We've been in Cornwall, and it was FANTASTIC!

Hello! LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY to see you! Really and truly! We got back from Cornwall at the weekend, the lovely Cornwall, the beautiful out-of-season non-crowded Cornwall, where we spent a week resting (a bit, actually we seemed to cram in a lot), and recuperating. I still haven't caught up with my bloggy friends, all your lovely messages, the post, etc etc, you know how it is when you return from a holiday, everything hits you at a hundred miles a minute, mainly real life. Phew.

We really needed that week away, a week of escapism, and it didn't disappoint. We had lovely days out, exploring, eating good food, marvelling, but the icing on the cake was the GORGEOUS cottage we rented. See the true-to-life photos here. It made such a difference to return to the cottage each night, knowing that we were going to be cosy in front of the wood burning stove, living in beautiful surroundings. Antonia and David have other places to rent out, which I would love to stay in too. Their website is exquisite, just like their properties, which you can see here. Their website will make you drool and dream.

This is the only photo I took inside the cottage, because each morning we were dashing out, and photos were forgotten about, but the link above gives you an excellent idea of what the cottage was like. I had to show you this lamp shade, which I was fascinated by. A sea anemone lamp shade, which sort of sums up Antonia's imaginative and considered approach to the decorating. We could feel the thought that went in to everything, from the toaster, to the mirror in the bathroom, the original works of art on the walls, to the welcome pack sitting on a beautiful wooden board on our arrival. Very special. And whilst I love my own home, I wouldn't mind being back there right now!

It's quite difficult to know where to start picture wise, in this blog post................... well, let me see, what was I taking photos of mostly?

The boats and their colourful buoys were a joy to behold. Infact, I could do with returning to Cornwall and it's coastal towns and villages just to draw and paint the boats and buoys.

How absolutely joyful a colour to have your boat painted, bright turquoise!

And you know something? Things were positioned so very nicely! The triangle shape created by these three boats is a gift, pictorially speaking.

 

Yes, those boats and their buoys were a joy, I wish I'd taken more photos now. Well, as I say, I need to return to Cornwall.

I thought the buoys above looked like an art installation.

We didn't just prowl round harbours, me snapping away with my camera at boats and the buoys tied to them.

We did a bit of visiting of various must-sees. We had high expectations for the Eden Project, but were astonished to find ourselves disappointed by the in-your-face preachiness of the information everywhere and the ice rink, which we were baffled as to how it fits into the eco-friendly theme. I won't go on about the other things.

We loved the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, what a splendid place that turned out to be. There was a special exhibition about lighthouses and the lives of the keepers. I find the human side of history especially interesting. It was fascinating to learn about the lighthouse keeper's lives before everything became automated, and the keepers became redundant. There was a cabinet displaying some of the crafts, such as knitting, drawing and making ships in bottles. I love all that sort of stuff.

We had tea and cake in the cafe overlooking the harbour, where there were some multi-million pound luxury yachts berthed. Those boats are astonishing and fascinating, even if you try to imagine the wealth behind them, I suspect that probably isn't even half the reality of the riches, influence and power of these boat owners. One was called "Steel", and we mused that it might be owned by a steel magnate.

One of the things we participated in, was the 'sail a remote controlled boat'. That was FUN, and it didn't matter if you lost control and bashed into another boat. Ahem.

The man over-seeing the proceedings had to turf me off my remote control, in the nicest way possible, but firmly.

I'd love to be able to say we had sunshine all week, but we didn't, that's something we're resigned to expecting when we holiday in the United Kingdom. We were given some half days of sun. Usually rain in the morning, sun in the few hours left of the day after lunch, but largely there were full sunny days to be enjoyed. Weather reports are important when it comes to holidays, aren't they?!

I like to think of this sort of weather as 'atmospheric'.

Atmospheric when you're warm and dry in your car.

The sunny days were glorious. Isn't the British countryside spectacular in the sunshine?

