threadsnshreds: Back to Cornish shores...

So we took off for our annual trip to Cornwall last week

It's a 6 hour journey, but as its by train, we can keep ourselves amused to make the time pass quicker, plus once we've crossed the bridge into the county the views are spectacular!

On arrival, its just half an hours car journey till we get to the coastline. As there had been strong winds the previous night, it meant the waves had been whipped up. We took a drive along Porthleven coastline to view the waves crashing against cliff edge

To make the most of our time, we planned our weeks itinerary.

For our first trip out we decided to pay a visit to St Michaels mount, a place we'd driven past and admired many times before. As the tide was out, we were able to walk up the causeway to reach the island.

Blue sky opened out and the sun shone, as we spent the next couple of hours walking around the layers of spectacular gardens. From the giant native Echiums

to smaller colourful blooms

and weird and wonderful plants

We worked our way up the different tiers, finding amazing views down over the lower gardens and coast.

We stopped for a much needed lunch break, before heading up to the main house.

Each room showed beautiful decor

and were filled with treasures.

With the outside architecture and views just as pleasing to the eye.

We literally stayed until closing, winding our way back down the steep pathways, finding the Giant's heart on the way.

The tide had come in, so it meant a short boat trip to take as back to the mainland.

After a long day, we'd booked to go to a local restaurant for our dinner. We had chosen Amelies. The food was lovely, but unfortunately there were a few service niggles!

The next day we'd allocated as a rest day. After a lie in, we went down to the village, stopping off at our favourite milkshake cafe. We had intended to try some Geocaching in the area, but we were unsuccessful, with bad signal and no forward planning. We did attempt to clamber around over rocks and search, but to no avail!

We went back and had lunch in the garden,

before venturing out round the village again, this time with Dad, to pop into the local crafts and galleries.

For the evening we had prebooked a trip to the theatre in town. Although we love the theatre, neither of us had seen a play before. We both thoroughly enjoyed it, and felt the two main actors gave a compelling performance.

Then back for a very late dinner, but as always we were warmly greeted!

When we originally planned our trip here, we chose to coincide with the Royal Cornwall show.

The weather started out a bit dismal but thankfully cleared up by the afternoon. We made our way round the various craft tents,

and admired all the floral displays in the flower tent.

We stopped briefly for a pasty before making our way to the arena to see the bikes

and the cattle awards.

Finally we checked out the food tents, munching our way round all the tasters!

Despite having a full day we didn't cover half of it!

Again we'd arranged to eat out, this time at Kota Kai. This is a relaxed, contemporary restaurant and I have to say the food was outstanding!

Another relaxed day. After a quick stroll to the harbour, we had another Al fresco lunch.

In the afternoon we drove up the road to Rinsey, to collect Doris, which we'd reserved.

We then took a walk along the cliffs as it was lovely and sunny again, although a tad windy!

This site has some of the old mines, which featured in the original Poldark series.

On the return we stopped off at a pub called Out of the Blue, here they are compiling a photographic history of the village. My Dad has spent many painstaking hours researching, editing and compiling these photos into topics, I think it will be fantastic once complete, and a great legacy for the locals.

After a lovely home cooked meal, we relaxed with a film.

For our last big day out, we had chosen the Lost Gardens of Heligan, somewhere I've always fancied visiting, and it certainly lived up to its reputation!

We started round the yellow route,

and linked back round to do the pink trail.

Some of the ancient huge trees were amazing with their mass of trunks and branches!

We stopped for a lovely lunch before wending our way round the various styles of garden.

I was in floral heaven!

We wound our way around the Jungle, despite the steep terrain,

and across the rope bridge.

After struggling to find our way out, we made it to the last part, the woodland walk, which enabled us to see the 3 sculptures. The newest one is hardest to spot as it hasn't developed enough.

But the mud maid

and giants head were fully established and fun to see.

Again we had packed in a full day, so for our last night we went to a local Indian restaurant aptly named India. With its traditional decor, we were served up a tasty array or curries, suiting all our different tastes!