An English Holiday
Need I mention the heat? Nope. I think not.
We had respite from the worst of it for ten days when we went to Fowey, in Cornwall, where temperatures were a few degrees cooler.
(Who goes on holiday dreaming of rain? Are we never satisfied?)
I won’t mention the heat though.
Rain – I will mention the rain. Such cool, refreshing and thirst quenching rain it was that met us as we set off on the ferry from Fowey to Polruan, a mere 5 minute trip.
Of course, the trip itself was not without incident. There we three were, alone on the quayside, the only ones in the queue. Presently, others joined us, including a large party of German walkers. The Mevagissey Ferry arrived first and many departed on that. We were at the front of the queue, still waiting for the Polruan ferry.
Behind us, there was some murmuring. The party of walkers appeared to be muttering amongst themselves. I heard one ask if the people in front were waiting for the next Mevagissey ferry. They were. The party of walkers edged down the slipway and stood a little way behind us.
A cute French Bulldog, overweight and hot, rolled on the glistening slipway and amused us with his antics. His owners were also waiting for the Polruan ferry.
The small ferry arrived.
We waited politely, while its passengers disembarked, stepping back to allow them to pass.
The group of walkers were becoming agitated and before we knew it, had pummelled their way, elbows out, through the queue. They did not ask us which ferry we wanted. Merging with the incoming passengers, they were determined to board. It is a wonder no one ended up in the water.
Pushing us to the side, they launched themselves onto the boat, heedless of our fate or that of the couple with the French bulldog.
“That’s it, no more, can only take 12,” the Captain informed us all. Several of their party begged to be allowed on but ‘rules is rules’ and the boat is insured for 12 passengers.
It sailed off and the disgruntled walkers huffed and puffed.
We looked at one another and shook our heads. How had that happened?
The ferry was back within ten minutes.
We were better organised this time and managed to be first on board. The remaining panicked walkers elbowed their way onto the boat. We forgave them. They were guests in our country after all.
Half way across, the strangest thing happened, drops of rain began landing on our heads. We pulled on our waterproofs just as the skies opened.
Thus, we stepped onto Polruan soil.
We planned to walk the three miles to Bodinnick and take the Bodinnick ferry back to our house.
The cloudburst was torrential. We shrugged, well, in for a penny!
Off we set across cliff and through woodland and creek. We admired the cool, green waters of Pont Pill, far below us and the rain could not deter us. Indeed, the sights and smells were enhanced by it. By the time we were two miles in, we had seen no one but here we were able to discard raincoats and sit down for the picnic Dave had packed, on a handy bench, breathing in the sweet aroma of recent summer rain. People began emerging from the opposite direction. They had evidently waited for the rain to stop. They had missed a treat.
That was the only rain we experienced. Worth a mention though! We even took photographs.
Before we had even got to the ferry that day, there was great excitement in Fowey because HRH Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall were due to visit the Town Quay on their annual trip to Cornwall. We made an unscheduled stop by the Quay as their arrival was imminent.
The photos were no better than those taken when we saw Prince William in a Right Royal Occasion. A Royal Watcher, I could not be. Still, I saw Camilla in the car…I do like that lady…and we were there.
Other highlights of our stay included a trip to Penzance – stopping at Castle Pendennis on the way. We arrived at 12pm just as the Castle closed for an hour due to a wedding taking place within its walls. Not to worry. We walked around the grounds and saw some big guns and cannons before heading off to Penzance for two nights.
The temperature was a little cooler and fresher than Fowey. Not many braved the outside pool which was not heated though Lisa did think about it. Looks like Portugal in the photos!
A trip to Porthcurno was amazing and informative. I had not realised the part this little port played in the history of cable and wireless.
Back in Fowey, (we call it home now, especially having abandoned it for a couple of nights) we re-discovered our secret garden on the cliffside behind us. After a rather precarious climb, up and up we went with sixty rocky steps to negotiate, some of which were little more than loose slates, we edged our way along the path. We found the way blocked by jungle growth. Dave spent another few hours clearing the brambles and next day, we actually made it to our small garden, at the very top of the cliff. The views across the Fowey river were well worth the effort.
We didn’t want to leave. The sun shone, the breeze blew and, at times, we felt we were basking on some sunny Mediterranean coast.
It was an English Holiday at its best…
How we love Fowey!
Debbie
I am an Author, wife to one, mother to five and grandmother to six. I live in the English countryside in Hampshire, UK, with my husband and two dogs and am a non exec Director for Glow www.theglowstudio.com.