We had a rollicking old time driving around the country lanes with their high hedges either side of the road.

What else did we do?

We went to St.Ives and had a lovely time wondering around the lanes, going into galleries and shops (yarn shops!). 

We visited the Barbara Hepworth Museum in St.Ives, which was quite simply wonderful. It was so fantastic, I plan to give it a post all of it's own some time.

Then there was the Tate in St.Ives, another place worth visiting. The cafe was at the top of the building, and of course a coffee and cake stop was made. I loved the menu cover, with the silhouette of a cup and saucer formed from a detail of an Alfred Wallis painting. Love his work.

We treated ourselves to lunch (the very much cheaper alternative to the evening meal), at Rick Stein's seafood restaurant, which was nice, but totally out-shone by lunch at Jamie Oliver's Fifeteen restaurant.

Fifeteen is perched on a cliff, with spectacular views, and we were given a window seat!

I took some photos of the view for you.

Well dear readers I'm going to scoot off before this becomes a list of holiday activities. I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into our holiday. It's lovely to be back with you, so cheerio till Wednesday. Cheerio! Love Vanessa xxx

 

Comments

[jane smallcombe]

I've never been to Cornwall but it is on my list of 'to visits'

Your photos are beautiful as always and they have given me a beautiful insight - I must plan a visit soon!

Jane x

[greenrabbitdesigns]

Nice to have you back Vanessa!
Cornwall looks wonderful, I would love to visit sometime! Thanks for sharing your holiday. :)
Vivienne x

[Terrie]

I love your photos - I have never been to Cornwall out of season but I imagine it's amazing. Just to let you know I have passed on my beautiful blogger award to you x

[Denise]

Your photos were amazing. I hope one day I might be able to visit Cornwall.

[frances]

Welcome back to you, Vanessa. I have never been to Cornwall myself, so really enjoyed these photos and your commentary.

Take some time to "rest up" from your holiday, and we shall look forward to your next posting.

xo

[Kelly]

What a wonderful time and amazing pictures. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

[Melita]

Hi ..Beautiful pictures .. I was born in Cornwall and still live here . I never get get over the beauty of my County and love it . The landscape is always changing according to the weather . I am so lucky and i'm glad that your visit to my beautiful Cornwall was a good one for you . hugs Melita xx

[driftwood]

looks like a truly fantastic trip. stop by if you get a chance, I'm having a giveaway xxx

[Alice and Raymond!!!]

Yay!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!
It is GREAT to have a Vanessa-fix! Raymond has missed you and was concerned about where Ellie and Douglas were while you were on this trip!
Wow, what a fabulous post! Thank you for sharing your great trip with us and glad to hear that you and your lovely hubby are feeling rejunvenated and well rested...
My favourite part of that post was the pictures of the hills... I've read lots of books set in Cornwall but have never been out of the Southern Hemisphere, so never seen this type of beautiful scenery! Now I know why people love seeing NZ, it's awesome to see other countryside....
Have a lovely period of reintegration back into life, lots of blog-happies from Raymond and Alice XXX

[Planet Penny]

hello Vanessa, Nice to see you back in bloggy land. I so glad you've had this lovely holiday and a complete break. Cornwall looks as fantastic as always, even in the November weather. I so LOVE the photos of all the buoys and fenders, such wonderful colours. Lots of love Penny and Higgins x

[Andrea]

Stunning photos....Cornwall is one of my favorite places and you have captured it beautifully. :)

[Rosa]

Hi, I live 20 kms from the coast, near Bilbao , and I liked to see your holiday pictures. They were a bit like our coast, with high rocky cliffs. And the weather here at this very moment is atmospheric too.
I really enjoy your blog and I´m glad you are back.

[Kristina]

Great photos and a beautiful story about your holidays - it must have been really nice to relax and be closer to nature and the spectacular English coast.

