Final day in North Cornwall

Unfortunately, and definitely this time, it is my last day in Cornwall. I HAVE to return back to university tomorrow, and as the family are Northbound Saturday anyway that means the end of my cheeky little start of term holiday!

Another town to visit today - St. Ives, and being only 10 or so miles from where we are staying, we drove along the coast road to visit. Already dreading the hill of doom to the city centre with buggy we were amazed to find that in the deep dark depths of the Cornish winter holidays (pretty much EVERYTHING is shut in January), we could actually park near the Tate Art Gallery on the Waterfront! Shocking I know!

Anyway, as we have become accustomed to in Cornwall this week, time for lunch (F is pretty much an alarm clock when it comes to him needing his dinner) a little look around the town and shops, and a wander along the Sea Front. Glorious!

After this, the plan was to go to... "TREASURE LAND"! Now, this place really is as cheesy as it sounds! We visited many years ago, as young'uns, and I must admit it hasn't changed, although we probably have. The oppurtunity to pan for gold, sift for gems, and pick a pearl (involving delving a net into an oyster-full tank to then open it and find a pearl) were too tempting. Fair to say they don't have the same appeal at 21 and 23, now at the ages we realised we are just getting ripped off. The Gold, Silver and Pearl jewellery on sale were however gorgeous, although all too expensive for our poor young incomes... A slightly failed attempt due to nostalgia, but a busy afternoon at least.

We headed back to the Lodge, quickly prepared and were soon in the pool for a swim. This was the second time Freddie has been, and he went from being absolutely shattered barely able to keep his eyes open to thrashing around, splashing everyone in site, and growling with delight (we aren't quite sure why he does this...).

I have had such a lovely week and am honestly not looking forward to getting back tomorrow. It must be done though :( I have a job interview for a Grad Scheme in a couple of weeks and therefore MUST work hard, need to get a 2:1 and my dissertation won't research itself, let alone write! 

So my alarm is set for 6:30 and I will once again be acquainting myself with the A30 (in the predicted rain and wind!).

By the seaside at St. Ives! 

Many years of memories...

Today the weather - much to our appreciation - was a lot lighter and brighter than last night when I had to endure the hairy drive down the A30 ! 

Plan for the day, visit Fowey, and find somewhere that does a nice cream tea!

Now I remember visiting Fowey pretty much every other summer since I was born (this tends to be the families plans, year abroad followed by year in England on a cycle). Although we didn't necessarily stay there we would always visit - and this is because my Mum too has been going since she was a little girl. We are far too familiar with the town now and although you think that would bring boredom and repetition it rarely does!

The little harbour is gorgeous, with its quaint high street of shops, and the inforgettable Everest-like summit to the car park! Second to none is the tiny little harbour ferry ride across to Polruan.

This year however we took nephew F along, and soon found the tiny town is not necessarily the most buggy friendly - with cobbled streets, lanes only wide enough for a car not car + buggy, and the hills! Still, a lovely day was had. As with most visits we noticed changes about the town, shops shutting, moving premises, or being done up over winter. Visiting in January has certainly been odd - as the vast majority of places are shut due to little custom. But still, the views and people cannot be beaten.

After a lovely wander, and a quick bite to eat we headed back to the car and for our next destination. 

This far into the West Country it was a dead cert we would have to eat either a Cream Tea of Pasty while in the territory. We opted for Cream Tea and drove towards the Lost Gardens of Heligan (Nr. Mevagissey). We have looked around the gardens several times before, but never entered the tea rooms so this was our chance, and what a Cream Tea we had. I have quite honestly never seen Scones that big! :)

I will leave you with a couple of snaps - Me L and F. Followed by a view back up the river !

Another lovely day all in all and now back home making a fresh Lasagne from scratch. Evenings in like this with the family can't be beaten.

To the Grindstone...

Back to university and the wake up hit me like a tonne of bricks accompanied with a migraine...
We left and it took two hours to get back, and I wandered straight into my lecture half asleep.
A long day of lectures (4 hours - this sounds pathetic as I now write it), catching up with a few people, and reading some horrendous journals on dating rocks from billions of years ago and I was on the dreary, dark, wet walk home wishing to be back in Cornwall.
Realising I had no lectures until Friday I thought - stuff it - got home, wolfed down a bowl of pasta, packed a bag and hit the road.
2.5 hours later I am in my pajamas, settled onto the sofa with the wind and rain battering the Cornish Lodge outside.
A couple more days of paradise before I have to go back, attack my dissertation, and settle down to work!

