Cornish life

Not entirely sure where time is going at the moment – I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I last wrote a post, and that we’ve nearly been in our new home for two months!

But when I think of how much we’ve done in the house, it’s more a case of is it really ‘only’ two months.

Andy is being an absolute superstar patching up the mess left by stinky and maggot. With a 200 year old cottage, there’s always going to be challenges – we’ve got damp and condensation at the back of the house, and the odd leak in the sun room – but we are constantly amazed by the way they covered up problems rather than fix them. Glad our house now has Andy to take the care of it that it deserves!

Stunning Cornish sunset - taken in our lane

Mum and Dad were our first visitors at the end of October. As always we loved having them to stay but this time put them to a bit of work to earn their keep ;) Mum kindly spent a day helping/teaching me to take up curtains and demonstrating that ironing them really does add to the look. Was a little embarrassed to admit that the iron had not seen the light of day since we moved to the South West! I’ve since spent half of my life doing curtains - it turns out that hardly any of the windows here are a standard size, and we don’t have the luxury of being able to have them all made to measure so I’ve bought off the shelf and cut them to size. Turns out there is something quite satisfying about making nice things for our home.

Domesticity continues as I’m starting to get the hand of cooking on my Aga, with the valuable help of my cookbook and a facebook group I’ve joined called I love my aga! I haven’t cremated anything yet, or killed anyone ;) I’ve even produced a Christmas cake, although judgement on that will have to wait a few more weeks. I’ve done a decent roast too which (good news, Leah) bodes well for Christmas dinner. Even managed a bit of baking, no stopping me now……the only problem is negotiating Dart, who commands position on his rug in front of the Aga.

The Fords came to stay!

Dart and I have been building our little portfolio of walks. The grounds of Lanhydrock are a firm favourite, so great to be able to take full advantage of our NT membership. We also regularly walk around Lavethan wood, Shell woods, Cardinham wood and the Bodmin to Wenfordbridge chunk of the Camel trail - and of course the gorgeous North Coast which honestly can't be beaten.

Wonderful sunny Autumn day at Lavethan wood

Celebrating life at Holywell on Armistice day

Darty playing ball at Lanhydrock

I had a bit of a wobble a few weeks ago. As I've said many times, absolutely no regrets about our big move, it's the best thing ever - but I was feeling a little isolated and lonely now that Andy is back at work. There's masses to do at home so I'm definitely not bored, and I'm actively looking for work myself so fingers crossed something suitable will turn up soon. In the meantime rather than feel sorry for myself I signed us up to volunteer at Lanhydrock parkrun. Tring parkrun and the super people we met there has set the bar high, but it was ok and people were friendly. It was quieter than Tring, but it's a run that seems to be a bit seasonal, apparently up to 500 runners in the peak tourist times. We'll go again soon, especially looking forward to the Christmas run on the 22nd December.

Volunteering at Lanhydrock parkrun

I have also volunteered to be the local correspondent for the Parish magazine which covers a number of nearby villages including Blisland. I've met up with the Editor, Julie, and she's fantastic. You know when you meet someone and immediately get on? It was so brilliant to enjoy girls coffee and gossip again! And she's kindly invited me to the next team meeting and Christmas meal. The chair of the magazine runs one of the pubs we've taken a shine to, and that's where the meal is. Really looking forward to meeting the rest of the team, they sound like a real laugh.

On the subject of Christmas do's, super excited for next Friday when we've got Andy's work party at the Eden Project. It's proper posh, Andy is wearing his DJ and bow tie and I have a new frock - hopefully pictures to follow!

And speaking of the Eden Project, more excitement as we were lucky enough to get tickets for Kylie Minogue at the Eden Sessions next July - not very often you get such an awesome gig just a few miles from home!

Still enjoying our cinema trips to the Regal in Wadebridge and if you haven't seen them yet can highly recommend both Bohemian Rhapsody and the latest Fantastic Beasts.

A little Dart collage - he loves the Aga, the fire, the Defender and Autumn leaves!

That's all for now folks, I'll try and be a little less tardy with my posts, but it's nearly December and there's Christmas fun to be had - especially can't wait for the lovely Leah to come and stay!

Big love to anyone who's read this far ;) xx