13 Comments
juliathorley
I’m off to Cornwall later in the year, but right now I’d give anything to be in Fowey.
Debbie
It is a lovely place and we are lucky to have a house there Julia. We really did not want to come home. 🙂
Teresa
What a lovely entertaining post! Summer rain is wonderful. We had our first last night for weeks and weeks. We could hear people outside exclaiming so went out to see what was happening. So welcome! Your Cornish holiday sounds perfect – except for the walkers. I was once elbowed into a bramble bush by a group of walkers (English!) down a lane. They wouldn’t move to one side to pass as all we dog walkers do, but just walked right at me! To add insult to injury, the only reason they could walk down the lane at all was because we dog walkers used it all year round and kept it from becoming overgrown!
I loved all the photos – it looks very lush!
Debbie
There are stories to be told about some of those walkers I am sure Teresa! They seem to go into panic mode at the thought of being split up. Yes, the rain was welcome and we have had our share here, since of course. Our garden is getting greener this week although a serious underground water leak has kept it from being as brown as our neighbour’s I suspect. ‘They’ are coming to find and fix the leak at some point but at the moment it is still gushing out somewhere below ground we presume. eek!
hilarymb
Hi Debbie – oh how you reminded me I don’t have ties down there any more – how many years have St Ives and Penzance been home for me … a mere 65 at a stretch … but memories gone now. Where in Pz were you – looks a delightful cottage rent – and views into the bay – love that part of the world .. .Fowey I don’t know so well … but know the Trenarren, near Black Head area fairly well … that’s only memories now too … cheers Hilary
Debbie
Hi Hilary, glad I revived some memories for you. We stayed at the Penzance Hotel for a couple of nights. I have a couple of friends down that way but mainly ghosts people my thoughts as I walk around. It was a favourite holiday destination in my childhood and my sisters and I retained a feeling of belonging there. My late sister introduced me to the delights of Fowey – I did not know it so well before. The Cornish light is something to marvel at I think. I used to take my pens and paint down there when I was younger and dreamt of being an artist/writer. Wonderful place for dreams 🙂
hilarymb
Hi Debbie – I should have mentioned the Minack Theatre … I expect you’ve been there … just beyond the Telegraph Museum … it’s a fascinating area … and that cable across the Atlantic … before reaching across the other seas and oceans.
Thanks for the backstory info … in some ways similar to mine – except we were for all but the last years to the west of Pz or earlier on across in St Ives. Mum moved to Gulval – and had views out to St Michael’s Mount …
Cornish artists are amazing … and I wish I had that talent … so understand your ‘en plein air’ thing … dreams of writing or painting = me I had neither … I’ve got one … the other definitely didn’t get passed down!!
Enjoy being or getting home – cheers Hilary
Debbie
Minack Theatre! No, we did not go there, how annoying, it looks lovely and well worth a visit next time. Our trip was taken on a whim – we had not really known about the telegraph museum either. How lucky you were to have spent so many years down that way. I should get back to drawing/painting but my life tends to fall into sequences of writing or drawing and I am in writing mode at the moment. We are lucky enough to have a wonderful view across the river Fowey to Daphne du Maurier’s house, from our front windows upstairs. I find that amazing 🙂
hilarymb
Wonderful … your area is not one I know that well … but had a near relative at Trenarren who was friends with the literati down there … Gorgeous views you must have … and yes the west is glorious … do get to the Minack at some stage … it’s glorious down there … preferably a hot summer’s day! (evening) …
patricia60
Your holiday sounds wonderful and just what the spirit needed. Rain is foreign here right now after one of the wettest years on record. Have a Ferry story for you. Partner, Tom, was off with friends cycling Vancouver Island in June. Got on long ferry ride to the island, took off helmet and off flew his hearing aids. With no National health assistance the $5,400 replacements arrive next Tuesday. Have been trying not to yell as it is far to hot.
Our Youngest daughter is getting married August 25th this year – life has been full, but between the two events no holiday ahead for us! Stay cool
Debbie
Oh my Patricia – that story is not so good eh? The wedding will make up for it I am sure (25th is my youngest son’s birthday) Staycations can be the best so enjoy. I am cooler today though temperatures are set to climb again later in the week…we’d better make the most of it. 🙂
patricia60
good folks born in August – I am the 23rd!!
Debbie
Hee hee! Happy birthday for the 23rd Patricia! 🙂 X