St. Tudy once again

In fact the previous post didn’t get posted so now you will get two. I have found a more stable WiFi site (here’s hoping). You must have said to yourself What is she talking about? Sorry...

After posting the blog and re-booking a hotel we stopped again off at the greenhouses for a wonderful lunch. The operation is run by two sisters, one of which seems to be more outgoing than the other and calls everyone “my lovelies”. There are I think six greenhouses. One is used for potting up plants and doing, right now, Christmas wreaths and table ornaments. While there we did see a lot of product go out the door. There is a small shop in which they sell flower bulbs, bird houses, seed for them and a small array of knicknacks. They also grow chillis and make a dipping sauce for sale and use in the tea house. I did not have clotted cream but a wonderful squash, carrot and ginger soup. The soil on the driveway is quite red and mud clings to the tires. They are open year around except for Christmas week. 

Greenhouse display garden

It’s a nice place to spend some time in, good food, lots of interesting plants and other things to look at.

Close up of the lights and door

We found the manor at Hengar, an old stone building now housing apartments, laundry and an Italian restaurant which is closed for winter.

Next day, big shop for Christmas. We decided to have a proper English breakfast for our Christmas meal. Okay that’s weird but seemed fitting in a way.

Christmas day we went to St. Tudy Inn for a pint and ended up staying for two. Many locals in and eventually we started talking to some. Took a while for them to warm up to us but we enjoyed the frivolity and obvious friendships. It was the “happening” place in the village and was great to see so many folk out and enjoying themselves. Valuable information gained, St. Tudy Inn has WiFi – yeah!

A couple of events completely different happened. One: a Homer Simpson top and shorts (where did that come from, and who brought it, and why, a gag Christmas gift I ‘d guess) were given to several men to try on, no one did. Eventually after many refusals a woman tried them on over her clothes and vamped for a photographer, who immediately put it on her Facebook page. 

Two: a woman at our table took two corks from the bar and manuevered them to switch them from each hand in such a manner no one could copy. Eventually after many tries a couple did. Reminded me of playing “pick-up-sticks” in a bar or toss the coins as we did in our early twenties. Those tricks quite often bought us drinks which came in handy when we didn’t have a lot of cash. She learned the trick in Spain, in a bar, of course.

Something I didn't know - British law allows Public Houses to open between the hours of 1200 to 1400 daily and the place has to be vacated in 20 minutes, wondered why the place vacated so fast on Christmas day.

Anyway the whole experience was extremely jovial and enjoyed. Although much of the time we were not part of a conversation we enjoyed listening to everyone talking and catching up with each other. Came “home” and enjoyed our English breakfast/dinner immensely.

Fountain outside entry to St. Tudy Inn

Boxing Day we went to Bodmin, neighbouring town. Got lost in Bodmin, nothing was open except the gas station, filled up and had lunch at a very nice pub. They do a Carvery every day, what that means is buffet style, three meats, a vegetarian option and lots of potatoes and vegetables . We’ve been wanting to avail ourselves of one but, again, inclined to take too large a portion. This one had a half portion offered which would be good.

I’m finding the difference between kilometres and miles quite a lot, one mile is 1.6+ kilometre. The miles seem to take forever, l (are we there yet?”) For example, it’s only 7 miles from St. Tudy to Bodmin, anyway I’ll just get used to it and we’ll be heading to Spain and not driving.

About driving in this part of England. I have quit looking out my side of the window. When I do everything seems so close that we will hit. Bruce has hit a couple of car mirrors but basically all’s been good. On the first driving experience here in Britain I screamed because I thought he was going to hit a car. Now that can cause an accident more than anything else. So with bitten tongue and looking out the other direction I have learned again, quit bitting my tongue, quit screaming but still whince once in a while. Bruce is doing an excellent job of driving in sometimes difficult conditions so I am not complaining, just explaining what it’s like.

As said, Lexi loves it here but must go amok at night after we’ve gone to bed. This morning I found the Christmas tree (thank goodness fake and decorations plastic) down for the count and garland, decorations on the floor. Yesterday morning the bouquet Ruth gave us was over turned. Geeze cat! Ruth and Andrew are used to having animals here at the cottage so there isn’t too much to break. Mostly dogs though and with Lexi’s leaping ability I’ve removed many objects from the ledges.

Happy New Year and great success for 2014 to you!

Cheers, Bev, Bruce and Brat Cat Lexi