Gwithian

The forecast was good and we knew that Jo only had one more day of holiday left so after collecting the RV from storage we picked her up along with Fred and headed off to Gwithian.

The tide was right out and the sun was shining - what could be better?

As soon as the boys hit the beach they were off to see what smells they could find ...

We had a lovely walk looking in all the rock pools ...

and meeting other dog walkers. This is Bramble ...



isn't he gorgeous?

Mike always has a handy bag in his pocket and the mussels were just too tempting ...
Best buddies!

After our walk we took Jo home and stopped for coffee and cake - yums!

Burns Night

Yesterday afternoon we set off in convoy with Jo and Paul for a night away at the Jubilee Inn, Pelynt where they were holding a Burns Night celebration.

Jo had organised the event for the MX-5 Club and there were going to be twelve of us all together plus Hamish and Fred as it was a dog-friendly pub. We arrived and were shown to our rooms which were lovely ...

and while Mike took Hamish for a walk I got all our stuff sorted and made a very welcome cuppa!

We had to be ready early (5.45pm) as two of our members live just opposite the Inn and they'd invited us all over for pre-dinner drinks which was really kind of them. Everyone had made an effort to wear some tartan.

There were skirts, waistcoats, ties and sashes in all different colours - it looked great.

When we returned the place was heaving with people so we made our way to the Dining Room which had been decorated with Scottish flags ...

We began the meal with cock-a-leekie soup ...

and then it was time for the Haggis to be presented and the Address was read out.

Charlie (our Host) did a fantastic Scottish accent and there was plenty of cheering from the masses!

After the toast to the haggis ...

we were served with a very generous portion with neeps and tatties ...

For our main course we'd chosen the roast rack of lamb with an apricot and mint sauce which was delicious ...

and then for dessert we'd chosen two different ones as we love our puddies and couldn't decide which one to have! This way we could taste two of them but unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of them as I was so keen to eat them - rich chocolate tart and blackberry and almond frangipan. As you can see they disappeared very quickly!

After coffee and mints we were feeling very full and when meeting up for breakfast was mentioned, I couldn't imagine being able to eat a thing!

The dogs went for their evening stroll and when they got back they were allowed in the bar and everyone made a great fuss of them. They too were wearing tartan as Jo had made Cornish tartan bow ties for them.

We finally made our way upstairs to our room and Hamish let us know every time someone else went to bed! He growled several times when he heard footsteps - the last time being at about 2.30am! Some people had far more stamina than us!

This morning we went down to breakfast and I managed grapefruit and an almost full English! I dread to think what the bathroom scales will say when I next stand on them! Everyone was chatting about the previous evening and it was voted a great success so well done Jo for doing the research to find it and then doing the organising.

After loading up the car Hamish was ready to go home ...

We decided to drive home via the Bodinnick ferry as it was a lovely morning and while we were waiting for it Hamish was having a good look and wondering where it was ...

Three cars made the trip as one was going to the Roseland and two were heading back to Redruth.



It was a lovely weekend which will hopefully be repeated next year - hint, hint Jo!!

Rainbow

Walking up Battery Hill this morning we saw this wonderful rainbow ...

I only had my mobile on me but took a couple of shots ...

Colds and Bugs!

Why do they arrive when you least want them?

Jamie, Phill and Ozzie arrived for a long weekend and I took to my bed with a lousy cold, a thumping head and tummy ache - not nice.

A week later and I'm feeling much better thank goodness. I've stayed in the house while all this really cold weather has hit us and my only regret is that I didn't get any photos of the ice in the harbour and the fantastic frosts that we've woken up to. Hope everyone else is fit and well and avoiding all the bugs which seem to be doing the rounds.

Hangover Run!

Twelve cars turned up at Tesco, St Austell this morning for the MX-5 Hangover Run around the Roseland. Officially it was called A Fresh Start for 2009 - but I prefer the other title!

Mike and Sharon were leading as this is their 'home turf' and we left the car park heading for Mevagissey. Sharon has been itching to take a convoy of 5's through here and today she got her wish ...

There were no problems and we sailed through and out the other side ...

From here we went to Portmellon where we were very close to the sea ...

and thankfully we didn't get any seaweed thrown up and into our car as we were topless of course!

On to Gorran Haven with narrow streets again ...

We passed Caerhays Castle ...

and motored on to Portloe ...

and Carne beach ...

before moving inland and making our way to St Mawes which was to be the lunch stop ...



It was a great run with people calling out Happy New Year as we drove past.

We had to leave at the end of the morning run so together with Jo and Paul we made our way over to the King Harry Ferry which was thankfully running today ...

There was only one other vehicle on board so we had a good wander around taking photos ...

It was then a fairly short drive home to Portreath and lunch.