Pawton Barn Cornwall, 15th to 22nd January 2014

Over the previous few years we have been taking a break in Cornwall during the February half-term break. Previously we have stayed at The Swallows just outside St. Merryn, however, that lovely barn conversion is no longer available so this year we took the plunge and booked at Pawton Barn just outside Wadebridge.

We have really enjoyed our time at the Swallows as it is a short walk to get on the Cornish Coastal Path for some fantastic walks, while Pawton Barn is much further inland so requires the use of a car.

Arriving at Pawton Barn on the Saturday after lunch we were in for a real treat, the place is beautiful and excellently equipped a proper home from home.

After unpacking we settled down for the evening and I did some figure painting.

On the Sunday morning I did a little more work on the figures we drove to Constantine Bay and had a short walk along the Cornish Coastal Path to Treyarnon Bay and back then a walk along the waters edge getting our feet wet in the process. We popped into Padstow for a box of chips at Rick Steins Chip-shop and a look around town. Despite the forecast of poor weather the day was fantastically sunny. It was back to Pawton Barn for some figure painting and bed.

Monday morning I was up bright and early and again working on the figures before Victoria made an appearance. The impending rain had broken so we decided to stick to our original plan and visit the Eden Project. When you purchase a ticket for the Eden Project it is valid for a year, as last years ticket was still valid we had a freebie this time. Walking around the Temperate and Tropical Biomes as the rain hammered down outside. This time we used the new Rainforest Canopy and also queued to get into the platform at the top of the dome. As usual we had a fantastic lunch in the restaurant.

Come Tuesday morning the sun was out again so we decided that we would break out the English Heritage cards and visit Tintagel Castle. Parking in town we made our way down to the old harbour and then climbed the hundreds of steps up to Tintagel Castle, the weather remained very bright and sunny and the views were amazing. It was so nice that on the way back to the car we had an ice-cream.

After Tintagel we went to the picturesque village of Port Isacc and had a rather nice tea and cake at the Old School House Hotel. Back to Pawton Barn for some supper and more figure painting.

On Wednesday we drove back to Constantine Bay and set off on a walk along the Cornish Coastal Path heading towards Padstow. We crossed Constantine Bay and Boobys Bay in a light drizzle and were  on Trevose Headland when it came down in buckets so we abandoned the walk and went back to the car and drove into Padstow for a touristy mooch around. Back to Pawton Barn for tea and board games.

On Thursday we stayed at Pawton Barn for a rest day with lunch at the local pub and many games of Carcassone and Guillotine. As may be expected there was more figure painting.

Friday we were up bright and early for breakfast at Jamie Olivers Fifteen Cornwall in Watergate Bay. Victoria and I had a fantastic breakfast watching the breakers coming in to the bay and a few hardy individuals braving the surf in the drizzle. We drove into Newquay for a look around and then came back via St. Merryn where we picked up some Pasties for our tea. Of course there was a final figure painting session.

On Saturday morning we loaded up the Mini and said farewell to Pawton Barn and started the five and a half hour journey back to Nottinghamshire. We would certainly go back, but maybe not next year.