Monday, July 5, 2010

Birthday weekend

Phew! I have had a lovely whirlwind weekend. It was my birthday on Friday and I got some lovely cards and gifts in the post, so my day started well.


My lovely friend Sara, who we call Sparkly and if you met her you would agree, sent me these sweet little gifts. We do not see each other much and never talk on the phone we just write to each other and she is very dear to my heart.
Well I stayed in and baked a chocolate cheesecake for my party while Ian took Midge to the beach to tire her out. Then a quick lunch and we set off to Lanhydrock House for my birthday outing. We had been before but only walked around the grounds and not gone into the garden or the house. It was a real treat and if you are ever down here you really must go. I will let most of the pics speak for themselves........



Oooh the smell, wish computers had scratch and sniff!

Inside the house, well I could have posted lots more of the 146 photos I took but had to just select a few of my faves!


Kitchen, I should say kitchen's as there are many for all the different jobs, a bakery, a dairy, one for preparing veg, one for cheese storage, a butchers, a pantry, one that had ice for making ices etc all so interesting, I must say that I find the kitchens of big old houses the most fascinating, all those little domestic details.


The nursery, and just look at those little boots, I could have just reached over and picked them up, do you think they would have noticed!

This necklace was part of a costume worn by the lady of the house to a New Years party in 1900, and just how contemporary is that?!

In a little room upstairs dustpans at the ready.

I would love a little curiosity table like this.




This little thatched cottage is in the garden and is like a little fairies house,its been a summer house, a garden shed and a tea rooms since the last inhabitant died in the late 1800s, I wish it was in my garden.


A lovely afternoon and we did not leave till about six and it was quiet by then and we had the place almost to ourselves, I pretended in my head that it was all mine!

On Saturday I spent most of the day happily baking in the kitchen preparing for a little birthday tea it was just to be with my closest Cornish girlfriends (Yes I know there's a man but Ian did need some company!) . We had eaten and cleared away all the savouries by now and were just preparing to eat cake. The fat one in the middle with the light blue top is me.
Scrummy cake and more pressies to open! (My chocolate cake is becoming more well known than me!)

And while having my birthday tea Sue told us of a garden she had been to that day called Trevoole Farm who were doing the open garden scheme for charity, she could not get over how amazing it was, every thing was vintage, well we needed no persuading and on Sunday me, Ian and Christine drove to have a look. We were not disappointed!!!!!! Oh My God it was AMAZING (with a capital everything!) from the darling little cat who greeted us (would not fit in my bag!) to the vintage tea shop in a wooden, almost cricket pavilion, in the garden. Just feast your eyes on some of the yummyness and if you want more go over to Christine's blog, she has posted loads of photos which is good as it meant I didnt have to!


The potting shed

Cute old camper

Tables all over all with vintage fabric

A vase of flowers having an 'Amelie' moment while no-one was looking, except me!

Inside the potting shed.

That cat again, comfy on some no doubt precious seedlings.

You can rent a couple of the little cottages to stay in and they are decorated like you would not believe. Not sure if we were supposed to but we snuck in and nosed around.

I need a cupboard like this, NOW!

A girl can never have too much fabric.

In one of the many little gardens there is a shepherds hut done up as a little guest room. Smelt divine with all the lavender.

Even the chickens and ducks get a bit of vintage fabric.



Do go over to Christines blog, I have just realised a bunch of the photos I loaded have disappeared and the tea shop interior is missing and you must see that. And the vintage shop at the end of it all was the icing on the cake, of course I made a few purchases!
In all I have had a really brilliant birthday that seems to have lasted for three days, precious time with my darling husband, a great evening with some great friends, thank you all so much for making it special and the beautiful gifts and to top it all off a visit to vintage garden heaven!

24 comments:

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Happy belated birthday. Your chocolate cake looks amazing. Love both the house you visited for your birthday and the garden scheme one. Just off to see the other pictures.

A Mermaid's Tale said...

I've realised looking at your photos Jane that there were bits of the garden and some buildings that I missed altogether! Oh well... next time. Glad you had a lovely birthday, pleased we were all there to share it with you. Your white chocolate cheesecake with the red berry sauce was divine! And the coleslaw!
Christine x x

hens teeth said...

