Oldies On Tour

Saturday 14th September.

Awoken by the dogs barking this morning, probably due to more people visiting the camp site as it’s the weekend.  The good news is the sun was shining with hardly a cloud in the sky, and as we’re out this evening, no rush today, also being so nice and sunny, shorts are the order of the day.

After breakfast we headed to the dog friendly beach at Mawgan Porth.   This pretty cove about 5-miles away from us has a large beach which allows dogs on it all year round, so expected to see numerous dogs chasing about!!!!   This is also a favourite beach for surfers and includes a surf school and has a manned  RNLI patrol vehicle parked at the waters edge, “just-in-case”.

Being the weekend there was more traffic to contend with in the narrow lanes, therefore it took longer to get there but in spite of this, the car park was reasonably empty when we arrived though there seemed to be far too many people meandering about for the cars parked!!!

Holding the pooches back as we walked to the beach was interesting, they were so excited all discipline had gone out of the window and the moment we hit the sand and released them, they were gone.   The ball thrower went into overtime and still they came back for more, and more, and more, our arms were feeling it more than the dogs!!!   Being a weekend and with reasonably warm sunshine, there were many families making the most of the beach, not to mention the number of dogs, all running in every direction, it was nice to see.   We even found “that rock” we all want to sit on to admire the view whilst TT & R still kept running,

After an hour and a half we headed back to base for lunch but first Christine gave the dogs a shower, much to their disgust, but at least they will dry in the sunshine!!!

Our booking at Rick Stein’s seafood Restaurant in Padstow is early evening so a leisurely afternoon before getting ready to go out.    We had already viewed the restaurant and decided shorts and tee shirt was not the right attire, so donned smart clothes and headed to Padstow.   Again the place was buzzing and parking spaces were sparse but did find one right outside our venue; lucky or what?   We were a little early so popped into the pub for a quick drink before entering the “posh” restaurant where we were immediately shown to our table and looked forward to an excellent experience.   

Christine had originally booked a table here for a date in May as my birthday treat,  but for several reasons we couldn’t come so she transferred the booking to tonight and now it’s my “belated” birthday treat, and I have had several months to look forward to it, we are finally here.

Drinks and appetisers of Oysters and Padrons on their way and then we set about studying the interesting menus.   We could see why one has to book months in advance, it was extremely popular and their service was slick; as soon as a table became available it was cleaned up in seconds and ready for the next customer and just like magic, they appeared: there were a lot of staff about.

Being Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant, naturally we had fish: Crab and Scallops to start and a Dover Sole each, though cooked differently. Our efficient waitress was from Madrid so we had a bit of a laugh and got to practice some Spanish.   When Christine booked, we were informed each booking is for a two hour slot but with their speed and efficiency this was more than sufficient, though we must confess we did not feel rushed at any point.

Feeling well satisfied Christine drove us home.   Thank you Christine for a culinary delight that will stay in my mind forever.

Arriving back at the camp sight where the dogs went berserk, anyone would think we had left them for a week or so!!!.  No night cap tonight as we had enjoyed superb wine and I had had several excellent large, and very dry martinis to start!!

.Friday 13th September 🤞🤞🤞

Today we are doing something touristy, we are heading to Par, and particularly Par Beach, near St Austell, by train!!   But first and to set us up for the day Christine excelled herself and we had a full-on English Breakfast, black pudding naturally🥰🥰.

We arrived at Newquay station with plenty of time to catch the train and even get a coffee before boarding but then we ran into a “wobble”.   Half the car park had been cordoned off as there were building works going on, so no space.  We turned around to head out and “lady-Luck” struck, someone was just leaving as we were about head out at the exit, result.   Then we had to pay, well naturally it was on the ‘phone but neither of us had this app so we had to go through the process of registering; the bottom line was we had to run to catch the train and missed out on our coffee!!!

