There is something about summer that calls for a cocktail to celebrate warm evenings and get togethers with your favourite people. The artisan award winning Rosemullion Distillery, which has been operating from a Helford orchard since 2018, has invented for us two new recipes for your special occasions. As their products are created, fermented, distilled and bottled in Cornwall using Cornish ingredients – including Cornish harvested rainwater –  they are perfect for drinking while on holiday or getting married here. And when you have returned home, they will keep your memories of Cornwall alive.

Their founder and mixologist Andy Bradbuy says: ‘We enjoy making Rosemullion spirits because we enjoy the simple things in life – family, friends and the outdoors – and the social aspects of all those. Our spirits encapsulate that in a bottle. When we entertain here, we want to enjoy our time with our guests so that means quality spirits, either in a cocktail or a with a mixer.

We put the time in ahead not just by making the spirits but also by inventing new cocktails and we are happy to share our ideas. With these mixes I wanted to create cocktails that highlight the delicious flavours of our Summer Gin and Chocolate Rum. The Summer Gin has delicate fruity notes, including strawberry, raspberry and red and black currents, making it soft and refreshing on the finish, just lovely for hot summer months.

The Chocolate rum has a wonderful aroma of caramel, chocolate and fruit, and when drinking it there is oak spice and light chilli heat tickling the palate and mouth coating chocolate sweetness towards the end. For chocolate lovers it makes the perfect cocktail and could even be used as a sauce drizzled on Cornish vanilla ice cream to make a wonderful pudding.’

Cornish Summer Cocktail

• 50ml Rosemullion Summer Gin
• 25 ml lemon Juice (just under 1.5 tablespoons)
• 125 ml chilled soda water
• 25 ml sugar syrup

To make the sugar syrup dissolve 300g caster sugar in 150ml water over a low heat, dissolve the sugar and take off the heat once it’s simmering. Cool before pouring into a sterilised glass jar or bottle to store in the fridge for future use in cocktails.

Tip: if you are in a hurry and do not have it, you can also use maple syrup in place of the sugar syrup; which is a delicate and not very maple-heavy in taste.

• 1 free-range egg white

Tip: Make it vegan with an alternative to egg whites – Use Aquafaba (the water that chickpeas have been cooked in)

• Ice
• Lemon twist or lemon slice to garnish

1. Put the Summer Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white into a cocktail shaker. Shake.
2. Add ice and shake again.
3. Strain into a glass and top with soda.

Summer Gin Awards
Double gold award at the Sip Awards 2022.
Won in the flavoured Gin category at The Gin Guide awards 2022.
Gold at the Sip Awards 2021.
Finalist at The Great British Food Awards 2021.
Silver at the World Spirits Competition 2020.
Gold at the Sip Awards 2019.

 

Chocolate Sensation Cocktail

• 50 ml Rosemullion Chocolate Rum
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 dashes of Orange Angostura Bitters
• Ice
• Orange twist to garnish

1. Put the Chocolate Rum, sugar, Orange bitters and ice into a mixing glass and stir well.
2. Add the ice and continue to stir.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass with ice and garnish with orange twist.

Tip: For an extra or different garnish, you could add chocolate mint.

Chocolate Rum Awards
Gold award at the Sip Awards 2022.
96 points at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2021.
Silver at The Rum & Cachaça Masters 2021.
Finalist at The Great British Food awards 2021.

 

Both Andy and I hope you enjoy these cocktails, perhaps putting your own twist on them as the seasons change. I think in particular the Chocolate Sensation Cocktail would be a hit at Christmas celebrations too as it is reminiscent of the chocolate oranges so many of us enjoyed finding in our stockings.

 

To find out more about Rosemullion Distillery products go to: https://rosemulliondistillery.com

It was a beautiful, crisp Cornish morning in Autumn. We arrived at stunning Polpier house ready to harvest some of their wonderful hydrangeas from the garden for drying to create an arrangement for the chiffonier top in the drawing room.  If you would like to do the same with your own hydrangeas for your own home, just follow our steps.

You will want a lovely, dry day for searching for the best blooms. When the petals are not covered with rain, you will have a head start on the drying process. It is also a more enjoyable experience for you and means you do not hurry when looking for the perfect specimens. Take the time to think about how your selection will affect the overall plant – you will want to leave it with a good shape so you can continue enjoying it in the garden.

