As we expected, the weather had soured and as we left Falmouth we had cloudy skies and drizzly rain with us. However we were not about to let that stop us and our first destination was the Lost Garden of Heligan. We collected Erin from her hotel and for a while crawled through the “peak hour” slow traffic in and out of Falmouth before a bit more open country.
The Lost Garden of Heligan is amongst the most popular gardens in the UK. They were created by a Cornish family, the Tremaynes , and date back to the 16th century. After the first World War, the gardens became neglected and it was not until the 1990’s that they were restored. They surround Heligan House – which is still in the extended family – although the gardens are now leased by the company that “rediscovered” the gardens. The restoration was the subject of a 6 part TV series which helped bring them to the public notice and ther popularity of today. After our wander around part of the garden we had coffee in one of the garden buildings before we left.
Next stop was the Eden Project. The area was once originally a china clay pit – for over 160 years – and by the early 1990’s the pit was exhausted. The curent concept was developed in the mid 1990’s and today is largely huge domes creating “biomes” depicting a mediterranean garden and a rainforest garden as well as another more recent addition devoted to “microbial life” called “The Core” as well as extensive outdoor gardens which represent the more temperate regions of the world. It is also used extensively for outdoor concerts and has been the location for the “World Pasty Championships” since 2012 !
We had a late lunch in the cafe and then setoff to Padstow on the north Cornish coast. Our big attraction here was Rick Steins Seafood Restaurant. I expect many of you would know Rick Stein from his various TV cooking shows as well as being the owner of the two Bannisters Hotels in NSW – at Mollymook and at Port Stephens. I think he owns half of Padstow as he not only has the place we are staying but another nearby hotel, bar, cooking school and fish and chip shop !
Before getting there we had another round of narrow country roads and traffic diversions and arrived late afternoon. By the time we arrived in Padstow the weather had improved, although still windy, and we dropped Erin at her hotel in the town before we had to revert to parking at an “exclusive” field up the hill from town. We then called the hotel and they came to collect us and drop us at the front door. Our room was lovely and we then sat with a drink overlooking the bay when Erin joined us ready for our much anticipated dinner.
The restaurant was packed and the food was delicious and the highlight was the preparation of Erin’s “boneless” sole fillet – skillfully done by one of the waiters at front of us at the table. A lovely way to finish the day !
