midwife's muse

Heaven here on Earth

Just been away on a 'surprise' birthday treat with hubby. We stayed in Mevagissy, at this time of year, a quiet little fishing port, not a good place for driving if you are faint-hearted about narrow roads! We stayed in a 'hotel' called Sea Point. Set high up in the village, overlooking the harbour, but with quick, albeit steep, on foot access to the village (handy when you've had a few too many). The hotel was really basic. I had thought 'internet access to check on how Minkleberry was doing', boy was I dreaming! The T.V had its own little aerial allowing you to receive fuzzy impersonations of broadcasts. The shower was for display only, looked good but was allergic to water. The bath took 25 minutes to run 4 inches of water, I kid you not, and by the time that depth was reached it was luke warm. Breakfast though was good. Full English, or any variant, piles of toast, and fresh coffee. The Cornish people were really friendly. On our first night we went to one of the local pubs, The Ship, and joined in their quiz night, we lost, resoundingly, but really didn't care cos the locals were all so chatty and made us feel welcome. Second night we went to a little Portuguese restaurant, The Alvorina. We were the only diners but that was brilliant as when we had finished our meal, excellent, the owners sat and chatted away to us for ages. On the way back to our hotel we popped in to the Ship for a last drink and got caught up with the fishermen. One of them told us he hated the English, not to be put off we asked him why. It seemed to boil down to losing his language. In the end though he became quite amicable.

Now for the reason we went down there. The Eden Project. What an amazing construction, and such vision. The whole endeavour is mind-blowing. I love 'weedery', hubby is non-committal, this is the ideal place for a combination like this. Whilst he marvelled at the construction, ingenuity, and imagination involved I could have a leisurely trawl around loving the plants, layouts etc. Having gone there out of season and it being reasonably busy, I would definitely not recommend going there at the height of the season. Also, children in pushchairs, okay. Young children, not a good place. Lots and lots of walking. They do have land-trains but, having seen the number of car-parking spaces, I would imagine that the queues would be huge. Be prepared for taking off jackets as the humid biosphere is just that, but there are plenty of drinking water fountains.

As an add-on we went to The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Wow. For me this was the highlight. I could have stayed there for ever. If I lived locally I would get a season-ticket and visit constantly. I am so jealous of the people working there. To be working in such a magical environment, to still be discovering plants etc. and to be restoring this amazing garden must be so rewarding. If anyone out there knows of any working holiday associated with this please let me know. Even hubby was charmed by it. Once again walking ++, some easy access for pushchairs, wheelchairs, disabled and there are signs giving a good indication of accessability. Lots of seats/benches though, wonderful day out. For me, I have found my Heaven on Earth.

2.4.04 12:55