RHYS BOWEN: I have just returned from a short trip to England. It was all very intense as the object was for John to see all his family members. His sister lives in Cornwall in a fifteenth century manor house (she married into an important Cornish family). 
Her sons and their families mostly live within reach so we had one big family meal after another.
One of the things I love about being in Cornwall is eating my favorite foods. Cornish pasties:
Cream teas:
The good news is that all calories leave when you pass the Cornish border.
The driving is always interesting as the roads are, well, rather narrow.
One of my favorite excursions is to St. Michael's Mount. This time the tide was up but when it's out you can walk across.
Then we went on to Bath and I spent two lovely days wandering around my home city, evoking memories
and enjoying the new spa with rooftop pool.
In London an extra treat. It was the Chelsea Flower Show and the main street in Chelsea and turned itself into Chelsea in Bloom with every shop doing a fabulous flower display:
No big travel plans for us . . . the youngest two grandbabies are spending the summer here with us, so we're going to have an amazing time . . . .
ReplyDeleteRHYS: It looks like you had nice weather! And i LOVE eating Cornish pasties (traditional meat one for me) & visiting your hometown of Bath.
ReplyDeleteNo huge summer plans. I am going for a 4-day weekend back to Montreal at the end of this month. Montreal Jazz Festival and a Cider festival + plenty of visits to the Marche Jean-Talon and Atwater for gourmet goodies.
I booked overseas travel (flights) for later this year but still have a lot of planning to do.
November 10-18 (Iceland Noir & south Coast tour) & next February (DIY itinerary for Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore). Then I fly back to SFO on Feb 25 for San Francisco Left Coast Crime + post visit to Sonoma wineries.
all of that sounds marvelous Grace! I'm envious of the Iceland part especially
DeleteMy third time in Iceland but first time going to Iceland Noir. I enjoy reading Icelandic & otger Nordic mysteries. I have chatted with friends who went in 2023 or 2024 & they had a blast.
DeleteIceland noir sounds so interesting, Grace. I’m tempted!
DeleteGRACE: One of these days I would love to go to Iceland Noir!
DeleteFYI, Iceland Noir is really small, like less than half the attendees of Left Coast Crime.
DeleteBut in 2024, they did attract major crime writers to be headliners including Ann Cleeves, Anthony Horowitz and Harlan Coben. Ragnar Jonasson is one of the organizers.
https://icelandnoir.weebly.com/
Wonderful photos, Rhys.
ReplyDeleteNo travel for me this year, for a number of reasons, budget being key among them. I am looking forward to an upcoming day trip to visit cousins, though. Yes, there will be food involved.
Food is a major part of travel experience for me!
DeleteDelicious and beautiful, Rhys. Talk about the Cornish pastie filling! I might have had one decades ago, but I don't remember details.
ReplyDeleteWe'll have a July weekend in New Hampshire with Hugh's sister, and maybe a jaunt to Maine in August. A couple of beach days with my bestie, and as much time with family as I can grab, and that's it.
I meant to add: it's so beautiful here in the summer, and the produce and fruit are so plentiful, it's hard to leave.
DeleteI always like the traditional with meat and veg, Edith. But they do cheese, chicken, curry etc etc
DeleteI hope you had a lovely time with family and flowers.
ReplyDeleteNo big travel plans for us. Just try to explore local things and acclimate to living in Florida.
Thank you. It was lovely. Just too brief
DeleteRhys, your pictures are great! It looks like it was a wonderful trip. I am going to look up some recipes for Cornish pasties. I'd like to taste the one in your photo. It looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteIrwin and I are visiting the kids on the Delaware shore this weekend. We are going to Greece and taking a cruise through the Greek Islands. We've been planning it for a couple of years and now that it is almost time to go, I am getting nervous about every part of it.
When you find a good recipe, let me know. My daughter and son-in-law in Michigan love pasties. I think turnip is a vital ingredient. Can anyone verify this? Rhys?
DeleteThe traditional Cornish pasty I like to eat has beef, turnip, potato and onion.
DeleteLuckily, there is a vendor in Ottawa at the Sunday FM that sells frozen pasties that are legit.
There is a longtime pasty shop in Traverse City called Cousin Jenny's. It's been awhile, but my son-in-law used to get a big sack of them to take to the beach for lunch when we were all there as a family. Maybe we will get some when we're there next month. I'm already licking my chops!
