A visit to nearby Porthleven

New guests to Boscrowan declare that a week just isn’t long enough to see all there is to see in the area, and they often return. Returning guests are wiser and frequently come for longer. There are just so many places to visit, so many contrasts – ocean, moorland, engine houses, granite monuments, tin mines, gardens, Islands with castles on, sandy beaches, pebbly beaches and much more. And so close to Boscrowan. It’s worth that long trip down, as once you are here you really don’t have to travel far.

So let’s visit nearby Porthleven. An ever so pretty fishing village with a beach beyond, eateries, galleries and quirky shops.

Fishing boats bobbing in the pretty harbour of Porthleven on a sunny day

You could just buy an ice cream on the harbour front or you could push the boat out and buy a Philps pasty from the little shop on the corner. That’s the brand that the locals will normally go for. Just eat straight out of the bag whilst you are sitting on one of the many benches overlooking the harbour. Bliss! An inexpensive meal too.

Or you could try lunch at the Harbour Inn, just along the cobbled road toward the pretty clock tower at the end of the harbour for a more varied menu and eat outdoors or within.

Pretty hanging baskets outside the Harbour Inn Porthleven

For evenings there something even smarter – Kota restaurant – with a Michelin star accolade too, run by the chef and owner who was in the Great British menu final in 2021. But you definitely will need to book – it’s very good and very popular.

So well worth a visit.

Crying the Neck!

An odd title you may think but it is in fact an ancient Cornish harvest festival ceremony still practised today and it is when the last shock of corn is cut and the end of the harvest is proclaimed. I popped over to a field above Zennor yesterday afternoon to enjoy one of these events.

First we were welcomed by a member of The Old Cornwall Society and then all sang Trelawney which for those of you who might not know is the unofficial Cornish anthem. Worth listening to on YouTube if you have the time! This was followed by us all singing ‘We Plough the fields and scatter’

The master of ceremonies then walked to the last patch of corn in the field and cut it with a traditional scythe which is a long handled sharp hook. It was then gathered into sheaves.

Once the sheaves were all gathered in he took a sheaf in his hand, held it in the air and shouted “I ‘ave ‘un! I’ave ‘un! I ‘ave ”un!” Those present then shouted “What ‘ave ‘ee? What ‘ave ‘ee? What ‘ave ‘ee? ” and he replied “A neck! A neck! A neck!” and then everyone joins in with “Hurrah! Hurrah for the neck! Hurrah!”

This was followed by another hymn and a few words from the St Ives mayor and ended as quietly as it had begun!

Then off to Zennor for a walk on the cliffs with Maisie, a visit to the churchyard and a hello to two family relatives there, followed by a latte and a delicious orange and pecan cake in the Moomaid cafe, a purchase in the lovely shop and a drive along the coast road home. A most pleasant afternoon!

Enjoy a wildlife discovery boat trip from Penzance

We have lived back here in Cornwall for 30 years and have never done a boat trip from Penzance harbour apart from a trip on the Scillonian. Ridiculous! Finally on Saturday evening we went on a 2 hour wildlife discovery trip with Mermaid boat trips and had a fabulous time

First along the coast past Newlyn and around St Clements Isle just off Mousehole where we saw a cormorant drying its wings and 4 shags then back out to sea towards the Lizard. There the excitement began!

A flock of gannets diving for pilchards was the alert I believe which took us there. Then dolphins galore everywhere around us, diving in all directions. A sky full of Manx Shearwaters too as well as these young gannets and great splashes in water as tuna surfaced. It was a most memorable spectacle, enjoyed as much by a 5 and 7 year old as well as their grandparents!

Spot the dolphin

The cost was £26 per adult and £80 for a family of four.

We rounded off the trip with a meal at The Dolphin Tavern just opposite the quay where we disembarked. having pre booked a table as it was a Saturday night in Penzance!