last thoughts on Cornwall

Looks a bit like a church but is a ruined engine house on the moors, in actual fact the Heritage Centre in  the village of Minions.

Leaving Cornwall behind was a wrench, not enough time to see things, but as these last thoughts filter through my brain, LS's cousin cottage leaves a pleasant memory, it was the garden with the little stream flowing around it, the hens and the vegetable garden already the currants were beginning to ripen. As I sat on a garden bench in the afternoon Sue presented me with a large colander full of broad bean pods and pea pods, "have a zen moment" she says.  Well I did snapping the broad bean pods in half, running my thumb down its velvety inside, popping the peas and I didn't quite do what I did as a child chewing the inside of the pea pods for their sweetness, or discover a white maggot which would sometimes lurk in the pod, but growing ones own will always be very satisfying and they tasted delicious at supper.

General impression of Cornwall, leaves a mixed picture, the towns were depressing, we got stuck in a horrific traffic jam in the small streets of St.Ives and so did not stop.  Whereas I would be quite happy to live in a small village like Minions on the edge of the moors, our friends lived in Ruan Lanihorne village, where you would be just as likely to meet an Alfae Romeo coming down the narrow lanes as a tractor. Cornwall is a place of rich holiday homes, and the prices of the houses reflect this.  

Two photos reflect the ever changing landscape views, the lush green tree lined valley and the open cold moor, the Heritage Centre was a find, taking a short walk in pretty asbysmal weather we sheltered from the wind below its stairs, and then we went up through curiosity found the door open and spent a pleasant half an hour reading about the industrial nature of the moors.

The river valley at Ruan Lanihorne, which flows into the estuary.

The Heritage Centre

Not quite got the top

Now we have visitors for three days and more stuff to unload into the studio, but maybe one day my love will work out how to sell all those silks, papers and brushes and get rid of the enormous workbench and then maybe, just maybe I can get my loom out once more ;).

Not forgetting the furry little cat who followed us whilst we were at the Centre.

One other memory flashes through, this was the sweet gesture of Roys' to make us up a large picnic plate each of  salady things, when we visited the Trippet circle, so there Sue and I sat in the freezing cold wind on the moors, drinking I think, Asti spumante, whilst the men sat in the cars eating theirs.  Surrounded by highland cattle, who seem a long way from home and a stone circle, what more can you want?