Cornwall.....

 ...it's been a while!!

It's very nearly been a whole year since I went to Cornwall. I've visited my parents in between at Strawberry Fields, Lifton but not gone all the way down to Cornwall. So, I had to go to my favourite place, St Ives. I managed to park in the train station carpark and walked the familiar route down into town.

Even on a grey cloudy day, the light is magical.

Porthgwidden Beach

I did do something new!! 

Why I haven't been before escapes me!! 

I, on a complete whim, decided to go to the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Gardens.

Barbara Hepworth

The gardens were beautiful.

Although there was an annoying party of older people, who stopped in front of all the sculptures talking!! I decided to spend longer there and waited for them to move on!! And I'm glad I did!

It completely filled my cup x

Her spherical forms were just beautiful x

And her studio was a moment captured in time. 

It was as if she'd just 'popped out' for a coffee or something.

Such a talent.

I had a fabulous few hours wandering around, before meeting Mum and Dad 

at the Old Forge for a bite to eat. 

Tuesday morning I got up and went for a wander around to Tehidy Woods and encountered the overly friendly squirrels. They completely rule the roost. People have over fed them and they expect you to do the same, so come at you. Will crawl up you!! So I did a lot of feet stamping and fast walking!!

It is a lovely space to walk, just 5 minutes up the road from Mum and Dad.

Lots of fungi spots....

....although dad had his own impressive crop at the top of the drive.

Went out to the Royal Oak at Perranwell for lunch.

Then I got Dad out for a walk out at Godrevy

The cove was full of seals.

Sadly Mum is unable to walk now and is reliant on a wheelchair and completely dependent on Dad. They had so many plans and are now limited to what they can do. So a walk and a blast of fresh air is exactly what was needed.

The sea has such fabulous powers.

I would happily live near the sea.

So on Wednesday it was time to head home, after a precious couple of days with Mum and Dad. I do wish I was closer. Getting old isn't much fun!!

I took a detour on the way home via Golitha Falls.

I'd not been before but it was too far off the A30 and another chance to get fresh air and surround myself with places that fill my cup and just make me feel grounded.

The journey back was frustratingly slow. I'd decide to stop off at IKEA on my way home. That wouldn't have been a problem but there had been a lorry fire on the M5 at the Exeter junction, so all the motorway traffic was being re-routed through Exeter, so it was not the best timing!!

And can we just take a moment to see how fabulous my shop bought basil is doing!!! The trick apparently, is to water if from the bottom, letting it sit in a bit of water, rather than water it from the top. 

Thursday and my day to walk with my friend Lynn. We decided whilst the paths were still firm, we would venture up and around Compton Dundon Beacon. It has a few challenging 'up's' so a good workout, and she's 15 years older than me and always pushes herself. 

Today (Sunday) it's wet! Typical as it's the start of half term. 

Both Jeff and Sam broke up on Friday. Sam has headed over to Bristol to stay with Poppy for a few days and Jeff is ready for the break. It's been a busy first term. He picked the last of the sunflowers yesterday and cleared the front trugs, in bulb planting preparation!! It really is hard to register that we are two thirds of the way through October already! The clocks will go back next weekend and the hard months will begin. This is when I wish I could just disappear somewhere lighter, sunnier, warmer....

We are off to Lisbon on Wednesday for a few days. The return flights were too expensive to go for longer but a few days away will do wonders for a reset. Typically the weather is looking mixed and the sun returns as we fly home. It will be what it will be and a few days exploring together will be lovely regardless of the weather. We've not been to Portugal before, so we're looking forward to exploring a new place. We will embrace the hills and I'll report back once home!!!

Exhibition time.... over and out!!

My time in the gallery has come to an end. 

I do struggle with the commitment and no free 'flexible' time during my gallery stints. 

Unlike the exams, where I give my availability, I am contracted to do the four full days. And I struggle  and get a little frustrated, as it means missing out on other things, like making the most of the late summer sunshine we've been gifted. I always feel once I'm done, that I am making up for lost time and trying to squeeze in things I haven't had time for! Although I do realise how lucky I am, not to have to work full time.

I did squeeze in a visit to the cinema to see the final episode of Downton Abbey. 

I'm so glad I found the time, as it really was 'The Perfect Ending!'

