Cornwall and Addicroft Mill

This year’s trip was centred around a surprise holiday for Jo (Helen’s sister’s) 70th birthday celebrations. Her son Phil rented Addicroft Mill which was down a hidden and very narrow lane near Rilla Mill, Bodmin. A stunning location for royalty to reflect on while eating breakfast and patiently waiting for a second cup of coffee.

Apart from considerable acreage there was a large heated swimming pool, sauna, woodfired hot tub and tennis court. 

Internally the accommodation had large rooms with superb finishes and fittings that were modern but melded well with the building. It takes a bit of imagination to recognise that the wooden mechanisms of the mill would sit well with a bronze bath. 

The house is owned by Jack Harries who makes YouTube travel documentaries (see https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTqEu1wZDBju2tHkNP1dwzQ). The video is worth watching. Given the work involved in refurbishing and then maintaining the house short documentaries must be a lucrative business. Mind you there is still lots of work to do with the water wheel somewhere near the top of the list.

The trip was all about family sharing some good time together – which is all too rare. We took turns in the kitchen and I had a rewarding day cooking a beef wellington. It did not last long…

We did manage to get out for a couple of trips. All were up for a visit to King Arthurs castle (Tintagel). Although Helen and I have been before (see August 2017 blog - https://hallingholidays.blogspot.com/search?q=tintagel) I was keen to see the new access bridge. It is a very clever slim cantilevered design.

Unusually the middle isn’t joined other than by a couple of pins to maintain alignment. The deck was also unusual with slate edges providing a non-slip surface to compliment the castle’s structure. The weight would also help to dampen any movement as walkers bounced across.

It is eye catching from many angles.

Although the bridge removes the need for traversing down and up almost 150 steps, the path down to the bridge was steep. The exercise was enhanced by a detour to the toilets (requiring seriously more down and up). This could be the reason our intrepid travellers look rather pleased with themselves at having finally arrived on the island.

One in particular felt particularly at home with a sword in his hand (even if he is on tip toes).

We also squeezed in a quick visit to Port Isaac home of Doc Martin. This was our third visit. (See the link above and https://hallingholidays.blogspot.com/2011/07/20sw-england_17.html). Sailing is clearly a few hours off and I suspect studying in the school atop the cliffs would be a challenge given the view’s obvious potential to precipitate daydreaming.

Our only other trip was to Padstow. The tide here also sees a considerable number of marooned boats. The town was heaving with visitors, so Helen and I headed for a walk out of town while the rest of the team opted for some time on the beach.

The walk included some magnificent views and at the end of a long walk around this bay we were rewarded with a Cornish tea on one of the (angled) cottages in this shot. A sign advised that in this part of the world jam goes on first ahead of the clotted cream (just in case you are not in the know).

Visits aside, the focus of most of the week was time at the Mill with swimming, hot tubbing, football and playing “Five Crowns” a card game introduced to us by Steve and Jilly. A contrasting mixture of frivolity and quite reflection. TV was a wonderful absence.

It is difficult not to chill when you wonder around woodlands like this. 

Where views, ever changing shadows and bird calls were the only distractions. A week where we all slowed down and rejuvenated our batteries and souls. Just brilliant!

Tintagel – Cornwall

After such a busy period with the extended family Helen and I opted for a quiet, short week in Tintagel. The caravan site was spread along the cliff top. (Our ‘van was near to the right hand end.)

The resultant views from the site were spectacular. The weather was also predictable as you could see any changes sweeping in from the Atlantic.

Such a location and views demanded some walking. We started with a walk from Port Quin to Port Isaac (Doc Martin territory). There is a coast path which is spectacular but tough going. It defies my basic scout upbringing whereby once you have reached a contour you hold onto it. With the coastal path you ascended 40 or so steps then walked some 10 metres of level only to descend another 40 steps. Quite a work out.

The above and next shot give an indication of the amount of climbing as well as the great views.

Port Isaac is little changed from our last visit in July 2011. It continues to be well maintained – maybe a new series?

Exhausted we decided that our second day should be a restful one. Just as well as the weather turned very ordinary. So as to end the day on a brighter note we went to a show in the evening called “Arsenic and old lace” that was held  at the Stert open air Theatre North of Liskeard. It is a largely volunteer company and we opted for dinner beforehand at their café. A very flavourful stew with vegetables followed by cheese and biscuits all washed down with a great bottle of red was great preparation for the show. It was also surprisingly economic. The show itself was entertaining and a bit of fun. The yellow canopy gave an unusual hue until the lights came on.

After 24 hours we were ready for a second walk and this time opted to leave the car at the site and walk into Tintagel. The route was no less challenging than the first day and equally no less spectacular. Despite the rugged coastline there was a sandy beach in one bay. Great place to cool down until of course you had to walk back up….

What was a pleasant surprise amongst all the seagulls was a pair of Gannets.

In some parts we were sufficiently high that it almost felt like we were also flying over the cliffs.

On the return leg someone was kept going by the thought of a drink and nibbles while someone else prepared the curry dinner. If you cannot guess the who’s who in this arrangement then the next photo might help!

This could be a picture of a setting sun but was the view from the van window.

Caravanning near Tintagel meant that a trip to King Arthur’s castle was mandatory. It is enormous albeit mainly in ruins and dates back to Roman times (3rd century). Originally there was an arch to the main castle but this fell into the sea many years ago and now it requires – yes you’ve guessed it – a climb down a lot of steps followed by a climb up a lot of steps. The path in some places was quite narrow and with the large number of visitors it took quite some time to get across.

This view shows the Lower and Upper courtyard which are quite precarious. Some walls have been rebuilt over the ages as the sea slowly claims the cliffs.

The Lower courtyard was the platform for a periodic half hour show by three actors bringing to life some of the King Arthur legend – most entertaining for all ages.

Once we had undertaken the steps the view back to the mainland really showed how big the now missing arch must have been. The noise of it crashing down would have been frightening. This followed by the realisation of being cut off would have been a more than usual stressful day! (A new bridge is planned that will cantilever from either side - but not quite meet - reality v folklore - may be stressfulfor some!)

On a good day the view is spectacular.

However, this statue of King Arthur (the first King of England) supports the notion that the area supports a lazy wind. (It goes through rather than around you.)

With the fall of the arch the entrance gate to the main castle area would have been easy to defend. The guards would also have been well sheltered.

And as the day and our trip to Cornwall drew to a close we were rewarded with a great sunset.