Birthday

Today is the day on which the World celebrates Diane’s Birthday. And it looks as if we have a promising start to the morning. The mists of yesterday have gone and while there is some cloud drifting away to the west, there is also a lovely clear sky. Opening up from the east. Diane has just been sipping on her morning tea while opening her cards and presents.. We are planning an earlier breakfast today so that we can get on the road and spend the day in Polperro.

Breakfast was the usual feast as we set ourselves up for the day. We gathered by the car and by 10:00 were on our way (with a fuel stop in Falmouth). The route was fairly slow until we had cleared Truro. After about 90 minutes we pulled into the Polperro car park, near the Crumplehorn Mill. It is many years since our last visit, but it. Doesn’t seem to have changed at all.

We took a walk down to the village and then cut around the back to arrive at the west side of the harbour. Coffee was uppermost in our minds so we settled into The Three Pilchards for some well needed caffeine and to avail ourselves of their “facilities”. These “facilities” were nestling in the yard behind the pub, reached by a small steep staircase. I can imagine this is a source of amusement and injury as the beers flow on a party night.

We continued our tour round and onto the harbour wall. Polperro is still one of the most picturesque villages I have ever visited. (Over the years I have probably taken more photos in Polperro than almost anywhere else). We slowly retraced our steps and crossed the old bridge to the east side of the harbour and then walked along towards the Heritage Museum, which is closed until Easter - we decided not to wait.

We turned and wandered back slowly. A pasty shop leapt out in front of us. It would be rude to spend time in Cornwall and not indulge in one of their famous pasties. I am not rude. I went in and purchased some pasties for my travelling companions (declining one for myself as it takes great self-control to maintain my Adonis-like(*) physique). We were soon back at the car. The SatNav was programmed and we headed across country. Still enthused by our recent cruise, we decided to take the Bodinnick Ferry across the River Fowey. The entertainment wasn’t as good as on Arcadia and there didn’t appear to be a choice of restaurants, but as we were only aboard for about 5 minutes, we decided not to complain.

Back in the Hotel, Zoe had arranged for some balloons and cupcakes to be delivered to our room. Jane and Trevor joined us with some Prosecco and more cake and we had a little party to celebrate Diane’s birthday. Later, when we went down to dinner, our table was all decorated and again Prosecco was waiting for us with a card. This had all been arranged by Zoe (who was still chasing a package that should have been delivered - but will arrive tomorrow).

It was a lovely evening and Diane had a wonderful birthday.

(*) That isn’t the Greek God, Adonis. I reference, of course, to Arthur Adonis of 23 Railway Cuttings, Clapham.