Cornwall Correspondence
Hello everybody from sunny Cornwall! I have sent this by carrier
seagull, so I hope it has arrived safely and is not too damp!
We are relaxing here on the Paulet
Country Estate near St Austell, not far from the Eden Project. What a
fantastic place the Eden Project is. We visited yesterday (using
our Tesco
Clubcard vouchers), and I managed to get a few tips about ensuring
that my plants are ready for the Village Show, from the Head Gardener. Violet
Elizabeth, Marcus and Spencer seemed a bit embarrassed as I quizzed the very
helpful man for about 10 minutes, bemoaning the size of my courgettes and
cucumbers. How was I to know that he was conducting a high level tour for
visiting foreign dignitaries from San Serif? They seemed to be quite
interested in the Old Basing Village Show and even asked how to get there.
I explained that it only costs 50p on the day.
I am concentrating on my painting this week as well as pressing on with my patchwork and other handicrafts. You will be pleased to hear that both my oil paints and my watercolours made it down here despite Spencer’s attempts at sabotage. Spencer actually suggested that I gave all thoughts of the Village Show a rest for a while and let them all enjoy their holiday. Honestly, you would think that was all I ever talk about!
Monday 13th August
Raining hard today so got on with my sewing.
Still raining.
Tried to do some painting by looking out of the window, but couldn’t even see the sea, the clouds were so low.
Wednesday 15th August
Raining even harder. It might have been pointless leaving such detailed instructions back at the Manor on how to operate the sprinkler system. Decide to ring up and check with the staff. Surprised to find that you have all been having lovely weather.
Thursday 16th August
The storm clouds lifted briefly this morning so persuaded Spencer to take me to the local haberdashery shop for more wool, material and cotton. He complained that the 4X4 was packed to the top on the way here and he didn’t know how we were going to fit a double patchwork quilt cover in on the way home. Well a double will be more useful than a table runner won’t it?
Friday 17th August
Violet Elizabeth has finally finished the mask that she started at home. I had forgotten just how messy papier mache was. At least it has been a way of recycling all those broadsheets that Spencer has been burying his head in since we have been here. Violet Elizabeth has also completed her Halloween picture (class 94). I knew it was a good idea to bring my craft box along with us. It is always useful to have something to do if it is raining.
Saturday 18th August
Managed a trip to the Lost Gardens of Heligan today. Finally managed to find out what a Penstemon is (Class 33). Spencer confirms that we do not have any of those growing at the Manor, but I made a bee-line for the shop afterwards, so maybe I will be able to enter that class next year.
Sunday 19th August
Went for a bracing walk along the coastal path today, ending up at a beach. We did a bit of rock pooling, and beachcombing, because you never know what might come in handy for the garden in a seed tray or indeed as a bit of extra padding for flower arranging. We managed to get some nice shells, and driftwood to bring home. Spencer even ventured in the sea for a while. He was gone so long we thought we had lost him!