It's been a long time but.......

Well here I am again it's been a while I know but here comes the catch up. Last post was in June and following that we had a lovely week in a mostly sunny Cornwall. This is the non summer of 2012 but we did manage to escape the rain for the best part of the holiday.



We broke the journey down with a stay in Portishead, got hideously stuck in traffic despite our best efforts, only upside was being treated to  a fly past and Aeriel display by the one & only Red Arrows, fabulous have not seen them for years.

We stayed in a lovely house called Coth Skyber (no idea what it means) far too big for us but we love that, staying somewhere that you will never be able to afford to live in, in real life. The house was just outside St Ives in a place called St Erth, not a lot going on there but a decent pub within walking distance and really good fish & chips.

We or rather I wanted to go the the Scilly Isles. So at great expense and with great excitement we caught an 8 seater plane from Lands end. It was a bright sunny morning and the forecast was good for the rest of the day. Upon arrival we walked down from the airport into St Mary's, the weather had started to cool but we caught a boat and did a Tour around the Island. By the time we had finished it was decidedly freezing. To say we were disappointed in the Scilly Isles is a bit of an understatement. I have heard nothing but good things about this jewel of a place but it was not glittering for us. There were no "Nice restaurants" or ale houses just run of the mill chain pubs. As the weather was not good and it was getting colder and neither Ian or I were dressed for the occasion (see previous mention of sun and weather forecast) we were at a bit of a loss for something to do as walking was out of the question.
At one point we found ourselves sitting in a concrete shelter overlooking the grey sea and the grey sky in the harbour. (A possible sign of things to come) No turquoise and blue hues with white sand for us. It's amazing how a bit of sun can transform things.

We get back to the airport and it has started to rain. There is talk of us not getting off the Island tonight. Oh great! Never mind we are soon ushered through to departures (A room) and the lashing rain to the plane. Now the trip over was one full of excitement and anticipation. The trip back was full of anticipation that we would never make dry land. Gripped with fear I kept my eyes closed most of the way. I don't know why as you could not see a thing. We were flying through low cloud and driving rain, no windscreen wipers and had the knowledge that we had to make it over a steep cliff to land on a soaking wet grass strip. Upon arrival we had to run to an aircraft hangar for shelter, the rain was now monsoon status and were were drenched. I was so cold I shivered all the way home and the only answer was a cup of tea & a hot bath.  Not the best of days

We ate several times in St Ives where there are many superb restaurants. The harbour and sandy beaches are beautiful even in the rain. We love St Ives 10/10.

We did all the sights, Lands end, had a cream tea and sunbathed in a field we later found out was full of Adders (Mr F narrowly missed standing on a fine specimen). He only missed it as he heard it hissing at him, seriously he was inches away from it. We also walked along some of the most beautiful coastline & beaches we have seen.

We had a good time only trouble it was too short and a bit far away to nip back. Mind you I got home in 4 hours.