Hidden Cornwall Newsletter

2003

We've had two good bits of free publicity this year. One third of a page on our Garden Holidays in Japanese Airlines In-flight magazine (in Japanese) arranged by the delightfully named Akemi Bonkobarra. Needless to say we haven't had any Japanese visitors yet. Then Steve was filmed by Unique TV waxing eloquent on Dodman Point- to be shown on local TV early next year.

This season we started using Palm Tree House, a B&B in a Victorian house in Truro city centre in a quiet position set back from the main road. It has given guests the option of staying close to the best concentration of facilities in Cornwall- shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes, cinema, theatre. So you can have Hidden Cornwall during the day and Cornwall Revealed in the evening! The owners Dave and Joan are especially welcoming and also run a health studio and hairdressing salon adjoining.

Quite a few of our guests this year used the new accommodation at Bodrugan - 1 double and 5 single rooms (all en-suite) in a converted historic barn. To have this amount of single rooms in one establishment is extremely useful as we attract a lot of single travellers.

Hidden Cornwall Awards this year go to the following:
Biggest Garden Holiday group
We took a group of ten guests around ten gardens at the end of May. The garden at St Michael's Mount in particular (only open April/May) was at its best with its aeoniums, agaves, agapanthus and hottentot figs. Another favourite was Lamorran at St Mawes where Mark the Head Gardener always gives a good talk. The garden has a lot of Japanese influence, also incorporates many ideas from the Mediterranean and has stunning sea views. Unfortunately we couldn't produce enough sun for Avril compared with her native Zimbabwe and Tina had some trouble pronouncing gunnera.

Youngest Walkers
This award goes to the Caywood kids (with Mum and Dad) who adopted a dog for the day (and christened it Seaweed) and reckoned that the Hidden Ships walk that we did was the highlight of their holiday.

Fastest Walkers
This was a tie between fleet of foot Canadian Valerie Davidson and Isabel from the Asturias whom Alan christened La Chevre de la Montagne, not knowing any Spanish apart from "dos cerveza e huevos fritos con patatas"

Record Number of Visits
Pam Boyce is now level with Dragon Lady who have both walked (or gardened with us) three times. Dragon Lady threatens to draw ahead next year coming across from Michigan (not directly!) on the Queen Mary 2's maiden voyage.

Emailer of the Year
This goes to Lisa Shevin of the US who sent us 19 emails.

Anglophile extraordinaire
This award goes to French girl Corrine Goddard who it seemed liked all things English and had a particular sweet tooth devouring meringues and cream teas par excellence.

Most Local Guests
Brian and Thelma from Stithians drove the 25 miles or so to stay at the Llawnroc Inn and walk with us for four days. Brian impressed us all with his encyclopaediac knowledge of vehicle parts. "See that hidden in the weeds there, its a BT van tailgate" he would say, giving another aspect to Hidden Cornwall.

Most long suffering guests
" I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your mimicry talent- I really wanted to hear more of it" Linda Young (and Roger Bassetti) USA.

Good luck to everyone for 2004
We will be extending our Garden Holidays into June, July and September next season. Whilst many of the great gardens are at their best in spring /early summer there are now quite a few other gardens which are magnificent in mid/ late summer. Worth seeing!
Alan and Steve