Signs Of You

So, I got blind-sided by homesickness a little earlier this week. I should know by now. I'm the one who only ever wants to go on holiday for a week, ten days at the most because I miss home. But my home is here for now. I was stropping round the cottage growling to myself when I looked up and saw a heart, amongst other hearts, that Jill had given me. And then, on the windowsill, I saw gorgeous, golden daffodils in a jug that Sally gave me when I moved into Lowen. And as I stopped stropping and growling but started to wander and ponder I realised I have filled my new home with signs of all of you:

Thank you fabulous family and friends. Am I allowed to say I feel blessed?

Binoculars In My Bag

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. The mobile phone is all but redundant apart from recording the odd snippet and taking a few photos but my new binoculars (an early birthday present from mum and dad which came with my National Trust subscription) are the new must-have accessory, especially for seal spotting.

This is a reminder of what I look like. I have to take selfies in the mirror because they don't look how I think I look if I do them the usual way.

I moved in two weeks today and feel like I'm starting to settle. Helped I think by starting work. Much as I love my own company I know no-one here and although everyone is very friendly sometimes I barely speak to anyone from morning to bed-time apart from exchanging a cursory "g'morning" or "lovely weather we're having" during my peregrinations.

I took this on way into work this morning. This is the cliff path from the car-park that I have to use while the steps are being repaired in time for Easter. It's that or walk a really long way round which I can't be doing with. There's only one bit that involves a bit of clambering up and over some rocks. One though that has crossed my mind is that if I did fall off a cliff (sorry mum) then no-one would know I was missing for days and even then there would be no clue as to which cliff I might have fallen off. Maybe I should leave a note on the kitchen table!

Talking of tables, this was the view from the "office" at lunchtime today. I know, I know.

I never really explained the whys and wherefores of what I'm doing here in Cornwall. To be honest I'm not always quite sure myself. My profile talks of the one who turned out not to be and I think that, combined with the kiddiwinks going off and doing their own thing, meant it was now or never; time for me to have a little adventure of my own. I've always loved Cornwall. Mum, dad and I holidayed with Cam and Libby down here a few years ago and although that was a very different part of Cornwall, I really loved the environment. Then I started coming down every month or two (while I was with the other one who wasn't the one, but was never going to be the one) visiting different places and just fell for the county more and more. It doesn't really feel like part of England at times, even more so now that I'm a Lizard girl. It's like when we used to take the children to Center Parcs and they always felt they were somewhere else entirely.

The weeks before I left were very busy as there was a surprisingly amount to sort out, both with regards to leaving the house behind in Lingfield and sorting out my new temporary home. But with removals booked (my lovely handyman Gary did the honours and somehow did the journey to Cornwall and back in a day), my notice handed in, the cat sorted and all those incidentals like redirecting the post dealt with I started counting down the days. I slipped away quietly, even some of my close friends didn't realise exactly when I was going and others good friends didn't even know I was planning a move (sorry). But as it's not forever I didn't want a fuss. But I do want visitors! I am going to be working on a rota basis at the cafe rather than fixed days but as soon as I get a feel for how it's going to pan out I will let people know. Although I can't guarantee I won't have to work part of the time.

This is the view from the landing window over my front yard looking up towards Lizard. You can walk across the fields but there have been cows roaming for the couple of days so I don't think I'll be venturing through the gate any time soon.

And to finish with, a lovely photo of Libby and her dad safely reunited in Kota Kinabalu earlier today after nearly two and half months of travelling for Libby. She will spend a few days with him and Jacqui before having a few days on her own in Borneo and then flying off to Cambodia for a few weeks and then back to Thailand before returning to England, and her studies, at the beginning of May.

Loe Pool and Loe Bar plus *stop press news*

I really don't intend updating this blog daily but as I'm having a nice little explore I thought I would share yesterday's discovery with you. I found these lovely gems with the help of my trusty Lizard guidebook. There was no signage whatsoever. I took a left at Helston Community Hospital and ended up here:

Now that I am au fait with the record button on my camera there is no end to Emma's video shorts, classics of our time. I have no idea why I'm whispering but it was very, very quiet so maybe I didn't want to disturb the tranquility. Doesn't usually stop me but you do feel a little daft talking to yourself.

There are no piccies because I was merrily taking pictures with my Canon when it dawned on me towards the end of the day that the memory card was still plugged into my laptop! So I'm not sure if they exist or not. I will have to wait until Cam brings down the camera cable to see if they're still lurking within.

