Life back home

Since arriving home on Sunday it has been a non stop roller coaster of appointments, starting with a Mammogram on Monday.
It is three years since the NHS stopped asking me to attend and I think it is so important to have a test every three years, and a quick telephone call meant I could visit for my X-ray which was over within a couple of minutes.
While still on my health I was asked to have a series of blood tests which I did and I think she took an armful!  I await the results of all these tests and examination.

My hair was next on the list of appointments and a trip into town for a haircut. I had a few minutes to spare so wandered into a charity shop, and came out with a skirt, top and cardigan all from Marks and Spencer and only £10.  A really successful trip.

Tuesday evening was Hamtune Quilters meeting and Deborah O'Hare was the speaker. She was very entertaining with her scrap bag talk and art quilts... not really 'my thing' but I enjoyed the evening.
The next day I attended a workshop with her, again organised by Hamtune Quilters, it was enjoyable but rather slow paced for me, as we had to wait while everyone caught up before moving to the next step.

Workshop in progress

My 'Moon Gazing Hare'

We bought kits of hand painted fabric and everything except the backing that we needed from the tutor. I managed to complete my Hare, even using  free motion sewing on the moon. My new Janome sewing sewing machine worked a treat.

Me and Poldark

Our final day in Cornwall so it had to be Poldark day!

The ship used in the filming of Poldark is moored at Charlestown near St Austell.

Poldark ship

Surrounded by guns

Time for Chris to go below decks!

While I’m at the helm

We are off to sea... standing where Poldark has stood for the filming.

View of the harbour.

A local garden walk and meeting friends

An early morning walk around local gardens was just what the doctor ordered before setting off to meet our friends Joan and Ian for lunch.

Beautiful roses

Loved this semi circular seat covered in red roses

The gardens are well kept.

The swan taking flight on the boating lake

Love this wall

View across the lake. This was a really nice walk five minutes from the hotel.

Friends Joan and Ian who entertained us with a lovely lunch.

Wadebridge and Padstow

Decided to visit a wool shop in Wadebridge, bit of a problem as TomTom wanted us to drive up pedestrian alleyways, but eventually we found it and it was a disappointment as they had nothing special. Next stop was Padstow, where we walked around town and enjoyed the scenery.

Overlooking the busy town

The harbour was bustling with boats and yachts 

Watched this Egret walking in the muddy water as the tide was out.

Visiting the family

We had made arrangements to meet my niece and her daughter in the pub/resturant at Halford Passage for dinner.

Mabel age 9 was having a sailing lesson and out on a yacht when we arrived, so we chatted with Jessie until a dingy brought the children back to shore.

What a great ‘after school’ activity.

Docking the dingy

Mabel, the blonde, walking up to meet us.

A change of clothes for Mabel and we sat down to a really nice fish and chips meal, with a splendid view

It was lovely seeing them again, but the walk back up a large flight of stairs and then a hill to the car had me huffing and puffing!

Newquay Zoo

We decided to stay close to ‘home’ this morning with a visit to the Newquay Zoo. The sun was shining as it has been ever since we arrived.

It has been a long time since I visited a zoo, I am far more used to visiting the Safari Park where animals have large areas to roam, it was sad to see the larger animals in such confined spaces but they all looked healthy and well cared for.

Some of my favourites were the tiny frogs and pretty birds.

Lemurs sunbathing

Every time I tried to take a photo Mr Owl turned his head, patience won the day.

Penguins at play

Mr Lion had two wives in the cage with him

This Lynx looked so healthy

Show off!

Mr Deer also had two ladies with him

Not sure what these were called, Worty Pigs I think 

The Japanese section

Our tickets are valid for a free return all week so we may go back, there was so much to see.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped to pick up a couple of things from Aldi and the view from the car park was just breath taking.

It was so nice to see a group of school children in their wetsuits learning to surf, something you could not even dream about when I was at school!

The view from Aldi car park

School children finishing their lesson on surfing

Healeys Cyder Farm

After the visit to the Japanese Garden for me, we went to visit the Cyder Farm for him.

It was really interesting watching the cider being bottled, labelled and packaged especially when there was an almighty bang and they stopped all the machinery! We were on a walkway high above the works, and it looked like a bottle had maybe burst inside one of the machines... we watched for a while but never saw what really happened.

I tried the cream tea (I was told I ate it the wrong way round last time!) and Elderflower drink, while Chris had a Cornish pastie.

Duchess looking bored with all the people staring at her!

Inside the bottling plant

Chris looking longingly at one of his favourite drinks.

This huge barrel is actually a spiral staircase to the viewing walkway above the bottling plant.

The Japanese Garden

We started today with a visit to The Japanese Garden at St Mawgan. I absolutely love Japanese gardens and it has been years since we were here last.

Items for sale

The tea house overlooking the large pond.

Such a peaceful place

At every turn there was something different to see.

Bamboo as tall as trees

Buddha overlooking the Zen garden. Every statue was covered in money for luck.

The Zen garden

Peace and Serenity 

The rock mountain

Beautiful Acers on the edge of the pool, where enormous Koi fish were swimming

Using our NT membership

Another great stop on our travels, the National Trust Carnewas. Such a dangerous coast line but spectacular beauty.

The turquoise sea looked very inviting but the dangerous rocks meant it was deserted