Wednesday 30 September

[Kath Mulligan]

Ha, you thought you had got rid of me for a week, didn't you? Hard luck!

I am here in sunny Penzance and looking forward to a walk to Oliver Land tomorrow.

Gloria, sorry to hear that you are now having dental problems too, hope you make it down here, but if not get well soon and see you in March.

Kath

[Linda]

Hurray!

Am so glad you are!

So now we can have another insight into Cornwall as it happens....

So what are you using??

(jealous up here that your down there!) :):)

[Barbara]

Looking forward to your running commentary, Kath. Hope the change of trains went smoothly.
I'm a little envious too, Linda, but its been so enjoyable coming to the forum everyday and listening to the excitement of the pending visit.
Gloria, sorry to hear your having such a time of it lately. I had "dental issues" earlier in the year...not pleasant. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Janet Swan]

Ha, you thought you had got rid of me for a week, didn't you? Hard luck!

Kath

We need DAILY bulletins from you, please, Kath!

Janet

[Kath Mulligan]

Linda, Jane has kindly allowed me to use her computer so that I don't have to miss out on my forum fix!

Had a lovely sunny and warm day here today for our walk to Oliver Land. We were down on Sennen beach at 8.15 enjoying the sun and a sparkling blue sea - so good to be back there.

After breakfast the skies had clouded over and there was a hint of drizzle in the air so off we went with macs and cagoules at the ready but just after we set off up Well Lane the sun came out again and my cagoule spent the whole trip tied around my waist. Not too muddy through the wood today and managed to negotiate the stream without mishap with the aid of my new hiking pole. After a brief photo stop at Carn Barges, on we went to Oliver Land, and were lucky enough to have it all to ourselves, even though we saw quite a lot of people on the coastal path.

We wandered round enjoying the total peace and quiet and were joined near Honeysuckle Meadow by Gerald and Jennie's daughter's two ponies who accompanied us to Ambrose Rock where lots of wishes were made for all those who are needing them at present.

Got back to the Wink just in time to grab a bite to eat, then we walked up to the Village Hall to see the first of the Art Exhibitions and who should we meet there on duty but John and Mim. Had a good wander around there and I fell in love with Mim's bowl which was on display, so that is now purchased and will be going home with me.

As we were driving back past Lamorna Pottery I was pointing out to Jane the road which leads up to Patricia's Bumblebee Cottage and we decided to head that way to see if she was in. Then I spotted Jennie and Gerald's car parked at the Pottery, so in we went and there they both were, plus Patricia and Monty too, so we managed to have a good chat with them all which was lovely.

So, that's today's activities. Not sure what we are planning tomorrow. Saturday's forecast is not brilliant so we are still thinking we will head to Penlee Gallery then, but Sunday is supposed to be lovely again. Most of the Open Studios don't start until tomorrow, so may go to see some of them or may leave that till Monday.

Barbara, yes thank you, all my trains ran on time so the journey was without incident.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Great report Kath and when you get home a picture of Mim's bowl please? She's a clever girl I love my 'Mim' pottery. I brought back a 'Guardian of the Hearth' when we last visited and hope to have another to send to America for Christmas, that was my plan actually to buy one at the Festival but I dare say I will manage to purchase one in time for posting.
Glad the hiking pole was a success, they are really wonderful, in fact have thought about getting another one so that I can ski walk with them.
Have fun.

[adesmith]

I felt like I was there with you Kath! Just what I needed after a hectic and somewhat stressful day at work. I did actually think about you going off to Oliverland and I was picturing the view, looking out to sea with a fishing boat passing. Really glad that you had a good time and that the weather was good. Penlee Gallery is fab, one of our regular destinations. I actually prefer it to the Tate Gallery in St Ives because you can always guarantee some real Cornish art work. I did write to the Tate a few years ago to say that it was a shame that they didnt exhibit more local/Cornish art considering the rich history of artists in the area. I had a rather snooty letter back about it not being in their remit and that was what Penlee was for (but they did include some free tickets). Anyway the following year there was an exhibition about the St Ives and Newlyn Schools which was fab. Have a great day whatever you do tomorrow. Has Jane introduced you to the Sloe Gin yet? (hee, hee)

[gloria townsin]

Here's another Penlee Gallery fan. Would possibly not have visited if I hadn't gone with FOMS - found so much to enjoy and ponder over.

[Janet Swan]

Oh Kath, what a fabulous first day you had AND accidentally meeting up with all the lovely FOMS friends who live close by. So glad you decided to treat yourself to a piece of Mim's pottery. It will give you so much pleasure. Enjoy the next few days - of course you will - :D (for you).

Janet

[Kath Mulligan]

Time for a catch up. We have just come back from a lovely Sunday lunch at Lamorna Pottery with Liz and John, which was really good fun. They have now gone off to look at some of the open studios and we have some free time now until Jane and I go off to the concert at St Buryan this evening, when we shall be meeting up with Liz and John again. Just after we had finished lunch we had a wonderful sight of a restored Romany caravan trundling along past the Pottery so out I dashed with my camera. Will post the results when I get home.

