Looking Forward

It's that time of year when we all start to reflect and draw up a list of good intentions. Often these can fizzle out so I've decided to simplify mine (like Eleanor at Creative Countryside) and focus on one word - relationships. 

I'm hoping to give more of my time and attention to friends and family, both near and far. I'm also looking to reconnect with good people who have fallen by the wayside, and even try to be a link in relationships that have broken between friends. 

I'm going to look upon the New Year as really 'brand' new with no mistakes in it, which I can only improve on. 

 Chasing waves on Chapel Porth, a beautiful beach come summer or winter. 

What will you be focusing on this year? I'd love to hear your ideas, Antonia x

Winter walk at Kynance Cove

                   

At the weekend we made the most of the glorious weather and headed out to a favourite spot. Kynance Cove is a beautiful beach surrounded by the most stunning rocks and pinnacles. 

   

It is much photographed and very popular in the summer with visitors who can enjoy a secluded beach when the tide is out with delicious tea and cakes from a National Trust cafe (just pictured). 

This area is part of the Lizard Peninsula, the most southerly point in Britain. The name has nothing to do with its local wildlife and instead is probably how people misinterpreted the old Cornish name. However, thanks to a combination of unique geology and a mild climate rare and unusual plants and animals thrive here. 

  

The most famous resident is the Chough, a comical looking black bird with a long curved beak. It is a real success story, having died out in the rest of the country but retaining a small, closely guarded population on the cliff edges. It also enjoys views to die for.

  

                                        

      

It was such an exhilarating walk which had me grinning insanely. Here's a video to show you what I mean, the sharp eyed amongst you may spot a small walk on part from my daughter. It was tricky trying to film and make sure we didn't fall over the edge at the same time!


Hoping you all have a great week ahead, Antonia x

Poppies and Polly Joke

We took a stroll the other day on the north coast. We don't know this coast as well as the gentle south, with its heavily wooden estuaries and calm inlets. The north of Cornwall is by contrast all about high cliffs, wide sandy beaches and big waves. We followed a quiet footpath and soon found ourselves with this incredible view over the hedge. 

Poppies as far as the eye could see!

It's rare to see fields of poppies these days, and I could hardly believe my eyes. 

Up close they were bright and vibrant, showing off amongst other wild flowers. 

If that wasn't enough, we then came to the most beautiful cove called Polly Joke. It's not well known so there weren't many people around. 

We climbed down to the beach, and set up under these beautiful cliffs studded with lichen.

We spent a few hours here, but the tide was on the turn and you could see that soon the narrow bay would be under water so we headed back. 

The youngest dude caught a ride on the boogie board!

A great day well spent, with a sprinkle of serendipity about it. 

Here's a lovely video I found of this spot with skylarks singing - 

Sunshine days

What a start to the Easter holidays! We were teased earlier on with glimpses of sun, but this week has been a real treat. The warmth has been much appreciated by everyone, and means we can finally start digging out summer clothes rather than automatically looking for something waterproof. 

Some of you may recognise this view of Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth, it made the front page of The Times a few weeks ago with a cool photo of a paddleboarder. I'm not sure how to share the photo but you can find it on WeSUP's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/supschool/timeline?filter=2

This is the popular Gylly Beach Cafe, it has great views overlooking the beach and I think if you half close your eyes you could almost imagine you were somewhere like Sydney!

Paddle boarding has really taken off down here in Cornwall, and is a great way to explore the hidden coves and intricacies of the coastline. It's a sport that complements surfing, so that when the conditions are too calm for waves you can still get out on the water. I hear it's great for building up good tummy muscles and core body strength. It also looks much easier than surfing, which is good if you're a complete beginner like me. I think it's so much easier to exercise if you can find something that you enjoy doing, don't you?

Dunes

Recently we headed over to the Towans, a huge set of dunes near Hayle. Tewyn means sand dune in Cornish. The dunes boarder one of the most lovely beaches in Cornwall, Gwithian which is popular with surfers, boogie boarders, swimmers and rock-poolers. Luckily, with miles of sand there is plenty of room for everyone. If you look closely, you can just see Godrevy lighthouse in the distance. 

The dunes are quite high, and it's a fair slog to the top but totally worth it as the views are amazing. We met up with some friends who live nearby, who fortunately brought hot drinks with them when we needed to rest and refuel. 

There are lots of different size of dunes, but this is one of our favourites. 

It's incredibly steep, and the scale is impressive. This probably only shows half of it! We had a great time running down and then huffing and puffing our way back up to the top. It was the most fun we'd had in ages, with the added bonus of being a great way to get in some free exercise.

Happy new year!

Cornwall is the land of rainbows

This winter has been a season of real contrasts - ferocious storms one day and then glorious sun the next. 

We've been very lucky to escape any major flooding or storm damage where we live, I know some haven't been as fortunate.

 I hope everyone now has a more peaceful start to 2014.

Exhilarating

There's no other way to describe it - the 'whoo hoo' feeling you get from being immersed in the sea. Waves crashing about you, salty mouth, stingy eyes and sunlight sparkling everywhere. We're heading to the north coast, every chance we get to swim and boogie board. The waves here are much bigger than the gentler south coast of Cornwall, hence the need for Lifeguards on the beaches. 

Chapel Porth, near St Agnes is a favourite destination. You drop down into a steep winding valley, with sides marked by industrial spoil. Old engine houses stand out from the cliffs and at the bottom is the start of a beautiful wide sandy beach. 

Rockpools and pirate caves abound, and when we visited recently there were dozens of small purple jellyfish washed up, luckily non-stingers. 

Chapel Porth is also home to the World Belly Boarding Championships. I think anyone can enter and there are even categories for Best Swim Cap and Best Costume, so I could be in with a chance!

Lazy days

Wow! Aren't we lucky with this beautiful sunny weather. I just keep pinching myself when I wake up to yet another day of cloudless skies and light breeze.

I think Cornwall has more than its fair share of rain or 'mizzle', so I'm very grateful for a chance to enjoy the best this special place has to offer.

If you're visiting the far west of Cornwall, then I recommend a visit to the beaches near Sennen and this little gem, Porthgwarra.

A rock arch cut into the cliff leads the way. Apparently it was dug by tin miners from the nearby village  to give farmers access to the beach with their horse and carts. They would come down to collect seaweed to use as fertiliser on their crops.

Today, it's the perfect place to relax and let your thoughts drift away.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside....

Now, I don't want to make you jealous or anything *cough* but the weather is forecast to be gloriously sunny and warm for the next week down here in Cornwall. As this is quite a rarity I am going to try to eek out every last ray of sunshine and get my shoes well and truly sandy. 

We'll be dipping our toes in the water....

Exploring what the sea has washed up.....

And collecting all manner of interesting finds (alive and dead!)

Hope you get to enjoy the sun wherever you are too.