Being festive

What a wonderful first festive season in Cornwall!

I last wrote just before we were off to Andy’s work Christmas party at the Eden Project – it was a really fun night and great to meet some of Andy’s friends and colleagues. He’s part of a fairly new team so there are a number of others who are new to King’s and new to Cornwall too. Nice not to be the only newbies finding our way. Here we are in our posh togs

One of the many benefits of living down here is that I’m closer to my fabulous Aunty Brenda who lives by the sea in Paignton. We had a lovely lunch together and, as usual, a most excellent gossip. We never manage any pictures together, perhaps we need to work on the selfies ;)

I was kindly invited to join the Parish Magazine team for their meeting and Christmas meal at the Old Inn in St Breward. Much red wine was consumed, think I’m going to get along just fine with this lot!

Joined our lovely new friends for carols round the tree in Blisland followed by a couple of drinks in the pub – great to start getting involved with our village. Dart wasn’t sure what to make of the singing!

We stepped up again to volunteer at Lanhydrock parkrun, on possibly the rainiest day we’ve seen so far in Cornwall. Had to admire everyone that turned out, runners and volunteers alike. And our new sofa and chairs arrived in time for Christmas. We’ve gone for something a bit different with Chesterfields this time, so comfy.

Back to Lanhydrock to have a look at their Victorian Christmas – they always made extra effort to enhance the visitor experience in the house with authentic activities and smells. It was super Christmassy!

We accidently missed going to the Padstow Christmas Festival (better planning next year) so instead we drove over one Monday night in December to see the lights and have a cheeky Christmas drink. Never seen Padstow so quiet, it was magical and eerie all at once.

Pretty lights at Padstow

In a last minute change of plans, we zoomed up to St Albans for one night just before Christmas, and were lucky to catch up with lots of friends and family. Between us it was super to see Mum, Dad, Liz, Lucy, Zoe, Juliette, Bob, Mark, Steph, Lisa and Emma – thanks all for finding time to spend with us

Waffles with the gorgeous Glover girls

Christmas parkrun on the 22nd was suitably festive – they went for the reverse course, the cheesy music was playing and everyone made the effort with fancy dress. That evening we welcomed our adorable neighbours Rob and Birgit round for drinks and snacks - we’re very lucky, they are so kind and friendly!

I’d been SO excited for Sunday 23rd as Leah arrived from Ireland to stay with us for Christmas. As we waited for her to fly in to Newquay, we played with Dart in the mist on Watergate Bay. Can think of worse places to wait for an arrival!

It was the absolute best having Leah to stay – we managed to combine plenty of lazy time with walking Dart and showing Leah some of our favourite things. Christmas Eve included a lovely walk round the grounds of Lanhydrock, the Christingle service and a drink in the pub in Blisland, finishing with Christmas films and wine in front of a cosy fire.

We had a wonderful lazy Christmas Day – stockings, scrambled eggs, walk in the woods, champagne, an Aga Christmas dinner, more presents, games, lots of booze. Perfect.

Boxing Day I was hanging so the only solution was an invigorating walk at Crantock, and Andy’s special Christmas sandwiches. Recovered enough for a couple of drinks at the Old Inn in the evening ;)

Crantock

Leah fancied a day out to Padstow so we combined it with a walk along the camel trail, grabbed some bargains in the sales, pasties for lunch and spotted a celeb.

Dart at Padstow

We’d been given some free passes to the Eden Project so that’s where we headed for Leah’s last full day – great to finally make it in to the famous domes and not too hot or busy. Wasn’t best keen on the wobbly bridge up to the top in the rainforest one!

Mum & Dad arrived later that day and I did another roast for us to all enjoy together with wine and daft games – special times.

As we were dropping Leah to Bodmin Parkway for her train to London, we decided to jump on ourselves in the opposite direction to Truro. Dart’s first train ride – he did very well an particularly enjoyed being able to sit on four pairs of feet all at once :) Impressed with the shopping in Truro and really pretty Cathedral – lots to explore and a tasty, welcoming lunch at Craft Works Kitchen

Mum is keen to try out all the local churches in our cluster when she visits. Services vary week to week and this time we found ourselves headed to St Tudy church. Andy somehow managed to hurt his back and was on light duties, so Dad and I walked Dart around Lanhydrock.

Presents!

New Year’s Eve saw us back at Watergate Bay in better conditions followed by an early doors drink at an old favourite of ours, the Travellers Rest.

Watergate Bay on NYE - Dart photobombing!

We carried on with lots of prosecco, wine, brandy, baileys......... and had a really top NYE together at home with more food and games.

We wanted to take Mum and Dad to our little cinema, the Regal in Wadebridge. Mary Poppins Returns was our film of choice for New Year’s Day – we all really enjoyed it, especially the guest appearances. Dick Van Dyke is amazing!

Andy, Dart and I spent the rest of the Christmas break with trips to Golitha Falls and Polzeath beach, shopping for new rugs and starting to tackle our garden. I mowed the lawn in January – it was needed!!

Always find it a bit sad packing away the Christmas decs – especially the fairy lights which are my favourite :) But onwards in to another exciting year in our new home.

How blessed we are.