Several years ago I decided to give up supermarkets for lent, then found it was so convenient I’ve stuck to it ever since. I have never regretted it, although I do allow myself some flexibility on special occasions if there’s something I simply cannot source anywhere else. This rarely happens. The majority of our food […]
Top tips for seeing snowdrops in the Tamar Valley
February is a wonderful time to visit The Tamar Valley. Not only is Cornwall famed for its early camellias, many of which will be in full bloom, but there’s the added attraction of snowdrops. Here are a few suggestions for some of the best places to see them. Formal Gardens Cotehele National Trust property Cotehele has marvellous […]
New Year’s resolutions. Who needs them?
I couldn’t write a new year’s column without making some reference to resolutions. We all tend to make and break them. I resolved not to do new year resolutions a few years ago. However I do still give time for reflection, and think about the person I would like to be. I want to do […]
Solidarity with those risking liberty to save the world
Do you have anything you feel really strongly about? Are there things that worry you about your future, or the future of your children and grandchildren? If so, how far would you go to try and save the situation? Would you risk your liberty? And if so, what would you risk your liberty for? We […]
How do we know what to believe?
Remember when the only place to get news was newspapers, the TV or radio? Now we’re bombarded with news, some true, some half-true and much blatantly un-true. Behind many of these truths and un-truths are an ulterior motive. We have our credibility stretched in order to win votes, or to buy things we don’t need. […]
How to feed early pollinators and grow beautiful flowers
Here at Railholiday we believe strongly in home-grown wherever possible. We’re business members of The Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and try and make our gardens as nature friendly as we can. As part of our welcome pack we always like to decorate our carriages with vases of flowers. If all four are occupied, that’s twelve vases. So […]
How to recharge your inner fire while on holiday
Cornwall is a beautiful place to come on holiday, which is why so many businesses are proud to be green. Here’s a few things you can do while on holiday to help us too. Green Travel If you can, arrive by public transport. This isn’t always feasilble, but once on holiday try to go by […]
When local can’t be purchased, fair trade is best
It’s apple picking season. This time of year is full of reminders of my lovely mother, who, together with Dad, planned and planted our family orchard, and loved harvest time. She would have been eighty last week, so this year is a particularly poignant one. Cornwall is full of small producers. There are organic farms […]
Christmas. Don’t you just love it?
There are some things I love about Christmas, and some I don’t. It’s certainly a season that comes with its fair share of fanfare, and like many festivals has been engulfed by commerce. One thing I do love is the decorations. Each year the box of memories comes out. There’s a little leather camel that […]
It’s harvest time! Learning how to preserve fruit and veg will reap rewards
I love this time of year. It’s blackberry time, and I’ve got an eye on the walnuts, hoping I can harvest them before the squirrels do. Dad’s expertise in the vegetable garden means we are often the lucky recipients of home grown produce. Of course this bonanza doesn’t last. Our ancestors were well aware of this. […]