The Sun Shines for St. Piran's Day.....

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Greetings from the Hovel on March 5th, St. Piran's Day and what beautiful sunny weather we have had despite it being cold. Thankfully it didn't rain because throughout Cornwall different events and parades would have taken place to mark this special day.

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St. Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall and tin-miners. According to legend, St. Piran was born in Ireland in the 6th century and possessed miraculous powers. The Irish kings grew afraid of his powers and cast him out to sea tied to a millstone. Despite the treacherous waters St. Piran survived and was washed ashore at Perranporth. To promote Christainity he began to build a Oratory, which is now preserved in the towans at Perran Sands......

St. Piran's Oratory (Photo by Tony Atkins)

In Grass Valley, California, St. Piran's Day is also celebrated to honor the Cornish miners who helped in the mines in the mid 19th century. A much closer venue for a parade was in Penzance but due to an appointment I was not able to go......

St. Piran's Day Parade, Penzance 2006



One event I was able to attend however was my grandson's birthday party held last Saturday and what a busy day it was......made so much easier thanks to my dear friend and 'adopted' daughter Vikki.........




Vikki on the left with friend Hannah...


I have known Vikki for about 8 years and was in fact a former girlfriend of my sons. Thankfully they have stayed good friends and I regard her like a daughter.....Now Vikki can be bossy..lol...but with a heart of gold and boy is she organized. Arriving mid-morning armed with bouncy castle, slide and other playtime goodies, she promptly set about preparing food. Charlotte and I were appointed kitchen porters, food and toy transporters. Thankfully the party was held across the road at the scout's hut so we didn't have far to go...lol...




Korenza loved going on the bouncy castle....



My dear assistant Nutty Nanny, aka as Charlotte, was in charge of music and lighting........




She did a great job...



And the party went with a swing...lol....
I have not posted the photos of the other children at the party because I have not asked their parents if it is ok. They all had a great time....

'Ok, so what do you do with this ?'...

Christopher and Dylan....

Christopher and Korenza...

'Aren't I a good sister helping Dylan with his presents'....

'Ok sis, where do we start'...

Always a little boy at heart...lol...

Hubby took a few days holiday off work this week and would you believe it he caught a cold and had tennis elbow...typical....but we did maanage to have some time to ourselves. Yesterday we went to one of my favorite beaches, Praa Sands near Helston......

It was a lovely sunny day....

While there I got talking to a local man who kindly showed me his garden, part of which overlooks the beach, the boundary can be seen in the photo below...I sat on a bench and it was heaven relaxing there and taking in the beautiful view of the beach and sea. What a great place to live...

The bench was just behind the fence...

Peaceful...

Calm for the moment...

Water flowing gently over rocks and sand to form a stream....

then gently flows into the sea....


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After a walk along the beach we finished the evening with a meal at the Sandbar at Praa Sands which also looks over the beach....It's great that the evenings are getting longer and that we are blessed with winter sunshine. I hope it's a hint of a good summer...until next time...Hugs Chrissy x.......

Happy First Birthday to My Darling Grandson....

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Hello everyone, thanks for visiting on this special day. Yes, my darling little grandson is one today and what a happy little soul he is. I am very lucky to have this little man living with me at the moment. The joy I feel as I see him grow and blossom into the sweetest little person.....yep, I do so love this grandson of mine, can’t tell can you..lol.......

What a smile... This was taken today at the Sea Aquarium at Newquay where Dylan went with his sister Korenza and his daddy and mummy to celebrate his birthday. I stayed at home to prepare for his party tomorrow...yes I had the joy of shopping, etc!!! Also it was nice for them to have time together as a family.......

The Sweetest Granddaughter anyone could wish for.
She has some amazing expressions.....

Well these two seem to be enjoying theselves looking at the fishes...

'Whats that Korenza'....

They had a lovely time and it did my son good to be able to get away and have a normal day out. Things have been a bit tough here and my son came back more like his old self......hope it lasts..lol..

Dylan certainly seemed to enjoy himself.

For one so young he looks so engrossed with the sealife around him......

I love this one...

'Ok, What do I do Now'....



The centre being quite at this time of the year gave the children more room to enjoy it. Korenza certainly took advantage of it according to Christopher. Judging by the blurry photographs of Korenza I saw earlier she was going at some speed as she ‘fled’ down the corridors...freedom..lol...She is a darling, I love her to bits...

