Wednesday, 17th March

[Sybille Weber]

At last it looks as though spring is on its way. The temperature went up to as much as +14 today, and we had a mixture of sun and cloud, +18 expected for tomorrow. Crocuses have burst open today, and the yellow of the daffodils is also gradually beginning to show. Would be great if the weather was like that for Memorial Weekend. They have, however, forecast slightly cooler and wet weather for our area for the weekend, but if we get the wet weather here on the weekend, then it may already have left England by then, as we usually have the weather fronts coming in from the west. Fingers crossed for all of you who are going, a good journey, and a happy time together!
:grouphug:

[jane jackson]

It's all gone very quiet on the Forum with Kath on a train and Gloria busy at Bryher! Kath will be getting excited now with just over an hour and a half to go before she arrives at PZ. Unfortunately it's raining and earlier I was having problems keeping my umbrella from blowing inside out but at the moment the forecast for Sunday is looking a lot better with the possibility of it being dry and maybe even some sunshine. The main thing is for it to be dry Sunday and Monday as the first 2 days the activities are indoors so we'll keep hoping.

[Liz]

As you've all probably realized John and I are unable to be down in Cornwall this weekend - lots going on here at the moment.

However we will be spending a week in our usual cottage in May so there's that to look forward to.

Hope all you lucky ones have a wonderful weekend - I'll be thinking about you.
x

[adesmith]

Hopefully it will brighten up for you all and I will have my fingers crossed for you on Sunday and Monday! Really wishing you all a fantastic weekend in Cornwall. I am thinking very much Minack at the moment because I have finally got around to reading The Ambrose Rock. Thoroughly enjoying reading about Oliverland.

Jane, please say hello to everyone from me and remind Kath to take lots of pictures!

[Sybille Weber]

.............Jane, please say hello to everyone from me.............................

....and from me, too, please, Jane, especially to Patricia and Gerald and Jenny. Will write to them as soon as possible,.... and hugs for all four-legged members.


The 18 degr. forecast for today really materialized, and we had a wonderful spring day. Had taken today off work as I had a doctor's appointment which didn't take as long as expected, so we spent the extra time gained in the gardens of Villa Hügel here at Essen where we really met spring: Lots of snowdrops (the ordinary and the fancy ones) and crocuses and a few other early flowers in bloom, birds singing, and the smell of spring in the air.

[jane jackson]

Sounds as though you had a great day Sybille especially with the Doctors appointment being shorter than expected.

I'll say hello to everyone for you all. Sorry Liz that you and John cannot make it but as you say you have May to look forward to. Yes Adrian, I'll remind Kath to use her camera ~ hope it isn't too misty or wet for photos!

[Kath Mulligan]

See, I told you I may be back to haunt you!! We are enjoying some welcome Cornish liquid sunshine today, unlike lots of you who have probably got the sun. Lots of people gathered at the Morrab library this morning, much chatting and catching up with old friends and new. Joan and I are now planning to go over to St Ives this afternoon. Bit difficult to decide what to do when it is wet.

Taken plenty of photos already, Adrian at the library and tried to take some last night on the prom of the waves splashing over the sea wall. It wasn't very successful, partly because it was going a bit dark, but mostly because the sea got us before we could snap it! A huge wave suddenly reared up and soaked us both before we could get out of the way. Joan was sensible and had her coat fastened, yours truly had her fleece open and a light blouse underneath! I steamed gently at the Turk's Head later as we had our evening meal.

I was also very pleasantly surprised to have a welcoming committee at PZ station. Joan was there and also Gary and his nephew, Nathan. And Judy Castree from Chicago was also in the station cafe so met her as well. A brilliant start to the weekend. :grouphug!:

Kath

[jane jackson]

You were quick Kath! I've put 3 photos on my album so your photo is living proof you're here. Hope you don't get too wet at St Ives.

Very interesting morning at Morrab Library. It was fascinating looking at Derek's planting notebook/diary especially for this week on different years of the 1950s. One February he was saying it had been a very mild winter so far and then a few weeks later there had been a hard frost. Reading his entries really shows how hard it is to make a living when you're so reliant on the weather.

There was a photo of Derek and Jeannie with James Herriot and his wife which was very interesting to me as a definite fan of James Herriot too. They shared the same Publisher for their books so it was obviously from a promotion. In a report after Derek's death the Publisher (sorry I've forgotten his name) said that Derek seemed to be concerned that the books of James Herriot would detract form his own. I'm sure he had no need to worry as I for one was very happy to buy and read both as lots of others must have been too as both authors were so successful.

