the year turns...

I love the 21st, the Winter Solstice, the turning point; It may be utterly freezing right now and daylight hours scarce but the sun is coming back, it WILL get warmer and the are days getting longer!

let it snow...

Generally, as you will read in many holiday brochures for the far west, we enjoy milder winters than anywhere else in the UK. And 'generally' that is true, but this year...

The roads were thick with snow so not worth the risk of driving, and after getting the mountainbike out to do a Tesco run I decided it was actually quite nice out so took a ride up onto the high moors of Penwith.

This area is really one of the hidden gems of West Cornwall, its amazing how few people, even locals, venture up there. Even at the height of summer you can be up there, with panoramic views of ocean on three sides, all about the ancient stones, circles and quoits that are the remains of a once hugely ceremonial and significant landscape, and not see another person. Just you, the wind and the bird song. Utterly lovely and incredibly atmospheric. 

The stone circle you can just about see in the bottom shot is Boskednan or Nine Maidens as it is also called. Most visitors head over to Men an Tol or the Merry Maidens on the south coast, but this one from the late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period sat on its windswept hill is well worth exploring. It has great energy and a really nice feel, even though a well intentioned but possibly incorrect restoration a few years back changed the feel a little. You can even take a short walk down the hill to the Iron Age village of Bodrifty in the valley below, which odd to think when originally settled the stones were already there looking down and had been so for a very long time already!

PLEASE HELP SURF ACTION BY VOTING TOMORROW (25TH NOV)

PLEASE HELP SURFACTION TOMORROW!

please check out www.surfaction.co.uk and their bid to win a grant from the ITV Peoples Millions Big Lottery Fund this coming thursday (tomorrow). 

the guys who run it are all really good blokes who work incredibly hard with limited resources to make a real difference, through surfing, to the lives of lads who have been wounded (both physically and mentally) whilst serving this country. 

so please take a minute to get on the phone on thurs to cast your vote and help them because if they can get the grant it will make a huge difference to the work they will be able to do. 

the number will be posted on surfaction tomorrow. 

check out the stories at www.combatsurfers.blogspot.com to read about some of the stories they have achieved.

Is Kirsty peeking through the window?

Tuesday night comes around and that can only mean one thing... Kirsty's Home Made Home on Channel 4.

Not something I would generally watch (although she did get huge respect from me for placing an original 'Never Mind the Boll@cks' shop poster in her Devon house - wish I could find one at a sensible price, been looking for years!), but the wife likes to take a look, not for inspiration but more to see what Kirsty has come up with now because scarily, like some crazy style stalker, quite a few of Kirsty's recent top tips are very close to home.

It started innocently enough with Kirsty suggesting wrapping presents in brown parcel paper, which we've done for years. Next thing we knew it was hanging memories (old photo's etc) from strings with small pegs, something you will find on our kitchen dresser, but then it got worse...


For one couple she recommended putting old maps on the walls for decoration, just like we had done in the Beach House's small bedroom! They are great and so much more fun than wallpaper, they are 1950's National Geographic maps to be exact.

Above the top bunk headbard 'The World' (very interesting to see how territories have changed both in terms of control and in many cases name in 60 years), and at the foot my favourite 'The Pacific'. Always loved looking at those small island chains in a mass of blue and wondering what waves are out there breaking unridden.

Then there was the hooks. Kirsty's advice was not to clutter up smaller rooms with wardrobes but to use hooks...


Cast iron reproductions of a classic Edwardian design, with natural wax finish, hand made by a forge in the North of England (we also bought from the same place some lovely twisted cup hooks, window latches and door bolts) was our call.

So Kirsty, if you want some ideas/inspiration for the new series don't look through the window of The Little Beach House. Give us a call and we'll gladly make you a cuppa and let you in, and if you are really quick you can even check out the Christmas decorations that the wife is sat downstairs making for the beach house for some lucky people to enjoy this year!  : )

a grand day out take 2...

