top into Portscatho - a lovely
'un-spoilt' place.

Did you spot the cat on the windowsill?

I was delighted to see this little shop, The Sea Garden, I have dipped in and out of Christine's blog during last year. Unfortunately it was closed whilst we were there but it certainly looked lovely when we peered through the window

By this time we were getting hungry so we made our way back to the Hidden Hut and ordered the most delicious soups - squash, coconut and chilli, french onion with brie, and tomato, bacon and bolotti beans all served with the some of the nicest bread buns I have ever tasted.

If you are ever near do go, Simon who runs it spent a long time chatting to us, giving us a real insight into how it all works. Caroline Quentine also went there when she was doing her programs on Cornwall and you can see her here and here.

New Years Eve was a quiet affair with us eating in and enjoying some nice wine. 

We choose to walk (along with many others) on New Year's Day and managed to avoid the rain 

The next morning we woke to blue skies and sun for our final full day, so spent it at Trelissick gardens. The woodland walk took us along the estuary ending up by King Harry ferry, then up through the woods.

It was so lovely we were able to sit out for a coffee and scone

As we walked back to car we got a good view of 'Rapunzel's tower'

It's actually the old water tower which is now a holiday tower? well you can rent it from the National Trust. I rather fancy that but you'd need to be fit as it's on 4 floors.

Saturday was leaving day and Charlotte and Angus had asked us to meet them for lunch at a mystery destination near Totnes, so we followed the satnav and ended up here - the Riverford Field Kitchen. 

What another fabulous eating place. You are seated on long tables, sharing with strangers who quickly join in with the conversation. It's a set menu, everyone being served at the same time. Sharing platters and big dishes are put on the table to be passed round. To choose your desert you are invited to go up to part of the kitchen and choose

It was a lovely way to end  the holidays, the only drawback for us was we then had 270 miles to drive home.

I really enjoyed the Christmas holidays and feel so lucky to have such a wonderful family and friends who made it so memorable.