DeleteAnd this reminds me of being a child. As a big reader whose family didn't travel outside California, I read in novels mention of Welsh rarebit and Cornish pasties and interpreting them as Welsh rabbit and Cornish pastries. The second isn't a stretch, but the first is way off - no rabbits involved!
DeleteI’m so glad you’re going on a cruise, Judy. My son and his wife are starting theirs today!
DeleteThat is such a coincidence, Rhys. I don't know how long they will be in Greece, but I doubt our trips will overlap. We are not in good enough shape for our usual nature-oriented type of travel anymore, but I hope we enjoy it as much. I am rereading Jeffrey Siger's Andreas Kaldis mysteries in preparation, but hope we avoid the murders;>)
DeleteRhys, lovely vacation trip thank you for sharing. The “headline” is a bit of a downer…especially as Summer Equinox is still about a week away. Time seems to be rushing over me. I feel in danger of being run over and squashed. May you and all of us enjoy all of the summer! Cheers. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteTime does speed up, doesn’t it???
DeleteWell in good news this year, we are hoping to have the summer – free! My sister came home from the hospital yesterday after being in since Easter for ‘like-stem’ cell therapy for her leukemia with the words “have a nice life”, so hopefully that is it. She has been given the go-ahead, which unfortunately includes driving (she is a TERRIBLE driver!). So hopefully no running back and forth to hospitals and living life on the tip of a pin.
ReplyDeleteNow the sun is shining, the weather is (way-too) cool, there are flowers everywhere that need to be planted – remember those 300 geraniums – yes patiently waiting, and quite possibly there are not enough garden beds for all the tomatoes. Of course, into every day, a little goutweed must be picked – ugh.
The house is a tip, the grass is growing as fast as the buttercups, I got a new fridge that actually keeps things cold, so many a day (hour) will be spent on Geriatric Row with a cat or two, a dog, probably the Harrumpher, some binoculars looking for Monarchs and watching Eddie the Eagle fight with gulls, and a libation – with an ice-cube. Happy Summer All!
Goutweed is a scourge! Your summer sounds delightful, and yay for your sister's health.
DeleteMargo, congrats on the new fridge--ah, those summertime drinks with an ice cube or two!--and good news about your sister!
DeleteNothing like being able to rely on an appliance, instead of always worrying about it. I hope your new fridge chills and freezes reliably for many years, Margo.
DeleteAnd fingers crossed that your sister continues getting stronger--and is not a hazard to herself or the rest of the populace on the roads with her!
I’m so glad your sister is out of hospital and hopefully able to enjoy life again
DeleteWow, Margo, you've had quite the year. You've certainly earned your libation or two. Keep us in the loop on your monarch watch!
DeleteThank you for sharing your vacation and lovely photos. It all sounds wonderful. I have no travel plans--just hope to get out for a few good hikes and maybe go to the coast for the day, here in beautiful Oregon.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to Japan to visit our son in 46 days. (Not that I'm counting down!) When we started planning the trip, all I cared about was seeing my son after nearly a year and a half. But as I have worked on the planning, I have become increasingly excited about visiting this fascinating country, too. We will spend the first few days in the small town where he lives, then travel together for about a week, followed by hubby and me continuing to travel and explore for another week before a final day with our son in Tokyo before we fly home. I am beyond excited!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous trip, Susan! Where in Japan does he live?
DeleteSusan, what a lovely trip to anticipate!
DeleteEdith: He lives in a small town called Numata in the Gunma prefecture, up in the mountains about 100 miles North/Northwest of Tokyo.
DeleteWhat a fabulous trip, Susan. I’d love to visit the Japanese countryside. I’ve only been around Tokyo
DeleteHave a great visit, Susan! Excited for you!
DeleteRhys, your vacation looks and sounds lovely! Cornwall is on my list of places I’d love to visit! We had an early 40th anniversary trip in May. London, Edinburgh, and the Loch Lomond area. The weather was perfect -sun every day and temps in the mid 60s. We did all the touristy things (it was my husband’s first time in London, first for both of us in Scotland.). Delicious meals, wonderful walks, whiskey tastings for me, terrific people everywhere. I even survived driving from the train station in Edinburgh out to Loch Lomond and around and back to the airport. Yikes and wow! Now to start playing the lottery so I can go back!
ReplyDeleteRhys, your photos captured your vacation beautifully--thanks for sharing! No vacation away for me this summer--but I'm hoping a new swing is in my immediate future so I can enjoy a lazy summer with good books and cold drinks!
