Sunny Cornwall

During my 9 years living in the UK, I saw a LOT of Norfolk and Suffolk but only a fraction of the rest, as Ricardo and I were always working or in France (working too). This time seeing as I was on holiday, I was determined to see a bit more, and managed to talk my niece, the lovely Louisa into coming on a road trip. We decided on Cornwall and I'm so glad we did. The weather had been pretty dismal except for the 2 bank holidays (see previous post) but finally the sun shone. When the sun does shine, there's nowhere else on earth you'd rather be. 

This is the romantic B and B called Hill Farm we stayed at in a tiny hamlet called Hittisleigh on the northern edge of Dartmoor in Devon. The only reason we chose it was because it was half way to Cornwall but we couldn't have found a more beautiful place to wake up. 

The night was warm enough to leave the window open and the fragrance of wisteria floated in. 

I stood by the open window for ages with eyes closed thanking my lucky stars and wondering what was out there in the night.

 In the morning an exploration was in order but it took us a while on account of the pet factor!

But there was more to see further afield

 

 ... and so our next stop was Boscastle (after driving past incredibly close to Stone Henge.)

Look at the curve on this roof! There WAS no fish eye lens, the whole house was bowed.

Boscastle experienced a terrible flood in 2004, here is a photo from the CBBC website 

 but there was no sign of trauma on this perfect day.

 

It had to be done, the definitive Cornish Pastie was absolutely delicious.

Our walk began on this beautiful section of the Cornish coastal path; we were walking from Boscastle to Tintagel. A mere 6 mile stretch but it felt a lot further as I'm used to the East Anglian flat lands.

The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful and the weather perfect, with a slight breeze to cool you.

The "Early purple" orchid was out and the wildflowers were incredible.

Mile after glorious mile stretched out ahead and the air smelled of coconut from the gorse.

As we stopped on this herringboned wall and ate the cakes we'd bought in Boscastle, I looked back the way we had come and saw a man walking towards us with boots, backpack and hat and very little else. As he stepped over the style you can see in the photo below, I unfortunately turned again and copped an eyeful of his red g-string and all it contained. Pity I didn't manage to get a photo.

An indicator here that the weather may not always be so benign.

I've only really walked like this at Wilson's promontory National Park and it felt strange not to have to look out for snakes along the way.

Finally Tintagel came into sight.

and Merlin's cave.

and one of the best days of my life came to an end. Next time, I'd love to walk a LOT more of this spectacular pathway.

Going, going ....

Exotic cushions is going into a holding pattern for a while as I change my entire life .... It will re-apear with new stock with an even more EXOTIC flavour when I re-locate to the land of OZ. I'll keep you all posted on the facebook page. Meanwhile there are still a few cushions left on the website but they are selling fast.
Much love to all the wonderful people who stop by this little corner of the world wide web.
xxxx

North Creake Farmers market

This morning I got up early and went with a friend Mary Kemp to North Creake Farmers market. Mary was helping to launch the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival.It was cold but sunny (well part of the morning was sunny) and I was amazed at the talent & enthusiasm I found there. I met my hero Tim Kinnaird the maker of macarons to die for. The loveliest bloke you could ever wish to meet. I bought some of his rhubarb & creme brulee .... well actually I can't remember what they're called but look at them!!! There were actually 4 of them for lunch tomorrow but hey there will only be three of us eating and I HAD to see what they tasted like. I was so inspired by the fresh produce that I decided my Easter Sunday lunch menu there and then. So... it's celeriac & roasted garlic soup followed by 8 hour lamb on a bed of fennel and onion (now with Mary's recommendation of a little bit of Marsala in the bottom of the dish), purple sprouting broccoli and roasted jerusalem artichokes.Thanks mary for a wonderful day in a very special part of the world.

Bristol

People sometimes ask me if I worry about putting my life out into the world with this blog. But this blog has brought me nothing but good.
When my Father died and I wrote about it here a wonderful girl named Kelly from Boston wrote her condolences and became a fast friend. Through Kelly's blog I discovered Earwig sandwich and the wonderful Lulu Labonne.
I have only met Lulu twice before, one of which was last year when Richard was sick; she drove all the way to Norfolk to meet him and brought an incredible array of marvelous food and cooked us a delicious meal. I'm so glad they got to meet.
Lulu had a large birthday this week and to help her celebrate, I drove to Bristol. I have discovered that I quite like driving and the four hours or so it took me to get there were a joy with good things on the radio all the way.
Once there I was slightly nervous about spending a weekend at a surprise birthday at which I knew only one person.

But Bristol is an amazing city throbbing with life...

and great street art.
I shouldn't have worried; I was wrapped around by love.
Hilary's husband had organised a canoe-ing adventure on the river Wye and everyone was in such high spirits that there was no time to be nervous.
There was a champagne picnic and much hilarity
and even though it rained...
and there was a LOT of cow poo beside the river Wye...
There were King fishers and Peregrine falcons and the lowest rainbow I'd ever seen (that pot of gold must have been REALLY close by).
So this little bunny will be going to Bristol again as soon as I can to get some more time with that most excellent girl Lulu Labonne. Thank you blog land and the wonderful world wide web.