Using sharp secateurs to cut the woody stems, preferably  on the slant so they absorb water more quickly. The blooms should have nice long stems so you are keeping your options open on how you use them for arrangements or decorations. You can put them immediately in a pail with water, but, because they are robust, just laying them flat and carrying as bunches is also fine.

Once you get them home, strip all the leaves from the stems because the leaves dry to an unattractive brown and it will make it easier when you use in arrangements. That is why professional florists strip leaves from flower stems and add foliage separately to make a hand tied bouquet.

Then place the blooms, not too crowded to allow air circulation, in containers with a few inches of water. The water will give them a drink to get them in peak condition before they start to dry. The hydrangeas can then be left in a warm room (or warm dark room if you have it) to dry naturally over a few days. When the water has evaporated, the drying process is completed. Your dried hydrangeas will last for years in a normal, damp free, household environment although the colour will fade if they are placed in a sunny spot.

Now the fun begins. Experiment with different varieties and colours to suit your interior design. There are endless possibilities from simply arranging a few dried hydrangeas in a vase or jam jar, to creating wreaths or table centre pieces as more elaborate seasonal decorations with dried pine cones, seed and poppy heads, and grasses. As the seasons change and your garden comes back to life, you can also combine them with fresh flowers and  greenery, for example dried hydrangeas  look stunning with roses and eucalyptus. It is best practice to put enough water in the vase to look after the fresh stems but keep the dried stems shy of the water. The use of plenty of foliage will disguise this.

 

Contact: Victoria Bampfield-Hammond
Brigid de Courcy
Tel: 01872 572455 / 07859066450
www.thewoodlandatelier.com
thewoodlandatelier@hotmail.com

It’s hard not to love the rugged landscape and dramatic coastline that make up Cornwall. With beautiful rural views from our workshop and country walks right on our doorstep, we feel privileged to live and work here and are constantly inspired by our surroundings, which are reflected in the products we create through to our eco responsibilities for preserving and protecting this special place.

 

 

We are continually looking at how sustainable and ethical we trade as a business and nothing can be more important than “doing our bit” to help prevent further damage to the planet.

Here are a few simple switches you can make to your skincare routine which will also be kind to the environment.

ORGANIC

Look out for the organic certification logos for assurance that you are purchasing an organic product. With organic certification being the only way to ensure that products are as pure and natural as possible, we work hard in sourcing the highest quality, socially just and ecologically responsible suppliers of ingredients for our skincare range.

Being certified organic, Trevarno can offer the reassurance that our products contain:

NO parabens or phthalates

NO synthetic colours or fragrances

NO genetically modified ingredients

AND are NOT tested on animals.

PLASTIC IS NOT FANTASTIC

Public awareness is ever-growing over the amount of unnecessary plastic waste dumped in our seas and on our beaches, with a devastating effect on marine life.

It’s suggested that more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are floating around in our oceans, much of which is in the form of tiny particles that in turn are being consumed by fish and will eventually travel up the food chain – causing potentially serious consequences for the health of wildlife and humans alike.

Living and working by the coast we see this first hand at regular beach cleans so this is really important to us. We can all play our part and like many other brands who are making changes, here at Organic Trevarno we are proud to say that we use and have always used recyclable glass jars and bottles for our certified organic skincare.

We’ve also looked at ways to avoid plastic but still give our customers the convenience and safety it provides.

Trevarno’s rosemary shampoo is an effective natural hair & body shampoo in a bar. Rosemary and coconut oils are blended to create a deeply conditioning, creamy lather for soft, clean, healthy hair. No need for plastic shampoo bottles and perfect for travelling too.

LONG LASTING AND SUPER RICH

Waste is a seriously important issue right now. From cutting back on the amount or product we use to minimising the amount of packaging we’re producing. Using high-performance, long-lasting skincare is an essential and exciting step to reduce waste.

Made entirely from natural ingredients, this moisturising lip treat contains olive oil infused with comfrey and calendula to help heal and soothe chapped lips, blended together with beeswax to nourish and soften. A little really does go a long way.

NO MICRO BEADS HERE

Micro-beads: “extremely small pieces of plastic, used especially in cleansing products as exfoliating agents” – would you want micro-beads to be the exfoliant used on your skin?

