Sun on Saturday: Padstow, Cornwall

This is the first in a new series of posts where I'll be sharing some sun. There's two reasons for this new series, the first is who doesn't need a glimpse of the sun at this time of year and the second is that it'll give me a chance to share posts from our trip to Cornwall last September and even further back, our trip to Portugal in June. I suspect I'll find some other places with sun too along the way, so slap on some Factor 50 and enjoy some sun...

Padstow is where Rick Stein has his restaurant and many other businesses including a cafè, fish and chip shop, deli, gift shop, patisserie and accommodation. So there's a lot of Rick about, and no doubt his businesses have helped this small town thrive. We first visited about five years ago and that time we did the Rick thing, staying in accommodation above the cafè and eating in the Seafood restaurant before heading off to South Devon by train to visit relatives. And very nice it was too. 

This time though, our visit was a short one as we passed by on our way back to our accommodation in Newquay - well, we couldn't be in Cornwall and so close and not stop in to say hello.  We sensibly parked up by Rick's deli and walked the short distance into town.  The car park closer to town was busy and this seagull appeared to be directing operations...

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It was late afternoon and the town was still bustling, with the majority of people focussed around the harbour admiring the boats and enjoying the last of the day's sun. And the boats, just look at the bright colours and the shimmer on the water, as well as the boat's reflections. 

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We decided that our visit needed chips, so with chips in hand we sat on the quayside watching the world go by and becoming increasingly popular with the local bird population.

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After a stroll around the lanes and the shops, which were now shutting and a random flip flop purchase by MOH we headed back towards the car. 

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This chap seemed to be enjoying the view just as much as us.  We'd finished our chips when we spent some time with this gull who quite happily posed for a few photos, perhaps he thought we'd stowed some chips to reward him. He didn't really know us very well...

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Almost back at the car and I was drawn to these lobster pots and their working setting. 

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And then we did a very British thing, we sat in the car at the seaside! We spent probably longer than we should have watching a digger unload unknown quantities of sand on the far dock and load it for its onward transportation. We were both, sadly mesmerised by this - can you tell we're City types?

Anyway, with our Padstow reserves topped up until our next visit we headed back to Newquay and a large gin and tonic on the balcony. A perfect way to end the day. 

 

I'm linking this post to #wkendtravelinspiration and #PoCoLo

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Giant's stride for mankind...

So today we're back at Glendurgan for probably our last visit and I'm ending with something that amuses me greatly. In fact I'm amazed there are any photos to record this silliness as I was giggling so much. So here you have it, MOH and the giant strides at Glendurgan... What would I do without him to test this for me!

Before you get to the photos let me tell you more about the Giant's stride.  It was installed by the Fox family in 1913 on what was previously a miniature croquet lawn, and what a change that must have been!  As you'll see below it's a large pole with six ropes with handles on the ends. You - or in this case MOH - choose a handle and run round the pole until you can swing out and take giant strides. Meanwhile I'll be there with the camera in burst mode saying something like "let's try that again" in between giggles!  

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And in case you're wondering MOH approved the use of these photos, I think because he thinks no one will see them... Of course, they won't dear!

You can see my other posts about Glendurgan on last Sunday's black and white photo. 

Black & White photo 19: Durgan village

 

After a brief respite for a visit to the #TowerPoppies, this week we're back at Glendurgan. Or more specifically the small village of Durgan at the bottom of the valley on the Helford River. After our stroll through the gardens to the village it was great to nose around the small village, especially in the boat sheds.  As well as nosing around we sat on the beach wall for a while watching the river, and of course, the other visitors!

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Glendurgan has been a good source of black and white photos - this is my third from there - if you missed the others, also see:

- Black & White photo 17: Rope

- Black & White photo 10: A boat seat