ReplyDeleteA swing sounds perfect
DeleteThe only vacation plans for summer so far are maybe a week in Northern Michigan, but we are still trying to find a time that works with all our schedules. However, we are also planning on a few days in Italy (arguing over which cities to visit), then about 10 days in Greece with that daughter. We already visited the Oregon daughter a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, ritual pre-dinner drinks on the front porch, and lots of reading and a few naps on the newly screened back porch! That's my idea of summer laziness.
Rhys, I've been watching the Chelsea Flower Show on BritBox, and am so envious that you got to go! It looks like quite a treat.
DeleteI didn’t get to the flower show itself. Just the street celebration. We didn’t have a spare day and John wasn’t up to walking
DeleteWe two watched Chelsea. One of us enjoyed it! The street flowers look like they were just as lovely and possibly with less crowding. Lucky you!
DeleteEven if short, still a wonderful trip, Rhys. And great pictures, so thank you since that's the closest I will probably get to such places.
ReplyDeleteRhys, thanks for sharing your pictures. No summer vacation plans for me. I am looking forward to attending Bouchercon in September and New England Crime Bake in November.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Rhys. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Rhys for the lovely photos and details of your trip, how great you could visit family. I'm reminded of our trip to Cornwall and loved the clotted cream, scones, Cornish pasties, our trip to St. Michaels Mount and many other fun adventures. I would love to be in London during the famous flower show! The smells must be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to see the Chelsea Flower Show, Rhys! I suspect it always seems saner and simpler when we're on vacay instead of living our day-to-day lives...
ReplyDeleteAnywhere feels saner and simpler these days!
DeleteRHYS: Beautiful photos. Beautiful family. You are blessed that you got to see John's family AND the Chelsea Flower Show. I would love to see the Chelsea Flower Show.
ReplyDeleteSummer plans include seeing friends, enjoying outdoor events and sampling summer goodies like strawberries and dry farmed tomatoes. No plans to travel out of California this summer.
Diana, what are dry farmed tomatoes? This is the 2nd time, I have heard it spoken about.
DeleteMARGO: Dry farmed tomatoes are seasonal. They usually do not appear at the farmer's market until July or August. They are very yummy. I think the dry farmed refers to a different way of growing these tomatoes?
DeleteRhys ~ It's about that "house"...Oh my...How beautiful is that stonework! Your photos are wonderful and so inviting and I'm glad you and John were able to reunite with family. Our close friends' son, who attended college in England, met and married a young lady born in your hometown of Bath. Christopher happily remained in Bath and he and his wife Emily are raising their family there. Chris is a Gaffer who has done much of the lighting and camerawork on many of the PBS Masterpiece Theatre shows i.e., "Unforgotten" and "Wolf Hall", as well as the long-time medical drama "Casualty". He loves living in England but our friends here in Massachusetts misses him and their grandchildren. Thank goodness for Air Travel and Zoom sessions! :-)
ReplyDeleteNearly every year since 1991 I’ve been going to Chincoteague, Virginia with various members of my extended family. It’s now down to me and my sister and her kids. We started going there together the year before my sister’s first child was born. ( That “baby” now drives us there. ) Our mom used to come but she died in 1997. Three years ago this month my brother-in-law died suddenly at work. We decided that I shouldn’t go that year because my sister and her two adult kids were still processing their loss.
ReplyDeleteWe love going there for the birdwatching and other wildlife, and of course the famous Chincoteague ponies roam in the refuge there.
I’m not a pony person, but my niece loves seeing them. I love walking around the town of Chincoteague, going up and down the side streets and admiring the way people maintain their gardens. I feel at home there.
DebRo
Chincoteague is on my list of places to visit in the near future, but offseason. Any recommendations as to where to stay? Preferably dog friendly.
DeleteNo plans so far this summer. Husband Frank is here until sometime in August. I think he wants me to return to Texas with him, but with luck I'll be on watering duty for my new flowerbeds that are scheduled for next week. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your photos, Rhys. They brought back lots of memories ❤️ I just booked my husband and I on an ocean cruise to the British Isles in September 2026!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Chelsea Flower Show - my heart be still not to mention that rooftop pool that reminded me of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon! I must put Cornish pasties on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteThis year we absolutely will spend time at the beach with a promise to hubby of targeting every Tuesday, weather permitting.
We will be jumping on a cruise ship in Boston - no airport nonsense - and spending 11 days cruising to seven ports in Canada and then returning to Boston! Somebody else prepares our meals, provides us with fresh towels and optional entertainment. I may get in a few country line dancing classes to keep my blood pumping! Life is good every day above ground!