The other papers which interested me were the notes for his book Shadows which never got written where he was going to begin with Rose Cottage and lead up to Minack with the shadows of people he had yet to meet and end with the shadows of people who had gone on before him.

[Sybille Weber]

Lovely to have live news from the big event from you Kath and Jane. So those not able to go can at least take part a little bit. I usually follow you all in my mind on Memorial Weekends, thinking 'now they will all be at .....' or 'now they must have left for .....' etc. Wish I could be there, too, but even if I had been fit enough for the long journey, taking time off work would have been impossible at the moment. Even while I was ill at home the phone rang all the time as my colleague was not familiar with my work, and there's just too much at the moment that no one else can do. :( But, reading your posts certainly lifts my spirits :happy: (although my Mum thinks it's not fair making our mouth water when we cannot be there :haha:).

I had to laugh, Kath, 'yours truly had her fleece open ....', but no, I'm sorry for you, and I do hope the weather will improve for you, although I'm sure you will all be enjoying yourselves whatever the weather.

Didn't know there is a photo of Derek and Jeannie together with James and Helen, Jane. I, too, love both Derek and James (and have also met both of them), so this photo would just be great to see. All Creatures Great and Small is currently back on TV here, and we still watch it although we've seen it all several times before. Still, no matter how beautiful the books and the TV series are, the Minack Chronicles will always come first for me. The whole Herriot thing has become much too commercialised I think.
I have to dig out my copy of 'Shadows' and reread the notes. It is interesting to read them but it always used to make me a bit sad as I knew Derek didn't live to write the actual book.

[Gill Bilcliffe]

Thankyou Jane & Kath for your Cornwall updates. Those who didn't make it this weekend will thoroughly enjoy and appreciate your efforts to include us. A little bit of imagination and we can picture each situation. So keeps us posted!

I didn't know there was to be a last book "Shadows" by Derek and to read the last notes would be both sad and nostalgic tinted with happy times. Shadows really says it all and one can almost feel what would have been written.

Regards
Gilly

[Kath Mulligan]

Would you like another laugh at my expense, Sybille? There have been two mad women on the loose in St Ives this afternoon! Joan and I decided that we weren't going to let a "bit" of rain spoil our fun so we have been ambling around the harbour area eating veggie pasties in the bucketing rain! For anyone who knows St Ives we headed round to the shelters just beyond Smeatons Pier but the wind was blowing the rain right into there, so we found a little cave like structure out at the end of the pier and we had our pasties sheltering under there. As we were wending our way to it, we very nearly ended up in the sea because the surface was a bit slippery. We have both taken photos so will post them when we get home. Once again I got literally soaked to the skin! At this rate I shall be running out of clothes by Sunday - and no, I am not planning to streak at Oliver Land.

Right we're off to hit the high spots of Penzance again now, so behave until we return with our next bulletin.

Kath

[adesmith]

It sounds like you are having a great time Kath! Its funny that you mentioned the prom because I was thinking last night 'Kath will be in Penzance now' and I pictured the prom in my mind. I love walking along there at night, I dont know why but it just seems so atmospheric. We had a similar experience with a wave like that but thankfully we were on our way back from the Meadery! I have probably mentioned this before but we also went ton the prom in a storm with Rachel's Dad's car (the in-laws were resting in the bungalow back in Carbis Bay) one October. Anyway Rachel was trying to hurry me along because she didnt like the waves but I was taking pictures. I opened the door just as one crashed over the car! I wasnt popular! Glad that you had a good time in library and in St Ives as well. Keep taking pictures and it is wonderful to get updates.

Gosh the book called Shadows sounds like it could be very sad!

Have a great day tomorrow.

[jane jackson]

There have been two mad women on the loose in St Ives this afternoon! Once again I got literally soaked to the skin! At this rate I shall be running out of clothes by Sunday - and no, I am not planning to streak at Oliver Land.

Right we're off to hit the high spots of Penzance again now, so behave until we return with our next bulletin.

Kath

Sorry about the photo Kath but I had to prove you were there. At least you looked very busy and intent on what you were doing! Thanks for the names of the couple ~ must speak to them tomorrow. Fancy getting another soaking, you should have brought you swimsuit and gone to the Leisure Centre.

Bryan and I are safely at home with the animals so we wont see what you and Joan get up to this evening in PZ ~ have a good time ~ not that you need any encouragement

[Liz]

Its lovely to hear all your updates Jane & Kath - I am very very envious of you all!

As a compensation we had a very beautiful spring equinox day yesterday and were out in the sun from early morning - it only began to get chilly around six and then we were glad to light the fire again.

