We've just returned from a lovely restful break down in Cornwall close to St. Ives. We stayed at a lovely guesthouse run by two of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet. Their hospitality was wonderful, and the breakfasts -mmmm. They were so good we're already saving for another holiday!
Anyway, we were in Carbis Bay, around 1 1/4 miles from St Ives, and had a lovely coastal path linking both areas.
One thing we did notice, there was a distinct lack of cafes serving the traditional cream tea around St Ives. In total, we found only two places - the Beachcomber cafe on the harbour front (where we ended up) and also Bumbles, along the back streets on the way to the Tate gallery.
It's also gone very trendy along the sea front with lots of exclusive restaurants. So exclusive that if you don't book a table at least a day in advance you cannot eat! We discovered this on our first evening, and so ended up at a local pub on the main road between Carbis Bay and St Ives called 'The Cornish Arms'.
I have to say, it was a lovely place, the food was plentiful, the Guiness was perfect, and the evening we were in there was a local fundraising event and we got to meet some of the locals. Aside from being some of the friendliest people that I have ever met, there generousity was outstanding. The fundraising event was related to the Tsunami, and following a raffle for a box of chocolates and other items, the winners donated the chocolates back to auction it off. It was then donated back again and individual chocolates were auctioned off for between �2 and �6.
Now, that is what communities should be like, not around here where people shoot jewellers, and (while we were away) rob a bookmakers at gunpoint close by the jewellers shop.
It's time to move. Can you guess where to...