So we were happily pottering up Chichester Harbour on the second day of our holiday when George realised the tiller had broken. Quite difficult to steer with a broken tiller. Then we realised that part of the guard rail was quite seriously broken. Quite dangerous to go to sea with broken guard rails!
So what do you do when your boat is broken and you have a planned weeks holiday ahead of you? You call the in-laws and say "hello, would you like to see us? Like tonight? For like, a week?" Luckily, George's Mum and Dad were very happy with this suggestion so said yes, see you later! Hooray! Our holiday wasn't ruined.
So we jumped in the car and headed off through gorgeous Dorset and Devon countryside to the loveliness that is Cornwall. I had to ask George to stop so I could take this view of the Dorset coastline looking west towards Devon. Despite a few clouds, it was fantastically clear.
We stopped at a little roadside cafe and a couple of these chaps came to say hello. They were very brave, but then I think they were tempted by the delicious bacon sandwiches we were enjoying.
We had a lovely day in St Ives while we were there, although I did think George was going to explode as we sat on the very overcrowded train from Penzance to St Ives. We chose to take the train as it saves looking for a parking space, and the view as it winds it's way along the coast line is quite stunning. But the train was packed with holiday makers and after the lady behind us had bashed her elbow into George's head for the second time, my lovely boyfriend was not such a happy person! Hopefully the fantastic light of St Ives cheered him, and the huge bowls of delicious Moules washed down with a bottle of very chilled white in a peaceful little restaurant away from the crowds definitely helped! Here are some views of the day. The light was unbelievable and I'm not sure the camera has fully captured it.
We've been many times to Penzance now and have often walked past this pub but have never spotted what is is on the roof!
We were reasonably lucky with the weather while we were there but on one very dull morning we drove over to Falmouth to visit the Maritime Museum. It was the nearest thing to sailing that poor George got during the week. I know he enjoyed the week but did spend a lot of the time wishing we were on our little 'Merit'. He did get to admire some though.
The view from the viewing tower at the museum. I loved the terraced hillside of Falmouth. Would probably have been prettier in the sun!
Our week was truely relaxing and although it wasn't exactly what we had planned, it was a lovely holiday nevertheless. How could it not have been when we had such a lovely little companion to share our time there.
Alfie is George's Mum and Dads new dog. He may not be the prettiest dog in the World but he is the cutest. So funny, and very difficult to leave behind.
Our journey home was via George's Sisters in Looe for the night, then accross on the chain ferry to Plymouth, just for fun, before a little trip down memory lane for George, showing me the village he used to live in in Devon as a child after they left Cornwall. Here are a couple of images of Plymouth Hoe and looking out towards Plymouth Sound.
Finally, here is a very unusual weir that feeds a water mill in Ottery St Mary, which is close to where George used to live. We took a peaceful walk along the millstream to see this and had the most wonderful experience, when not one, but two kingfishers swooped down to the water then flew right past us along the length of the stream! We both just stood there open mouthed in amazement. I wish I could have captured it on film but they were far too quick. It finished off the holiday a treat. We may not have had our planned adventure to the Isle of Wight, but I know we will have chance to do that at some point, and our week in Cornwall was lovely. Cornwall is a place that makes me feel utterly relaxed and I feel lucky to have met my gorgeous Cornish man and be able to share his gorgeous birthplace with him. Thank you my love for a very lovely holiday x
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I've just realised this is my 100th post!!!!!! I can't believe I've made it to 100!!! No give away today I'm afraid as this has rather crept up on me, but I have a mini give away next post which involves a little involvement from all of you, and as it is my one year blogiversary some time this month, I will get my act together for a proper treat for you all so keep watching over the next week or two. xx