Looking forward to hearing more soon!

[Kath Mulligan]

Well, sadly I am back home again and another M/W is just a memory, but what a great time it has been. More people than ever before there, new friends made and old ones greeted with much joy. Although much of the weekend has been very wet indeed, Sunday was a beautiful day so we were able to enjoy our walk to Oliver Land to the full. Very muddy on the path through the woods and the stream was running quite high, but I did manage to avoid falling in this year thanks to Gary's helping hand again. There was a bit of confusion in Oliver Land as there has been quite a lot of clearance work going on with the brambles and gorse which has uncovered another huge lump of granite and quite a lot of folk were under the impression that it was Ambrose Rock! Meanwhile I had wandered apart from the crowd and made my own way to the real Ambrose Rock where I found Mary and Dave Young, also enjoying the peace and quiet. We chatted for a few minutes and I took a photo of them which I will post on here shortly, then they went off and I spent about 20 minutes on my own there, making my wishes for everyone, and just looking around and imagining Derek and Jeannie there. I looked across to Carn Barges and thought how many times they had looked at the same scene, and it seemed to bring them very close.

After a while I began to wonder where everyone else had gone, then Patricia and Monty appeared. When Patricia said that the others were clustered around the wrong rock I went off to find them. Most had dispersed elsewhere by that time but I collected Wendy and a couple of other ladies, plus Gary and his nephew, Nathan who had been busily filming the wrong rock and took them to the real thing.

After lunch back at the Wink, Jane and I headed off to Sennen Cove (well I just had to have my fix of my favourite place!) and were just making our way back to Jane's car, walking past the lifeboat station, when a convoy of cars suddenly converged from all directions, parked haphazardly, with their drivers seemingly not even locking up the vehicles (presumably they left their keys for other crew members to secure them later) and heading off into the boathouse. We made our way to the far side of the boathouse and were able to watch the lifeboat launching down the slipway and heading off towards Land's End. I hope the incident wasn't a serious one, but it certainly added to the excitement of our afternoon.

Then, we invaded Lamorna Pottery again and completely took over the conservatory. Much chatting was done and goodbyes were said to the folk who were heading home.

Unfortunately our Monday walk had to be cancelled as it was pouring with rain, so again the Pottery was invaded - doubt they had ever had such a busy Monday morning - and more coffee and cakes were consumed, then we went our separate ways. Just to be contrary the sun decided to put in an appearance in the afternoon, so I caught a bus out to Mousehole, had a quick wander round there (hardly anything open, it was a bit like a ghost town) and walked back to PZ, then sat on the Prom with a book until the wind got up a bit and turned a bit more chilly.

This morning rain was threatening again as we got onto the train and the bad weather followed me all the way home. I can't believe that it is all over yet again, just wish I could wind the clock back to last Thursday and be back down there again with it all to look forward to. Roll on March 2011 - nothing like wishing your life away, is there?!!

Kath

[Sybille Weber]

Yes, Kath. Didn't it all go much too quickly? You only just said how you were looking forward to Memorial Weekend, and in next to no time it is just a memory - but a wonderful one at that.

Thanks for your lovely account of Memorial Weekend. Seems you all had a great time even though the Monday walk had to be cancelled. I checked the Minack webcam on Monday morning before I left for work and saw it was pouring down with rain, but as the sky looked a little bit brighter in the distance I had hoped it was just a shower, especially as there was glorious sunshine when I logged on again in the afternoon, but obviously this hadn't been the case. Anyway it seems you all had a nice time at the pottery, too.

Good you were there to guide everyone to the right Amrose Rock. Gary phoned me from the Ambrose Rock (or what he thought to be Ambrose Rock). I had a few words with Gloria and Jane, too, and Gloria put Gary's phone down on the rock for me to make a wish. So, if it doesn't come true, they have probably phoned me from the wrong rock.

[Kath Mulligan]

Good you were there to guide everyone to the right Amrose Rock. Gary phoned me from the Ambrose Rock (or what he thought to be Ambrose Rock). I had a few words with Gloria and Jane, too, and Gloria put Gary's phone down on the rock for me to make a wish. So, if it doesn't come true, they have probably phoned me from the wrong rock.

Yes, unfortunately it was the wrong rock but I am sure the wishes will be just as valid. After all they were still made in Oliver Land.

Kath

[colleen]

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[adesmith]

Glad that you had a good time Kath! Looking forward to seeing the photos. I am hoping that we found the proper Ambrose Rock on all of our visits to Oliver Land - you have got me worried now! I dont think that you need to worry because I am sure that March 2011 will soon come around!

