Legends, seafood, gardens and family - Cornwall

Two weeks in Cornwall in late September could have been wet and dreary but record temperatures and a near perfect location for a holiday cottage provided the basis of a wonderful family holiday. It is probably 20 years since we were last in the county and then it was in a tent with small children so the holiday revolved around beaches and very few extra excursions in the car. Gorran Haven was the beach of choice and still holds fond memories. This time, with visits from all the family for various periods of time - by car and air - we had a list of places that we would have liked to visit, places we would have liked to go to eat and we achieved it all - in fact, we exceeded our own expectations of how much we were able to do.
St Ives and the Tate were ticked off early in the first week - the only day of rain. The cream tea was also fitted into that day, albeit for lunch. Fish and chips, nay, monkfish and chips at Rick Stein's in Padstow was a family excursion. Jess joined us at the Lost gardens of Heligan and Trevano House. Charlie came to Falmouth and the Maritime Museum and we had wonderful mussels and lobster for lunch. The day we went to Tintagel was so warm that I could not manage the full climb to the top but the husband did and enjoyed weilding a sword in the English Heritage shop - a stunning location.
It is always a gamble booking a cottage online but photographs and browsing on google earth had given a good idea of what our chosen location of West Pentire was going to be like. Expectations were exceeded - a short stroll onto the coastal path and walks on National Trust land; beaches a couple of minutes away and views from the windows of the cottage - or house, actually; pubs within 2 minutes' and 20 minutes' walk; a shop in nearby Crantock and public transport which we used, only once. Visitor attractions can sometimes disappoint but not this holiday. The Lost gardens of Heligan were a wonder and the Eden Project - something I had been indifferent about - was outstanding in every way. My only negative experiences were some interesting deviations from sensible roads courtesy of the sat nav and a lack of wi fi which was solved by the extremely thoughtful gift of a dongle - a definite positive experience coming out of an earlier problem. I had a lovely holiday - straightforward fun and rest and relaxation. I finished my current knitting project, read the latest 2 Richard Russo novels on my list of must reads, walked every day and ate too much. I am often ready to come home after a week away but this time I was not. I wanted to stay by the sea.
Mmmmm - and the trip to Arizona is now to Las Vegas