Saturday 3 September 2011

Cornish Dreams

Well, what a week we've had to round off the summer. Heading south-west last week in the pouring rain we never imagined that we'd return sunburnt, stuffed with ice creams and with several hundred hours body boarding under our belts. The wind blew (very, very hard) and there was plenty of cloud, but each day the weather improved and from mid week on Cornwall did a very good impression of the Med, only I'd take the breaking surf and rocky coves of these shores any day.
Mostly we stayed north this year, discovering new beaches and glorious views with wheat fields rolling to the edge of mighty cliff tops. As ever we coseyd up in a lovely old cottage in Port Isaac and stayed just yards from the harbour in a higgeldy-piggeldy little house with ancient wooden floors, thick walls, deep window seats and a wonderful view of the sea that we weren't expecting. Many hours in the early morning and evenings were spent sat here gazing let me tell you. I always take a couple of crochet blankets away with us just in case and I don't think they've ever looked more at home!
And we ventured to the south coast too, for our favourite ferry trip over to Polruan from Fowey. Such a simple thing and full of pleasure for us. We pootled around the village, fought the tide as ever and then chugged back across for a pasty.
One early sunny morning before breakfast, while everyone else was lolling around for a while, I managed to grab a precious hour alone for a very longed for walk up to the cliff top at Lobber Point. A tall ship was anchored just off the bay and I spent an age watching it and the smaller fishing boats pull up their lobster pots, enjoyed the wind in my hair and endless peace and quiet.
We got onto a beach everyday thankfully, even if it was pretty bracing at times. But our little men didn't seem to care and this was finally the year we kitted them both out with a wet suit and body board. Oh my, what fun. Later there was time to sit and watch the waves and be so thankful for the sun smiling on us and just to be together.
Such a brilliant time, more memories made and the perfect way to say goodbye to summer.

P.S. Thanks for all the smashing comments left this summer. I love reading them and really appreciate your time and effort to keep in touch with me even if I can't get around to saying hello myself all that often. Thanks so much.

46 comments:

Anita at Bishty said...

Hello! Just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your blog and seeing your beautiful photos too. Our Cornish holiday was wet, wet, wet, but we did manage a quick trip from Fowey to Polruan too. Had a crab sandwich, a wander round and then back again for a play on the beach. Look forward to your next installment!

Louise said...

Beautiful photos, sounds like you've had a wonderful time.

Sandra said...

I so enjoy visiting your blog and thought it was time to finally say hi. I love how you share your everyday life...your home, garden, chickens and family...it's all so down to earth. Please keep it up! :o)

Lovely photos of your holidays. What a wonderful way to end summer! I live in Canada and would love to visit England someday. My family tree can be traced back to both England and Ireland so it would wonderful to see my family's homeland.

Sandra

Unknown said...

Sounds blissful, how do you avoid the crowds so well?

The picture of the waves and rocks is absolutely gorgeous, so atmospheric, I would happily have it on my wall!

Sounds like you have added a wonderful trench of memories to the bank. Bx

ps. it seems snarly comments are usually anon. Don't like that, sorry to hear you received one.It does make me realise again, though, how incredibly kind and supportive the blogworld normally is.

salty pebble said...

oh my steph you always amaze me with your stunningly lovely family holiday images- looks a blissful holiday away- i love Cornwall...luckily im just across the water from it by ferry boat.
sorry to hear about the person being critical on your hen keeping! some peps have no better time on their hands than to judge others- like you said you were only keeping them safe from cats/dogs and fox's.
what a busy-body!...
ive had some hurtful comments left on my blog and it started toi make me wonder about blogging!- but im keeping going and i wont let them ruin the happy place i like to blog in...funny how they are always anonymous commenter's! cant even face giving name!.

Love your blog , a real inspiration Steph ;0)

...Nina Nixon... said...

Body boards are just the best and wet suits are an all essential if you have little ones that love the sea. It take the chatter off no end.

Love your holiday tales and pictures.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend,

Nina xxx

ps. if they have balance then skimmer boards are just brilliant fun too. N :) xx

Garden Girl said...

I LOVE your holiday piccies of cornwall..almost as good as visiting myself! Your higgeldy piggeldy cottage looks delightfully snug and cosy too.
Steph, I can imagine your chooks are being looked after beautifully by you and your boys, ignore the mad person and let them carry on with their 'observations' if that's what makes them happy.There's always medication...;)

busybusybeejay said...

What a brilliant holiday and great photos.We visited Port Isaac a couple of years ago and when we were there they were filming Doc Martin which was interesting.So long for just one little bit.We have a friend here who grew up in Port Isaac and a schoolfriend still organises the parking on the beach.

notmassproduced said...

oh i soooo love cornwall and have missed it terribly this year. thanks for the reminder.

The mum of all trades said...

Stunning photographs. I love the one of the shadow!

Pretty at Heart said...

What beautiful pictures - it all looks so perfect! Who needs abroad........if only our weather was a bit more consistent!!
-x-

Madelief said...

Hi Stephanie,

It's a long time ago we went to Cornwall. I think it must be at least 10 years. Our girls were still very young. I enjoyed looking at your photo's. It's like taking a trip back to the past. Glad you had such fine weather!

Happy Sunday!

Madelief x

periwinkle said...

Your photo's are simply stunning and a reminder of a summer of many happy memories . Don't let ' anonymous' get to you , you know if you're hens are happy or not and it's really not worth letting them upset you.. big hugs xx

Razmataz said...

Your anonymous comment person needs to get a new cause.....running, roaming, free, whatever you call it, its sounds like yours will have plenty of space and freedom, just not in the way they might if you owned a farm perhaps. Given that they appear to have room to peck, graze and exercise suggests to be that your girls will be quite content in their new chicken life. And while I am at it, why can;t someone who believes in something strongly enough to leave a comment, have the strength and guts to state their name. This level of cowardice on blogs make me mad. Give freely an educated or differing opinion, stand up for your convictions anonymous chicken lady.