Oh, and Alfred Wallis a... he's someone who inspires me! I've heard of him last year on someone else's blog and since then I believe that it's never too late to start doing something in your life - if I remember correctly he started painting after his wife's death just 'for company'?

Well, I hope your holiday memories can keep you happy and refreshed for a long time.

[Siobhan]

Welcome home Vanessa. Cornwall is a truly magical place isn't it? I stayed there at 15 in Mousehole near Penzance and have never forgotten it. I'm so pleased you had a lovely and relaxing time; your photos are stunning. One of the things I liked so much when I was there were all the little art galleries with beautiful little paintings of ships and the sea (I used to sneak of on my own so I could take my time looking at them all). Your cottage looks lovely - who wouldn't want to live there? I have a bit of a thing about ships for some reason - despite being horribly sea sick. Light houses are fascinating - I've visited Grace Darlings light house; so many steps. Sounds like you had a great time. Good to have you back on your blog.

[Carole]

Hi Vanessa,
It is sooo lovely to have you back, i`ve really missed your blogs. This is such a lovely colourful post, just like your knitting posts.
I was feeling rather stressed when i clicked onto your blog and it`s really cheered me up.
Love from Carole from Rossendale xxx

[Penelope]

So lovely to read your blog happenings again. We love Cornwall too. Barbara Hepworth is one of my all time favourite artists, look forward to that post and any yarn purchased ??? xox

[Veronika / Lalomino]

Great to have you back! Looks like a fab holiday! :) I love the picture of the cow.
x

[Jennyff]

I forgive you for going off and leaving us when you return with such a fantastic and long post. Cornwall looks gorgeous, as does the cottage, hope you are all recharged I'm glad to have you home.

[Liz W]

15+ years ago I bought a book called something like "200 Tours of the British Isles". It's filled with maps and pictures and driving routes for all over England. Then I got a passport and swore up and down that I would be in England before it came time to renew that passport.
I made it to Paris - and Belgium and Holland - but I have yet to set foot in England - and I DID have to renew the passport.
When I DO make it- I think Cornwall will be one of the first places I try to get to. I lovelovelove your pictures and the weather and the boats and buoys and cliffs and cows. Yes - the English countryside is truely beautiful. I'm so glad you had such a nice time and, like everyone above - can't wait to hear more and see more.

[paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com]

Lovely to have you back blogging :) I'm totally with you on boats and buoys - I based my final degree textile prints on just that theme! I'd love to re-visit it too - especially as 20 years on I feel like I know what I'm doing now!!

[Sarah]

Ah my home county - glad it treated you well - thanks for the lovely pics

[John Carter]

I'm simply astonished by the beauty of that lamp. Thanks for the share of your great adventure at Cornwall...I hope I'll get there next year also

[Madeleine]

Thanks for that - I feel like I've had a little holiday just perusing your lovely pics.

[Cerise]

So beautiful! Sounds like you had a fantastic vacation! I would love to spend a week (or two) in that cottage!

[Jenni at Baame Kniits]

I don't know why more English don't holiday in their own country, your photos capture it perfectly and it looks like it was amazing. I hope it is not just nostalgia from an old Pom??
I think the photos in the rain were beautiful too :-) Did you buy anything in those yarn shops???

[Stephie @ Narrative Self]

You came here?! Aaaw...can't agree with you about The Maritime Museum though - the most BORING museum in the world, unless you like looking at boats hanging from the ceiling...and the Eden Project: the most EXCITING 'museum' in the world, vibrant, full of colour, always something new to see or do (preachy? Well, Eden IS an educational charity) (The Maritime Museum never changes and doesn't do half as much for the local community...) Ahem, I think I may be in danger of getting preachy myself if I continue!!! Really glad you enjoyed your time here, it is definitely a very special place :)

[Antonia]

Dear Vanessa,
I ADORE Evangeline!
x Antonia
ps Your postings are a visual delight... Thankyou.