Events & Days Out Report Archive
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Cornwall Country Link's pre Christmas celebrations have been busy and Varied.
We tried to have a winter's picnic at our local National Trust property, Trelissick but the weather was against us but we were able to explore the house And walk around the floodlit gardens.
Mid week we went to Pengelly Nursery and under the guidance of Sarah, the owner, We were able to make Christmas wreaths and floral table decorations. Tea and Cake was on offer throughout the evening.
Finally 56 members enjoyed a fantastic party arranged by Valda at the Falmouth hotel
We had a lovely day today, enjoying a smashing Sunday lunch in a Traditional village pub then a nice relaxed stroll along a riverbank.
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The walk was from the village of St Erth which is not very far from Penzance.The weather was beautiful, sunny and bright. Because it was such a nice day we then went to two villages that specialise in Christmas lights, the more famous being Mousehole. Wonderful to see and to enjoy.
On Saturday the 1 November at park lane an impromptu firework display was given by James.
The idea was to watch the fireworks at the castle and have dinner.
Plans were changed once the boxes were unloaded by James's assistant's Andy and David and the 16 of us charged our glasses turned the lights out and watched ,what a great surprize for us all to enjoy.
The garden was also a surprise all the divots reinstated in the lawn and boxes gone.
What a great night.
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Cornwall Country Linkers had a lovely 4.5 mile walk in the Ponsanooth area of Cornwall.
We had our usual Sunday lunch and then a good walk through the countryside up to a high point to gain excellent views of the area. The picture has us sitting at a base of one of the giant wind turbines above Falmouth bay.
The walk also took us through some ancient woodland and as the leaves turn to their autumn colours we were treated to beautiful scenery.
On the return trip we visited the only Greek Orthodox Church in Cornwall found In an old Methodist Chapel. The priest was present and gave us an impromptu talk about the Church and its congregation. A lovely addition to our walk.
Finally we returned to the pub to finish the afternoon.
We had 21 members taking part.
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Screech Owl Sanctuary at Indian Queens in mid Cornwall.
After a light lunch we had a flying display of two owls.
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Then a stroll around the sanctuary meeting the other owls and numerous other animals.
The cold wind forced us into the cafe for tea and cake which warmed us up enough to enjoy a second flying display and an up close encounter with these wonderful Birds.
21 members shared this afternoon and took home some nice memories.
On Saturday 22/08/14 at the local flower and vegetable show takes place.
The schedules have been out since spring so the competitors and grow and nurture their entries, and keeping the best for the show.
The doors open at 8am and the flurry of boxes, baskets and wheel barrows arrive to be booked in at 20 pence an entry, Oh yes its high finance in Tutbury!
By 11am all entries are in, its time for a coffee or a Glass.
The judge's decision is final.
And The winners are:
Pat Guest for Best tomatoes in show.
Phil Ferris for best dahlias in show.
Shields won, winning smiles all round and produce auctioned at night for charity.
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Today 13 members of Cornwall Country Link met up for lunch at a very nice cafe called Miss Molly's and then strolled a short distance to Carn Entral farm to enjoy a very personal tour of this organic small holding.
Our host, Jacqueline Merrick, guided us over her small holding explaining all about being organic, conservation and her plans for the future.
It was a national scheme to open up farms to the public allowing us an insight into Different forms of agriculture. We returned to Miss Molly's for tea and cake.
Jacqueline was also interested in joining our group which was an additional Bonus.
It was a lovely and relaxed visit.
Regards Martin and Valda
The date in question, this last summer, came about as a result of enjoying 33 years membership as a Red Cross first aid volunteer. My name was accepted to attend the Red Cross Buckingham Palace Garden Party.
Hotel booked in nearby Belgrave Road and as per instruction with my clothing in my bag, it was off to London on the train. I made it a full week from 9th to 13th June, it felt a bit daunting, not having been for many years. London has a faster pace of life, Kings Cross Station, I found had been modernised. Out of the station and onto a number 73 bus bound for Victoria Station. Down Belgrave Road I passed a park lined with Plane trees, (the lungs of the city) only open at certain times and being owned by the Duke of Westminster.
After checking in at the hotel, I earmarked the nearest Wetherspoon's restaurant where I said I just fancied a Chicken Parmesan - they had not heard of this delicacy in the big city!
The next day, I decided to visit the Southwark borough of the city. Passing fashionable Pimlico where Viscount Snowden has a furniture shop and then over the mighty River Thames. The ImperialWarMuseum was closed, but not all was lost as I walked around parkland which has 34 species of trees which are planted in order of their colonisation of the Earth after the last Ice Age. I then looked into Southwark R.C. Cathedral for some peace and quiet before calling in at the Tate Gallery back across the river.
