Checking out the Cornwall South coast

 Saturday 

13 July 

Day 13

83 to go

Saturday started with a bang, with Dad waking the household in the middle of the night, kicking over the bedside furniture, as he got out of bed. Marcello kicked his toe as he came to investigate the commotion. By the time it was 730am, we were ready to get out of bed and head down for breakfast, but not before chatting to Jaden and Rayah. 

We were out the door by 930am, ready for a big driving day and a bit of sightseeing through the Cornwall south coast. Our first stop was Buttsbear cottage, where dad lived from 14 to 21years of age, when he ventured out to Australia. It is also where he and mum stayed when they returned for 12 month stint. 

After taking a photo, we drove on to Launceston, or as the locals call it, Lancen. It was quite impressive coming into the town, as there was a large fortification at the top of the hill. We found a place to park, before wandering through the park that was ringed by the disappearing castle walls. A very friendly cat was willing to show us the way from one entrance to the other. We didn’t venture to the top, as there was a charge, but we got the gist of the place. 

We continued through the town, taking in the architecture of the old churches and the main streets that were strung with bunting overhead. Then we completed our loop to the car and on to our next stop, Jamaica Inn. 

This was only a short drive from Launceston and was a place mum remembered from a previous visit long ago. It is a famed smugglers inn, but has been added too over time, so that it can take in the tourist dollar.we didn’t do the museum, we wandered through the inn, noting the many bank notes pinned to walls and the paraphernalia of not only pirates, but also of Daphne de Maurier, who wrote the Jamaica Inn. 

After having a hot chocolate or coffee, we were back in the car, heading for our intended destination,the seaside village of Polpero. The drive was relatively easy, but then I wasn’t in the drivers seat, Dad was and he had the roads under control, though we couldn’t say the same about Mum, who was very skittish. 

We made it to our destination unscathed, parked in a very large carpark and then began following all of the other tourists, looking to enjoy a beautiful English summer day. The road in, followed a canal. There were plenty of homes lining the street and overlooking from up on the hillside, most of them were holiday lets. The homes all seemed beautifully appointed and the gardens were full of colour. 

The further we ventured, the tighter the lanes became and the the more interesting the architecture. We walked down a few different alleys, before meeting the water, which was fast disappearing with the tidal movement. We watched the boats, before returning to The Blue Peter pub for a well earned meal. 

After lunch, we made our way back through the streets and tourists and back to the vehicle. Dad’s vehicle was coming up with check engine and service warnings, so we did a quick check of the oil, gave everything a once over and satisfied it was good to go, we continued on our journey. This time we were in search of the town Fowey.

We followed Chell’s GPS, with the Minion voices, all the way to the Fowey ferry, drove the car aboard, then alighted to take in the view of the buildings and homes lining the Fowey River. The ferry ride is only short, about 2 min and you are on the other bank. 

We found a parking spot, not an easy feat, paid for parking, also difficult and then wandered into town to check out the view of the river. It seemed like quite a peaceful spot, Dawn French once called this place home. It is another tourist hot spot and I can see why. 

Ice cream was calling, so we stopped in at Game of Cones. There was a bit of a wait, as it was very popular, but it was well worth it. Everyone was enjoying their chosen selection. Then it was time to move on again, this time for home.

We left Fowey at 4pm and it took us an hour and a half to make it back to Snowdrop Cottage in Hartland. We were all pretty quiet on he return leg, well and truly tuckered out. The drive was mainly on A roads, but there were some country lanes that Dad was taking great pleasure in driving, even if it was throwing the rest of us around. 

Once we were home and unpacked, Paul, Marcello and I walked into the town, chasing milk and tea. We checked out a green McLaren parked at the front of the Anchor Hotel, before meeting Dad at the Ship Inn for a couple of pints in the picturesque beer garden. This summer sun was too good to waste.

We returned to Mum at the cottage, organised our small dinner and settled in for the night. I checked on accommodation for our next lot of travel to Wales, booking in some nights in Bristol and Swansea. Paul went off to bed early with a sore neck. I followed at 9pm.