It was a very pleasant 50-minute run from Newquay to Par, not a heritage line but a normal GWR service, so we could use one OAP travel cards.    The interesting thing is our return journey for two, was £8.50, no charge for the dogs: Our car park charge for 8-hrs was £10.70, how does that work!!!!

We arrived at Par Station (actually on time!!) and headed to Par Beach, just over half a mile away but en-route found a Football pitch to let Tom-Tom & Rosie stretch their legs, well charge about that is!!!, It turned out this football pitch was part of a much wider sports complex that supported a rather nice cafe, so later than planned we enjoyed hot drinks and again succumbed to more cake😡😡.

It is rather strange, everybody has heard of St. Austell, (Par’s PO address), but it turned out this “nondescript” small harbour “village” has a fully functioning GWR station that is one of the stops on the mainlines: “Paddington to Penzance” and “Cardiff to Penzance” rail routes and perhaps many more, not to mention the direct link to Newquay, so why I ask myself is this so; I did some research.

Surprisingly Par has quite a history.  This quiet fishing village came into prominence in the early 1800’s when a Fowey Businessman, Joseph Treffry, acquired a local copper mine in Par and to be able to export his copper he had to build the harbour.   The copper expanded but when it petered out, tin was also being mined, followed by china-clay, all being shipped out of Par harbour.   This same Joseph Treffry started to build a tramway to Newquay as at that time his copper was being sent to Swansea for processing, having to sail around the dangerous waters off Lands End.  Though he died before his tramway was completed, this was the start of the Newquay – Par railway line we used today, and due to the importance of Par, when the great western railway from London was built, it came via Par and still stops here.   Par harbour is now owned by English China Clay and is still in use.

After our coffee break we headed to Par beach; a pretty walk, firstly through some woods then over the sand dunes and into this large bay and as the tide was out, an enormous expanse of sand, the dogs were in heaven.

After a couple of hours enjoying a very pleasant walk along the beach in the sunshine with no wind we headed back towards the village.  TT & R continuously ran in and out of the sea, along the beach, chasing other dogs balls etc.  they never stopped; how do they do it???   There are three pubs to choose from in Par: the first one didn’t appeal as it was in amongst a row of houses but the second looked more interesting so in we went for a pint but being virtually empty, no atmosphere so didn’t stop for a second.

Heading back to the station we passed the same football pitch, but this time on the opposite side and unknown to us there was a stream there, in they went, one would have thought by now they would have been shattered but no, it was if this was their first run of the day.   The good news, being fresh water, it washed the sand/salt out of their coats.   Arrived back at the station but this time no running!!!   

Another pleasant train ride through the Cornish countryside arriving back in Newquay around 1700hrs then back to Rosie.

Today we had both done in excess of 10,000 steps, around 4,5-miles, quite the norm for Christine but a record for me for quite a considerable time thanks to my new knee, but we were knackered@!!!!   

A very touristy but really enjoyable came to an end with another early night

Thursday 12th September

After two enjoyable, boozy and late nights with Lee and Sarah, a gentle morning was called for, so after waving them off, we settled down for a quiet morning.   Apart from a few housekeeping chores and a dog walk it was soon lunchtime but the un-forecast rain kept coming.

We can’t stay in all day so after lunch headed out to the National Trust Trevose headland area where we could blow out the cobwebs and walk to the Trevose Lighthouse and later into Padstow for a cuppa.

The 4-mile journey took the best part of half an hour to accomplish through the narrow Cornish lanes, and the last 1/2 mile was speed bump after another speed bump; the lanes were so narrow with minimal passing places, I think so many speed bumps were rather “over-the-top”; [just saying!!!].  We were surprised by the number of holidaymakers around, but I suppose with the children back at school, retirees can come out and play!,

The car park was at the top of the cliff and didn’t we know it when we opened the doors, the wind!!!! Anyway, coats on, dogs out we trudged down the hill to the lighthouse.  Trevose Head Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1847 as a guide for vessels in the Bristol Channel, a lighthouse was first proposed for this area of the North Cornwall coast as early as 1809 there being no light at that time to guide ships trading in the Bristol Channel other than Longships Lighthouse to the south and the old Lundy Lighthouse to the north; obviously it couldn’t have been that urgent as it took the best part of 40 years to complete!!!    When we got down this hill we were disappointed as it was closed😡😡 so up we went again.  The dogs had a “ball”, the road had been cut out of the cliff and all of a sudden our two turned into mountain goats, up and down, up and down still they were happy and I got to practice walking up hill and Christine was happy I’m not on a scooter, win win all around!!!