Trevarno use ONLY naturally sourced,  ORGANIC cane sugar and cut camomile herb as the exfoliant in their facial and body scrubs.

INNOCENT INGREDIENTS

Created from plants, flowers, fruits and herbs,  sourced for their therapeutic as well as cosmetic benefits, Trevarno’s healthy skincare range contains no chemicals or artificial ingredients – just skin loving and beauty boosting nutrients.

Trevarno use organic marigold petals in their CALENDULA SOAP and olive oil infused with rose buds as well as crushed rosehip shells in their ROSE, ORANGE & PATCHOULI SOAP.

VEGAN FRIENDLY

Eating a plant-based diet can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution, prevent deforestation and save wild animals from extinction. Extend veganism beyond your diet and become part of a booming beauty niche.

Here are a couple of our vegan-friendly Organic Trevarno favourites

 

We hope this has inspired you to make some changes to help protect our planet.

For more information please visit our website: www.trevarnoskincare.co.uk

 

On a chilly autumn morning, I found myself catching my breath while looking down on the harbour at Mevagissey. Sniffing around my feet was my companion, a six-stone Rhodesian ridgeback dog called Jess. She and I had set off on foot from Minehead in Somerset 26 days earlier. In just under four weeks we’d hiked 361 miles, but we still had a long way to go. Ahead of us stretched another 270 miles to reach our destination, the end of the epic South West Coast Path.

The SWCP is one of the longest national trails in Britain, making its way across vast beaches and along exposed cliffs, through forests and over moors. With every mile there is the chance to see an array of wildlife, seals and dolphins, choughs and lizards, not to mention the many species of wild flowers. But for me the best thing is that the whole path is dog-friendly. It’s quite something to be able to set off with your four-legged chum on a ramble that could potentially go on for months. And that is exactly what Jess and I did.

Walking side by side for seven weeks brought us together in a way that I couldn’t have imagined. We shared the same struggles, we slept together, ate (enormous quantities of food) together and limped in sync at the end of the day. We revelled when the sun came out and shrunk into ourselves when it rained, squeezed together under my umbrella. I looked out for her and she made me feel safe. On more than one occasion, as a lone woman, miles from anywhere, I was grateful to have Jess nearby. Her calm demeanour helped to dampen my overactive imagination, particularly my worries about the threat of werewolves whenever we encountered fog.

At the end of a gruelling day Jess was the perfect drinking buddy, in that she didn’t drink, so cost me very little. However her presence, curled up in front of a crackling fire, or begging for pork scratchings from a fellow punter, was a great way to start a conversation. I lost count of the number of times I heard “your dog’s gorgeous, what is she?” I loved being able to tell people that ridgebacks were originally bred to hunt lions. Something about the dichotomy between her fearsome heritage and laid-back demeanour made people smile.

At the start of the trip I had worried over whether Jess would be allowed in the pubs along the way, but we were never turned away, in fact Jess was often shown to the cosiest spot, invariably in front of a fire. At those moments I was happy to tag along as her sidekick and reap the rewards of the best seat in the house.

If the pubs were friendly, then the B&Bs and hotels we stayed in rolled out the red carpet for my furry friend. When the dining room was reserved for those on two legs Jess and I would be set up in a quiet corner of our own, from where we could happily watch the comings and goings of the other guests. More often Jess could accompany me into the dining room for breakfast, and would grab the opportunity to take a quick nap under the table. The only thing guaranteed to rouse her from her slumber would be the mouthwatering smell of cooking sausages, and on more than one occasion while I tucked into an enormous full English breakfast Jess was brought a banger or two.

We made the most of every mode of transport whilst on the coast path, from the steam train that raced alongside the River Dart, to buses and ferries and even a cliff railway at Babbacombe. Jess took each new vehicle in her stride and was soon leaping aboard ferries and jumping on and off buses like an 18 year old backpacker.

For all her poise, Jess did show her hunter’s instincts every now and then. One memorable time she ran full pelt towards the cliff edge after a herd of moth-eaten wild goats near Crackington Haven. Fortunately my panicked shout of “STAY!” stopped her in her tracks as the goats scarpered over a ridge. Another time, while walking through fields near Exmouth, she caught a young rabbit. Appalled, I screeched for her to “DROP IT!” and it bolted down the nearest hole, apparently unscathed. One afternoon, while I was sketching the fishing boats on the shingle shore at Budleigh Salterton, I heard an ominous crack and turned to see Jess treading on a crab. Luckily a nearby fisherman noticed the plight of the crustacean and pulled Jess off it before popping it back into a large blue bin.