I did take one snap with my phone as my camera wouldn't take it. It does that sometimes. I had bought provisions in Helston and after a lovely meandering walk around Loe Pool I flopped on the beach and ate my pasty. I'm in Cornwall now. It's what you do. It's probably the law. So, imagine me, sunbathing fully-clothed just snapping overhead:

Loe Bar (I'm not sure if it's pronounced loo or low) is treacherous and there are signs warning you not even to paddle. The beach shelves incredibly deeply and the gravel-like sand sucks you in, the current overwhelms you and, well, you're toast really. Very wet toast.

*stop press* Queen Victoria and Prince Albert chilled in my bedroom! Back in the day my two bedrooms were resting rooms for VIPs. The lighthouse heritage centre opened for the season today so I was chatting to Caroline and Dom who run it (and used to live in my cottage). Lots of interesting snippets which I shall share in the coming weeks.

Lizard Point to Kynance Cove

I did my first proper walk yesterday on a beautiful Spring morning. Walked from Lizard Point, five minutes walk from my front door, to Kynance Cove. As you can hear from my video clips, the weather was beautiful. In fact, I seem incapable of using any other adjective as you'll hear when you view Saturday's walk! Although I'm not intending on going on full-scale hikes every day I am trying to walk daily because I am so unfit, even if it's only a mile to the village and back.

So, where was I. Yes, a walk to the cafe although I think I will be driving most days rather than striding out along the cliff path. I mean one could have too much of a good thing.

It really was everything I wanted from being in Cornwall. Fabulous scenery; big picture photography and small detail photography. Wide open spaces and secluded coves.

This is the view from the top of the cliffs looking down to Kynance Cove.

 A walk on the sands and then a delicious egg and bacon roll washed down with hot chocolate.

Before heading for home down an inland route back to the lighthouse (where the fog horn was still blowing) and a nice cup of tea.

Kynance Cove

When I was planning my move to Cornwall I was looking forward to returning to Kynance Cove. I’d only visited once before, out of season and the cafe was closed but it was magical. One of the most beautiful beaches I’d ever stepped foot on. Quite the opposite of my other favourite; Gwithian on the north coast. Whereas that has miles and miles of wide sandy beaches, this is a cove with caves and hidey holes and rock pools and plenty of sand too when it isn't washed away by the tide.

 (photo copyright National Trust)

The week before my trip to Cornwall I unfolded the map to figure out a driving route to book my rental viewings in some semblance of order and something caught my eye. The very next cove to Lizard was Kynance. I had no idea it was even on The Lizard! When someone else is driving I don’t tend to take much notice of the route we’re taking so this was totally unexpected. I searched t’internet a bit and found the cafe was on Facebook so 'liked' the page and left it at that.

I need to work while I’m here and really fancied working in a coffee shop again. But this time as an employee with no pressure, just put in a good day's work. Having visited Cornwall many times I was confident it would be fairly easy to pick up a seasonal job although others were less positive. My plan was to mooch around a few cafes and if I liked the look and feel of any of them ask if they were recruiting.

However, a couple of weeks before I was due to move to Cornwall a Facebook notification came up saying Kynance Cove cafe were looking for staff. Within 15 minutes I had a job offer pending a trial day.

A few days after I’d moved in and started to get my bearings I drove over to meet the owners; Luke and Victoria who have been running the cafe since 1999. It’s a beautiful walk to the cove along the coast path. The steps to the beach are being repaired at the moment so everyone has to walk the long way round. Here's a little photo of my stroll down the coastal track.

I had my trial day on Wedneday. I was really nervous: Just because I owned my own coffee shop doesn’t mean I’ll be any good in anyone else’s. By lunch-time I was offered the job which I’m delighted about. I really ached when I got home as I’ve got out of the habit of being on my feet all day but I really enjoyed it. I am going to be working anything from two to four days a week and it is going to be seriously busy in the coming months. I feel so fortunate to be working in such a beautiful location. This is the view out of the window of the cafe.

 (photo copywrite Kynance Cove cafe facebook page)

Fit for purpose

Where was I...

... I had been looking on RightMove for ages. Properties came and went but the lighthouse cottage stayed. To this day I have no idea how it came up in a RightMove search as I didn’t even really know where The Lizard was, although when I eventually viewed the property I realised I’d been there before on one of my weekend jaunts. I did make a tentative call to the lettings agent before Christmas asking why it was still available to be told it was a bit remote and put potential renters off. Which did the trick of putting me off too (temporarily). Moving to Cornwall where you don’t know anyone except your hairdresser’s sister is bonkers enough without living in the middle of nowhere without even a cat for company.

The weekend after the kids departed I started searching RightMove in earnest, with the help of a map of Cornwall and Google. I decided to look at half a dozen locations rather than limit my search to the area I knew and loved best; St Ives, to keep my options open. I couldn’t get the lighthouse cottage out of my mind so I rang up the agent again and ended up making an appointment. I decided to view it first and then I could cross it off the list as being highly unfit for purpose and visit the other, more suitable, options.

