Off to Fowey

This morning we had a slower start to our day after a chat with our hosts who were helpful on places to see. We found this area quite windy and I guess the big wind generators gave that away when driving around this part of the country hence the lack of trees etc from where we had come from in Dorset. By now we were mastering our GPS a lot better than the previous day. Our first port of call today was St Michaels Mt. Unfortunately the day was cold & windy. The tide was out and we only had a quarter hour window to go there and back and didn't want to waste time queuing for boats to return us and besides I could feel some gardens coming on!!!!!

From here we drove to Falmouth and kept off the main road. By now the weather had improved and the day was quite pleasant.

This was a beautiful drive and we were back into picturesque countryside again. In places it was like driving through a huge garden with its tree canopy and the wild flowers all in bloom. While we were in the area we visited Trebah garden a sub-tropical paradise with a coastal backdrop. 

This beautiful Cornish valley garden had over four miles of footpath leading down to a secluded private beach on the Hefford River where we discovered some WW11 history.

 Some of these huge tree size Rhodys were still flowering which was great to see.

These photos really don't do this garden justice.

The Gunnera walk was amazing they were enormous.

As we drove away from here there just happen to be another garden a few metres along the road called Glendurgan another sheltered valley garden that goes down to the Helford River. This is famous for its almost 180 year old maze that entertained the children. Out of the two gardens we loved Trebah the most.

It was now time to head off and find our little Airbnb in Golant just ten minutes up the road from Fowey. Once turning onto the Golant road it was a one way track like driving through a trench,quite jaw clenching but the growth on the banks was again like a natural garden with all its ferns and wild flowers.

There is no way we would find our way around this maze of roads without a GPS it has been a lifesaver. Our host Debbie was there to meet us at her little Napier Cottage on the hill.

The pretty one lane road into Golant

View from our bedroom window.

 The biggest problem around here is parking, a real nightmare. It's hard to believe people live like this. It makes Akaroa look a breeze. We had a much deserved cuppa and headed off to the Fishermans Arms for yet another pub meal, very tasty. 

Village pub bottom left 2 minutes from our B&B.

St Ives

After having had an alcohol free night and our first good sleep since arriving in the UK we now feel human again. Our little Airbnb Cabin is very comfortable and quiet about 5 minutes out of St Ives, a perfect location. 

We drove into St Ives first thing to beat the crowds and took a walk through this quaint little town. By now it was time to sample our first Devonshire tea. We came across a great little tea shop that made the best cup of tea ever. We were then entertained by a local Jack Russell that had chased a seal way out into the middle of St Ives harbour. The owner called the rescue boat to bring it ashore. This sounded like a regular occurrence and the JR seemed quite relaxed about the whole ordeal.

From here we took the coastal road visiting the Minack Theatre on the way. Unfortunately there was an afternoon show on at the time so we could only view it from above. Such an amazing place with a lovely swimming beach below.

After a great day sightseeing we took ourselves back to our little Cabin then walked next door to the old English Pub for dinner.

Time to Leave Dorset

It's now time for us to pick up our rental car in Poole which Ken had kindly organised for us. A call came through just before we headed off to pick up the car to ask if we would like to upgrade to an automatic car for the same price and of course we accepted it. So we are now driving a Vauxall Mokka diesel with an inbuilt Satnav which is not as user friendly as a Tom Tom. By mid morning we were on our way to St Ives area and arrived at our accommodation around 5pm. After settling into our wee Cabin we wandered over the road to the Engine Inn for a pub meal. 

Unfortunately this week is bank holiday week and there are so many people holidaying with their families. Thank goodness we had organised our accommodation as its scarce. I can now understand the English when they come to NZ and say there are hardly any cars on our roads. We are lucky. 

Day Three in Dorset

Again our day was all planned by Ken and off we went cruising to a few sights around the area. We started with a walk along the waterfront in Poole and saw the Sunseeker motor yacht manufacturers. A huge business. Recharged with morning coffees at a cafe then caught the car ferry across to Studland (a five minute trip) and had a light lunch at The Pig in Swanage.

 After a wander through their amazing healthy organic vegetable garden we drove into Corfe a very pretty but touristy village known for its castle which is becoming smaller by the day

Corfe Castle in the background.

Then we cruised on back through Wareham & Wimborne a divine little town where Lynne had her hair salon then visited the RAF Tarrant Rushton a famous old airfield now a farm. 

Lynne invited friends over for dinner so once again another late night and too much alcohol but very enjoyable.

Day Two In Dorset.

After a reasonable nights sleep I joined Lynne for her daily walk with her 3 dogs. It was so beautiful walking the old railway line through all the Sycamore & Ash trees then through farmland looking over little villages and meeting other dog lovers doing the same, it's all so English.Today is a Bank holiday so there are plenty of people out and about. Our day was all planned for us and after packing up a very delicious lunch that Lynne had prepared we were off to the Lakeyard Marina again but this time to spend the day on a lovely boat owned by Ken & Lynnes friends Richard & Dee. The wine flowed and the food was plentiful &  delicious. 

All in all we had a very enjoyable day listening to the chatter of the English ways. 

Sunday Touchdown at Heathrow

After a delay in Singapore we finally boarded and departed at 2.20am. By then I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. 

We finally touched down at 8.30am into Heathrow where our driver was waiting for us and by 11.30 we were drinking tea with Lynne & Ken in their very English home at Blandford in Dorset. It seems so strange leaving autumn behind and arriving to a lush countryside with all its lovely trees and the gardens looking a picture with their early summer flush & daylight begining about 4.15am until about 9.30pm. 

The next port of call was the Lakeyard Marina Yacht  Club in Poole where we met a few of their local friends & forced down a couple of whiskys!!!! After a late BBQ lunch we called into the local drinking hole where there was a cider festival with a great DJ & families, including their much loved dogs, all enjoying a sunny afternoon singing & dancing the afternoon away. By 9pm we crashed into bed.

TWO MORE SLEEPS

Our last night in this wee corner of paradise then it's off to Christchurch tomorrow for our last night in NZ. Our bags are well underweight so that's a good start.