Land of Pasty Factories

This year Lyn's birthday present from my daughter Abby was pretty original. Sam announced that she had made reservations for us at Rick Stein's restaurant at Padstow. Ah! Sam is short for Samantha, her second name, my choice and what I call her. Just thought I'd clear that up. Now, it's not that we were ungrateful but the thought of a ten hour round trip drive for dinner did not fill us with, shall I say joy!

However Abby assured us that she had also found a B&B close by. On arrival we checked into the Hendra farmhouse at St.Tudy and then went to find Padstow before retiring to the local for a bite to eat.

The next morning, after a huge breakfast, we set off to the Eden Project outside St.Austell. This is an amazing place dominated by its colossal biospheres and well worth a visit. While there I was told that plans are afoot for an expansion which will include another biosphere and possibly a University!

We then moved on to Mevagissy for pasties and a pint. We walked off the pasties at the shipwreck museum at Charlestown. Square riggers in the dock and a host of stuff in the museum brought up from wrecks around the Cornish coast. Absolutely intriguing!

That evening we drove into Padstow and together with Abby and her boyfriend John, enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at this famous venue. In addition to the main restaurant Rick Stein also has a bistro and a cooks shop in the town.

Across from Padstow harbour is Rock. This is a big sailing area and was to have been a SigneT Nationals venue a few years ago. Unfortunately the class we were to have shared nationals with dropped out at the last minute and we had to cancel because we couldn't meet the minimum number requirements

The following day Abby and John had to return home. We drove up with them as far as The Cobweb Inn at Boscastle. After they left we headed for Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor and a couple of jars.

The next day we spent wandering around St.Ives, The Lizard and Falmouth. St.Ives is timeless, a bit more commercial every time I see it but it still manages to retain its old world charm. One of its greatest treasures is the Barbara Hepworth museum. This was the house and walled garden where she lived and worked during the 50's, 60's and early 70's. Many of her extraordinary sculptures are displayed in the garden. Her workshop is virtually as it was when she died in 1975. We finished the day with a Cornish cream tea at Falmouth.

The following morning we said goodbye to our host Christine and made our way back home. Cornwall is a beautiful county and well worth a few days to explore its charms.

Mike (Over Easy) Baker