With continuing hot weather, I was out the next day to WestminsterBridge walked down the south side of the river passing the London Eye Ferris Wheel for a river cruise and a tour of HMS Belfast. When the tide was out there were children playing on small sandy beaches along the river.
The ‘once in a lifetime experience' day had arrived. A leisurely morning followed while I decided which of the three garden entrances to the Palace I would choose. Suitably dressed in a suit and tie, I walked up to the Hyde Park Corner entrance for 15.00 hours. No cameras allowed and a quick body search before entering the 40 acre Palace Garden in the midst of a busy city. It is downhill to the Palace, Constitution Hill being parallel over the Hyde Park side wall. The walls having an electric security circuit of cabling as seen from the inside. I pass the Waterloo Urn, various garden summerhouses and flowerbeds. In November, I had read in a newspaper of Alan Titchmarch being employed to sort out the garden.
Later on I saw how the camera rule was flaunted, pictures are of course taken on mobile phones today. In view of the 6,000 Red Cross volunteers it was a priority to grab a chair, placed under an avenue of chestnut trees. The familiar spiked flowers seen in the month of May were long gone. Those chestnut trees that were in flower must have been of a later flowering variety. With parasols up on the day away from the trees, it was over to the tea and cake tent! I had just had my tea poured when it was time to stand to attention as the National Anthem was played.
HRH Prince Charles and HRH Princess Alexandra stood on the Palace garden balcony and then proceeded across the lawn with the guests lined up on each side of their pathway as they walked to their private pavilion for their tea. After the Royal teatime and Empire dancing period, our hosts walked down the chestnut avenue to the north door. Princess Alexandra was more engaged in conversation with the guests than Prince Charles, going through the north door somewhat later. Time for a quick walk around the garden followed. With the Royal Mews being attached to the Palace I noticed the compost blending area.
Returning for an ice cream, time soon passed on to turning out time at 18.00 hours. I decided to go out through the 1853 Palace and out through the familiar front gates. Just time for a visit to the 2012 Hyde Park Bomber Command Memorial before going back up Constitution Hill to Hyde Park Corner again.
Tom Knox - Yorkshire Country Link (with encouragement from Liz)
Cornwall country link have had another splendid day out visiting an organic farm on top of Bodmin Moor.
This outing was another of Valda's ideas.
And she was rewarded by 22 members arriving at 12.30 and having a picnic on the farm in glorious weather. Our host, farmer Dominic, gave us a brief history of the ownership of the 200 acre hill farm and the rules about common land and running ones animals over common land.
He then led us on a lovely walk through his farm. We had great views from certain vantage points over mid Cornwall.
We learnt about the De Lank quarry that bordered the farm and why Bodmin granite was used and where. Structures like London's Tower Bridge use the stone.
We then strolled into the most magical river valley full of bluebells and the Tumbling river De Lank. It was so pretty! Dominic then gave us a brief tractor ride across the farm back to our starting point where we finished the farm visit.
We then went down to the village of Blisland and had pint of Cornish Best bitter.
A lovely visit to a nice farm.
What a day. Sunday 26 January.
I ate my porridge, waiting for that call - Maria it's too rough to go for a walk in all that rain, forecast over the Derbyshire hills is awful, let's go for lunch instead!
9.30 came. Well it's too late now; find waterproof, hat, gloves etc, plus spares. Elaine arrived kitted out for the challenges ahead.
Jackie arrived with Dood's PR coat, great fit!
She said “I am not coming”, but after a brief chat we were all in the car, ready to meet Phil at Tissington Trail, for our 4 or 6 mile walk. Andy met us there. Once we were dressed, a task in itself, we were off.
As the heavens opened and the lights were turned off in Derbyshire, the dark clouds followed us on our way. The ground was full of water, gates and stiles were a rush with water, waterfall down the footpaths. All very pretty Phil!
At the point of 6 or 4 miles, after a chat on how much of us were dry, we decided 4 miles it is, a good decision. As we were all upright and feet ok, complete with rosy cheeks, but no rain rash.
Once back on the trail and Tissington Hall was on the horizon, tempo quickened as the cars were around the corner.
We congratulated ourselves on commitment, team spirit and a bit of grit. After removing wet layers and changing foot wear, we were off to the pub for tea and lunch.
We have left looking at the church and the views of Parwich for another day!
Well done to all. Thank you Phil.
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