Sunday 1 July 2012

Huxley on Holiday, West Cornwall



What follows is way too many photos of the dog, sometimes with MJC, at landmarks and beauty spots in west Cornwall.


First walk from our cottage onto the moors behind Zennor on the St Ives - St Just road, in now standard British summer outfit and light.  Huxley is also wearing his coat.  Later in the day the sun did come out.


H seemed to think he owned this section of the coastal path, going ballistic and bringing shame on us when a couple passed with their own terrier (Patterdale x Jack Russell).  Four years ago that unfortunate pooch fell 180 feet down a disused tin mine shaft.  She was rescued by a Cornish caving group six days later.


Water-proofed master and pup blend with the yellows and greens of the water garden at the fabulous Trebah Gardens on the northeast side of the Lizard Peninsula.


MJC ponders past great holiday stays at Porthmeor Beach, St Ives while H looks back at the labrador with whom he's just been romping on the island.


Far too many beaches in Cornwall ban dogs.  Porth Kidney Sands, east of St Ives, does allow H's kind.





After all that digging, throwing and running around, a cream tea at the Carbis Bay Hotel was in order.  The best of the holiday by far.


£7.50 per person but look at those scones.


After supper at Betty and Bill's.  Betty holds trenchant and wholly sensible views about certain Radio 4 presenters.  Loves and loathes shared by many.  I'd like to be more specific, although I can reveal that Dr Mark Porter needn't worry.


Here's one for Steve Rose (no not the left-wing neuroscientist, the other one).  Cot Valley, St Just.


H can even beautify a beach covered in rotting kelp.


Following another deafening eruption of Small Dog Syndrome in the direction of another passing pooch, H takes in the magnificent views at Britain's most southerly spot, the Lizard Point.
On bird matters, this year choughs nested in the cliff just behind this wall.


On the headline to the left of the Lizard Lighthouse, another pair of choughs successfully bred.  We were told the parents and young often forage in this field.  Didn't see them.  Here MJC is trying to make H sit.


The beach cafe in Kynance Cove which every year kept me supplied with Strawberry Mivvies and Cornish ice cream cornets on my childhood summer holidays.




View down onto the cottage where my family stayed almost every year.  It's now derelict.



Oh my God, where's the dog?