Poldark arrivies in town

It was with great excitement that I stumbled across the Poldark set yesterday.  Charlestown has been transformed into the port featured in the popular Poldark series.  Rumor has it filming starts next week so we will obviously be there frequently just in case Ross Poldark needs any help at all - we want him to enjoy his Cornish stay.  I will attempt to get some pictures for you (of the set not Ross!), inbetween looking at Ross!  In all seriousness blog followers will know how much I love a good film set and we do get a few in Cornwall.  I find it fascinating watching locations we know and love being transformed for films and watching how they disguise modern elements of where they are.    Watch the second series of Poldark and see if you can see the Gribbins Head when they are in Charlestown or the little hut at the end of the harbour!

You might have noticed last week we missed a blog.  Well it has been a long couple of weeks.  Our youngest, 17 month old Bethany broke her leg.  It has put an interesting spin on life.  Trying to keep an outdoor loving active toddler still has proved impossible, despite being in a full leg cast she has learnt to walk again and is testing my nerves further by climbing on anything and everything.  She is in cast until the beginning of October, so we are becoming more and more creative of how to keep her dry and vaguely clean - neither of which comes easily to us.  Talking of blog frequency, I will be doing monthly blogs over the winter months.

Today is glorious.  We have another two weeks of the season and it looks like we are set to go out on a bang in terms of great weather.  Richard and I both love the Autumn.  I think it is the excitement with young children that Christmas is on it's way, the change in colours that surround the park and the fire that welcomes you when you get home that we love.  Cornwall offers some amazing places to enjoy stunning views or warm fires after a brisk autumnal walk.  Our favourites include:

• The Polgooth Inn, walkable from Little Winnick this traditional Cornish Pub has welcoming fires, a fantastic menu and is very dog and child friendly.  If you want to experience a proper Cornish pub with a Cornish welcome to match then we highly recommend.
• Lenwinnick Lodge - nestled on the tops of the cliffs on the edge of Newquay this modern Lodge offers great food and drink with views to enjoy.  Particularly good if the seas are rough.
• Sams on the Beach - Sam's is a locally renown for fantastic food.  Situated in the old lifeboat station you don't get much closer to the water than this.  Book to avoid disappointment
• The Duchy Nursery - Enjoy a stroll around the large nursery followed by lunch in front of the fire.  A sign of how good the food is - it gets very busy - even in the Autumn so go early or late to avoid waiting for a table.
• The Hidden Hut - okay so this is outside, but if you go for a walk and wrap up warm why not enjoy a warm drink and delicious food from the Hut nestled into the hill just a short walk from the beach.  Views and food don't get much better.
• Caerhays Beach Cafe - this little cafe is right on the beach and offers delicious food and fantastic hot chocolates.  Whilst researching
  this blog I notice there have a Torch Light Procession in October looking for fairies...I will be booking tickets for that!
• Lanhydrock Cafe - talking of hot chocolates - this, in our humble opinion is one of the best and there is a roaring fire to enjoy too and a huge play area for the children as well.

I should just mention that Heligan is looking stunning at the moment - it is Harvest Festival, it starts today but we had a sneaky peak yesterday as they were getting ready for it - well worth a visit to appreciate the stunning displays.

Glorious Gardens in Glorious Weather

I love Cornwall so much at times like this.  The days are long and gloriously sunny, in fact I might even plan a beach bbq on our day off this week - the question is which beach will we go to?   I will keep you posted.  It is like a switch has been flicked on the 1st September and the sun in out in full force.  This weekend, making the most of the weather we went to Pinetum Park on Sunday.  Richard had a thing about going and I had been dragging my heals; just not that keen for some reason.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, and would highly recommend a visit.

The layout and entrance to the garden would benfit from a little rethink as you are left asking 'is this it?'.  However once you go through the parkland your breathe is taken away.  The stunning vista is a testiment to the planting of previous owners Shirley and Ray Clemo (no relation!).  At the bottom of the parkland is a stunning lake, you are transported to some far off land - it is easy to forget you are in the heart of St Austell.  The Japanese Garden is utterly stunning.  Although heed the signs about not wheelchair/pushchair friendly.  I was a little stubborn and insisted I could manage the pushchair through - Richard thought it was hilarious when balancing on a narrow bridge I nearly fell in the water feature!

