Tuesday 27 June 2017

Trelowarren

Last weekend Viv and I were fortunate enough to do a review at Trelowarren, the ancient estate that has been in the Vyvyan family for over six centuries, though the house dates back to the 1400s. Coming down the drive you really feel as if you're leaving the rest of the world behind and entering a private world of ancient Cornish beauty, peaceful and serene.

There are numerous beautifully restored and maintained cottages on the estate, but we stayed in one of the eco friendly lodges, which are spacious, very luxurious and warm, and feature local oak and granite. Ours had its own private garden and terrace at the back with a table and chairs for enjoying the evening sun which we were able to do the first evening.

After that, the weather deteriorated, but I interviewed Lady Vyvyan on the Saturday morning, which was fascinating. She has letters from Clara Vyvyan who was a great friend of Daphne du Maurier, so we had a lot to talk about for my next book. We explored the woods, did the Halliggye walk, and then had a fabulous meal at the New Yard restaurant on the Saturday night.

We didn't have time to try the heated outdoor pool, nestling in the walled kitchen garden - well, we did, but it was windy and raining so we were a bit wimpy, but we did look in the gallery and crafts centre and the spa looked amazing too.

So if you're in Cornwall, near Helston, do visit Trelowarren. To truly appreciate it you have to stay there, but do call in for a bit of ancient Cornish magic.

Thursday 15 June 2017

Falmouth Classics and Sea Shanty Festival

This weekend it's Falmouth Classics weekend, when masses of beautiful vintage sailing boats come to Falmouth from all over the world to race in our lovely waters. Well, Falmouth Bay and the Carrick Roads. I shan't be out on the water this year, but will be watching from the shore, and meeting the editor of Classic Boat tomorrow night as well. He's having a few trips on board various boats, but I was invited on one on Sunday which I can't do as this weekend also coincides with the Sea Shanty Festival, and I'm singing on Sunday afternoon.

I don't know how many different sea shanty groups will be singing this year - each year it gets bigger, with more and more venues - so I shall be singing a lot, and on Sunday afternoon, the Suitcase Singers will be singing outside Roly's Fudge shop (!!) from 3-4pm - just before the festival winds up at 5pm.

So if any of you are in the Falmouth area, come along and see us. have a pint or two and listen to the hundreds of different singers in our town.
And this is a picture from the woods near St Nectan's Glen - a walk last Sunday for the new book....

Wednesday 7 June 2017

The Great Estate

This was me, taken by my very talented friend Carol, reading out a bit from my most recent book, Walks in the Footsteps of Poldark, at the Great Estate festival at Scorrier last weekend.

This was a new festival and although I hadn't seen that much publicity about it, there evidently was more than enough, as all the car parks were jammed, including the overflow ones and those for campervans and motorhomes - overall they had over 13,000 people, many of whom weren't even from Cornwall.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and met some fellow writers on the Saturday to see where we'd be performing that afternoon and, in my case, Sunday morning - in the Dead Beat Poet's Corner, next to the Secret Gin Garden. The picture taken above was me reading on Sunday when I sold some books, inspired others to read the Poldark books, and was delighted by the dear mates and strangers who turned up. Even better, I've been booked in for next year, so looking forward to that...

After that, myself and two other friends did some busking and really enjoyed that - one fellow stopped to listen to us and said, "I got some second hand clothes, and now hearing your beautiful singing, that's made my festival!" so we're on to do some more performing when Heather gets back from her travels.

On Monday we were hit by gale force winds and torrential rain and I did an interview with BBC Radio Cornwall (by phone thankfully) to promote the reissue of my first book, Discover Cornwall, which sold out the first print run. It's now got a much brighter cover, updated walks and new pictures so we're pleased with that.

Apart from a really sore back - I'm sitting here with a bag of frozen spinach pressed against my lower back - I'm now trying to get some other work. And preparing for our gig at the Sea Shanty Festival in 10 days time..... in between showers!