We've enjoyed the balmy days and spent our spare hours exploring some of Cornwall's wildest beaches! We’ve made the most of our autumn exploring the unspoilt beach of West Cornwall and The Lizard and there are so many more to see but alas on a farm as the days close in.  The couple of hours we had to spare in the afternoons is swallowed up now, along with the day light, until the nights draw out again but until then here are some memories from those last magical days that still hint of summer days. Mind you there is always the consolation of a freshly baked croissant for lazy Sunday breakfast! Gunwalloe, Poldhu and Dollar Coves have made a great finish to our autumn exploring the sandy beaches of Cornwall. One of my personal favourites has to be Portheras and Boat Cove for sheer unadulterated beauty. Kennegy for is contrasting appeal and local history beside Prussia Cove and our walk along the spectacular Godrevy and Gwinear beach will stay in my memory for a long time. Porth Chapel for a blissful sunday afternoon and Risney at high tide for moments lent from a busy day. And we even found time to walk down to the local beach in Perranuthnoe!

Porthcurno beach

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A winter gale

Perranuthnoe Beach at low tide yesterday

My word the wind blew yesterday! No sooner had i written my latest blog about the steady step of spring than cornwall was gripped by the teeth of a vicious gale insidiously called "Imogen" We knew it was coming of course as the wind quietly gathered momentum building from a whisper barely moving the daffodils, to a primeval roar carrying all before it.

We kept our horse safely in their stables for the day and the cats made their own arrangements involving a cosy blanket by the fire and it was only the human contingent of myself and Charles that ferried bales of hay and buckets of horse food about tin the stingingly cold winds.

I do believe our Bed and Breakfast guest enjoyed watching the raw power of nature bringing line after line of white capped waves towards the beaches and harbours over the weekend though and on Monday,  I did walk down through Perranuthnoe to the beach and it was so quietly peaceful in the lea o f the houses that I was totally unprepared for the stinging force of the wind as I reached the slipway. I quickly realised that even if I could cling to the handrail to the beach the blizzard like sand was not going to do my poor camera any good what so ever and retreated as the better part of valour.

I was grateful to our homes thick granite walls yesterday

We woke up to a still and tranquil world again this morning with the birds - so silent yesterday - again starting to sing in the bushes and I threw down an extra handful of oats to the little robin bobbing about beside the stables waiting for the horses breakfast - yesterday was a hard day for him after all.

Away from the February gales if you would like to follow my preparation for summer in our garden at Ednovean Farm the click here 

Each day now brings us a little bit more light as the sun climbs higher in the sky and a little bit nearer to the time when my garden will spring back into life and each day I eagerly watch for the signs of spring - don't you now too?!

Spud and Louis snoozed through the storm in the house of course

Let's celebrate winter days

A view across a cornish valley towards
Tregonning Hill

Let's celebrate winter days that offer long tranquil views and sparkling seas still in Cornwall. 

Last week i explored between countryside and Sea with my camera and found plenty to inspire me from the soft tranquil landscape in the mellow colours of winter to the bright glittering seas lapping around Mounts bay. The colours are lovely and the occasional bright flashes of vibrant yellow that are the daffodil fields never cease to intrigue me. I did stop ner to a daffodil with pickers working but they started to look rather anxious so drove away!

St Michael's Mount in the winter sunshine

A quick walk towards the sea

Next I parked in Perranuthnoe and took the bridlepath from near the church that runs towards Trenow beach and Marazion and followed the blue sea with St Michael's Mount always seeming to be beside me

The bridlepath winds down towards Marazion

So for a few precious minutes I celebrated the winter day between the countryside and the coast and have some  memories to store away - if you would like to follow my walk further just click on the link above to read a little more

Longer days ahead!

My January Breakfast table at Ednovean Farm

At last as we pass the winter solstice we can look forward to the longer days ahead and maybe - just maybe there is a glimmer of light upon the horizon. I can quite understand how early man viewed the winter as a time to chase away the dark spirits and perform rituals to encourage the sun to return. In fact I can quite sympathise with the idea amid the relentless gloom that surrounds us at the moment.

Still I have a few little tricks to brighten up the morning here for our guests and always fill the Breakfast room with candle light with a jug of bright daffodils to distill the winter gloom with the promise of spring just around the corner - because if I cannot encourage the sun to shine or the spring to come, at least I can set a bright cheerful place to start the day.

To read more of my Breakfast tips to start the morning, try my blog next blog about Breakfast at Ednovean Farm

The gentle glow of candles in the morning light

I use an eclectic collection of country chin to give a relaxed feel to breakfast