2015.05.03 Abingdon Air and Country Show

Even though we planned to visit the show properly this year, the weather decided to change our plans. It was even more annoying when soon after rainy morning the Sun came out. We payed a quick visit, but right after fly2help duo display the rain returned.

Easter 2015 - day 4: Plymouth, Dartmoor National Park

Crossing river Tamar we left Cornwall. Plymouth appered to be very interesting place, and very friendly for visitors, with maps and other information located arount the city.

On our way back we travelled through Dartmoor National Park - it looked nice, if not too 'empty' and felt somehow similar (wandering horses maybe?) to our favourite New Forest. We stopped at Two Bridges, but the location is overrated.

With late lunch at the Post Inn in Whiddon (freshly made food, nice service - recommended) we finished exploration of Cornwall (and South Devon) and set off to enjoy stop-start experience on M5

Easter 2015 at Cornwall - day 3: Lost Gardens of Heligan, Charlestown, Fowey, Saltash

That day started with beautiful weather, that made visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan very pleasant. Even not being much into plants, their variety, colours and unusual species were interesting, with network of paths providing endless ideas for walks. Great place to spend a whole day, especially with children.

Giant’s Head

Mudmaid

 

Wollemi pine

 

For lunch we stopped at Charlestown, south of St. Austell.

We kept travelling towards our next overnight stay, with small stop at Fowey, to end in Saltash.

Fowey

Royal Albert Bridge on river Tamar

Easter 2015 at Cornwall - day 2: St Michaels Mount, Truro, Mevagissey

Last year we only passed through Penzance on our way from Land's End to the Eden Project. This year we were out of luck to find accomodation there, but instead we parked at Marazion and walked there along South West Coast Path.
The main attraction there is St. Michaels Mount - that day (Saturday) there was no access for visitors, nevertheless large numbers were crossing the causeway.

The 2 mile walk to Penzance was nice, but I struggle to imagine following long stretches of coast path - permanent blue on one side and green on the other must affect mental health :) The town itself did not impressed, and when we decided to have some fish - we failed to find any! Nearly desperate, already on our way to the bus station (walking back along the coast would drive me crazy :) we found Renaissance Cafe - recommended for good food and nice views.

We had quite long way to our next overnight stay, so only stoped for a short break at Truro.

Our destination was Mevagissey - another (typical?) port village on the coast, very picteresque and full of character.

We were lucky to find that The King's Arms pub was running local craft beer festival. I'm not exactly sure whether we managed through the whole list (quite likely), but it was, together with wonderful atmosphere there, definitely fantastic experience. The most curious example was 'Oyster Stout': remastered using genuine Fal oysters and their shells: the calcium in the oyster shels replaces the need for finings, making a clear dark stout. Fal oysters are gathered under sail and oar up the river Fal.

On our way we also visited The Ship Inn, which will be remembered forever for gorgeous barmaid (quote: 'I could become bisexual for her'), with tears of goodbye flushed with Bloody Mary - that remembered for half of the next day :)

Easter 2015 at Cornwall - day 1: Boscastle, Rocky Valley Walk, Port Isaac

Taking advantage of 2 extra days off thanks to bank holidays, we set off to explore Cornwall further. Last year's foray wasn't particularly succesfull, and this Easter trip also started rainy, windy, and with not much better weather forecast.
We planned to explore as much of the coastline as possible, to recognize where is it worth coming back for some more detailed exploration in the future.
First stop was Boscombe, with the Museum of Witchcraft (shmbo order, not surprisingly ;]) visit followed by walk towards the sea. Freezing winds were very strong, blowing people off their feet, so we evacuated pretty quickly.

Then we had a nice walk through Rocky Valley and back (longer, circular walk possible).

Visit to the museum helped to decipher secret marks on the rock at the disused mill

The last, but not least stop visit Port Isaac - known well from 'Doc Martin' series.
It is indeed a very picteresque village, with narrow, steep streets. Once can smell the fish, and it is paradise for seafood lovers.