Arrival in sunshine

Saturday 23rd September

At this time of year, the mornings are getting darker, so it was not fully light when we left home soon after 6:30am. It is quite unusual for us to get going so early, but we had nearly 300 miles to drive and the M6 and M5 are particularly slow at the moment.

The drive was remarkably uneventful, taking pretty much the time estimated by the AA and the satnav.

Down through Cheshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, the weather was grey, with a bit of drizzle. We arrived at Gloucester services soon after 9, where we had a good break and a fairly good breakfast. At least the surroundings are civilized, the services station belonging to the family that owns and runs Tebay services.

Ian carried on down to Exeter services, by which time the sun had come out and it was quite warm – too warm for the boots I was wearing.

We decided not to stop again for lunch, as we had had the breakfast earlier. So we drove straight on down to Fowey, and went into the town because our cottage was not going to be available until 3. Very quickly, it became apparent that we are going to be fit by the end of the holiday. The walk down steps and steep streets to the quay were very steep.

As we got to the bottom of the hill, there were signs telling us that filming was going on. And then, on the quay, were people gathering outside a pub for a wedding. We sat on the sea wall and ate sandwiches in the sun. We then pottered about the streets, finding the artisan bakery, the church filling with people for the wedding, and some interesting-looking shops. Bought a few items of food, including some “monkey muffins” – offcuts of croissants stuffed in a muffin cake and drizzled with sugar and cinnamon.

Back up the hill, slowly, after we’d watched a bit of the film rehearsal. As we were still a bit early, we walked along at the higher level, to look our across Fowey harbour, across to Pulruan, watching people pootling about on the water.

Then we had a short drive to Golant, down very narrow and steep lanes, with a sharp turn into our lane. Using instructions, we found the cottage, just at the point that Mary, daughter of Bunty, the owner, arrived to leave a note for us.  She was very welcoming and left us to unpack the car and attempt to turn the car round in the lane.       

Although we had said we might explore Golant, by the time we were unpacked, still only in the late afternoon, we sat out on the bit balcony to eat the cream tea that Mary had left – scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam.

The cottage, a studio in the garden of a large house further down the lane, is very quirky and interesting. The downstairs comprises a space with a circular staircase up to the first floor, and downstairs, the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Both the bedroom and kitchen have wide sliding doors opening onto the balcony, which is covered over. The bedroom is a bit small, with not enough storage, but we will manage.

Upstairs is just one big, white-painted room, with two comfortable sofas, again with sliding doors and views across the river and its moored boats, and down towards Fowey. It is a bit of a distance for walking from Fowey – not a pop in to get a loaf distance, so we will need to be organised and try not to use the car very much.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening dozing and reading. The weather forecast for Sunday is not good – showers and maybe heavier rain.     

Ready meals from M&S + Ian’s apple cake.