The Lizard is ever present in West Cornwall, pretty much anywhere on the South Coast look east and you can't miss it... but i've hardly ever been there! So last Sunday we loaded up the VW with kids and dogs, quick latte stop at Jordan's Cafe in Marazion, and with the promise of a magical mystery tour to a destination involving two things my kid's love very much (although my youngest was convinced we were going to Toys R Us as apparently his two favourite things are looking at toys and buying toys) , we drove off.

In some ways The Lizard epitomizes the real variety of West Cornwall and why I would argue its the best bit of the County. In just a few short miles you go from bare Atlantic bashed granite cliffs, across treeless high moors (lovely this time of year) and the next thing you are driving through tree tunnels made all the more lovely with the splendidly vivid red and gold foliage of late autumn. Head over the the Helford side and it's even thicker with glorious deciduous trees . I'd imagine a sunny day paddle in a kayak, in quiet creeks where the dense ancient woods cascade right down to the waters edge, would be stunning this time of year!

Anyway our main aim, met with screams of joy from the back, when we passed the tourist direction sign that gave the game away, was non other than the ice cream Mecca that is Roskillys.

Its one of those places that you mean to go to for ages, and when you do wonder why you hadn't come sooner. Even though a lot of the farm attractions were closed for the day there was still plenty to see and some lovely walks around the lakes and meadows. That you could also take the dogs was a huge bonus. Definitely a 'must do' for the spring!

And whilst I am aware this blog is becoming a bit Pasty obsessed (the famous Ann's pasty shop in Lizard is closed on Sun so I'll have to get back on that subject) I can recommend the food in the Croust tea room which offers a menus that is homemade, tasty and reasonably priced.

The review of the pasty... slightly differing views I am afraid! Overall very nice, nicely seasoned, good amount of tender steak (they use a lot of locally reared produce, the kids chose hot dogs and sausage rolls which both featured delicious local pork) and a decent size - not too much, not too little.

The controversy is the pastry, or rather that they made it with a slightly roughpuff variety. I quite liked the little bit of flakiness it offered but my wife is straight down the line traditional with short crust pastry on a Pasty and nothing else.

So there you have it, maybe a 40mins drive from our Little Beach House at Sennen takes you to another world and well worthy of a grand day out!

the best pasty (! or ?)

Saturday night came and went, but bless my mother-in-law once again for the weekly pasty (she bakes them religiously on a Friday for lunch, as her mother did, and her mother's mother and so on way back to before the family can remember).

And I have to say as good as Phelps are, they do not compare to the real thing (must post my father-in-law's pasty story one day, its a cracker).

But what prompted me to make this post was a mention on the pasties and cream blog of of a redruth based blog, http://theonlinepastyguide.blogspot.com/ that I found really amusing (do check out 1st sept post 'The Future').

Within his posts he mentions quite a few I've never heard of. and intriguingly in the post listing his dad's favourites by location for Hayle its Hanson's and not Phelps. Might have to wander over to Hayle sometime soon and see for myself.

Of course though its your own palate that will always be the bottom line as i note that pasties and cream highlights that the onlinepatyguide isn't too keen of Lavenders in Penzance, unlike his dad, which whilst I'll admit I haven't tried a Lavenders myself, I've heard very good things of their food and excellent reports of their scotch eggs.

OCTOBER HALF TERM SPECIAL - and it looks like sun!

For those that can drop everything and get away we have a late availability opportunity for next week (Oct half term) beginning Fri 22nd (arrival and departure can be flexible) and can do a very good rate if you contact us direct (as against our agency in this instance).

The very best bit is that according to the 14day forecast for Sennen on  Metcheck its looking like the recent run of dry weather and sun will continue, so come on down and enjoy the last of the summer.

To contact us for a special price please email info@littlebeachhouse.co.uk

local lad done good...

Heard this morning that Sennen surfer James Parry has just become the British Longboard Champion for 2010, well done that man!

Stunning September...

Out walking the dogs in the fields behind our house, picking some Hawthorn berries because I fancy a go at Hugh's 'Haw-Sin' sauce from Riverside Cottage the other night, I was stopped in my tracks by the view across the bay.