[Kath Mulligan]

Glad that you had a good time Kath! Looking forward to seeing the photos. I am hoping that we found the proper Ambrose Rock on all of our visits to Oliver Land - you have got me worried now! I dont think that you need to worry because I am sure that March 2011 will soon come around!

I have already posted the photos Adrian, so you should be able to see them now. You definitely did find the proper Ambrose Rock because one of your photos on the Facebook page last year was almost identical to one that I took a month or so later. I had never seen the huge lump of granite that was mistaken for the Rock before, but as I said there seemed to have been quite a large-scale clearance of scrub in the meadow up behind Honeysuckle Meadow so maybe that rock had been submerged before.

Really hope that you and Rachel and Rupert can make it next year, it would be good to meet up with you all.

Kath

[adesmith]

Thats good! I did think we had found the right one because it seemed to match up with pictures. As I have already said I have just finished The Ambrose Rock so I have a new found appreciation of its significance and also just what Oliver Land meant to Derek and Jeannie. Cant wait until July/August when we can visit again.

Thanks for posting the pictures - they make me feel that I was there myself! I really am pleased that you had such an enjoyable time despite the weather. It was so good that you had some sun for the trip to Oliver Land.

Rachel did say that we will have to try and make it next year so all being well we will try and get there. Its been great to slowly meet people, Gloria and Jane and so I do think its about time we were able to meet up as well! We talked about how we could do it (if it is in term time) and we thought that we could ask our friends if we could rent the bungalow in Carbis Bay for two nights and travel down Friday, leaving later on the Sunday. Do you know dates for next year?

I am going to have another look at your photographs now.

[Joan]

Kath - Still haven't seen the Memorial Weekend photos as I was thrown out of the system after my last post and have spent ages trying to get back in. Look forward to seeing them eventually.

Colleen - Glad you had a wonderful weekend. We certainly had some good meals at the Turk's Head. The one at the Navy Inn was disappointing, but I'm sure we just hit an "off" night as it is normally very good there. We had some interesting discussions over dinner, and it's always great to hear different view points, and ideas, on so many topics. Hope you had a good journey home.

Joan

[Kath Mulligan]

Rachel did say that we will have to try and make it next year so all being well we will try and get there. Its been great to slowly meet people, Gloria and Jane and so I do think its about time we were able to meet up as well! We talked about how we could do it (if it is in term time) and we thought that we could ask our friends if we could rent the bungalow in Carbis Bay for two nights and travel down Friday, leaving later on the Sunday. Do you know dates for next year?

I am going to have another look at your photographs now.

M/W next year is from Friday 18 March to Monday 21 March inclusive. I have already booked Camilla House again from Thursday to Tuesday but Joan and I were contemplating making a longer stay and coming down earlier to be able to go to Penzance Flower Show as well on the previous Saturday. Will have to start saving my pennies now, but isn't that one of the benefits of being retired - I can plan to take a longer break without worrying about using up all my annual leave!

Kath

[adesmith]

Thanks Kath, I will pencil those dates in and see when the Easter holidays are next year. I guess there is always the possibility that it could fall in the holidays.

[Kath Mulligan]

Easter is very late next year, Adrian. Good Friday falls on April 22nd so unlikely that your Easter holidays will coincide. (Good old Google, it knows all the answers!!).

Kath

[jane jackson]

one of the benefits of being retired - I can plan to take a longer break without worrying about using up all my annual leave!

Kath

I so agree there Kath ~ it's certainly one of the best things about retirement in that you can choose exactly when and for how long you want to go away. Just leaves the problem of finances! I suggested to Bryan the other day that as he enjoys picking up rubbish from the beaches perhaps he should apply for a job doing it where he'd get paid ~ you can imagine the answer I got!!!!!!

[adesmith]

Not to worry, we could still do it in a weekend. Will pencil it in.

Poor Bryan! I have seen a man walking along Long Rock Beach collecting rubbish - I think he was a council worker because he had one of those 'picker uppers'.

[gloria townsin]

'Cormorant' - one of the holiday bungalows behind the Mullion Cove Hotel is excellent........very well furnished and equipped, beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean......this might be a bit of a schlep but it only took me 40 mins to get to Penzance from there. I timed it from the Helston roundabout at 30 mins exactly and I observe all the speed limits so not driving with my foot on the floorboards.
There is another little holiday home for sale there.........hmmm........food for thought........it's called Puffin......we looked at Kittiwake when we still had my Mum to consider and umpteen dogs and decided it wasn't a good idea. Then of course we got more involved with moving to Cornwall and the rest, as they say, is history.