Next we headed to Padstow and by now the wind had blown the clouds away and the sun was shining.   My-My Padstow on a sunny September afternoon, parking was a nightmare, we had to circumnavigate the town twice before we found a space in the enormous car park by the harbour and finished up at the far end; further to walk, but good for my new knee!!!!.

We wandered around the harbour and some of the old town and finished up in the “Cherry Blossom coffee house” for a cuppa and a nice, and an unusually very large slice of “calorie busting” cake, lovely-jubbly.

On our walk back to the car we had a good look into Rick Stein’s fish restaurant.

Back at the motorhome, what a beautiful sunny late afternoon, pity it is so cold otherwise we could have been outside and enjoyed a bar-b-q.

Due to being so knackered, this evening we just watched TV from the comfort of our beds, followed by an early night.

Wednesday 11th September

Surprise surprise; not too early we opened The curtains and no rain with some hints of blue sky, that’s better.

After breakfast Sarah came over with her 3-Labradors and the two of them headed out for their morning dog walk, during which we learnt Tom-Tom and Rosie like blackberries as well the Labradors, apparently they were hoovering them up along the hedgerows as they walked.

Though they are down in Cornwall in their motorhome, Lee is actually working; a new meaning to the phrase “working from home” so Sarah joined us and we headed to Newquay.   Again, we brought our car with us so we can get around, just as well as we are in a very isolated part of Cornwall.

Arriving in Newquay late morning with the sun shining we found a parking slot in a side street; lucky or what; reasonably close to the beach.  Always a challenge to find somewhere to park for free and with no time limit, wow!!!

The three of us with TT & R headed down to the beach.   The quickest way was down steep steps but though I have a new knee, it still isn’t up to loads of steps so we carried walking along the promenade high above the beach until we found the road down; naturally the other end!!  Fortunately being September, dogs are allowed to run free on this lovely sandy beach, and they did, with the wind up their tails they were in and out of the sea, running around in great big circles and playing with other dogs; a lovely sight to behold.   We on the other hand meandered along the beach watching the surfers and enjoying the blue skies and sun beating down on us, only spoilt by a cold northerly wind whistling around our ears.    

One challenge we set ourselves for today apart from going on a beach, was to have a Cornish pastie and low and behold there was a bakery at the top of the beach selling them.  The bakery turned out to be a hut and the only seats available were outside but fortunately this seating arrangement was in the lee of the cliff so we were fairly well sheltered whilst we all enjoyed rather nice Cornish pasties, hot drinks and freshly baked donuts cooked to order.   With all the “beach–running” TT & R did, they were very happy to lay down!!!

Christine wasn’t too sure if she had been to Newquay before, but for Sarah it was a nostalgic visit, she used to come here as a child.

Back up the steep road and we headed into town, now a pedestrian only area and we were surprised just how many tourists were still about.   Oh yes, we also noted nearly every second shop sold pasties; we didn’t have to rush to get them!!!!    

After a very pleasant day we headed back to the car and yes still where we left it and no parking ticket was a bonus, as one never knows if there are restrictions bearing in mind the numerous official car parks charging extortionate amounts for the privilege.  