Sadly the photo can never do the reality justice, but it reminded me just how lovely September and indeed October is in the far SW now that the good weather has returned. Definitely this month has been better than both July and August.

At the risk of sounding like a travel agent it really is an excellent time to visit this little heavenly slice of Cornwall. There are far less people about now, you can park, the surf is generally consistent with ocean at its warmest, the moors are good underfoot and resplendent in a thick blanket of purple and gold heather and gorse and if you want to stay then full week and short break rental prices are a veritable bargain - even greater with late break discount for those that can drop all and get away.

So what are you waiting for? See for yourself, Sennen is lovely and empty today...

When in Rome...

Every Friday without fail Mother-in-Law makes pasties for lunch, its a tradition! Her Mother made them on Fridays as well and beyond that her Mother too. Needless to say one of Mother-in-Laws would be the best pasty you ever ate no question, but short of becoming family the next best thing has to be one of the beauties from Philps who have a bakery in Hayle and another in Marazion (ideally suited for a trip out with beach walks and lovely galleries to browse). 

So last Wednesday with a little free time we popped over to the car boot at Rosudgeon (a grate for our woodburner for a quid and for 4quid some lovely old recessed brass drawer handles - will come in useful one day!) and on the way back we took the scenic route and popped into Marazion to visit Philps for a couple of medium steaks (be warned, they are huge. wife wished she had bought a small). 

A pasty from Philps in Marazion and a stunning view, its got to be done!

Every bit as good as ever, and even my wife, who despite being a local had never tried one, was very impressed.

Take it from me then, forget the rubbish you find in the stereotypically branded high street pasty chains and take time to discover where the locals get their treats. It truly is the little bakers that make them best!

A Grand Day out...

One of the areas we are really keen to develop, and indeed enjoy working on, is our local guide in the welcome pack that awaits people staying at the house because  we truly believe that this is the best part of Cornwall and away from the 'hot spots' are so many more wonderful things to see and experience.

Anyway now that the kids are back in school, the house is finished and Mother-in-Law invited said kids to tea, last week we took a break from working on the website and our new projects, loaded up our bikes and with a blue sky and warm sun to cheer us headed for the Camel Trail at Wadebridge.

Although widely known the trail is something we had never ridden, yet it had been my intention to ride it for far too many years ever since discovering John Betjeman's Cornish poetry, writings and observations when I was a teenage surf bum working the summer trade at Watergate Bay and living in my mate's Mum's shed.

About 50miles from Sennen, and taking around an hour its a day out more than a quick flit. But with a Starbucks for coffee en-route, the delights of Wadebridge itself (some interesting shops and a great music store), Anne's Cottage surfwear clearance store on the way back at St Columb Major (better deals in the winter btw) and if you fancy some lovely motoring take the coast road out to Watergate, then via Perranporth just keep going until you get to Hayle, its a worthwhile day out.

Our spoiled Jack Russell, she's only got little legs!

And the trail itself is a delight. Very flat, a really easy 7mile ride (that feels more like 5) and even at a slow pace (we had the dogs) can be cruised easily in 40minutes each way.

And the best bit for me (actually two best bits, more of the second in a minute) are the views, which if you read Betjeman's descriptions of coming on the train to Cornwall (you'll find a copy of Betjeman's Country on the bookcase in the house), you will recognise.

It must have been amazing for him to leave the thickness of London, sit on a train for many hours until finally stepping out onto Wadebridge station before taking the trap to their home at Trebetherick.

'On Wadebridge station a breath of sea

Scented by the Camel Valley! Cornish air,

Soft Cornish rains, and silence after steam...'

Go on spoil yourself, you've earned it!

So I mentioned a second best bit, well you will find that awaiting you at Padstow. Whilst I freely admit I was expecting to be very dismissive (all hype and just cashing in on the brand) I will publicly go on record as saying that you simply have to buy some chips from Rick Stein's Chippy, they are lovely and as for the mushy peas quite simply the best I've ever had. I'm already planning a 'must do' repeat trip so I can sample his Cod as well!