 

There are an awful lot of animals, both domesticated and wild, on the South West Coast Path, and it’s vital to keep track of your dog, especially near cliffs. After the hair-raising experience with the goats I kept Jess on a lead unless we were on a beach.

Seven years on, I look back at walking the South West Coast Path with Jess as one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. She is nine years old now and starting to go grey around her muzzle, and our walks are no longer measured in miles but minutes. Recently we’ve acquired a new addition to our pack, a miniature dachshund called Peanut who, despite her diminutive size, has boundless energy. While I’m looking forward to rediscovering the South West Coast Path with Pea, seeing it afresh through her eyes, I’ll never forget my 630-mile walk with Jess.

This limited edition map of Cornwall, beautifully illustrated by Sasha, shows many of the locations she visited.  Check out Polpier’s Instagram Feed for the chance to win it.

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Sasha Harding is an artist and author based in Cornwall. Sasha wrote and illustrated a book, A Brush With The Coast,  about her adventures on the South West Coast Path. A new revised edition is available from her website here.

 

Whether your wedding is to be a grand or intimate affair, one thing is for sure, it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Here, Helen Moore Stylist, Blogger and Crafter from Whitewood & Linen takes a look at simple decorative ideas for those wishing to create their own personal and individual day.

Keep in mind three simple rules when you are planning your special day:

1) How much money do you have to spend?

2) How much time do you have to achieve your goals?

3) How much human resource is available to you? Perhaps you have family members or friends happy to donate their time and skills as a wedding gift? Don’t be afraid to ask those who are bakers, decorators, crafters, florists or gardeners for contributions of help towards your big day. Nobody wants too many toasters and a team effort can add to the fun and happiness of a successful wedding.

Determining the answers to these three questions, creating a plan around them and then working to that plan, will reward you with a special and individual look for your celebration.

In this article we shall take a look at personalising tables and room décor. Firstly, decide how you want your wedding décor to look and keep in mind your three simple rules. You could begin by addressing your flower displays. If your budget is small and time is on your side, you could grow a selection of inexpensive and simple blooms of your own from a few seeds or ask your gardening guests if they would grow them for you. If on the other hand you are short on time, you could look to buying your beautiful blooms locally from a grower or flower market.

 

Displaying your choice of flora can be done in many personal and budget friendly ways. Recycling and decorating tin cans ahead of the big day is a fun way for everyone to get involved. Painting each tin to compliment your colour scheme and adding a pretty rag ribbon for a decorative finish can have a stunning effect.

 

Recycling doesn’t have to stop at tin cans. Glass jam jars and small bottles collected in advance make wonderful flower vessels. Maybe a friend who writes beautifully, could lend a hand and scribe the wedding couples’ names on torn strips of fancy paper as their wedding gift. Try typing simple messages directly onto scraps of pretty linen and cotton and attach decoratively with ribbon or glue. Use in groups or individually for flowers and essential candles on your tables.

 

Another simple and effective idea for table décor is beautiful decoupage on tin cans. Decorative paper napkins, tissue paper and pretty gift wrap are all suitable materials to use and each tin will look perfect complete with colour co-ordinating string. Use to hold essential cutlery and napkins on tables or food and drinks stations. These versatile vessels can be used to store bright paper drinking straws or pens and crayons for younger guests. And filled with small sticks of rock or sweets, these tins would appeal to guests of any age.

 

And if children are joining your special day, remember to keep them occupied throughout the speeches. Try dressing your tables with rolls of brown parcel paper or simple white disposable table cloths and encourage a game or two of snakes and ladders, dot-to-dot or maybe even a happy drawing of the special couple. You may end up with some portraits that make you smile as much as the official wedding photos.

 

When it comes to decorating your room or gazebo, bunting and garlands are always a clever choice. For an inexpensive option, invest in or borrow a large hole punch; a star shape, flower or heart makes a perfect template. Keeping your own theme in mind, choose from newsprint or brown parcel paper for a rustic look or candy coloured card or floral paper for a more vibrant decor and get punching. If you are handy with a sewing machine or know someone who is, join the shapes together in a simple running stich to your required length. A similar effect can be achieved by sticking two shapes either side of clear wire or twine with PVA glue. String and layer lots of bunting for a fuller effect or stick to one single length if your look is more minimal. Add fairy lights to create a magical mood as the evening draws in.

