Hidden Cornwall Newsletter |
| 2001 We were badly affected this year by the threat of foot and mouth disease which meant the closure of all footpaths in Cornwall for three months from mid February. This was despite the fact there were only three or four cases in the county. Though we only had one cancellation for this reason, our bookings were way down not helped by sensationalist reporting abroad! Anyway the good news is that all paths were opened again at the end of May and remain open. This episode certainly put us to the test in finding new walks unaffected by the closures. One of the best is a 9 mile north coastal walk from the surfing beaches of Holywell Bay and Perranporth via ancient mine workings, up a killer hill finishing at the Driftwood Spars Inn (yes,built from washed-up timber) at the coastal ex mining town of St Agnes. |
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 Eden Project |
Another (though
not involving too much walking!) includes Truro Cathedral, a 10 mile river trip
down to Falmouth, town tour, visit to Pendennis Castle built by King Henry VIII
and back via the town's parks and gardens. The McAinsh's from Little Rock, Arkansas
went on both of these and described their holiday as their best ever. |
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Our first Garden Holiday took place in glorious weather in early May featuring the return of Dragon Lady and the Weasel, and a first visit from Jeanette and Kate from Oz and Carol and Linda from England. This included the Eden Project which opened in March-two gigantic geodesic conservatories (the biggest in the world) full of tropical and Mediterranean plants. Most of our walking holiday visitors also ended up there whether by accident or design. Alan's latest grandson has even been named Eden! Another garden which fascinated our guests is Chyverton where the owner Nigel Holman (seen here with Dragon Lady) personally shows us round and explains how he brought one of his nymph statues to the garden from London strapped in the passenger seat of his car. Nigel's combination of continuity (70 years in the same house) and hilarity makes his garden tour a one-off experience. Alan has to watch his step though as Nigel used to be his boss. Back on the walking front Steve has developed a new route further along the Roseland coast in Mary Wesley's 'Camomile Lawn' country. Starting in the ex smuggling village of Portloe and taking in magnificent coastal scenery going around Nare Head, Pendower Beach is the venue for a picnic lunch. A walk up a secret wooded valley leads to tea in the delightful setting of Melinsey Mill with its working waterwheel. Return is then via the village of Veryan, home of the famous Round Houses (so the devil can't hide in the comers). |
 Nigel Holman and Dragon Lady |
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| Our guests are increasingly joining
in local activities-ranging from swimming either at Bodrugan or in the sea to
appearing at the Gorran Bridge Club. The McAinsh's took great delight in coming
second at the Llawnroc Inn General Knowledge Quiz and Bobbie Lasota starred at
the Tennis Club with Steve. As an indication of the 'hidden' part of Hidden Cornwall Anne Burness who used to live just up the road at St Austell did not know any of our walks and particularly liked the industrial archaeology in the Luxulyan Valley. So for all those who think they know Cornwall 'come on down' and we'll surprise you. Steve Russell returned this year for a completely different set of walks and Ruth Ellacott got us all hooked on finding pieces of sea-washed china. John and Karen Elias were caught up in the flight chaos following the New York terrorist attack and couldn't make their holiday but we hope to see them over here next year. Steve met a couple of Alaskans at St Austell train station and ended up doing a telephone interview with KBRW radio station at Barrow Point, Alaska. They couldn't believe we swam in the sea over here! |
 Round House, Veryan |
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Alan and Steve Hidden Cornwall |
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