As a day out then, its a grand one! And yes, full details will be going in the book should you wish to enjoy it too.

New website live...

For anyone following this blog on the pilchardstore site I just wanted to post up that our new site is now live and rapidly being developed, albeit with a temporary logo for now as the designer is off surfing in France for 3 weeks (lucky fella!) with new photos and content.

The site can be found at www.littlebeachhouse.co.uk

We also have new twitter (www.twitter.com/lttlebeachhouse) and facebook pages that when up and running fully we will use for late availability deals - perfect for anyone feeling the sudden need to escape to the beach!

That view...

Originally posted September 7th 2010.


I was putting some shots for our page on the west cornwall cottage holidays website (the little beach house in sennen cove) and found this shot I had forgotten about.

It was taken on the 9th feb, standing in the bay window. I love the blackness of the storm approaching contrasted by the sun on the fishing beach and surf on the Cowloes.

As i've said a million times, what a view!

In this house who needs a TV!!!

Whats in a name...

Originally posted September 5th 2010.

The keenly obervant among you may have noticed that along with the site refreshment there is a new email address, info@littlebeachhouse.co.uk.

 The reason for this is that after spending time in the house we've come to see that 'beach house' is more akin to the propertie's natural feel and atmosphere. Indeed the perfect way to describe this lovely holiday home.

We've been introduced to a talented young designer who after stopping by for a chat and a look is keen to work with us to develop 'the little beach house' (and a few other projects we have lined up). I do not want to give too much away right now but we are really excited by this interesting new direction that has somewhat organically and independently developed alongside the house restoration itself and think you will like the new look that is coming. Stay tuned!

Time to reflect...

Originally posted September 4th 2010.


Well the gin and peanuts moment came and went, but with work still to be done it was hard to fully relax into the moment. Ok, a few glasses of wine later I did get to relax and yes the head was a bit thick next morning - and typically it was then also the morning that Father-in-Law decided to turn up at 8.15am and announce he'd come to help paint the front of the house!!

So despite still having to wade through a hangover in order to wield paintbrush, random power tools and scale ladders we did have an idyllic bank holiday weekend. The house and Sennen Cove is all we had dreamed off. How lovely to grab a board and wander off to the beach, knowing what the surf is like just from looking out the window.

We've now got our first guests, and for their first night in the cove they had this stunning site to enjoy as they sat sipping their evening tipple. Happy days!

Just lift your head...

Originally posted 14th August 2010.


I was fitting the bunkbed (no honey pine or turned columns i promise!) in the kid's room yesterday and found, much to my amusement, that from the top bunk you could check the surf out on cowloes just by simply raising your head off the pillow. So I thought I'd take a shot from the bed to share with you all, not a bad view to wake to is it?

Also on the up, we're getting ever closer to that gin & tonic (Plymouth or Bombay, decisions decisions!) moment with just some final trim, lick of paint and then some tweaking. All being well we get to stay in the house ourselves for the first time next week then it will be available from Friday 27th August (last minute august bank holiday week break anyone, I guarantee its the only available house in Sennen Cove?).

We're also just working out detail with an agency who will handle bookings for us. Maybe we're fussy but we wanted to ensure we went with someone who would offer the level of service that we would expect ourselves, and believe me after doing the rounds of holiday cottage agencies there are some shockers out there, so as soon as the contract is finalised I will post their detail on the website.

Bilbo the lifeguard dog...

Originally posted August 3rd 2010.


My Mum had an opinion on sea views, the way she saw it was that any sea view was a bonus but it was the very best that had not only 'sea' but also some life to watch. That memory often makes me smile because from the house there is yes a great deal of ocean and its ever changing colours, textures and moods to mesmerize you, but in addition, just as my Mum would have loved, there is so much more to watch as you while away the day.

