Linda - August 22nd - 24th - Cornwall

Left Jen boarding the Gatwick Express into London and boarded the train for Reading. There's a nose picker sitting across from me. He cannot keep his fingers away, they keep furtively sidling up his nose as if without his knowledge. I stare at him but he's still rummaging away. He's a middle aged man F.G.S. and should have a bit more self control.

I change to the Penzance train at Reading. There's an old lady sitting opposite me glued to her phone - she can text much faster than me, even with shaky hands. A proper addict.

The train is packed with rowdy holidaymakers and their sticky little children - we're like sardines in a tin and it's hot and slightly smelly. An announcement over the loud speaker pages Lord Bradshaw, apparently his table is ready in the first class dining car. Upper class twit. 

I think I must be tired as it's not like me to be so rude and intolerant of other people. 

Finally I'm in St. Austell, get the rental car (DRIVE ON THE LEFT!!!) and I'm off to Aunt Vera's - my favourite aunt of all time. She'll be 90 in December but she has more marbles than most people plus she's funny.

Beautiful Aunt Vee

We have two great days together talking about family, friends, those still here and those long gone. She tells me hilarious stories about people in the neighbourhood and family stories I've never heard before. None that I can repeat.

 I eat massive amounts of food - we have pork chops, roast potatoes, parsnips, green beans and cauliflower not to mention gravy and apple sauce followed by homemade meringues with strawberries and Cornish clotted cream. Jan, Jen and Janet all know what it's like to be fed by Vera!

Next day we drive down narrow, narrow roads to Pentewan and the Ship Inn for a lunch of crab sandwiches and white wine. We go to the farm shop at Heligan and I buy Cornish Yarg cheese wrapped in nettles. Are you starting to see a recurring theme? Lamb shanks for dinner.

One car wide- you have to toot your horn as you go around corners…a bit nerve wracking

I remember what's ahead so I get up at 6am on Wednesday and drive down to Charlestown to walk part of the 630 mile South West Coast Path. I walk to Trevarren and back, about 5 miles - it's a beautiful walk along the cliff edge and an excellent work out as there is a lot of up and down hill.

This beach can only be reached via boat.

175 steps

Later in the day we drive inland for a glass of wine at the Polgooth Inn then it's home to cook whole trout with lemon butter, peas and small new potatoes. Clotted cream is on the menu again. And more stories.

It's hard to say goodbye to Vera but with a bit of luck I'll see her again next year.

Now, I'm on the train back to Reading…and the next part of the adventure is about to begin. And of course the train is late….