Christmas in Cornwall: Day Two

First full day in Cornwall and a huge day of walking an exploring ahead of us. After getting suited and booted and eating copious slices of pâté on toast we were all ready to set off on the coastal path to Mousehole.

So when you hear "coastal path", you would assume a nice smooth track suitable for all the oldies who love a good ramble, but this was on a whole new level. For most of the way if we were to step slightly too far to the right we would end up 50meters down in the ferocious waters below. 

So with the adrenaline pumping, with the knowledge that we could be near to death at the next strong wind, we marched on trying not to look down.

Thankfully the Hunter Boots came to my aid in all the rather deep puddles along the treacherous route.

So on these crazy walks, we are kind of open for anything. Blistering winds, torrential rain, but when some fellow walkers warned us of the 'babbling brook' ahead, it was certainly not a full on waterfall that we were expecting. 

We were told that this "brook" was "passable". 

Passable my ass. This was a joke. Each rock more slippery than the next, with the fear that you could be head over heels and zooming down to the sea with the next wrong footing. But after some moaning and cautious footing we all made it across absolutely soaking dry as a bone. 

Our walks are certainly not any form of fashion show. I'm wearing Jack Wills hat & men's gillet, vintage sweater, Zara leggings, Hunter metallic boots & fleece welly socks (boots on sale over on Net-a-Porter click here get over there fast). 

Jesse and Rachael managed to take half of Cornwall with them on their boots. 

Finally made it to Mousehole and we couldn't resist stopping at Pam's Pantry for a good ol'Cornish Cream Tea. Whilst in Cornwall, I take every single opportunity I can to have a cream tea. Scones are seriously the way to my heart and I can never ever have enough clotted cream, like ever (you might already know this if you've read my Betty's Tea Room post - click here).

Full to the brim with scones and tea, we set foot back on the road and headed back to our little Lamorna Cove to get all dolled up and ready for dinner.

The Turk's Head in Penzance was our choice for the evening, and being one of the oldest pubs in the whole of Cornwall, with an underground tunnel leading from the pub straight out to the harbour which pirates used to smuggle their bounty, we couldn't wait to check it out. 

Who doesnt want to eat in the same place that smugglers and pirates once used some 750 years ago?

Ahoy matey!

Moules Mariner

Breadcrumbed garlic mushrooms

Grilled tiger prawns in a chilli butter

6oz Steak Burger

10oz Rump Steak

Trio of  fish in a mussel & tiger prawn sauce

The food was fantastic and with a brilliant warm ambiance throughout the whole pub. The very few people that seem to be in Cornwall, well, all seemed to be in the pub. Whether eating, drinking or just there for the festive tunes, the whole pub was alive. If you're ever planning a trim down to Penzance then be sure to check out The Turks Head to fulfil all your Pirate dreams.

Betty's Tea Rooms

Yesterday, Emma and I headed off to York for a bit of R&R and an escape from the serious heaps of work that we've got on at the moment. For those of you that don't know York, it is a gorgeous little city up in the north of England with some of the oldest history in the whole country, dating all the way back to the year 71 and founded by the good old Romans. Now almost two millennia later, the city oozes its rich heritage providing a vast number of historical attractions including the spectacular York Minster. 

Not quite a historic attraction, but a huge attraction none the less is Betty's Tea Shop, right in the heart of the city centre. If you love cream tea's and a bit of old fashioned decadence then this is the place for you. 

By the time we got there both of us were absolutely famished and couldn't wait to get our hands on some of Betty's buns.

On first entering the tea shop, you feel like you've stepped back in time. Home made cakes, chutneys and cookies were all on offer in what can only be described as an early 20th century style bakery. 

The interior of Betty's flagship York store, was inspired by interior of the Queen Mary ocean liner in 1936, in which Betty's founder Frederick Belmont travelled on, on the ships maiden voyage. 

Sitting down in the rather beautiful upstairs lounge, Emma and I couldn't wait to gorge on some of the delights that Betty's has on offer.

Ta da!

Betty's afternoon tea for two arrived looking absolutely stunning as per.

I am very fussy about the way I eat my scones. I honestly can never ever have enough jam and clotted cream, and after years of trial and error with most of the filling normally oozing out fas soon as I take a bite I really think I have come up with the best solution. 
By eating the scone in two separate halves, you  not only get double the filling, but you loose the worry that the filling will come out when you take a bite.
Am I a genius or what?

And yes, there is a cake tray which was carefully menouvered around the store delivering delicious treats to all whom desired. 

I had to put a little mention in for our wonderful waitress. I don't think I had every come across anyone who was quite as passionate about their job and after 32 years of service, well that is absolute devotion. It was thanks to her that made our Betty's experience so wonderful and I cannot wait to go back again already and pay her a visit.

Following afternoon tea Emma and I wondered around the beautiful streets of York and paid visit to The Shambles which is one of the most famous streets in Britain - it bare's a rather striking resemblance to Diagon Alley does it not?! 

What I'm Wearing: Vintage Fur Gillet, Karl Berdine Cutout Blouse from Net-a-Porter, Topshop Jeans, Kurt Geiger Vera Boots, New Look Spike Necklace & Louis Vuitton Bag.

We had an absolute wonderful day and I strongly recommend a trip to York if you've never been. A bit of history, great shops and the delightful Betty's. Now, what more could you ask for?!