Ten days later I flew down to Cornwall, picked up my hire car and with my list of properties beside me started my three day property finding expedition. My first thought, as I drove through a forlorn, grey Cornwall was “what the f*** am I doing” (I think that a lot), in fact I thought that for the first forty minutes or so until I turned left onto The Lizard, the rain stopped and the sun came out. As I drove on I caught my first glimpse of the sea which never fails to remind me of holidays as a child (“who can see the sea?” as we rounded the bend in the road and the sea would be all sparkly below us).

I drove through Lizard village and onwards along the only road there was, signposted appropriately enough to Lizard Lighthouse. And there it was in front of me. I have to say I had a bit of a moment which I hadn’t expected at all. 

A couple of minutes later I was parked up. After a short delay when Linda, the lovely lettings agent couldn’t open the door and I, as a highly experienced estate agent, could, we walked into the austere hallway of Peninnis Cottage. As we walked from room to room I could barely restrain myself from doing the happy dance. What an amazing property. An amazing Emma Holder property, not an amazing most normal people property. By the time we’d finished walking round, well me jigging from foot to foot and Linda walking normally, I had fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

Long story short (as Ei my cleaner at the coffee shop would say), I visited quite a lot of other properties in the next couple of days. I took a breather in Charlestown where I now realise a snippet of Poldark was shot, the one with the tall ships in harbour. I know, I know, who was looking at the tall ships? Who even knows or cares what the story line is come to that? So, there I was sitting on a bench looking at the tall ship sans Ross Poldark, when I realised that if I was going to have an adventure then it might as well be in a lighthouse cottage at the very most southerly point of England where the fog horn blows every 30 seconds at the merest hint of mist. Ergo fit for purpose.

A retrospective. And the here and now.

I've decided the only way to get this blog up-to-date, between setting it up at the end of January and moving in on 10th March, is to balance each post with what led me here, and with what I am doing right now, until the gap between then and now is filled.

Then

I set up this blog the day after I got back from Cornwall, as I was so full of how amazing it was going to be. But then there was a period of uncertainty as I waited for the landlord to agree the let which took ages as it had to be signed off by a board of trustees and I got a bit jittery about the whole thing. So rather than blogging as I went I did my favourite trick of waiting until it all got sorted. But my life never gets sorted. It’s always a work in progress. I should know this by now.

Having waved Cam back off to Uni and Libby off to New Zealand (once we explained she had to go through the departures gate to get anywhere) I came home and starting have an in-depth discussion with the cat about where my life was going. Which suggests it wasn’t really going anywhere. Time to throw everything in the air and do the one thing I’d wanted to do for ages. No, not open a coffee shop, I did that one already, remember? The other thing I’d wanted to do for ages. Spend some time in Cornwall. When I say some time, I don’t mean a holiday or even take house for a month, no some proper time, six months at least.

Now

Today the man came to fix the door in the spare room and the overflow under the sink. Yes, even when you are living the dream mundane tasks still have to be completed. Luckily, as I am renting, such things are sorted by the lettings agency.

Today was also the day I decided to strike out and visit the first place I came to, that I haven't visited before. Not great sentence construction but you know what I mean. So, out of the driveway and through the National Trust car park. Except there was a digger in the way so cars had to go one at a time the wrong way up the one-way road. Everywhere you look there are signs that "the season" is nearly upon us and visitors shall soon be here. Coastal defences and steps being repaired, potholes filled (and they are doing a proper job, digging out further than the hole before filling it properly, none of that Surrey nonsense), fences being painted and a general sprucing up).

Out of Lizard, no to Kynance Cove, no to Cadgwith, yes to Ruan Minor. And then I saw a sign for Kennack Sands so that's where I ended up. Oooh, with my pasty from Ann's, I forgot to mention that.

It was rather lovely, sitting in the sun with my back to the sea wall, enjoying a lovely warm pasty and a can of organic lemonade. Then it was up and over the top of the dunes and onto Kennack Towans. It then dawned on me what a novice explorer I am as I burrowed myself into the sand dunes, completely sheltered from the wind and realised I had brought neither binoculars nor kindle nor flask of tea so had to make do with contemplating life as the waves crashed against the reef. I took some selfies as well. And a rather stunning pic of the bay.

And then it was back to Lizard and the purchase of a newspaper as I have no idea how to work the listings part of my new (tiny) television and I didn't want to miss Ordinary Lies with the lovely Jason Manford although it's all relative when compared to Captain Poldark.

I'll be back dreckly.