Camping!

We're just home from a short, wet, break in Cornwall.   It does feel like it rains whenever we go that way 😁.  Not to be deterred though,  we camped for 4 nights, walked 1000s of steps each day and made the best of it.  We had thought we were safe in July, before schools break up but well into summer 😀

We visited Mevagissey,  Lanhydrock, St Austell, and Charlestown and Heligan. 

One of the main reasons we chose this area of Cornwall was to visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan.   They are most definitely found and are beautiful!  I love the Jungle, it's amazing in its steep, sheltered valley.  There are paths to the side as not all of the steep routes are accessible to everyone.  Still, because of the nature of it, its unique and needs to be seen if possible from the depths.  It was my favourite part of the Garden. 

Looking down into the Jungle at Heligan 😊

We packed a lot into our short break, I'm amazed myself.   So many photos I can't possibly post them all.  It's hard to be selective but here goes. 😁

Picnic on the way 😊  We stopped on route at Lanhydrock but see didn't see nearly enough.   We had to go again on our return journey.  Beautifully laid out with wonderful volunteers. 

Just one of many Lanhydrock Victorian food preparation rooms.  I've said before, I always make my way to the kitchens.  If I have lived before, this is possibly where I felt most at home 😉

This is one of the best laid out kitchens I have visited in any NT property. 

Next day, Mevagissey.   It rained!  A lot!  We made the best of it and did have the very best pasty I've ever tasted, right next to the harbour.

View from above.  We had intended to walk a little of the SWCP but decided against it.

Good to see that people are proud of their little town!

Heligan.   This is the much publicised Mud Maid.  We thought she should be called Ivy, she was a little overgrown,  still shapely though. 

Water flows down the valley forming ponds at different levels.  The planting is amazing and the many paths and steps lead you through tunnels of foliage. 

Wrapped up, but it was so sheltered in the valley and standing under giant rhubarb I really didn't need so many layers 🤭

Standing under Fern Trees and looking up.

The Rope Bridge.  There is one of me but it’s not for public consumption 😃

Heligan call this area the Pleasure Gardens, which makes me think of seaside towns.  We didn't really leave ourselves enough time to explore this part.  Maybe I'll return one day.

Charlestown is a UNESCO world heritage site.  We took a bus to get here, thinking we wouldn't be allowed to park anywhere near.  The bus didn't actually go to the Harbourside and not knowing where we were, we missed the stop.  After a half hour walk to get back on track we found the harbour, surprisingly commercialised.   I know people need to earn a living, but I was disappointed.   We did have a drink, but would have happily had it further out.  

This young cormorant paid us a visit,  it made the day for me. 🙂

Strategically positioned, this is my best shot of the harbour. 

Back at base, we managed our evening meal outside the camper.  It didn’t happen often 🤷‍♀️

After a second visit to Lanhydrock, our final night, not camping, was at the highest inn in Cornwall.   Bodmin Moor has a reputation for mist and fog but the evening was beautiful,  if a little chilly.  We would happily stay here again.  None of my photos do it justice and the following morning the rain had come in. Such a shame.

We did make a brief visit to Castle Drogo on our final stage of the journey home.  It poured the whole time and we didn't get to see the gardens at all.  Castle Drogo is the last castle to be built in England,  started in 1911.  We weren't very impressed,  but might be put off by the weather and the fact it was so inaccessible.   Narrow lanes and constant pulling in for cars coming in the opposite direction.   A nightmare for locals.  And to be honest, it felt a bit fake.  No photos to share 😉

This was a break.  It’s always good to have new experiences.  As we say, ‘ the journey is part of the adventure’.   Just next time I’d like it to be a little drier 😏

Onwards and upwards!  Tomorrow is a new day full of possibilities 😊