On the return journey we stopped at Mawgan Porth Beach, a small haven with a clear expanse of sand where dogs are welcome all year round.    Unfortunately this place was heaving and parking was a nightmare so I dropped the girls and dogs off to head to the beach, agreed a time for collection and I headed into the countryside to wait in the car.   When we met back up, the dogs were soaking and covered in sand; they certainly had another good time and where do they get their energy from???   At least they will be asleep when we leave them in the motorhome for a couple of hours tonight as we are heading out to celebrate Sarah.s birthday.

Showered, shaved a changed we met up at the appointed hour and headed off to Padstow, Lee had booked a table at a restaurant with the strangest of names, “Prawn on the Lawn” (link below).   Again we were amazed how busy Padstow was, the car park was heaving, still we found a place and being early walked into the first pub we came across, the “Old Custom House”, a very old building turned into a pub.   

We strolled up into the old part and entered the restaurant, hmmm interesting and extremely busy; apparently you only get a two hour table booking slot due to its size and popularity.   Being Sarah’s birthday Lee had set everything up and soon after arrival a bottle of champagne with fresh oysters arrived to kick things off, though Christine exchanged her oysters for huge tiger prawns.   When the four of us go out we don’t do “conventional”, ie starter, main and desert, no,  each of us select a starter and have them delivered to the table one at a time, tonight we kept up the tradition, but with “Prawn” in the name of the restaurant, everything we ate was out of the sea.   The courses kept coming, scallops, tuna, mackerel, crab,  etc., but all cooked in different herbs and spices, every flavour different, quite “a-mazing”, and as a finally we shared a whole turbot, cooked to perfection on the bone and filleted by Lee at the table, wonderful; me-thinks we will be back again!!!   Copious amounts of excellent New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough  region accompanied our food and a “finale” of local Cornish ice cream with a “twist”, and I the time honoured tradition we were the last people to leave the restaurant.

Christine drove us home and we all finished up in Rosie for a night-cat.

Thank you both for a well organised and thoroughly enjoyable evening and honoured to be invited to help you celebrate your birthday, Sarah. It’s a shame you have to leave tomorrow morning just as things were getting interesting!!!

The best thing about our feast, being all fish we didn’t have a problem getting to sleep, had we had meat, it would have been a different story.

**   prawnonthelawn.com       Highly recommended

Tuesday 10th September,

At last the wheels are turning; new knee fitted and mobile again.  Today we are heading to Cornwall for a couple of weeks.  It’s been the best part of 7-months since we have been away, and Rosie was feeling very neglected, still last week she had a professional come along and give her a thorough clean and polish to smarten and cheer her up!!!  We collected her on Sunday and yesterday loaded her up ready for the off.

The drive down to the motorhome park outside Padstow was uneventful, though we went through all 4-seasons along the way.   Before we left we had a message, the owner was not available to see us in on arrival, but told us where our pitch was.   Arriving at the farm we followed the instructions and straight onto our pitch, marked out with orange cones and a reserved sign with our name on, very efficient.

The weather was wet, windy and cold, exacerbated by being exposed high up with minimal trees etc., fortunately our pitch was fairly flat so didn’t take many minutes to park her up nice and level.  The sad thing was the dogs needed a run having been cooped up in the car for the past 3-hours, so off trotted Christine and dogs for a wet walk!!!

20-minutes later we were all sitting in the motorhome enjoying a hot drink wondering wether to go out or stay in, so decided to play a game of crib whilst deciding, well that’s what I thought.   At 1600hrs there was a knock on out door and I assumed it was the site owner to check us in, wrong;  I was gobsmacked to see Sarah and Lee at the door.   It turns out Christine had been plotting behind my back at my 80th party back in May, to meet up here but kept it a secret!!!!  Anyway we got them in out of the rain and the “G & T’s and wine” came out and we settled in for the rest of the afternoon, decision had already been made, unbeknown to me.

We took a break for dinner, they trotted off to their motorhome for food whilst we had ours, then after we dinner re-convened and carried on until quite late.   What a surprise, a good one of course.

Fingers crossed we wake up to better weather tomorrow