Another Cornish town visit...

Today (Monday) we headed in to Truro as planned in order to sort out Dad's glasses.
An hour later, he was fitted with a new arm on his current pair - much to his dismay it is from a pair of ladies glasses and therefore slightly too short to reach his ear and pink. Many a laugh from us therefore, but he is happy to have a pair of working glasses he can see out of that don't give him a headache and aren't wonky!!
Many a downpour later, and running from shop to shop to avoid becoming drenched, and we had exhausted our funds and energy!
A lovely lunch, some gorgeous jewellery shops, and a break short enough in the rain and I got a quick photo of the Cathedral.
Truro really is a lovely little town, and I had a lovely day :)
This evening we got back in time to head to the pool on site. Although only small, there was also a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room - can't complain!
This also meant - F's first time swimming! He is on;y 9 months now, but he loves the bath so much! He thoroughly enjoyed being held and having a splash, although didn't really appreciate a couple of mouthfuls of chloriney water - but he soon learnt to avoid this. It was adorable - although slightly scary, he is growing up so fast, and it seems every other day another milsetone is reached!!

Back to university tomorrow with a lovely 6am wake up necessary to head back! :(

Truro Cathedral

On the road again...

I fear the only time I feel I want to blog, or don't feel guilty taking the time out to do so - is when I am away!
Back for third year at University and I am not going to lie - it is hard work!
Deadlines have been closer together, longer word counts, and worth more in terms of marks. I have worked pretty hard I won't lie, and got results last term that I am pretty happy with!
I must also admit however that my average nights out to lecture hours ratio has increased dramatically this year.
Living in the "student area" as opposed to the back end of nowhere last year, I am finding it much easier to attend socials, meet up with friends and not have to worry about a 45 minute walk home alone, and attend nights out to "Arena" in Exeter with people I know I will be able to walk home with also!
The socialising I must also be getting easier, as having been at Exeter for three years, my friends here mean a lot to me, and we all know each other far too well it must be admitted!!

The term has also comprised of:
1) My first part time job along side uni (just working at Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club on the bar on match days)
2) My most dedicated indulgence into volunteering - with the uni in particular which has led to increased responsibility, and many new friends!
3) My dissertation (which I am pretty sure should be made illegal for university students...)
4) My nephew F growing up far too quickly
5) My 21st Birthday comprised of a quick trip home, amazing best friends H and K visiting from afar, far too many drinks, being spoilt by friends and family, and a brilliant visit from the parents, L and F - Who lovingly gave me the norovirus......

Christmas was pretty uneventful but a much needed rest for recuperation, and full of delightful food, brilliant company, and some gifts for which I am incredibly grateful. Particularly my onesie which is a MUST for any student - due to lack of heating/insulation/double-glazing.

Although having been back at Univeristy only three weeks, with only TWO weeks of lectures so far, I have been lucky enough to join Mum, Dad L and F in Cornwall for a couple of days.
We travelled down on Saturday Morning - post GeogSoc Ball at university (deeming me pretty much immobile most of saturday, smelling like a brewery, and still unable to eat at 8pm), to a gorgeous little village of lodges on the North Cornwall close between St. Ives and Padstow.
Our first full day here and generally we have lazed about the lodge, been in the hot-tub, popped to Padstow for a spot of lunch at Rick Steins Cafe, shopping in some of our favourite shops - Musto and Joules, and back for a chinese take-away, time to catch up on notes and reading for me, and we are now all lazing in front of the television with F snoring away downstairs.

Tomorrow the aim for me is early morning gym (attempting to commit to 3 times a week as a new years resolution, along with eating no chocolate. kill me now!) and a trip to Truro. Dad managed to break the arm of his glasses today, and although having enjoyed watching him attempt to cope with them draped across his face with only one arm to support them, at a 45 degree angle, we do feel sorry enough to head to the shops and civilisation tomorrow in order to help him out a bit!
Besides - I get paid tomorrow and could do with a few shops to look around ;)

Just a quick picture I took from the balcony today - clear skies and a gorgeous view of the sea. I wouldn't mind waking up to this more often! (Apologies for poorer quality - iPhone picture!)