To be honest Jane, this is more than I can cope with!!!....OMG what a birthday you have had! Good for you. x

BusyLizzie said...

What a wonderful weekend you had! Thank you for sharing those great pix of Lanhydrock House, it really looks fab.. was there a doll house in that nursery???? xx Lizzie

Colette said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day. That is so good. Thank you for sharing you Birthday with us. I am just off to phone my sister to tell her to take my neice to the tea shop if it open as she is down with her Mum for a few days.

Off to read that blog now!!

Colette xx

Colette said...

I hope you don't mind but I posted a link on my blog to both your and Christine's. Thank you for restoring the hope that I may one day move from Dorset to Cornwall. (my dream since I was 18 suffered a set back when I went down with my daughter for a few days - blog explains more)

THANK YOU!!!

Country Cottage Chic said...

What a fabulous birthday weekend Jane! You were thoroughly spoilt!
The house & garden you visited are wonderful!!

Jayne

Diane said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Whay a feast of delights for the eyes!!! We often call at Lanhydrock on our way to St Ives - it is a very beautiful place. xxxxx

Pipany said...

Happy birthday to you! We love Lanhydrock too, especially the grounds around the estate. Must pop back there soon x

Anonymous said...

Oh Jane, who had my three pieces of your divine cakes? I'll soon be there to find out! And you know you'll have to show me Lanhydrock and the farm you visited.
Im really glad you had such a wonderful birthday time.
See you soon.
Love, Gertie

Anonymous said...

Oh Jane, who had my three pieces of your divine cakes? I'll soon be there to find out! You know you'll have to show me Lanhydrock and that wonderful farm.
I'm glad you had such a wonderful birthday time.
See you soon.
Love, Gertie

Anonymous said...

Oh Jane, who had my three pieces of your divine cakes? I'll soon be there to find out! You know you'll have to show me Lanhydrock and that wonderful farm.
I'm glad you had such a wonderful birthday time.
See you soon.
Love, Gertie

noelle said...

A belated Birthday wish to you, looks like you had a lovely time x x

Hen House Studio said...

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures, it's like a mini vacation for me. I have been to the UK twice and loved it....the history, gardens, castles,and mostly because I can communicate with you. I live in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest close to the end of the Oregon Trail, but our history can never compare to yours.

the wild magnolia said...

Absolutely amazing birthday and trip and photographs!

ted and bunny said...

such a lovely treat time- shame we can't have 2 birthdays a year! More pressies, more outings- and MORE CAKE!!

Love the vintage fabric on the chicken houses, didn't let Henny see or she'll be posting about it!

xx

The Little Cloth Rabbit said...

Glad you had such a wonderful Birthday! :)

Lyn said...

Happy belated irthday Jane. What a wonderful day you had and a lovely place to visit.
Love
Lyn
xxx

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Now where do I start..?
Firstly.. many many happy belated Birthday wishes Jane. I can see you had a wonderful time in good company!
Lanhydrock is one of those places my mother and I would talk about visiting for years but never got round to it until the last Homespun Fair when Mr Custard took me there en route home. Calamity struck and we never did get to see the house.. so thwarted once again.
Maybe in August..we'll try again.
I have to say it looks like Jane makes exceedingly good cakes..hope the famous chocolate one makes it to the Homespun Fair. I have my plate ready!
Michele xx

shirley said...

Glad you enjoyed your birthday Jane

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Belated birthday wishes Jane - it's clear that a lot of fun was had by all. Love the pics of Lanhydrock and Trevoole. Bye for now, Lesley

Corinne Phillips said...

Wow - what a fabulous place Trevoole Farm looks - am v jealous! Glad you had a lovely time though! x

A time to dance said...

Oh Jane I wish I had known it was your birthday - I am just coming up for air and catching up...your cake looks wonderful and your trip out beautiful...I would love to go there ...just dreamy...hope you are well..love and big big hugs H

Photography said...

What a wonderful post i really enjoyed it!