Cornwall Weekend

I'm back from an amazing weekend in Cornwall for my uncle's wedding. In between lots and lots of socialising with family members (some of whom I'd never met, most of whom I haven't seen for at least 5 years), too much drinking, some dancing and a few precious walks on the moors I managed to fit a few noteworthy meals in. Although I don't have photographs of it, the wedding meal deserves a mention here as all of it was unbelievable, and the caterers (Tink Gaskell of Tinkers Catering) did an amazing job. We were treated to half lobsters (I may or may not have eaten two and a half), crab claws and shell-on prawns all served with new potatoes and an avocado salad. My kind of wedding food. And I definitely ate an embarrassing amount of it, what can I say, seafood with fresh lemon is something I really, really like, free seafood with lemon is something I like even more. The catering was fantastic and I was lucky enough to also fit in some (a lot of) canapes including lots of smoked salmon toasts, some pesto, mozzarella and sun-dried tomato crostinis, mini spinach filo pastries and the best sausages I have ever eaten.

The night we arrived we were two hours later than expected which stopped my plans of getting a pasty from the famous Chough Bakery as along with pretty much everything in Padstow it was closed. My parents treated me to a meal I've been wanting to have for ages. Fish and chips at Rick Stein's restaurant. I started with breaded oysters which were so delicious and a perfect texture. I loved that they put Tabasco on the table as it was great with the oysters, and I covered my fish and chips in it! My sister had the tiger prawns and gave me the heads (so good!) and I chose battered haddock for my fish and chips, with mushy peas. It was absolutely lovely and the best fish and chips I've ever had. It was also a huge, huge portion! The ambiance in the restaurant was lovely too, communal seating and we were served by a really friendly, chatty lady. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the Cornish beer, which was flat and a bit tasteless, and the white wine didn't come to the table chilled. The bill came to £76.55 for 5 of us with wine and beer and there was plenty of food we couldn't finish.

 

We stayed in Jamaica Inn which has recently rebuilt one wing and was a great base for our weekend, although the beds aren't comfy, the staff are really friendly and energetic. It was kind of spooky after hearing so many tales of ghosts and strange happenings. The only thing I heard was a tapping at around 1AM on the first night, which was enough to stop me being able to sleep until 3.30AM!

The next day was the day of the wedding, but as it wasn't until the afternoon I embarked on a pasty mission and had one from a bakery at Trago Mills, which I've been to lots and is literally the weirdest shopping experience you can have in England. Mine came from a local bakery who's name I can't remember or find out, who supply the rubbish looking takeaway shop there (called Fit T Bust), and was pretty good but too salty and peppery. The meat was delicious though and the pastry was great. To be honest I think there's just something about having a pasty in Cornwall that makes every single one taste really good. But it seems from online reading I missed a trick by not trying the rendition by Warren's Bakery on the same site. Next time.

We then hung out at my other uncle and aunts house until it was time to go and get ready for the wedding. Their house is right out in the sticks, surrounded by the moors and absolutely beautiful, with so many cool touches like this skull on top of a wall. I wish I'd taken more photographs but plan to be back there in the summer. It was so good to see them and my little cousins who are all incredible. If I ever have children who turn out half similar to them I will be a very proud parent indeed! Also my uncle makes a mean bloody mary, and that's coming from the queen of bloody mary's herself.

Despite being a pretty regular visitor to Cornwall as most of my family live there, I really fell in love with it this time. The wedding was so lovely and I hope the bride and groom have a very happy life together with many more delicious lobster dinners to come!