Trerice House and Gardens

Jo had a few days of holiday to take and so we set off this morning for Trerice which is a 16th century National Trust property near Newquay.  As it’s still early in the year there are plenty of gardens open to the public but Trerice is the only building open.  Mike had visited many years ago but it was a first time for both Jo and myself.  After checking in at reception we emerged to find a mass of daffodils, some in bloom and many about to bloom.  There was a lot of digging happening in the grounds by archaeologists but nothing spoiled the look of the house – it’s beautiful!  We saw a little summerhouse and Jo took a rest on a bench then we went through the archway and walked away from the house so we could turn and get the benefit of a full view.

We went inside and were told that unfortunately photos were only allowed in the Great Hall.  There was a lovely fire burning in the huge fireplace, suits of armour and chain mail …

Up above us was the Minstrels Gallery which we would be walking across on our tour of the house and where we managed to get a photo looking down …

Outside once again and we made our way around the house on our way to the tea-rooms …

We tucked into treacle tarts and lemon meringue pie with coffees and it was all very yummy!

We then went to look at the view from the rear of the grounds and looked down to where you can have your snack in the summer when the weather is warmer …

A quick look in the Hayloft at the photograph exhibition …

Jo and I then photographed some flowers before making our way back to the car park …

We were really lucky with the weather as we’d left behind a very wet Redruth.  It was a lovely house but it’s quite small and so the tour was over pretty quickly.  With time to spare we moved on to Ann’s Cottage Surf Shop and then Kingsley Village before heading home.

Crystal Side Repeaters

The last time that Phill and Jamie were in Cornwall Phill noticed that the side repeater was broken on the driver’s side of Henry.  Well I finally got around to ordering new ones online from My Beautiful Mini, choosing crystal ones instead of the original orange ones and this morning we went up to Jo and Paul’s where Paul did a brilliant job in replacing them for us.  He also sorted out the rear washer which was just dribbling water and re-aligned the passenger side windscreen wiper.   Many thanks Paul x

New Houses

I last blogged back in May 2011 about the new houses that were being built at the end of Greenfield Terrace / Rose Villa Farm.  This was how they looked last July …

and this was the progress by October …

We noticed that the fencing is now down and the road is open so wandered up to take a peek.  I was pleasantly surprised as it’s looking quite good!

Bottling Chateau Portreath

We’ve had a 5 gallon container of red wine waiting to be bottled for a little while now but with Mike’s poorly eyes it’s a job which has been delayed until he felt able to do it properly.  This morning he suggested that we get it done, apart from anything else we wanted to try it!  I helped him with the specific gravity testing as the marks on the hydrometer are very tiny and then after sweetening it up very slightly, it was over to him to bottle and cork.

At six o’clock the first bottle was opened and it tasted as good as ever! 

Chateau Portreath is the best!  Cheers!

Ribbons and Bows!

We were back again at Trelissick with Jo and Paul because the water tower was open for the public.  As we approached it we couldn’t miss the bright pink ribbon and bow!

They had to limit the number of visitors as it is so tiny inside but we were soon allowed to enter and we began in the bathroom which is just inside the main entrance …

Up the spiral staircase and we arrived at the bedroom …

On up again to the sitting room …

Unfortunately we were unable to visit the kitchen and so that was the end of our look around.  It’s a cute little place but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to stay there!

Back to the National Trust shop and more Christmas decorations …

Carriage Driving and Christmas Decorations

One Thursday a National Trust leaflet dropped out of The West Briton, our local weekly paper and I spotted that there were to be carriage rides for just £3 around the Trelissick Estate.  This immediately took my fancy and I thought Jo would be interested as well.   This morning was the first day of the rides with booking taken from eleven o’clock and rides due to start at midday.  We arrived and booked our seats on the 12.10pm drive …

It was a hive of activity getting the horses ready …

We had a bit of time to spare and so went for a wader around the gardens.  I’ve been to Trelissick so often to walk Hamish but had never been inside the gardens before.  They were all geared up for children visiting with boxes showing the Twelve Days of Christmas although we only saw three of them on our travels …

Considering it was winter and many trees were bare, it was still a lovely walk and I’m determined to come back when flowers are in bloom.

Then it was time to get back for our drive.  While we waited we had a  look around the stables and tack rooms which  were all decorated …

Santa’s little helper was ready for us and off we went …

It was only a short drive but thoroughly enjoyable. After a visit to the NT shop where I found a birthday present for Lesley, Mike’s sister, we left Trelissick and moved on to Carnon Downs Garden Centre.

Jo wanted to find a birthday present for a friend and I was keen to see all the Christmas decorations.  It didn’t disappoint!