Spring Continuity

Just spent an utterly glorious week at the house pottering around doing a few odd jobs, giving the exterior paint a freshen up and yes taking a bit of time out to surf (but don't tell the wife, I was supposed to be working). Its fair to say Spring has finally arrived in West Cornwall, and if the sun was'nt proof enough Swallows have been seen around Sennen and last night on the way home I saw bats for the first time this year.

Even under its busy summery facade the Cove remains a very peaceful place, and especially in weeks like this when there are not many visitors around and you can really see the timelessness of its day to day activity. This illustrated beautifully as spring rolls around again, as has happened in the very same place for many centuries, by the local fishermen who were out all week mending and making nets in the harbour car park.

I personally think this early Spring period is one of the best times to be in West Cornwall. The weather is generally good, often warm enough to sit on the beach with a windbreak or in the lee of a rock, the surf rolls in, the quality of light is stunning and its quiet as it tends just to be locals around. Also if you are visiting there are some very good prices to be had for accommodation especially last minute.

A St.Piran's Day Fact...

Reading this week's Cornishman earlier today over Saturday morning toast and builders I discovered that St.Piran, or St. Kieran of Saighir, 'lived to be 206 with no sign of old age, all his teeth, perfect eyesight, and died  in a state of drunkeness'... now there's a Cornish tale for you!

Happy St. Piran's Day!

The Great Pasty Hunt Continues

Ignore the post date for this one, I'm a week out of synch, birthdays do that to you.

So last Friday, in truly miserable weather we loaded up with kids and dogs and set off for a camper van pasty picnic on the Lizard, with a firm agenda of finally sampling the much applauded and acclaimed Ann's Pastys.

If you google Ann you will find she is quite an institution, queues in the summer are apparently immense (booking is advised) and on more than one 'best of the west' type thing she comes up top of the tree.

The thing is though as you drive into Lizard itself wondering if you'll find the venerable Queen of the Pasty immediately you smile because as clear as day, and as big as you can imagine, there is a huge sign in the middle of the village pointing you the right way. And sure enough you find a yellow house with a pasty shop built out back, literally. Garden pond, fountain and all.

You are also under no illusion that the Pastys are nothing less than home-made because there behind the counter, right in front of you, are the ladies themselves making Pastys to replace those already baked and rapidly flying out of the door... and this was in late feb on a cold very wet friday.

Ann herself  is a star. We had a good old chat about the regional status awarded to the Cornish Pasty, and an even longer rant about the increasingly ridiculous acts of dear Cornwall County Council and their mission to seemingly fleece the residents any which way they can (don't get me started on car parking fees, or the 'town center shopping tax' as i prefer to call it). To be honest it was worth the drive over for that alone.

Anyway enough about that, how did it taste... up to the reputation... mightier than the mighty Philps?

Yes, it was good, very good in fact. I would say, and the wife agreed, that the pastry was the best we have sampled on any Pasty. The ingredients correct (potato, onion, turnip, skirt, suet and seasoning), nicely moist and well proportioned.

Better than Philps... pastry-wise yes. Filling-wise on a par, equally as good, yes probably. But i'm torn because as tasty as was maybe a little under seasoned (for my palate). Maybe?


My super fussy children ("if the Pasty is not made by Nana we're not eating it")  thoroughly enjoyed theirs as well. Lad with standard and daughter with cheese and vegetable (I had a bite, research purposes purely, really really nice).

At the end of the day I'm really enjoying exploring the Lizard, and a trip out to Ann's is definitely something we will do in the future especially as you can nip in for your Pasty and then be out at the National Trust car-park (free for members) by the lighthouse in minutes all parked up with kettle whistling.

Next up though, its the Horse and Jockey Bakery in Helston and Hansons in Hayle. With my much lapsed weight loss programme beginning again tomorrow, promise!