 

You could try your hand at a more traditional fabric bunting, choosing colours and textures to suit your day. Leave simple raw edges showing or tidy up with a quick running stitch on the machine or even by hand. Remember your resource and time rules and maybe ask a crafty friend to donate their time as your wedding gift.

 

And as dusk falls on your magical day, remember to subtly light up trees and magical pathways as well as your tables, with the help of decorative tin cans and glass jars once again. Your choice of jars will look particularly effective decorated with glass paint selecting a design as flamboyant or simple as you like. And if you don’t have resource or budget for glass painting, simply reach for delightful rag ribbons or simple string once again.

 

Search for more creative ideas on-line; Pinterest is a fabulous search engine full of wedding ideas. Create an old-fashioned scrap book with endless magazine cuttings and leaflets you collect in the build up to your big day. This could also become the prettiest and most personal of keepsakes for the future. And don’t forget your local library for a wonderful selection of old and new books packed with ideas to make your wedding day as unique and as special as you would like it to be.

Many of the ideas in this blog spot can be found in Helen’s blog, Whitewood & Linen. Helen writes weekly stories full of ideas for individual crafts, up-cycling furniture and styling as well as design tips for special events and the home all from her beautiful Shepherd’s Hut, Belle. Visit whitewoodandlinen.com or follow Helen on her Instagram page for more creative and inspirational ideas for your special day.

 

Update: Barney Walters Photography have been nominated for Easy Weddings “Wedding Of The Year 2018” Competition . Please vote for them here.

This blog is taken from barneywalters.com

Polpier and Penpol are two houses located on the top of the Cornish coastline in Mevagissey. This was the setting for Eve and John’s wedding, and what a magnificent setting it was for a beautiful day – in every way. Eve and John planned a fairly intimate day with their close friends and family from across the globe to come to Cornwall to witness their vows against the Cornish coastline backdrop, and then party the night away in the Polpier house.

Being from Cornwall myself I can say this; this is not what Cornwall looks like every day – and thus Eve and John were blessed to have Cornwall looking at it’s absolute best for their celebrations.

Polpier and Penpol wedding venue is super in that the two houses are located approximately one hundred meters apart allowing for separation in the morning between the bridal and grooms parties, without actually being all that far apart. As you’ll see from the images below, the boys were able to help set-up the garden in the morning before getting ready in the Penpol House.

After the ceremony on the lawn, the reception started and a relaxed few hours on the grass was enjoyed by everyone Eve and John had invited. Later in the day, we strolled down to the harbour of Mevagissey with the newlyweds to allow them to take some much deserved “time-out” and create some awesome images in the afternoon light that we were gifted with.

For a small intimate wedding in Cornwall by the coast, you can’t get much better than Polpier and Penpol – a beautiful day in every way.

More images can be seen at barneywalters.com

Barney Walters – Photographer
Website: barneywalters.co.uk
Email: info@barneywalters.co.uk
Call: +44 (0) 7725 081 283

We love Mevagissey Feast Week. As well as being the oldest saint’s celebration in Cornwall, it is a fantastic celebration of present day community as a gang of local volunteers create a week of family fun.  From a fancy dress extravaganza through the streets, to live music on the quay decorated with flags, a fish auction, stalls selling local food and a firework display, it is a real chance to join in with an authentic Cornish experience.

Mevagissey Feast Week also holds a special place in our hearts because of weddings where the couples and their guests have broken off from their reception to join the parade. They’ve also gathered on Polpier’s front lawn in the evening to watch as colourful fireworks are reflected in the harbour water. Holiday guests have enjoyed al fresco drinks on the terraces with the sound of live jazz, sixties favourites or the Mevagissey Male Choir drifting up to entertain them.

This year Mevagissey Feast Week runs from Sunday 24^th June to Saturday 30^th June and promises to be better than ever. We still have some availability should you want to have a holiday with entertainment laid on. Please check out www.mevagisseyfeastweek.org.uk for this year’s programme details.

Summer is a wonderful time to visit Cornwall and self catering gives both privacy and freedom. However, years of holidaying with children, relatives and friends has proved the following tips can make for a happy experience for everyone.