That said, back to your post. Your photos have a certain clarity that I just love. That shot of the rocky shore and water was fabulous.

Rose H (UK) said...

Your photos are as always stunning. I've visited Port Isaac on a few occasions, it's such a beautiful place but the narrow roads really freaks me out!

silverpebble said...

What truly wonderful, blissful images Steph. I can hardly believe how blue that sea is! I too love the image of the kite and of those lovely cosmos. Welcome home!

Christals Creations said...

Just to echo everyone else has said. . . Gorgeous pictures. xx

Bobo Bun said...

Pure bliss Steph. Forgotten just how wonderful Cornwall is, thanks for reminding me. So many lovely posts to catch up on with you, well everyone really.

I know you asked me a question a while back (hen related), but I can't remember for the life of me what. When I find it I'll answer you - promise.

X

sandra said...

Love your pics of Cornwall. I was lucky enough to be there 2 years ago, what a fabulous time we had!

Barri-Jayne said...

Amazing pictures as always! Glad to hear you had an awesome summer holiday. I went to Cornwall about for years ago and would definitely love to go back.

Had to laugh at your reply to 'Anon', good for you. I find it really annoying when people want to give their tuppence worth before getting the facts right xx

Have you had/eaten any eggs yet?

Barri x

WrightStuff said...

Ah I love Cornwall - everything about it is just perfect... except perhaps the journey to get there!

Anonymous said...

Stunning pictures, I'm so happy that you all had a good time.

The Cookie Jar said...

Beautiful photos, Looks like you had a fantastic holiday.

Pipany said...

Wow, FANTASTIC pics Steph! I love seeing the photos others take of Cornwall as it throws a different perspective on it from what I usually see. The weather today is pants - torrential rain and impossible to go out.Will settle down by a lovely log fire tonight and grab my knitting! Have fun! x

Gigi said...

Beautiful photos and such a gorgeous place to vacation. And I love the homey touch the crochet blankets added to your cosy nest -- what a good idea!
Blessings,
GG

brookeslay said...

Great pics very wistful, you strike me as someone very kind so that person didn`t have an inkling of the real you. So bravo to you.

Carol said...

Fantastic photographs. Love how your beautiful crochet blankets looked in their holiday home. I'm off to Cornwall next month but it will be more gentle walking than surfing!
Carol xx

purple-roses-country-cottage said...

Hi Steph, thank you so much for sending me the website for baking the dragon! And thank you so much for showing us your beautiful holiday pictures. Have a nice week. Kindest regards
Nicole

melanie said...

Great photos, it looks and sounds like you had a great time, good idea to take the crochet blankets too :) xxx

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos. We were in Polruan back at half term - such a sweet place. Seeing all your pics almost made me sad the holidays are over. But not for long though, it's such a treat having the house to myself and my head space back!

Heather L. said...

Thank you so much for posting pics of your holiday! I've just been sitting here staring at them and imagining I was there myself. A real treat!

Sandi said...

Yes Cornwell is on the list of places to visit when I make the big trek over the pond (from Australia) my daugher wants to go to Cornwell because Tori Amos lives there and she adores her. Gorgeous photo's, just makes me want to get over there!!
x Sandi

patchworkandlace said...

hi , your cottage looks gorgeous ,and the beach , another lovely post, ide love to live near the sea , walks along the beach through the changing seasons and your cliff walk looks heavenly

mrsgreentoad said...

really nice photos i think i need a hoilday!! hows the hens

Tola said...

your troll is probably the same one who's been commenting on Yarnstorm. ignore it, and delete its comments. carry on!

June said...

Lovely photos of Port Isaac. We've just come back ourselves from Fowey - what a small world!
June

Why this blog? said...

stunning photos!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post! I adore Cornwall. Every year, a friend and I walk a stretch of the South West Coastal path. We're working our way round, a week at a time. I recognise some of the spots we've walked along in your gorgeous pictures.
A really lovely blog. Thanks for taking me too!

Faye 'Country Chic' said...

Hi,
Oh what a visual delight. It was just so wonderful to read and view your holiday. Life's simple pleasures really are often the best. If you get chance, stop by my blog again... after a two year break from blogging, I have started up again, so can't wait to catch up with all the lovely blogs I have missed (yours definitely included).
Warm wishes
xFaye

steph said...

Such beautiful photography! I feel as if I've been on holiday with you! Thanks for sharing.

Jane said...

what wonderful memories you have created and beautiful photos to compliment. Jane x

Bess said...

I really enjoyed your wonderful photos and reading about your vacation! Bess

Sara said...

Thank you so much - we didn't make it down to the land of Blue Light this summer, and I miss it horribly. Your post felt like a little holiday. Do you rent the cottage? Would you be willing to share the details some time? It looks so idyllic!
xxx

Victoria said...

you got some great pics. x

Niki Fretwell said...

Lovely photos of beautiful Cornwall! We holidayed in Fowey this summer and also took the ferry to Polruan. (Did you visit Julia's little vintage tea cup shop? - she opened this year.)
Cornwall is such a lovely place to relax and enjoy the simple things...Although our daughter is now 17, she still enjoyed crabbing from the harbour walls.

Have a lovely autumn with your sweet boys,
Niki :)

SandyshoesCornwall said...

So pleased you made it down south to this special place, who knows maybe one day we'll bump into each other on the beach!

In typical fashion the weather has become blissful just as the kids go back to school, but we're still managing to make the most of it.

Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures, I went to a 40s dance the other day and thought you would have loved it! Antonia x