Restormel Castle

Regardless of the weather (which was cool but dry) we had this castle fixed in our sights for the morning. As we joined English Heritage on Monday at Tintagel, we want to get as many other close castles seen as possible. This one is only 10 minutes from our campsite. We arrived as it opened, and for the next hour or so, had it to ourselves. It is circular, and has a ditch running all the way round. Kept and preserved well for visitors. We enjoyed it. We then drove to the Duchy of Cornwall garden centre and tea room, where we sat overlooking the gardens and had a cream tea. Much better than the one in the rain from a cardboard box at Charlestown. Two scones, one fruit one plain, and lots of jam and cream.

I bought a beautiful hydrangea. I couldn’t help it. It’s my souvenir of the holiday, because you have to take something back. There are the most amazing hydrangea wild at the side of the road. I’ve never noticed them on previous visits to Cornwall. I’m going to try to do some cuttings, but the one I have bought is unusual. We have been discussing our garden and it will need a revamp. Possibly everything out and a go at removing a large portion of the ground elder and bond weed, which really gets me down. I know it is going to look particularly overgrown when I get home as I’ve had so little time to spend in it.

One less thing to worry about at home is Bessie. My allotment neighbour has adopted her officially now and will be feeding her while I am away. She has been his friend for the last 2 or 3 years and now he has a dozen hens if his own. She has never been good with other hens, but is happy to sit with them outside his run.

After the garden centre cream tea, we came back to the caravan. Eventually at about 4 o’clock, the sun came out, so we stayed on site and relaxed. Jon has been reading - he is now on his 3rd book. I’m nearly half way through my first book, but did write for a couple of hours, so almost at 57,600 words. I’m aiming for 60,000 this holiday, so nearly there. I did spend some time reading through my early chapters and having doubts about the whole thing and how good it is (or isn’t) but I’ve started now, so I’ll keep going until the end then decide what happens with it.

At 6 I started watching the Olympics opening ceremony on my iPad. It is still on!! They seem to have acquired our weather!! Jon is continuing to read. We’ve had dinner - so an evening that will be more of the same. Tomorrow we will go to The Lost Gardens of Heligan. We are here now. I’m trying not to worry about the cost. I hope for sun!