Kicking Back and Learning How to Relax

Catching up on my TBR pile, fishing for my supper and much more

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The sound of seagulls screeching wakes me every morning, reminding me that I am on a seaside holiday. The noise is incessant and pierces into my thoughts as I slowly fumble my way into conscientiousness after a deep and restful sleep. Salty sea air, the warmth of the sun, and the odd glass of wine or two in the evenings, and I am asleep before ten most nights.

Having been on a roller coaster of working long hours in a busy office and catching up on lots of admin tasks, including tackling the dreaded self-assessment tax form, I am ready for a week away in Cornwall. The small apartment we book most years overlooks the estuary where sailing boats float on the shimmering water, small ferryboats, fishing boats, and paddle boarders mill lazily around, and the lush green countryside of the headland beyond dips down into the Fal Estuary. There is a definite holiday vibe as the seagulls relentlessly remind me where we are.

Falmouth is a magical place with an endless supply of great eateries, welcoming pubs and independent shops, including Falmouth Bookseller. We have ventured further afield and visited some stunning National Trust properties, such as Glendurgan and Trellisick, both with shaded woodland walks away from the cloying heat and magnificent views down to Durgan Beach from Glendurgan (below) and the River Fal from Trellisick.

St. Mawes, where the famous Idle Rocks Hotel is nestled in the crook of the harbour, is another beautiful seaside retreat, a short ferry ride away from Falmouth. We booked a fishing trip out of there and luckily chose a day when the sun came out and the sea was flat calm. I haven’t been fishing since I was a child, so for me, it brought back many happy memories. I was surprised and delighted when I caught three fish, two of which we were fortunate enough to enjoy for our evening meal. Fresh mackerel with new potatoes, salad and a glass of chilled white wine. It was the kind of magical day that holidays are made of and one that I will remember for a long time to come.