Tuesday 23rd February

 Tuesday 23rd February

The phone took a while to dry out but I'm happy to say that the watermarks have all disappeared and the camera seems ok too. 

We have had a mix of weather with some lovely days like this one,

and some more wind and rain - just normal I guess!

It's about the only thing that is I suppose.

                                           

                Someone gave me these hyacinths - they have come out over the last few days and the scent is lovely.

Another damp day followed with more strong winds, the Cot valley is usually sheltered which is welcome relief.

There are signs of spring, these velvety soft willow buds were lovely to see.

I went down to Cape the next day and the sea was rough. The wind still whipping the spray back over them. 

Some of the waves were at least 10' 

I've been enjoying the early morning walk, having breakfast when I get home. On Sunday it had to be a speedy walk to be back in time for the family zoom.

The waves were still great and I wondered why there were cars parked at Cape at 8am (I'm usually the only one around bar dog walkers).

Then I spotted the surfers!

I got back in time  for our usual chat... everyone is fine - it's always lovely to catch up.

Then it was time to bake some bread. 

The walking is definitely helping me, and I seem to be doing more too.

Yesterday Lindsay drove over and we walked to Botallack. The forecast had been for sunshine and that is what we got. It was glorious.

We took a flask of coffee and headed beyond the Crown's Mines to the headland where I watched the fulmars.

As we stood looking down on the mines there was maybe a raven flying acrobatically near us. It would suddenly flip on to it's back like a jet doing a roll!

Fabulous to watch. I'm hoping Alastair will advise, it made a deep 'aark' sound - it wasn't chough or jackdaw, it was bigger but I'm not sure if it was big enough for a raven? (In fact it was part of a pair.) It was the acrobat flight that was remarkable.  It repeated the action in the same place, I wondered if they had a nest nearby or is that a bit early?

We stopped out on the headland where I'd enjoyed watching the fulmars and it was good to see them again.

The waves were breath-taking.

We drank our coffee with this view!

Then we climbed out on to the end and sat there a while. We thought we'd better set off back but still sat there looking it to sea. We said it was like being abroad and suddenly Lindsay spotted dolphins! She saw them three times heading along the coast towards Pendeen, along the swell line. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to spot them but it was a fabulous extra to the walk. 

Today has reverted to grey and damp and strong winds (enough to blow me off balance a few times on the exposed parts of the path).

The cliff at Cot seems to be getting worse and worse, it looks like there is more to come down too so guess it will remain unstable for a while.

There is a lot of water in the stream still.

And finally, the camellias are a real picture at the moment!

Keith had the Pfizer jab last week and had very few side effects. The family are all fine and Mr Johnson has announced a slow re-opening of things. 

Schools go back on March 8th which is when we will be allowed to meet up with someone else outside for coffee for example ( at the moment you can only meet up with one person for exercise only).

Golf will not return until the end of March and hospitality a month or so later. 

Our rates have reduced in Cornwall to about 40/100,000 so we are definitely making progress but it is very tough for businesses.