We started our holiday by staying in Combe House in Somerset, a wonderful old manor house on beautiful grounds.
Being Welsh, Ollie took the opportunity to pose with the daffodil, the symbol of his principality.
Our evening meal was superb, with an attentive staff and a beautiful view. Plus a nice sunset!
The next morning, the boy
and his dog explored the
grounds further.
We stopped at Torquay, where Grant walked along the harbor, much to his mother's dismay.
Motoring ever westward, we stopped at the lovely village of Totnes and its Medieval castle.
Finally, we made it to Arra
Venton, our home for the
next three nights, courtesy
of the Landmark Trust.
The only thing nearby was, thankfully, a pub. We walked down the lane at night to play darts, drink Cornish ale, etc., etc.
Here's a lovely photo of Sooz
and Grant. No, actually they
are friendly neighbor cows!
We walked along the coast path in the mornings. The warning signs aren't kidding about cliffs!
We walked up Gurnards Head, and paused for a self-timed portrait.
Sir Grant Langford, atop the peak!
Gunners Head from a safe distance, with the flowering
gorse in the foreground.
After all that climbing, we went to the beach at St. Ives to relax.
Stopping for provisions at a
local deli in St. Ives.
Thence to Land's End, the most westerly point on the UK main- land. Don's setting up the famous sign for the 'official' photo.
Nearby Cape Cornwall was once thought to be the most westerly point. Note how much better the weather is there!
When not playing darts or imbibing ale, we played cards among other wholesome pursuits.
Back on the coast path the next day. Lucky for Grant he's wearing his Wellington boots!
The National Trust maintains
the path (among many other projects in the UK!)
A pause to rinse the wellies
and water the pooch.
It wasn't all hiking and darts; Grant chilled out with his
beloved PSP on occasion.
We visited Mt. St. Micheal's
near Penzance. Corgis weren't allowed in the abbey so this
is as close as we got.
The next morning, we set sail for Hugh Town on St. Mary's, the largest of the Scilly Isles.
Ollie was quite happy to take
his seat on the ship; he was
a popular passenger!
We stayed at the Star Castle hotel in St. Mary's, an old fortification converted for tourism years ago.
There were thankfully a few pubs on the island so we found one for a tasty lunch (and Cornish ale).
Leaving the grounds of the Star for our memorable evening meal!
Next day, it was yet another
boat trip to the nearby island
of Tresco.
A rare photo of the family aboard the Tresco boat. Insert your Gilligan's Island comment here - I have too many to choose from!
Tresco has no cars, few buildings, and miles of beaches. Nice.
Grant rented a bike to cruise
the island's paths, while...
...Sooz and Don visited the gardens at Tresco Abbey.
The Scillys are much more temperate than the mainland and many exotic plants can live here.
These black and yellow
plants were in bloom all
over the garden.
Grant met up with us in the garden at one point- here he
is at the 'shell gazebo'.
The gardens also held a collection of ship's figureheads, salvaged from local wrecks over the years.
Our last night was spent on the Lizard peninsula, the most Southerly point on the mainland. Note the local chickens!
We walked the coast path along the Lizard, and we rewarded
with beautiful scenery.
Told you it was the most
southerly point!
We slept right near the Trinity point lighthouse and its lovely foghorn. Click here to hear it!
Not a foghorn, but a satellite
dish at the Goonhilly Earth
station in Cornwall.