1. Information is power: check out your venue’s website. This should help with everything from what you pack to planning days out. Our website has descriptions of the bedrooms so you can have the arguments to hand about which is best for you. The chief booker gets a handbook with information on all appliances and how to use them and it’s a good idea if someone in the party reads it before arrival. If there are any concerns, for example asthma and bedding, it is much better to email beforehand so special requests can be dealt with.
2. Set off very early. Later the motorways are going to be jammed, literally, so shove the kids in their pyjamas in the back of the car at dawn and just go. With luck, they will sleep all the way and you can wake them for a late breakfast in Cornwall. In self catering, check in will be in the afternoon (ours is at 4pm) but this is a chance to explore near your accommodation. We recommend a relaxed wander around Heligan Gardens. You can feel extra smug as friends and relatives send text announcements about delays, engines over-heating and children rowing.
3. For those who choose to leave later in the day, have some fun games for keeping the kids amused as they will be awake the entire way saying, ‘When are we going to be there?’ We used to play ‘Spot the caravan.’ How we laughed. It’s a good idea too to have bottled water for long delays on hot days and the empties are useful for small boys who are caught short between service stations.
4. Take a map. Vital for when the SatNav breaks down and there’s a diversion on the motorway, particularly if the driver is male so it’s a point of honour to never, ever to stop and ask for directions. A map is also vital for your stay because there may be no mobile phone signal and SatNav will not show that the shortest route is down a narrow winding lane where your car’s paint work could suffer along with your nerves.
5. Nothing leads to bad temper faster than hunger and low blood sugar, so have your first meal sorted. We are happy to take supermarket deliveries before guests’ arrival, so you are well stocked up, and welcome guests with a Cornish cream tea. Our Property Manager Amanda Craze does yummy ready to cook meals or there are delicious fish and chip takeaways in Mevagissey. A good supply of alcohol is also vital to sooth frazzled nerves. Do not plan a mega trip the next day for the children as the first night can turn into a party.
6. While having the basics delivered from a supermarket is sensible, self catering is an opportunity to enjoy local produce. Not only will it be fresher, it will add to the experience of being somewhere different to home. In Cornwall, this can mean anything from bakery Cornish pasties and Kelly’s ice cream, to bbqs with farm shop meat and vegetables or visiting harbour fish stalls to pick your fish of the day. There are also plenty of local drinks to choose from, including Cornish Orchards juices and cider and the famous Camel Valley sparkling wine.
7. To give the head chef a break, plan some meals out. Cornwall has wonderful restaurants, but if you want to get in at Rick Stein, Nathan Outlaw or Paul Ainsworth, book well ahead. It can also be more relaxed to visit restaurants and pubs you can walk too. No worries about drink driving and if you are in a mixed age group, there’s also the flexibility of splitting if some want to head back to base while others enjoy another coffee or nightcap.
8. Eating out can be expensive though and self catering is perfect for stepping back in time to the more frugal 1950s and taking a picnic for the beach. Those innocent Enid Blyton escapades can amuse even the most sophisticated teenager because of their novelty. Just be careful you pick a less popular beach so they don’t bump into their cool friends when they are rock pooling and have a total melt down. The less popular beaches do involve driving down narrow lanes or walking from the car park across fields but you’ll feel you deserve your picnic after the effort.

   

9. Deciding what attractions you really want to see is good in terms of both finances and time management. A few carefully selected days out can heighten the holiday mood but no one wants to over spend or feel they are on a tread mill. Factor in distance, parking and pre-booking tickets for popular destinations like the Minack Theatre or Eden Project. It’s also a good idea to check their websites to see what’s on. We once set off at dawn to visit the St Ives Tate – four adults and five children – to arrive and find an obscure Japanese artist was being featured rather than Alfred Wallis. Not quite the Cornish experience we’d had in mind.
10. Take a chill pill. You are meant to be on holiday so this is the time to turn off social media and ignore emails. If you feel you can’t, then select a once a day slot for checking out what’s happening and stick to it. Don’t fret about everyone being ‘together.’ Family time is precious, but it can be a shock to be 24/7 with your nearest and dearest. A little time apart can make it sweeter, whether it’s going for a solitary pint, indulging in a long, hot bath with your favourite author or couples heading off to make use of their National Trust membership. When you gather for meals there will be more news to exchange. And don’t forget to play some board and card games or do a jigsaw – nothing says holiday more than that.