Yesterday Jane and I walked into Penzance to the Penlee Gallery and saw the newly acquired painting of Eyes or No Eyes, plus an exhibition of portraits by Marianne Stokes, and also some of the usual Newlyn School artists. As always it was a very enjoyable visit.

On Friday we did our tour of the Open Studios and met some really interesting people, as well as seeing their work. Walked down into Lamorna Cove and saw Steve's Magazine cottage too. Also visited one of the Open Gardens and chatted to the elderly lady who owns it. It's a 2 acre garden and she works in every day, with just help from one gardener and it was simply amazing. Forgot to take any photos of that, sorry, so you'll just have to take my word that it was good!

Tomorrow, we are heading off over to the Lizard area. Jane hasn't seen Gunwalloe Church Cove and its lovely little church so that will be one stop on the itinerary.

Beautifully warm and sunny again today after some wind and rain yesterday and overnight. Sounds as though it could be grim on Tuesday, but I shall spend almost 8 hours of it sitting on a train, so it won't worry me too much. Hope it's not too bad for John and Liz though.

Kath

[Janet Swan]

Just switched on and wondering what Kath has been up to, and there was your latest posting (thank you), written one minute ago (so it says) - wavelength, of course!

Oh, what a super visit you are having. I can feel "the magic of Cornwall" coming through your writing. It's often the unexpected things e.g. the romany caravan and talking to the lady with the huge garden, that become "magic" for me.

No doubt you and Jane will have more lovely adventures tomorrow, so will eagerly await reading about them.

Janet

[Mary Young]

oh Kath its Mary here and ive just caught up with your messages. Im so envious and so pleased you are having such a lovely time. We also saw the magazine cottage when we were there in august and what a lovely place to live especially in the summer months. We also saw the ponies at oliver land but didnt know who they belonged to so thanks for letting us know. Enjoy the rest of your holiday im sure you will and thanks for the updates. Its like giving us all the same feelings we have when reading wavelength

[Kath Mulligan]

Its like giving us all the same feelings we have when reading wavelength

I'm glad you are enjoying sharing the experiences with me, Mary, hope we get as good weather as this next March!

Kath

[Linda]

brilliant reporting Kath....perhaps this should become a feature of any forum members trip to give us back at base an account of their visit so we too can wallow in Cornwall...what do you think all??? too much to ask??? doesnt have to be long a few sentences if all you can manage.... mmm? mmm? :):):)


s'ok if you dont want to just a thought....

[Kath Mulligan]

Not everyone will be lucky enough to have access to a computer though, Linda.

After sitting on trains from around 9.30 this morning through to 17.45 I am all trained out and really don't want to go on another one anytime soon!

Had a brilliant time with Jane and Bryan, not to mention their gorgeous dogs, Rosie and Jessie. Very tired now, so will try to upload some of my photos tomorrow.

Kath

[Barbara]

Glad to hear you had such a lovely time, Kath, and we all enjoyed your reporting. Sounds like the weather was kind.
Looking forward to seeing your photos.

Barb:)

[gloria townsin]

An early night and you'll be all set for sharing your pics and Festival stories. Glad it all went so well for you and only sad not to have been there to experience it for myself. Root canal treatment tomorrow - Oh Joy!!

[Brenda]

Colour me green, Kath. Loved the account. I'm looking forward to your photos.

And, Linda, I'd be happy to report on my next trip. If I don't take my laptop along, there's sure to be an Internet cafe somewhere in the area.

Brenda

[Kath Mulligan]

Will be thinking of you and sympathising over your root canal treatment Gloria.

Have loaded my photos onto my computer, and for anyone on Facebook who has befriended me, there are about 50 of my pics posted on there, but will have to re-size some to post here. Will try to do that later today.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Root canal done and not as bad as I thought it might be although it did seem a long hour!! Next week another hour in the dentist chair having a couple of fillings.....then hopefully dental treatment free for a while.

[Janet Swan]

Root canal done and not as bad as I thought it might be although it did seem a long hour!! Next week another hour in the dentist chair having a couple of fillings.....then hopefully dental treatment free for a while.

You're a brave girl, dear Gloria, well done. The fillings next week will be no problem after this. Good luck and take care.

Janet

[Janet Swan]

Have loaded my photos onto my computer ...
Kath

The photos in your FOMS album are brilliant, Kath. Thanks so much for sharing them. What a wonderful time you had.

Janet

[adesmith]

Great photographs Kath. You really did have a good time didnt you! Glad that you got to Trengwainton, its a fantastic garden and I love the terrace. We didnt make it there in the summer and it is the one thing that we did regret not doing.

Gloria, I am glad that your dental treatment went well and that it was not as bad as you thought.

[Kath Mulligan]

It was the first time I had been to Trengwainton so I really enjoyed seeing it. The views from that terrace are truly breathtaking, especially on such a clear, sunny day. We were so very lucky that the weather was so kind to us for all of our activities last week. I kept pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming, that this really was happening in October!

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Thank you for your dental good wishes - I reckon my FOMS forum friends encouragement went a long way to getting me through it.