Easter Holidays in Cornwall: beware there are lots of photos!

For the second week of the Easter break we rented a 'cabin' type affair near Bodmin in Cornwall. What a glorious week we had, the sun shone and we were blessed with blue skies and beautifully warm days all bar the Friday, which was our last day anyway so we couldn't complain. We had decided that we would make the most of our National Trust membership on this holiday and made a good start with a visit to Castle Drogo on the journey from Somerset, through Devon and on into Cornwall (sorry, no photos.)

The next day (Easter Sunday) we headed for Lanhydrock, which was just about 3 miles from where we were staying so we got there just as it was opening up. There was an Easter Egg hunt (again, as we'd also done one at Castle Drogo) which kept DC occupied while hubby, Granny and I were able to enjoy the house and gardens. 

How's about this contraption for cooking the roast chicken?

There were about ten rooms dedicated to all sorts of different food prep, alongside the main kitchen; there was a dairy room (below), a meat room, a fish room to name but a few.

I've told hubby that I really want to move to a Victorian (or Edwardian) house again, so we can have rooms just like this:

And perhaps a corridor like this.

Unfortunately after this my battery ran out so that was the end of the photos, but believe me when I say it is a stunning house, chock-full of interesting historical artefacts, books, furniture, decor, and surrounded by a wonderful garden. I think Lanhydrock is at the top of the list for favourite NT places visited and I would absolutely encourage everyone to go there; I really hope hubby and I can make a return visit sometime soon. 

Day three and we ventured to Fowey so that DC could partake of his favourite holiday past-time - crabbing. Here he is with his brand new bucket, ready and raring to go.

We found the pontoon was the best place for crabbing and also for enjoying the view.

That's Polruan, on the opposite side of the estuary

As well as crabs, we were amazed to catch a starfish!

And some of us spent time catching the rays.

In the afternoon we took the ferry over to Polruan for a little wander round, although we weren't as taken with it as Fowey so we didn't stay all that long. I would heartily recommend a visit to Fowey if you are after a little town with fabulous views, a small selection of interesting shops to look round and some very nice places to eat.

Day Four and it was time to use that NT card once again with a trip to St Michael's Mount.

Our timing meant that we were able to get the boat over to the island and then walk back along the causeway after our visit

This is the Giant's Heart; it's hidden among the cobbles in the path that leads up to the castle

 Master of all he surveys

 Here's the causeway that you could see partially submerged a few photos back

 After St Michael's Mount, we headed a little further along the coast to the sweet little village of Mousehole (pronounced Mau-zel in case you were wondering!) The tide was well and truly out when we first arrived.

 I managed to take a photo of DC looking about 12 years old. Old before his time, poor chap.

 Hubby and I had a competition to see who could take the best 'photo that could be turned in to a jigsaw'; this was my entry. If it weren't for the shadow, bottom left, I think it could be a contender.

 We stayed so long that the tide came back in; the weather was absolutely glorious and we ended up having fish and chips for tea on the edge of the harbour, basking in the sunshine at 6pm - quite a rarity for April in England!

 

The next day it was back to Fowey for more crabbing!

 Not exactly a hardship though, with views like these.

 Thursday we decided to take a trip to St Ives, a place that has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Unfortunately I was rather disappointed. I know lots of people who absolutely rave about this town, but I just couldn't warm to it; perhaps my expectations were too high? It was very, very busy and crowded which put me off straightaway, there were touts along the main sea front road trying to persuade people to go on boat trips which I thought was rather tacky, and really there was just too much going on for my liking. Perhaps a visit out of season is called for so I can appreciate the place a bit more; I could see that the beaches were lovely, but we're not really a beach family so it was a bit lost on us. Plus poor old DC couldn't find a great spot for crabbing.

 On the way back from St Ives we called in at yet another NT property - Trerice. A very pretty Elizabethan manor house which was very pleasant to wander around, and is really quite compact so very easy to do if you only have a little time to spare. I think we'd have been disappointed if we'd made a special trip, but as we were 'just passing' it was a perfect stopping-off point.

 And the opportunity to buy and wear armour couldn't be passed up.

 And then it was Friday, the final full day of our holiday. And guess where we went?

 This little chap was absolutely in his element here - packed lunch, sword, bucket of crabs, he couldn't have been happier!

 And a dinner of jacket potato with cheese and beans certainly put even more of a smile on his face!

 And that was it for our trip to Cornwall. On the journey home we stopped at yet another NT property - Killerton in Devon

 We had such a lovely break, the weather was wonderful and it was so nice to spend time together relaxing and having fun. Here's to the next trip away in just a few short weeks!