It did us both good

After six months of, first, non-stop rain and then, second, the dreaded shingles for the next four months, I was ready for a break from the house and village. We had intended to travel to the far north of Scotland and visit friends that live so far away from us here in the south-west. Jen thought it unwise for me to drive and tow the 'van such a distance that we cancelled those ideas and opted for a short, four-hour trip to windy Penwith, instead.

The cat was returned to the cattery for love and affection from Eileen and we set off for Sennen and a farm campsite with a sea view. As the tank was almost empty when we arrived, once we had set up the 'van, we hotfooted it to Morrisons for diesel and a few supplies. That evening we ate on site; reasonable both in quality and price - but it did lack a bit of atmosphere. It rained - heavy - and very windy.

Trevedra Farm camp site (club field)

Day one and we wandered off to Sennen Cove. We took it easy, looking round the lifeboat station, walking from one end to the other, taking a snack lunch with the obligatory ice cream afterwards and watching the antics of the surfers in what was posted as 'princely' conditions. The sun was hot!

Sennen Cove Harbour (looking north)
[We were camped on the skyline above the gent's head]

Next day dawned warm and sunny, too. Off to St Michael's Mount, where I'd not been before, taking the dogs with us. NT membership meant Jen didn't pay to view the gardens, while I sat with the dogs and a coffee, admiring the view. Terry Smith (Falmouth) hadn't put the flags out! Jen took herself off for an exploratory walk in the afternoon; I had a local drive around.

St. Michael's Mount at low tide

The following day we were invited to John and Eva's to witness the opening of the overnight moth trappings. I admired his new 2.0 litre VW Ecos with a swish sun-roof - trust the old "car salesman" in him to re-appear! 

J. Swann (right) - well in with the neighbours!

We then went for a walk round the Botallack-Pendeen  area, where there are many old disused mines and a few that are being resurrected, going by the tailings' dumps. We saw the 'Poldark' house but not the film crew, who are doing a re-make at the moment. I had to take the following picture of "The Crowns" which appears on many a calendar - at JS's insistence. We didn't see any Choughs (just watchers) but lots of other things that are local to the area ... and two 'lost' German men. 

An old mine being re-activated

"The Crowns"

In the afternoon, we went to Cape Cornwall - just for an ice cream, really. I did bump into an old couple from Knaphill, (near Woking), though, and had a natter.

Cape Cornwall (from NT car park)

The next day the heat must have gotten to me as I had a gippy tummy.We decided to make it a day of rest and relaxation. After all, it was the ninth anniversary of our first meeting at Knights' Hill! (that's above Castle Rising, Norfolk, at 51m a.s.l)

The Germans have arrived
(under the moon of love?)

Erin's tenth birthday. We drove to The Lizard and walked the unconventional route  to the most southerly point in the kingdom. We did see four Choughs feeding in a field, which pleased Jen. By gum, it was hot and sultry. Needs must for another ice cream. For an evening meal we decided that the Red Star Chinese in St. Just could fulfil our needs (it was only four miles away) and at £18 was magnificent. Top marks. 

The centre of St. Just.
(Oldest UK pasty shop (Warrens') on corner behind lamp column)

The weather was still glorious and the moon was full. In fact, at five o'clock in the morning you could see both the sun and the moon above the horizon at 180 degrees to each other!

The following day was somewhat cloudier than we had got used to. We made the short journey to Porthcurno, one, to visit this lovely beach with its steep, fine sands (unfortunately one is not allowed to take the dogs down there), and, second, to see the hut (not open 'til later in the day) where the telegraph lines came ashore and then to visit the newly opened museum in the old Cable and Wireless building. Pricey but well worth it, we felt.  (Entrance fee £7.50 for concessions)

The Telegraph Museum

Entrance to underground tunnels

On the way back, we popped into Treave Pottery but were disappointed that the stained glass people opposite were away for the week - just like us!.

Next day we packed up, gave my dog her pill and set off for one last walk around the local paths and lanes before driving northwards in lovely weather, back up the A30 and A38 to Somerset once more. We were home by 2 pm. With a couple of hours left before I could retrieve the cat, I went and re-filled all the half a dozen or so bird-feeders which were all empty, despite having been filled full before we left for Cornwall.

We did both feel better for this break and I almost forgot about my shingles. [Still getting the odd twinge and sore spot]. We both agreed it was nice to come home - we've both become a pair of old farts!

Missing it already.

2014 (1)

My ill health during the first four months of this year has meant this blog coming to a standstill. Firstly it was a lingering cold that I picked up at the annual BTO conference at Swanwick, which decided it rather liked me and refused to be shaken off (bit like my dog), followed closely by shingles around my right chest and arm, which also didn't want to leave me in peace (just pieces and pain).

It was May before I had sufficient energy to get out and about, having confined myself to the daily walk with the dog, all of half an hour, and catching birds for ringing in the garden. I also managed a few Speed-Watch sessions from April, once the new system for our police division became up and running once more. [It had become unreliable due to "operational difficulties" and we were stood down.]

The railway is up and running full-time once more. The spring gala was a moderate success with over 5,000 people visiting. Below is a picture I took on a "dog walk" [we usually time our walks to coincide with a train].

West Somerset Railway - Ravingham Hall @ Williton (2014)

We lost one of the kittens, Twix, to a motorist - she was run over by a neighbour. She was the more adventurous of the two. The other one was also in the wars, but has since recovered. She prefers to watch the birds in the garden, presumably with an eye to snacking on one; she is also fond of wood mice.

"Liquorice", the cat, with her poorly leg strapped up.

The corroded water main has been renewed and the system flushed of iron debris. This in turn has increased the water pressure at the tap and reduced the time taken to fill the cisterns, etc. by several minutes! There were three leaks on the old pipe where quick fix repairs had been made. We now have a neat, copper, internal rising main and stopcock. Note - high level lever, out of the reach of mischievous hands.

New rising main grouted in + high level stop-cock
(out of little childrens' reach) 

We've had two large loads through on their way to the paper mill in Watchet. Smiths are replacing the boilers, which travelled by road. They left the Sedgemoor services on the M5 at 8 am on a Sunday morning. The first passed at 12:10, the second, a couple of months later, at 11:10. What a difference a gloomy week end makes! Lack of grockles/emmets on the road (A39) to Minehead and all points west.

Boiler being transported to the Wansbrough paper factory (Washford)

We were to go on holiday for a fortnight to the north of Scotland but me having the shingles put the kibosh on that, as Jen thought I was not ready just yet for such a long drive. Instead, she has booked us in for a week near Land's End.

The garden is in full bloom at present. We have had a wonderful show of bluebells and primulas; now it's the turn of the fuchsias and aquilegia. The powerful winds of late have taken off the remaining daffodil and tulip heads, exposing the 'weeds'. Madam is out there as I speak! This spring has been renamed "the year of the slug". My, how has the grass grown this year following one of the wettest winters on record. We had 548 mm of rain between the 15th December last and 14th February this year alone. We missed being flooded though, unlike some other inhabitants of Somerset.

Adam Gray / SWNS

Must leave it now as there's too much work to be done about the house and garden now that I have regained a little bit of energy.