On any given glance out the window you check the surf on the Cowloes (on a big day from the living room chair by the fire you stare straight into the barrel as it explodes on dry reef), regularly you see basking sharks swim by, seals also, myriad seabirds, then there are the lifeboat launches to enjoy (so long as its just a practice and not a shout) and a daily event, as you get a direct view onto the fishing beach from the house, is the day's catch being landed.

But today was the best yet, and my kid's are gutted they missed it, yes dear readers Sennen's own A-list celebrity 'Bilbo the Lifeguard dog' was being put through his paces on the fishing beach by his owner.

He's such a great dog, a brilliant ambassador for beach safety and a fantastic teacher for kids to let them know, in a fun and memorable way, why beach safety is of paramount importance.

Needless to say once word got out the normally quiet Cove beach was awash with adoring fans. If you want to find out more about Bilbo and his adventures check out his website... www.bilbosays.com

Shark!

Originally posted July 3rd 2010.


The arrival of Swallows in the early Spring let you know Summer is coming, the Basking Sharks tell you its finally here!

They were a little late coming this year though, due apparently to the water temp being a little down than it should, but for the last few weeks they have been regularly seen in the Cove joining the seals that we often see.



Ok so I may not win many wildlife accolades for this shot, but you'll get the drift. A little later this fella', a baby I think as it was only around 10ft, came in even closer and was feeding around 20ft from the end of the pier.

Apologies for the silence...

Originally posted 24th June 2010.


A blog began with all best intentions, but after missing our Easter deadline we've really had to knuckle down to catch up and after a long long day on the house its easy to put off the blog until tomorrow.

Needless to say much has changed especially over the last few weeks and the house is really coming together, its was amazing how much the feel of the place changed once i had sanded the main living room floor and varnished. I don't think either of us was expecting it to be quite so airy and light, on a warm evening with the stable door open and the sea air wafting it it is truly delightful.

The house will now be available for holidays when the schools break (3rd week in July) for summer if not a little sooner. I'm planning to take a few days off next week to revamp the website as we now are at a stage, and next week once the plumber (did i mention the lovely full size walk in shower!) and sparkys have finished we can dress and take some shots. But for now, here's a tease...

The nice bits...

Originally posted 19th May 2010.


Finally, the nice bits are beginning and we're really starting to piece the Pilchard Store back together.

Much of last week was spent in the back bedroom, the 'grown-ups room'! With some effort and many many hours on my hands and knees sanding the floor came it up beautifully. Just the right mix of sanding and character even if i do say so myself.

For varnish we've always used satin finish, but this time we went for a gloss and after 4 coats it is lovely. It seems to leave a lighter finish than satin and as the room is light and airy it works really well.

Its tempting to grab the brass bed and set it up so we can really see how it all looks, but for now we've got to keep the dust sheets in place whilst we knuckle down and finish the main room - but more of that next week.

The cove itself has really begun to look like summer again in the last week, still loads of space though. May is such a good time to grab an early holiday down in West Cornwall, the beaches are empty, the surf often good and the woodlands and hedgerows full of spring flowers. The yellow gorse is especially vibrant this year, which reminds me that i must find out the River Cottage 'gorse wine' recipe!!

Fish n' Chip supper...

Originally posted 29th April 2010.


As always seems to be the way with things, we waited all winter for the wood burning stove to be fitted and the chaps show up on the warmest day of the year so far...

But nevertheless it still gave us an excuse to head down one evening with the kids for a celebratory fish n' chip supper sat toasty in the house watching the sun go down.

Wallpapering is actually quite good fun...

Originally posted April 1st 2010.

Well that was fun, I've never wallpapered before and there definitely are some tricks to be learnt (hence my last half dozen strips are the best) but (shhh!... don't tell the wife I said this!!) its actually quite satisfying.

The paper, a nice soft green with subtle fern pattern, is for the back double room, the 'grown-ups' room. Having now fully insulated and re-lined the walls and ceiling we wanted to get a different feel for this room.

Whilst the rest of the house plays upon its beach house wood built nature we felt it important to have room with a little different style and feel, but yet at the same time remain complimentary to the house as a whole.

