Weekend Away

View from the bedroom window

Fistral Beach, Newquay

You never know when you book these things what you are going to get but this one paid off in spades.

The coach picked us up in Bideford at 10:00 and we wended our way along the Atlantic Highway into Cornwall. The driver thought he'd make a lunch stop in Boscastle so we turned off the main road down the tiny lane that takes you down the Valency Valley into the beautiful little village of Boscastle that was so devastated by the floods. I have often visited but this was the first time I'd been since the deluge and I was so pleased to see that sympathetic repairs have been made and the dear little place was almost back to normal. Sadly the coach park was being resurfaced so we had to continue on up the other side of the river and go to Tintagel. We had a pub lunch and a very brisk, bracing walk before jumping back on the coach and travelling on to Newquay.

Now Newquay is not my favourite place in Cornwall. Yes the beaches are fantastic but the town itself is really geared up to surfing and always strikes me as slightly tacky but the coach skirted the main town and came to a stop outside right next to Fistral beach. I wont go on about the hotel but if you're really interested look here www.fistral-spa.co.uk .

I have now been hot stone massaged, Indian shoulder massaged and facialed . Jaccuzied, steam roomed, sauna'd fed three meals a day and enjoyed a nice ensuite double room with the above amazing view. Three days were not enough and I shall be going back!

TWO LAURENS, A PIP AND A TOAD

The highlight of course was meeting our lovely Pipany and her daughter Lauren. I knew her as soon as she got out of the car and we had a lovely time drinking coffee in the lounge overlooking this fabulous view[ did I mention the view already, sorry!] I was very nervous as this was my first Coo encounter but I need not have worried. I'm sure we could have rabbited on until the Purple coos came home! We do all seem to have this strange connection don't we - no awkward stuttering and skirting around. Straight in there with proper conversation. It was a real joy. Pipany gave me one of her lovely lavender sachets and some fabric, so fingers are now itching to get on with something.

I have been totally zonked today after all that activity and I'm pleased to say have managed to do nothing except take Minnie out for her walk. Let's hope for a bit more energy tomorrow.