Bank Holiday Monday

We woke to a fabulous blue sky and sunshine and I was determined that today would be the day when I ventured into the sea for the first time this year! I know - the summer is almost over and I should have gone in ages ago. The wetsuits had been brought down from the attic when the kids arrived but we somehow never made it further than a paddle while they were staying. So the big day had dawned and when the boys came down from the campsite we donned our suits and set off for Portreath beach.

What a fantastic time we had ...





The waves were kind to us, the sun was out and we all had a great hour body boarding. After the short walk home and a snack for lunch we were both exhausted and so had a catnap in the afternoon before I went to a Pilates class in the evening. By this time I was beginning to ache all over - so much exercise in one day is definitely more than my poor old body can take!

Last Day for the Kids

Today is the last day of the hols for Simon and the grandchildren so naturally they headed for the beach in the morning. Cameron and Jack decided not to go in the sea but our water-babe Ellie was as keen as ever! She had a great time in the sea with her Uncle Jamie and Uncle Phill ...





I had to put this photo in just to show them all how it's supposed to be done!

Jack and Cam played on the beach ...



and Ellie got a lift out from the sea ...

before posing for a final photo of her holiday ...

Pilates for Men

Mel had got the Hall today and was giving two free classes - one for the girls and one for the boys. Jamie and Phill arrived in Cornwall at 5am this morning and were booked into the class at 10am along with Simon! When we walked round we found that Paul had been coerced into going by Jo and Mel had invited us both to join them as it was a family affair! I had my camera of course to record the momentous occasion and we began our class.

Everyone had a really good time and they've learnt a lot about Pilates. Simon was especially keen and may well look for a class near his home as he reckons he'd be the only bloke in a room full of ladies!!

Mel had got some new 1kg and 0.5kg balls for us to use today ...


The plank ...

Table top legs and the ring ...

Roll like a ball ...

Jo and I worked extra hard as we didn't want the chaps to say we were slacking and so by the end of the hour we were exhausted!

Setting up Camp

After the exertions of Pilates in the morning we loaded the cars up with Jamie and Phill's camping gear from our loft and set off for Cambrose. As it was lunchtime by now Simon went via the pasty shop and so after filling our stomachs it was all hands on deck to get the tent up. Ozzie as usual stayed in his bed and watched it all happen around him ...

Once the cupboards had been put together and we had a table then Phill made us all a drink ...

The kids decided that it was all very boring so they pleaded with Simon to take them to the pool on the campsite ...

Great Flat Lode

Another day - another bike ride.

Simon set off after lunch and went to Paul's and from there they were going to cycle the Great Flat Lode Trail.

Jo came home from work just in time to see them and capture the moment of departure from the garden ...

Poor Paul - he didn't know what was in store for him! Once again Simon had my camera but he said it wasn't the most scenic of rides so there are only a few shots of the event. Apparently they swapped bikes at one point as Paul is keen to get a new one. Simon has bought his through the Cycle to Work scheme and Paul is hoping to do the same especially as some of his gears packed up during the ride! They seemed to have a great time and no doubt next time Simon is down they'll be off somewhere else.

Radnor Golf Range

After the walk around Wheal Peevor Simon took the children to Radnor as promised.

They each had a bucket of balls and they shared Cameron's golf clubs. The shafts were a bit short for Simon!

but he still managed to hit a few balls.

They had a good time and it didn't take long for the baskets to empty.

Wheal Peevor

Sunshine at last!

When Simon did the Coast to Coast he'd wanted to see Wheal Peevor but missed the turning on the route so as it was a lovely morning we piled into the cars and set off to find it. The children weren't too keen to be doing something educational in their holiday but we bribed them with a promised visit to Radnor Driving Range afterwards! We parked in the little car park, crossed the road to the entrance ...

and went in to have a look at the board ...

The children ran off to explore and Hamish was allowed to roam free as it was very children and dog friendly. We went to the first engine house which was the pumping and haulage shaft ...


There was a metal staircase up into the engine house ...

and fantastic views once inside ...

Looking down I could see the family on the grid covering the 600ft drop ...

I then joined them as the children were dropping stones down the hole ...


We then moved on to the next building which was the Stamps Engine House ...

and around the back were three of the 13 buddles ...


From inside there was a view right down to the valley which leads to Portreath ...

The final building is the Winding Engine House ...


where Hamish obliged by posing for me twice!



and when the children arrived they agreed to pose as well ...

Meanwhile Mike and Simon were getting into the mathematics of the stone dropping and trying to work out how far they were going ...


They were convinced that judging by the sound of the stone hitting something they weren't making it all the way down for 600ft!

It was now time to leave and the general opinion was that it was a great place and the kids loved it!!