If you take pleasure in wandering around gardens then you are spoilt for choice locally and slightly further a field.  With the weather set to remain fair then why not plan a 'Sepetember Sun & Garden' visit to Cornwall?

• Pinetum Park, St Austell - A hidden gem, a love affair with gardens by two dedicated local people, recently brought by another plant lover - the parkland is stunning.
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan - I am a lover of Heligan and we are there most weeks.  One of our most favourite times of year is coming up - Harvest Festival - well worth a visit to enjoy the stunning colours, vegetables and fruits. Starts 19th Sepetember
• The Eden Project - The huge visitor attraction is hosting a food festival at the moment.  We will be going next Sunday to see Katy from Cbeebies.  But if a more distinguished chef is more your cup of tea then check out the two week programme.
• Lanhydrock - This National Trust estate not only has my favourite NT house (great example of upstairs/downstairs living) but it also has spectacular gardens with stunning beautiful herbaceous borders.
• Trebah Gardens - My Mum & Dad's favourite.  This is a special garden - a showcase of Cornish Gardens at their best.  With a lovely walk down to the small waters edge - it is quite magical.  

I would recommend picking up 'The Great Gardens of Cornwall' leaflet in reception.  You pay full price at your first garden and then at each subsequent garden you visit you get a discount.

September Sun (Honestly!)

Porthpean Beach 1st September

The 1st September.  How did that happen? We utterly love September.  It usually proves to be glorious and if day one is anything to go by we will not be disappointed.  I have spent the morning today down at Porthpean Beach.  It was glorious.  The tide was on it's way out so we had lovely wet sand perfect for making sandcastles, boats and mermaids and the rock pools were revealing themselves.  We had our best ever catch, we got two crabs, lots of shrimp like things, a fish and some snails.  I say 'we'; as usual I caught nothing however my neighbour who is 'rock pooling' expert and also rather a good sand castle builder caught everything!  Not quite enough to have on the barbecue!

In all seriousness Cornwall is renown for being a suntrap in September and the long range forecast promises an Indian Summer.  So why not head down for a bit of Septmeber Sun.  With 7 nights for the price of 5 you can stay for as little as £50 for the week, go on...treat yourself and have a well earned break.

If you are thinking of a visit here are a few things on you might like to go along to:

• 1-6 September - Gorsedd Kernow, St Austell.  A festival held in a different location each year to celebrate the Cornish Identity - this year St Austell has the honour, the highlight is a civic position on Saturday through the town at 11, with stall and entertainment.
• 5 September - The Big Autumn Market - Truro.  With over 50 stalls of food producers and street food stalls along with demonstrations, you are sure to see the best of Cornish Produce.
• 5 September - Grampound Fete and Carnival.  A lovely local carnival a short drive away
• 9 September - Padstow Lifeboat Harbour - Padstow.  The lifeboat will be in the harbour from 1.30 with live music and entertainment throughout the day.
• 10 -27 September - Eden's Food Festival - The Eden Project.  With a whole host of celebrity chefs showcasing their skills.
• 11 -13 September - Newquay Fish Festival.  Learn about local fish and see demonstrations from local chefs.
• 13 September - Truro Day - Boscawen Park.  A community day to celebrate Truro with over 40 local groups showcasing what they do and activities for children.
• 19 September - 4 October - Heligan Harvest - The Lost Gardens Of Heligan.  What better way to marvel at all the amazing produce usually displayed in the most amazing and creative ways.
• 25- 27 September - Great Cornish Food Festivial - Lemon Quay, Truro.  A truly huge array of all things food and drink related to Cornwall.  Lots of things to sample and try.
• Every Friday in September - Sunset, Fire & Feast Evenings - Bethruthan Hotel.  Check out the fantastic evenings run every Friday.
• 25 September - Lobster Fish Supper Friday - The Beach Hut Watergate Bay.  Enjoy everything Lobster related at this great restaurant.

This holiday park business is a  funny old game, as today the park has a completely different feel to it from this time last week with a completely different clientele staying with us. The park, as strange as it sounds really does have a little personality created by those staying here.  We have a lot of returning guests with us right now, many of whom we have had the pleasure of getting to know over the seasons.  It is always lovely to welcome people back, to hear their stories about their adventures and for them to see our family growing up far, far too fast.

Make the most of the summer we have left and give us a call to see
what we could offer you throughout September.