On Tuesday morning I also squeezed in a walk with my friend Lynn. She's been away and then it'll be half term soon and she goes away again, so it's a case of walking when we can! And we did a long walk out to Hurcot Hill and back, partly because we did the scenic route and got a little lost!! 

It's so good to be out walking again. I miss it. Sometimes I just feel I don't have a big enough chunk of time to give it and other things take priority, but I must make more time for it again.

We've had some lovely weather and gorgeous views to wake up to.

The exhibition had a busy final week, with a flurry of visitors before the show closed.

I was in on Saturday to take it all down!! 

Will be in next for exams, then the student exhibition in January.

This late warm sunshine means my fig tree is producing fruit again. 

A late burst and a few bonus extras!

Poppy popped over on Saturday via the 376. She's seems happy and settled in Bristol. It makes everything so much easier for the pair of them to see each other. Sam is looking forward to half term as he's contracted 'term time only'.....2 whole weeks off with no assignments or work or jury service, and he has a bit of money for once!!!

I got up early this morning and made the most of my free morning to walk down to the river Brue. I had hoped for a mistier, more atmospheric landscape to photograph, so it was a little frustrating but I got out, got some steps done and started the day with positivity.

The herons were in abundance, just not wanting to be photographed!!

This was taken on full zoom, from a far distance away.

As it was early and quiet, I took the opportunity to photograph the new STREET sign. 

A cheery photobomber waving to me, as I stood in the middle of Street roundabout!!!

It's hard to think that it's nearly mid October. Mum celebrated her 79th birthday on Monday, my sister, her 56th on Friday and my niece will be 17 next week!!! Jeff's mum would have been 85 today xx 

It is really sad to think that she passed away 18 years ago. 

Had a nice catch-up chat with Sophie this morning. We're popping up to Cardiff towards the end of half term to stay with her and then we have a few dates in the diary doing things together. The Book of Morman, Benson Boone, Mamma Mia, Christmas shopping weekend and Wicked part 2, and before you know it she'll be home for Christmas. 

I've just spent a loooong hour this afternoon, completing my Invigilator training. I've been putting it off but just needed to bite the bullet and get it done. It wasn't so bad and it'll be another year before I have to do it again. Tomorrow I head down to Cornwall for a couple of days. I have met up with my parents a few times but have not been down to Cornwall in a whole year!!! So I'm spending a couple of days down with mum and dad before half term begins. And I think it might stay dry!! Here's hoping x

Autumn feels

What a 'webtastic' way to start the week. 

The whole garden was covered in webs!

 

These are the things I look forward to in autumn.....webs, misty mornings burning through to late warm sunshine. Fallen colourful leaves, berries, conkers, pumpkins, fungi, woodland walks, candles, coffee and cake, casseroles, Strictly on the TV. So much to look forward to.

I went to the woods on Tuesday morning. 

My one real full day off, and it was exactly what I needed. 

Just me, on my own, in the woods with my camera. The light was perfect.

I spotted the fabulous Fly Agaric amongst the many other fungi spots.....

....and I just sat and soaked in that wonderful, very welcome, warm sunshine. 

Perfect x

Pinch and a punch and we're into October!!

And entering the final few weeks of my gallery stint.

We had a super busy day yesterday as it was Open Day.

My time is the gallery has just whizzed by.

I don't actually know where the time is going at the moment. I was looking in my diary earlier, for a few spare dates and I really don't have much spare time this side of Christmas!! Which is crazy! I have my final gallery week ahead, then I must go down to Cornwall for a few days to see my folks. It's then half term break with a few things already booked in, including a few days in Lisbon and then up to Cardiff. Sophie and I are then off to London for her birthday, back for a couple of weeks of exam invigilating, chaperoning, a theatre trip for my birthday, before it's back to Cardiff, one free week, which will be Christmas sorting, then term ends, off to Italy for a few days, then Christmas!!! 

I feel tired just writing that and that's just the bare bones!!

Had a nice surprise today. A late fruiting fig. 

There are actually a few which might plump up enough to be edible. 

I have had them fruit in October before, but this is definitely fruiting off this years new growth.

I did go and hunt out my pumpkin garland and Jeff picked his home grown mini pumpkin this morning.  I feel now we're in October and the seasons have definitely shifted, I can decorate for Autumn without any unnecessary commentary from Jeff!! It's never out for very long, so need to enjoy it whilst I can x