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!