Wednesday
Got up a little later than usual, although Micro had a nightmare in the middle of the night, came in with us and I woke up with his feet in my face, and his head hanging over the edge.
A quite morning with lots of Tiny Pop on TV – there are definite advantages to just having Freeview at home – and then down to the beach before 12. The tide was out, and the waves didn’t look that big, but Micro, Macro and I went down to have a look and go boarding. Macro went into the sea, and Micro and I stood at the edge, but when it clouded over and started raining, Micro wanted to go back to the tent. We went back up the beach, I left him with Hubby and then Macro and I body boarded in the rain, without wetsuits!
Back up to the beach tent, and the boys played with Micro’s bat and ball set he’d bought in Padstow. More rain, and Micro and I dived in the tent, and Macro went back down to board in the rain again. Hubby got his wetsuit on and went to join Macro in the surf. Micro was adamant that he wasn’t going back in, in the rain and cold, so we stayed in and around the tent, hiding when the rain clouds came, and playing bat and ball when the sun came out. Hubby came back up to the tent, and Micro and I decided to head back to the flat before it rained again. We left Hubby and Macro on the beach and just made it in time.
The boys and I went to the farm shop while Hubby went to the pub to use their wi-fi and have a quick pint. We stocked up on home made pasta, veg, salad and meat, and chatted to the lady there who had also been to Eden the day before and had enjoyed the Sessions. We came back via the pub to check on Hubby and left Macro there playing pool while Micro and I came back to the flat.
In the evening we went down to the pub between showers, a couple of games of pool, and then we left the pub and had a look at the beach as Macro had been told there would be a high tide around eight. High tide…..wow! The sea was nearly up to the bridge, the waves must have been at least 4’ or bigger, there were loads of surfers in the sea, and it was mesmerising. The sun was setting through the clouds, and the clouds and sun were reflecting in the sea. This really is an amazing, magic place. I’m so glad we found it, and if we ever win the lotto, guess where we might have to move?!!
Thursday
After discussing what we might do on this damp Thursday, we eventually decided to go the cider farm. We went on a bit of a detour early in the journey to try and find the Cornish Arms, a pub owned by Rick Stein and in the next village, St Merryn. Found on the other road into the village, and then we carried on our journey, scouting round the edge of Newquay and down to Callestick and Healey’s Cyder Farm.
In the field by the car park were a sow and her 5 piglets all grunting to each other, so the boys and I went to have a closer look. The sow came over to us, but each time one of the piglets tried to get near us, she seemed to tell it off and sent it back to its litter mates. We left her and went into the farm. Hubby and Micro decided they needed a drink but Micro and I needed our animal fix, and so went for a quick look round the animals while they went and bought the drinks. After giving the Shire horse a scratch on his bum, we went back to the coffee shop. Hubby asked if we wanted to go on a behind the scenes tour of the farm, and as it was something we hadn’t done before, we said yes.
First part of the tour was a tractor guide round the orchards. We had done this bit a couple of years ago when Micro was a toddler, but it was still interesting, and as it wasn’t raining at that time, was a nice way to spend half an hour, trundling round a field on a trailer looking at different apple trees and learning the history of cider making in Cornwall. Apparently the farmers used to pay their workers in cider so the best cider makers attracted the best staff. The cider was never the main point of the farm, and was just made to pay the wages, and to give people something to drink as it was cleaner than drinking the water!
Back to the farm, and we got ready for our tour. We were told about the apple press, fermenting, bottling and alcohol checks they have to make, while watching the people work as it was a Friday and therefore a working day. We then went into the preserving room where they told us that all the jams and preserves are made there in two copper pans. It’s pretty much the way we make jam at home, although on a much smaller scale. No machines, no automatic pourers, just the pan, the ingredients, a sugar refractometer (which we don’t have, and I’m not sure how to spell) and then they do a set test like us, and add more pectin if it hasn’t set. We add more lemon juice!
Onto the museum and distillery where we were told no mobile phones and no flash photography as there would be alcohol fumes that would ignite very easily. Everyone did as they were told and turned phones and flashes off. We went into the museum first where there were old presses and where, the guides explained, rats would be attracted to the presses to wee and poo in the juice to add to the bacteria and increase fermentation – so glad things have changed, and to think that was cleaner and healthier than the water! They also said how they used to line the presses with lead until they realised people were dying of lead poisoning, again, glad things have changed, but they also said how the owners of the cider farm are still allowed to give some wages in the form of cider which is how they are able to give free tastings and samples in the shop. Not sure it’s actually Customs and exERcise, as the guides said though!
Onto and into the distillery where they make the brandy, Eau de Vie, and the whiskey. We were talked through the process, and how the machinery had to be made just for them as they needed small equipment, and how the roof had to be taken off the building to get everything in. We were then taken into the celler which was cool, dark, and full of brandy, special reserve cider and the whiskey that Hubby put his name down for 5 years ago. Still waiting, but hopefully next October, or perhaps October 2012 he’ll get his bottle. I just hope it’ll be worth the wait.
We went to the shop and stocked up on Rattler and jams. Macro bought a Rattler T-shirt and Micro bought two sea creature toys (what else would you buy in a farm shop?). Back to the car and off in search of somewhere to eat.
We had driven passed the White Horse Inn at Penhalow lots of times, and passed comment that it looked like a nice pub with a decent play area, so today we went in. The food was reasonably priced and huge portions, and there was a decent sized play area for the boys, plus crazy golf which was only £1.50 a round. We ate outside, and when the rain came, we went under cover but were still outside, and could still watch the boys playing crazy golf in the rain.
Back home along the coast road, and Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth were both closed to swimmers and had their red flag flying. We went down to Harlyn where swimming, and surfing, was still allowed. Macro decided he didn’t want to go swimming or boarding yet so after we got back, Hubby and I fell asleep (!!!), Hubby on the sofa and me in the bedroom, while the boys watched more Pop and Tiny Pop (no wonder we fell asleep!). All awake, and as no one wanted to go boarding, Hubby went to get some bits for sandwiches for tea.
After tea we went to have a look at the Cornish Arms, but it was so busy inside we decided to go back to the Harlyn Inn. Quick drink, then Micro and I came back to the flat, soon followed by Macro, and finally by Hubby, who had got talking (can’t take him anywhere!).
Another good (slightly wet and soggy) holiday day!