If you have enjoyed this blog, please follow us on Instagram or Facebook to get daily updates on life in Cornwall and notices of when the next blog will appear.

Beautiful photographs from your wedding day are something to be treasured, but can be difficult to achieve if you loathe being photographed. Despite elegant clothes, a make-up and hair stylist and a stunning backdrop, awkward poses and rictus smiles can ruin the end result. Experienced wedding photographer Toby Lowe has generously shared his ten top tips to couples on how to put the demons to rest and model up before the camera.

1. Forget the glossy magazine front covers and celebrity social media. Toby explains: ‘Hating being photographed is a common problem which is growing as more people are taking photos and sharing them to often unpleasant peer review. People really need to relax and remember a photograph is a time capsule of your life, not a photo shopped advert, but a true record of your wedding day. Obviously you want the photographs to bring out the best of you but it should be of you, not a touched up fantasy.’
2. Getting those best photos of you, means you and the photographer getting to know each other as good photographs are based on trust. ‘Rather than just looking through a photographer’s website to see if you like their style, spend time with them at the booking stage,’ advises Toby. ‘Ideally this would mean meeting up but if distance is a problem, then skyping or facetime is a good idea. You will be spending up to 14 hours with the photographer on your wedding day so a personal relationship is key.’
3. Talk to your photographer honestly about what makes you nervous about being photographed. Toby says, ‘A lot of people have a feature they hate, whether a double chin, crooked teeth or their nose. Often that hatred is not based on fact, rather an unkind remark that has stuck or the merciless teasing of a sibling, but if your photographer knows how you feel they can shoot from angles you feel more comfortable with and will not be trying to persuade you to do things you suspect highlight your flaw.’



4. A very important point is to remember to breath. ‘If people are feeling tense, they start holding their breath and become stiff and that really shows in photographs particularly the ones of just the bride and groom,’ explains Toby. ‘I ask couples to take 3. They close their eyes, breath in slowly to the count of 1, 2, 3, hold the breath, then open their eyes as they expel the breath. That takes the tension away and is when I get a really great relaxed shot. I really recommend couples practice breathing in this way before the wedding day.’
5. Another thing for couples to practice beforehand is how to pose in a way that looks natural and is also flattering. Toby provides some simply followed instruction on this, ‘Don’t stand with your legs apart like a guardsman, instead put one foot ahead of the other and about 5cm apart, creating an L shape. Then lean forward on the front foot. This means you lean into the camera so you are engaging with it and this focuses attention on your eyes. And don’t get confused with the catwalk strut where the model leans back, that’s designed to focus attention on the clothes and the attention should be on you.’
6. Arms and wrists should also not hang straight down. Instead Toby suggests, ‘Arms and wrists crooked at a light angle always look more comfortable, that’s why celebrities on the red carpet often have one hand on a hip. You can use props likes glasses of champagne, but the best thing is if the couple are touching each other, but only lightly. This is a tender and passionate occasion and that’s what should be caught in the photos. No grabbing!’



7. Remember hands too are a big part of pulling off a natural pose. ‘Hands tell us so much of how someone is feeling and you don’t want you wedding photographs to show you with tightly clenched hands,’ laughs Toby. ‘I also don’t like the holding a football pose. Hands should always look as if they are holding feathers. I also remind grooms that pockets are there for a purpose and they can always stick their thumbs in them. Brides have bouquets to hold onto which makes it easier but the best thing a bride and groom can do is hold hands.’
8. Forget the big smiles. ‘I don’t know who thought of the instruction ‘Say cheese!’ but they are responsible for more bad photos than anything else,’ groans Toby. ‘Unless you are the type of person who looks in the mirror every day with a big grin, you just look totally unnatural and forced. Hopefully couples are feeling happy on their wedding day and they don’t need to play to the camera, that smile comes from the inside and will show in the photos. People are always saying the Mona Lisa isn’t smiling, but I think she looks perfectly happy.’
9. A good way of practicing all these poses is having an engagement shoot with the photographer prior to the wedding. Toby says, ‘It gives the photographer a chance to pass on tips in a very unpressurised and unhurried environment when they are not worrying about other things. Hopefully as well, they will love the engagement photos, that will build rapport and also mean they feel more confident about having their photo taken on their wedding day.’
10. However, do bear in mind an accurate record of your wedding day includes the other people attending. This also goes back to the important point of being honest with your photographer. ‘Families are very complicated,’ sighs Toby ‘but if there are some difficult relationships it’s best for if the photographer knows. I had one wedding where the groom and his father hadn’t spoken for some time, so an intimate man to man shot of them was not appropriate. Particularly in these times of so much divorce, there can be hard feelings and people who don’t want to be forced to stand next to a former partner.’ Ending on a happier note though, Toby recalls, ‘I’m divorced but get on well with my first wife and her new husband, so they came to my wedding to my beautiful wife Sylvia. It was very funny when people asked them how they knew us.’