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Below is a beautiful, almost surreal, photograph of Korenza that Christopher took while experimenting with my camera. I think its lovely......

Those Eyes....



The photograph below made me laugh. Now believe it or not but Korenza was actually going to hug Dylan.....lol...Christopher said it reminded him of a scene in ‘Rocky’....lol.......

'Honest Bro, I only want to give you a hug'....



Now on this particular day the centre decided to paint some areas and as they were leaving my dear little granddaughter decided to leave her mark... quite artistic I think, don’t you...lol......

Modern Art...



Just outside the aquarium is a beach well known for its surfing. Taken by Christopher as they were leaving it shows the incoming tide. I have been here myself many years ago and when we visited the building on the top left of the rocks was a cafe. Now I love my watering holes but I was not tempted to cross that bridge for a drink...would you!!!.....

There has been a lot going on this week which I will tell you about later but one thing I will mention before I close is about the fire that occurred in the former Methodist Chapel just around the corner from me. It now houses different businesses such as an art gallery, beauticians, hairdressers and a beautiful shop that sells shabby chic and vintage items (I have lots of pics which I will post over the weekend, some lovely items or were) to name but a few. Although the outside appears undamaged the inside appears to have suffered greatly according to some comments. I know many of the retailers and feel greatly for them. I went past that at 4.45 last evening and saw my beautician waiting outside with other shop owners. Naturally they were not allowed inside so have no idea what as happen to their businesses. The fire fighters were there all day and a police car was seen parked outside last night......

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/latestnews/crews-tackle-indoor-market-blaze/article-1867045-detail/article.html

Pratts Market, formerly a Methodist Chapel....
Thankfully no one was inside when the fire began.

A lovely old building.....



Well I must be off, still things to get ready for the party tomorrow. Luckily we are having it in the Scout’s hut just across the road. It should be fun with all the little ones. It’s been some years since I helped get a party ready.....if I remember it’s the cleaning up afterwards that I didn’t like..lol...Hugs Chrissy x

Happy Valentine's Day.....Hello from the Hovel

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Hello Everyone, yes it’s me...What can I say!!! MIA is not the word. I have been so BUSY the last six months that sadly I have neglected my blog. I have wanted so much to post here but at the end of a day I have been so tired that all good intentions to do so have been lost in my need to sleep......poor excuse I know but true all the same.....But here I am and on a special day also. Not only is it a day for romance but my 55th birthday (did I really say that!) and my 14th wedding anniversary...phew that’s an achievement.....And what a good day hubby and I have had. It’s been a while since we have been able to spend a relaxing day together...alone. Yes, we still have our son and two grandchildren living with us. Love them to bits but time alone is very rare..........

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Can’t beat a bit of chocolate....mmm....

Should have seen the state of Charlotte’s hand, Dylan only wanted to share his chocolate..lol..

Ok so the bib is pink but the t-shirt was safe..hehe.......

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This girl knows how to eat chocolate.....

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The weather here was cold but dry with a nice winter sun. My pleasure today was walking along our local beach. I felt so invigorated afterwards I forgot my advancing years........

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Godrevy Lighthouse can be seen in the distance

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The above view greeted us as we walked towards the beach. Godrevy Lighthouse, which first operated in March 1859, inspired Virgina Wolfe to write her book 'To the Lighthouse'.....

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Beautifully carved stone seen in the sand dunes....


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Dynnargh
Saint Gothian Sands
Local Nature Reserve

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Walking back to the car
St. Ives can be seen in the distance

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No Valentine’s Day would be complete without a romantic meal out so we went to our favourite place The Baltie King. Here by chance we bumped into Charlotte’s brother Ben and his fiancée Steph and so we joined them at their table. It was a great night with lots of laughter. You may remember Charlotte, my assistant Nutty Nanny...lol.......

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Steph and Ben...Ben doesn't normally look this Dreamy...lol...


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Yes I got some flowers, a lovely bouquet from Charlotte’s mum and dad....

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I do have lots to tell you and I hope to keep my blog up to date from now on....There has been some good times which I hope to tell you about over the next few weeks.....

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Until next time take care....lol...Hugs Chrissy x


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Greetings on All Hallows Eve.....