For the furniture we were lucky a few months back to find a lovely arts and crafts chest of drawers, we have a king size brass bed and are on the look out for a nice wardrobe and blanket box to suit. Add to this some suitable watercolours and oils for the walls and the net result will be a lovely calm haven in which to relax or indeed should you need to escape the excitement of the beach.

Coming along nicely...

Originally posted 9th March 2010.


Busy few weeks at the house, fortunatly not a lot of surf to distract (though looked pretty sweet on the push earlier). The smiley face is by my daughter, she helped me unload some timber on Saturday and whilst I was stacking the wood she came up with this little thing. Its cute and it does sum up the last weeks or so.
Finally I think we're through the destructive phase and are now putting the house back together as it should look and feel.
Consequently there is a lot of woodwork to replace, renovate and restore. It still amazes me that all the lovely original interior timber was coverted up (but then i guess that was the style in the 60's, even the old pine doors were covered), it was a good day when we discovered that little treat hidden behind some dull board.
Now that I've put in the new ceiling in the back bedroom I can move into the small bedroom and living room and begin work on those. There is some cladding missing but hopefully I have found a local woodyard who can replicate it at a sensible price. But first I've got to set to on a hearth for the stove because the flue for the woodburner is due to be installed in the next two weeks, and the first time of lighting that and sitting back with a cuppa I really cannot wait for

Farmyard finds...

Originally posted 22nd Feb 2010.


We love Church Pews, we've already got three in our house and we were debating which of the two low ones to bring down to Sennen when out of the blue we were offered this beauty.

Apparently it came from a Church in Feock, and someone had started trying to sand it down but then for some reason decided to shove it in a barn and there it stayed for quite a few years.

Its a nice solid low backed Pew measuring 8ft in length so fits under the window at the dining table end of the main room perfectly.

Its made of pitch pine so has superb grain and will come up a treat with some careful preparation, beeswax and elbow grease, and still has the prayer book shelf on the rear. Most unusually it has a fairly wide bowed seat, so unlike a lot of Pews its actually quite comfortable to sit on.

We also picked up a lovely solid oak top refectory table at the auction last week so now we're on the look out for a nice chunky bench to complete the set!

Watching the weather roll in

Originally posted 8th Feb 2010.






Sweet little story in the Western Morning News on Saturday about an old couple and their favourite drive. They like to visit a beach that the old man has been coming to since a boy, but what, to me, made it really special was that their favourite visits are when a storm is forecast as they like to sit in their car, thermos and sandwiches to hand, and watch the wind, rain and surf roll in.

They should have been at Sennen on Friday, they'd have loved it! The forecast was for heavy rain all day, but we woke to splendid sunshine. The Cove was beautiful, completely springlike with some wonderful apricity, and hardly anyone around. As the morning developed, way way off on the horizon the sky started to darken, by noon it was black (and at this stage quite distracting as every job in the house started to be interupted by more and more weather checks out of the front bay window).

Just past lunch the swell and the wind had risen, and for at least 30mins the Cowloes reef was lit by bright sunlight with good sized surf throwing rainbow filled mares tails up into the air before detonating onto the reef itself in a flash of stunning white. All in utter and stunning contrast to the blackness behind.

So when I read about the old couple the next morning I could really relate, just need to crack on and get the wood burner in so i can really sit back and make the most of these winter storms.

It started with...

From original blog posted 28th Jan 2010...

John Haywood, the 16th Century English writer said 'A hard beginning maketh a good ending' and right now we're definitely at the hard part having stripped out the house to a bare shell, revealing some lovely original features it has to be said, and now faced with a complete rennovation before being able to sit in superlative comfort taking in the awesome view across to the Cowloes with a very cold gin&tonic and a handful of peanuts!

But before that much awaited happy day we must begin the hard work... Its my hope over the course of this Blog to document the journey, and as it develops give you a sense of this very special beach house - something that its always been our dream to have - and at the same time use the blog to give you a flavour of this great part of Cornwall and maybe even share a few local secrets.

So please, read on and enjoy...