Visit www.tobylowephotography.co.uk for more information on Toby.

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Pancake day, traditionally a day of feasting before the 40 days of Lent, has now also been adopted as a fun event – everyone can remember the childhood thrill of watching pancakes being tossed.

If you are making pancakes for the first time, there is the basic recipe below along with ten top tips from Proper Pancake’s expert Nicky. She has also created a special topping for us, making the most of Cornish apples from Polpier’s orchard.

Easy Pancake recipe

Ingredients

• 100g plain flour
• 2 large free range eggs
• 300ml full fat milk
• 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
• lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
• aster sugar, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Sift the flour into a large bowl or jug. Break the eggs into a small bowl to guarantee no egg shell pieces get into the mix, then add to the flour. Pour in the milk and add a pinch of salt, then whisk to a smooth batter. The batter can be affected by temperature of your kitchen, so if it seems rather thick add a little extra milk.
2. Leave the batter on a counter top for 30 mins to rest.
3. Wipe a medium frying pan or crêpe pan with oiled kitchen paper and place over a medium heat. When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden – have a go at tossing them with a sharp flick of your wrist. If you don’t fancy pancakes on the ceiling, carefully flip over with a spatula.
4. Keep the pancakes warm in a low oven until you have made the required number.
5. Serve with lemon wedges and sugar, or your favourite filling.
6. Once cold, you can layer the pancakes between baking parchment, then wrap in cling film and freeze for up to 2 months. When defrosted, gently reheat in a warm oven.

Nicky’s Top tips for making pancakes

1. Always buy the best quality ingredients – Cornish free range eggs, Cornish milk and organic flour are essential to creating my fluffy pancakes.
2. Never over stir your batter as this will result in chewy pancakes.
3. Use a good, flat non-stick pan.
4. Coconut oil is fantastic for cooking pancakes if you need oil, I always use Lucy Bee.
5. Alternatively, cook your pancakes with butter to add a richness to their flavour.
6. Cook the pancakes using a medium heat, never go hotter!
7. Have fun and experiment with flavours.
8. If you have guests, always make more than you think you will need to ensure you don’t miss out!
9. Pancakes don’t always have to be sweet, there are some great savoury recipes out there. A favourite of mine is Otto lenghi’s green pancakes with lime butter, it’s delicious!
10. Remember, pancakes are not just for pancake day – they’re great all year round and at any time of the day!

Caramelised Apples

This recipe has been tried and tested in the Proper Pancakes kitchen using the best apples in season and delicious Cornish butter.

Ingredients

• 2 apples
• 35g golden caster sugar
• 35g soft brown sugar
• 75g unsalted butter (I use Trewithen Farm)
• Coconut oil

Method

1. Heat a little coconut oil in a non-stick pan over a medium heat, then peel, core and chop two apples of your choice. Cut into thin slices, no bigger than half a centimetre thick. Add the apples to the pan and cook for approximately 5-8 minutes until softened and a golden colour has started to develop. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of slices and type of apple you choose.
2. Add the butter and sugar, reduce the heat to medium/low and simmer gently for a further 3-4 minutes until the sugar and butter have combined, thickened and caramelised a little. Be careful not to overcook as you will end up with a slightly granular, chewy toffee like substance or burnt butter!
3. Serve with pancakes and top with a good spoonful of Roddas clotted cream – if you’re feeling extra naughty, why not combine a little brandy with the cream?

Remember that you are dealing with a topping that contains hot sugar, so please be very careful when serving and allow to cool a little before eating.

Nicky is happy to bring her Proper Pancakes van to parties and events. Visit www.properpancakes.com for more information.

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