Little Fishing Villages

One of my most favourite things about Cornwall, and where I live are without a doubt the tiny fishing villages. Maybe it's because my dad taught me so many fish tales and I believed so much in Sea serpents, Kelpies and Mermaids that for me, my quiet moments where I'm at most comfort is staring out at the great bleak ocean on a cool evening, idly hoping I might just spot a horned and scaly head among the waves. The Sea is the part of the world where I feel that magic and mystery still has potential; so many deep crevices and abysses unchartered, unexplored... and nothing makes me feel closer to my soul than swimming bare skinned among the chilly waves. Actually, this summer I had the great fortune of swimming with seals off the rocks at Lowlands, near the Lizard. Lowlands is one of my favourite spots; partly because its hard to access so not a great deal of people stroll by (so nude bathing is doable if you're brave) partly because its a great expanse of flat land sheltered by rolling hills and remains of the quarry days but mostly because its an ancient celtic site of historic interest where if you're extra explorative, you can find the remains of some bronze age round houses! Me and George had a fabulous afternoon and I was a bit naughty and went swimming about the rocks. The sea is dangerous there, with high currents and the manacles nearby but I mostly bathed and splashed about the stones stubbing my fleshy toes on the barnacles and chatting to the sealions who like to swim with the divers who often come in that area. It's a rare and beautiful place, and when I'm there... civilisation barely exists at all. Its just a distant memory, a queer dream.
Along from Lowlands, you've got some of my favourite fishing villages in Cornwall. One one side, Coverack and on the other Porthallow and Porthoustock. All three are super close (mere moments) from St.Keverne, Georges home village where I've been living the  past two summers and quite often we find ourselves drifting about there, pier jumping or snatching some lunch in the beautiful seaside cafes. I don't know if its the turquoise lobster pots littering the place, the thatched cottages or the smell of the salty ocean but nothing is quite like a poky fishing village if you're a fan of the quaint.

To celebrate mine and Georges last evening by the sea in Cornwall before heading back to Uni in Bath (Alongside with his dad's birthday) we headed down to the sweet little Porthallow next door for a goodbye meal in one of our favourite spots (and one of this parts best kept secrets!) It's the sweetest little place called the Five Pilchards and is truly a locals pub. The food is always delicious and cooked with love and care, and there's always a great variety of fresh fish of the day on the specials board! It's really a beautiful and original pub, unlike one of my other local favourites "The Shipwrights" at Helford, this pub hasn't been renovated and modernised and doesn't generally appeal to the hip tourist trade. It's poky and filled with the local scene; if you're from the area you're bound to bump into somebody you know inside. The decor is traditional to the Cornish pub theme: Nautical, filled with wooden beams and sailing memorabilia. It looks the same as it may have fifty years ago, and that's why I love it, it's snuggly and comfortable and a true gem. 

I took a stroll over the stony beach and bid goodbye to one of my favourite haunts. There's also a great community village hall here next to the thatched house below where we saw Brave on a film night projected against the wall. Community cinema is fantastic! and the nibbles are so fairly priced for a change 

Georges family keep their boat on this beach, and one sunny day we chugged over to a beautiful hidden cove nearby where the water was so turquoise it felt Mediterranean. I love jumping off boats and swimming in the deep  

I felt like wearing an appropriate print for our meal to pay homage

Oh no... boob is making a bid for freedom

And of course Georges stepmum who know's everybody bumped into friends, like I said... bound to find somebody :)

And its dog friendly too! This well behaved poochie was called Harry

 I find taking photographs of my food really embarrassing when I'm in a restaurant. So this is a big deal for me.. But my cajun chicken burger was just... incredible. I normally go for fish or something silly and weird that I wouldn't cook at home but I'm pretty glad I was "adventurous" and went for a burger. I can almost taste this right now just looking at it and I'm nearly dribbling :P
 

So I'm back in Bath now, settling in and resuming my old job tomorrow at Hall & Woodhouse. I'm in a new place this year over in Lower Weston and I love it. A 3 story Masionette and I'm up in the attic! Closer to the city, the bus routes and right on the river. It's bizzare being able to meet up with George in town for coffee (or smoothie in my case) but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon! I shall be sure to post a house tour soon (For the benefit of my Nan, Dad, Aunts and family that are possibly the only people that read this (and one of the reasons I keep this blog))
Working on the next adventure...