The Cornwall Blog

Bren the Border Terrier at Par Beach It's a Wednesday morning and we find ourselves in England in our third lockdown. As previously we have to stay home and only go out for essentials, thankfully this includes exercise. I have never been more grateful than this past year for living somewhere so beautiful. Although many of the gardens and establishments are closed to visitors there is still plenty of parkland to explore. Near me we have Lanhydrock House, although the house and garden are closed the estate remains open with a lovely walk at Respryn also still available.  Last light at Lerryn Woods After the storm at Polkerris Beach Best of all we can access the coast, last week I took a stroll at the little beach of Polkerris. Love it there, the harbour wall hugs the beach like a warm embrace. Though it has to be said not much was warm that day! Bitter wind softened slightly by the beautiful sunshine. There was sculptural driftwood strewed here and there and a fair amount of dogs hap...

A recent trip to Marsh Villa Gardens in Par made me think I should highlight the beauties of this part of Cornwall. Although right on my doorstep, I hadn't properly visited Marsh Villa gardens until the recent Bank Holiday. It worked out really well, its such a peaceful garden owned by a lovely family. They took over the three acre plot in the Eighties and have transformed the over grown valley into a tranquil paradise. I went with my dad and we meandered around the paths before the sun got too hot. This was the creek mentioned by Daphne du Maurier in 'House on the Strand'. You can help yourself to home made cake for a couple of pounds but we went just further along the road to the popular Yummy Scrummy Bakery. They do marvellous pancakes and as the name suggests, yummy cakes. I often meet friends here for breakfast but today it was a smoothie and cake. Par has a wide and windswept beach that I think is often over looked. Granted, at one end you have ...

The last few days of July were busy for Friends of Par Beach with events on the afternoon of Thursday 28th and late evening on Saturday 30th. The events team from Groundwork SW brought the Cadbury’s sponsored Spots v Stripes to Par Beach on Thursday 28th July, where some 200 children and adults joined in or watched the fun. Participants joined either the Spots or Stripes team and competed in sack races, space-hopper races, giant Jenga, beach Noughts and Crosses and tug-o-war with great enthusiasm cheered on by excited parents and grandparents. Tweet The weather was perfect for the event, which brought to life a busy Par Beach and everyone went home tired, but happy. The weather for the second event on the evening Saturday 30th July was not so helpful as the sky clouded over for the start of the Star Gazing on the beach. Kit Williams answered questions about astronomy and found out a bit of what the 30 attendees already knew. Having decided to enjoy the tea and coffee provided by Friend...

A group of 8 members of Friends of Par Beach managed to dodge the rain on Sunday to enjoy an informal photography event at Par Beach and the Bird Lake. Tweet Bob Rawlings and George Collings, from St Austell Camera Club, gave lots of advice and encouragement, whose cameras ranged from compact to digital SLR. Amongst the techniques group learned were composition of the photo, depth of field, aperture priority and, in view of the weather, photography in poor light. Lots of photos were taken of birds, people and the landscape. There will be another photo event on Sunday 10th April 2011 with Tim and Janie Bullen. Full details on our website along with other forthcoming events. At the end of a most informative session thanks were given to Bob & George of St Austell Camera Club, John Page and Michelle O’Shea, Friends of Par Beach, for organising the event and for providing most welcome tea and biscuits at the end.