We picked a great day to visit the Eden Project. Stan had read about this place years ago and was keen to visit. An old old disused clay quarry has been redeveloped into the most amazing network of gardens, learning centre and these 2 enormous biomes - big plastic bubbles that house an enormous variety of plants one has a tropical theme, the other a Mediterranean theme. There is also a Core learning centre which housed this "seed" sculpture. At first we thought oh yes, nice big bit of sculptured granite but after watching the video of the story of the seed, that effectively used dramatic music to build the excitement, we were quite taken by it and went back to give it a family hug. You had to be there.

I didn't think it would be so interesting or impressive and it was the perfect place to be on a wet and dreary day. Even walking around the gardens outside in the rain was nice. So we would highly recommend the Eden Project.

We followed this up with a whirlwind visit to Lanhydrock Manor near Bodmin. I love old stately homes, especially ones with about 7 kitchens - separate ones for meat, veggies, bakery, dairy and pastries !! The dining room with elaborate dinner settings, separate bedrooms and bathrooms for the Lady and Lord and a separate wing for the kids and their Nanny! Although I don't think the girls share my enthusiasm for mansions and such. Stan likes them but would probably prefer to be hiking through the fields.

We headed off to Boscastle. Stan skilfully driving down the narrow winding roads.We stayed at this YHA in 1995. It was a favourite, right on the harbour. The hostel, and much do the town has been refurbished after significant damage during a flood in 2006. Nice hostel, again very quiet. View from the top of the harbours across the Celtic Sea are wonderful and wild. Green pastures rolling down over craggy, steep black slate cliffs into the deep blue water below.

Still a favourite, our memories served us well.