" THERE'S A PLACE, THAT I CAN GO " - Beatles.

Today we were up and out by 8.45 to drive to Exeter to meet up with our Region in Porsche Club GB. I didn't want to go as I knew it was going to be an exhausting day and I wasn't wrong.

We all gathered at Exeter Services at 9.45 and then drove in convoy, 24 Porsches, all different types, and because there were so many of us, we travelled in groups of 8, in 3 separate groups.  Sounds simple but I can assure it is not.  For a start some road users don't like Porsches and have to prove they can drive by overtaking one, never mind 8 of them!  You get my gist.

The first port of call was a golf course at  a small little village called St Mellion.  It was rather a superior place, so much so, that they brought coffee out to us on a trolley so that we did not 'contaminate' their building.  Considering we paid  £100 for the priviledge, I was not impressed, especially as we had to park a long way off from the premises, making us walk nearly half mile for a pee! 

The next stop was the village of Altarnun and this is the amazing church.  The pews were so old and the wood so  knarled with years of wear. Now over the the official info:_

"Altarnun (or Altarnon, to give it its ancient, and more accurate spelling) is lovely little village on the northern fringe of Bodmin Moor. The village takes its name from St Nonna, the mother of St David, to whom the attractive parish church is dedicated. The church was the traditional resting place of a stone altar used by St Nonna and a fragment of late medieval glass in the east window shows an image of the saint.
The church has traditionally been called the Cathedral of the Moor, a tribute to its size, which seems odd to find in such a small village. It is late medieval, primarily 15th century, and stands on the site of a much earlier church. The most immediately striking feature is the enormously slender, tall west tower, which, at 109 feet high is one of the tallest in Cornwall. The tower was begun in the 14th century and completed in the following century.

The main interest is in the interior and comes in two parts. First there are the early 16th century pews, which are wonderfully carved on the ends with 79 figures of animals and humans, including a man playing a Cornish pipe, a jester, and a fiddler. These date to sometime before 1530, and are generally attributed to a craftsman named Robert Daye.

Next, and most obvious on entering, is the wonderful 12th century square font. This is one of the finest Norman fonts in Cornwall (which is high praise indeed). It features very large carvings of bearded faces, one at each corner, to which traces of paint still cling, giving the faces a wonderfully lifelike quality. Between the faces are very large carved rosettes.

There is also a fragment of the original 15th century rood screen in the church, and a 17th century parish chest, looking suitably aged and worn. One final treasure is a Saxon stone cross in the churchyard. The date of the cross is the subject of some debate. One theory is that it dates to the lifetime of St Nonna herself, which would probably make it 6th century. It certainly has an ancient look about it!

Near the church stands the old rectory, which was mentioned by author Daphne du Maurier in her famous novel, Jamaica Inn. Just a few steps from the churchyard is a picturesque 15th century packhorse bridge."

The church was also used in the BBC adaption of Jamaica Inn.

From there we once again travelled in convoy to Polzeath where we had lunch.  The afternoon was capped off with tea/coffee at Jamaica Inn, supposed to be haunted.  Didn't feel it myself, perhaps I was just too tired.

I drove home and we arrived back just after 18.00 to collect Phoebe who had thoroughly enjoyed  being with her two boyfriends, Harry and Archie, who she knows so well.   She has been asleep ever since we arrived home.

And after that I will be glad to get to bed.  I don't enjoy these events  but I know Mr A does.  I personally cant see the point, driving around lots of small lanes and mixing with people who I don't share much in common with.  But it was good to see two lovely people who bought our old Porsche, live in Cornwall and we know will see them again when we move.

I hope you have all enjoyed a good weekend with a 'friendly' week ahead.  Sending love to you all. xx