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Hello everyone and a Happy Halloween to all........Yes I know I have been MIA for quite a while but believe me there has been a very good reason. For legal reasons I am not able to say why but suffice to say I have my son and two grandees living with me!!!!. What a busy couple of months I’ve had...phew! but what a joy my grandson and granddaughter are despite the hard work, you forget...lol...

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Me and the Grandees......






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This is just a quick visit to wish you all a magical time this All Hallows Eve.....Until next time take care and beware of low-flying brooms...lol... Hugs Chrissy x


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Hayle Town Carnival....

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Hello everyone, hope you all had a good weekend. I was particularly busy with sorting out my shed and didn’t I find some great forgotten vintage treasures...yes I will be showing pics in another post... Despite my busy weekend I did find time to go and see the Hayle Carnival on Saturday evening, which passes at the end of my road. Fortunately the weather was sunny and dry, unlike today...lol...

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A carnival is held in Hayle each year in August and December. Local groups and families get together and work very hard to do this and a lot of people turn out to support them. The carnival starts at the recreational grounds at the far end of Hayle and proceeds along the main road to the foundry part and then back again. It is a long walk, I know because I did it with the Slimming World group...lol... They have my utter most respect and support. I did manage to take some photographs but sadly some were too dark to show and I used my mobile. My photographs do not do the floats, etc, justice but I thought I would show you anyway.....Hope you enjoy them, there is a lot......

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The Hayle Town Band Leading the Carnival

They are a very successful talented band

One of the many groups of children who took part

Thank goodness it was sunny but it was also a little chilly

Love their mop caps...

What a magical group to belong to...

Local Lifeguards....poor girl..lol..

More lifeguards...hehe...

Surf Club...

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We certainly have an active group of children and young people in our area. I can remember when Christopher was in the Boys Brigade, Bible Group, Judo, ect. I have been to many parades, sports matches, jumble sales, fetes and various events.....Hard work but fun...Talking of jumble sales, do we have them any more in the UK, I haven't seen any for a while....

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Army Cadets on The British Legion Float...




Proudly holding the British Legion flag....




Just look at that nurse's uniform, isn't it great...

Standing proudly.....

Fairy King and Queen.....

The photo of the carnival King and Queen was too dark

Hayle Judo Club



My, he must have been hot in that suit...

Look at that vintage bike and sidecar...

A monkey collecting donations, who else...lol..

The funds go towards the many activities and work The Lions Club and other volunteer organizations do throughout the year. They do marvelous work and it is thanks to them that Hayle have superb Christmas lights

There are fantastic Heritage and History groups in Hayle.

Note the 40's style tractor and driver. There was a lady dressed in a fully pinny and headscrarf, just like in the 40's. Didn't manage to get a photo unfortunately

Even Noddy and Big Ears decided to join the carnival...

They must be tired, and they still have to go back the way they came...

These poor guys did the Three-Legged walk, they must have been shattered.

Good for them..

This band was amazing, mixed instruments and steel drums.

Very uplifting, made you feel like you wanted to jig...lol...

Child Centre

Mothers and children...

Robin Hood came to Hayle

'Bye Baby Bunting'

Representatives from The Cinnamon Trust

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What a beautiful pair of dogs...

'The Cinnamon Trust is the only specialist national charity which seeks to relieve the anxieties, problems, and sometimes injustices, faced by elderly and terminally ill people and their pets.

The Trust was founded in 1985 by Mrs Averil Jarvis whose determination and dedication has ensured that the manifest need is fully addressed.

Just as Mrs Jarvis was starting her work to develop the charity, her beloved Corgi, Cinnamon, died in her 17th year. It seemed appropriate to name the Trust in her memory.'

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/ctrust.html

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I remember my son on a float similar to this when he was 3 years old,

he was a blackbird....

The group was amazing, I believe they were representing

the Lions Club. They chanted and danced, very good...

Last but not least we have 'The Wizard of Oz', no Wicked Witch of the West though...

I should have jumped on board...hehe...


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I hope you enjoyed your time at the carnival, I know I did. While there I met my very good friend Kathy and her young daughter & friend. After the carival we all went to the Salt Bar for a hot Chocolate...yummy... then back to her house for a chat....Made a nice break from all the dust and cobwebs in that shed of mine.......Take care until next time...Hugs Chrissy x