Falmouth

We set the alarm so that we could get going at a sensible time. The aim was to leave home before 09:00 and we managed to hit the road just after 08:30. We had a wonderful drive across the “Jurassic Route” past Bournemouth, Dorchester, Bridport and onwards to Exeter, where we stopped at the service station for a comfort break and some coffee.

We were soon back on the road for the last 100 miles. This was made more “interesting” by the foul weather that tormented us along the route. Low cloud, mist, and driving rain beset the car as we powered on through to Falmouth. We arrived at the hotel in just under 5 hours from home (excluding the comfort break). That is about as good as it gets given that no speed limits were broken along the whole 250 miles.

The hotel is gorgeous and we have a fabulous room with panoramic views across the bay. Jane and Trevor (who arrived a few minutes after us) are in the room below us, so have a similar view.

The first order of the afternoon, having dumped our luggage, was to get a drink and a bite to eat. We sat in the lounge and Diane enjoyed an Earl Gray tea and some coconut and chocolate cake, while I had a pint (or two) of Doom Bar and a beef sandwich. Trevor and Jane came to join us and we sat and chatted while they snacked.

Back in our room, we unpacked and then set out for a walk in the twilight. It was dry but breezy as we headed towards Gyllyngvase Beach. We even went down onto the beach. As we turned to head home, it started to rain. It wasn’t too bad and we weren’t too wet by the time we got back.

We changed for dinner. After all, you have to keep up appearances. We met up in the bar for a pre-dinner drink. It was very quiet with only one other couple in the lounge. Dinner was very good. I had some red mullet with a lentil dahl to start with. Diane skipped the starters. For our main dish, she had spatchcocked chicken and I had battered cod with some chips. We sat and chatted and it was gone 21:00 before we left the dining room. (We were, of course, the last out - but then there had been only one other table occupied).

The long day and long drive had caught up with me. My Kindle and the bed were calling