Cornwall, Recipes, Stories, Places to visit, Food and Drink, History, Photography,
Dont forget the Flora Dance is tomorrow, 8th May in Helston Cornwall. One of the oldest pre-Christian Spring rituals still practiced today.
This is a great bit of footage of the dance shot in 8mm and 16mm.
A more modern day film can be seen here however the tradition is exactly the same.
Find out more about the Flora dance by clicking here
Now the holidays are well underway and more and more people are travelling down the A30 for their holiday in Cornwall I though I should post some suggestions on places to visit. For those looking for something to do and a great National Trust Property to visit then I would recommend the grand house of Cotehele near Saltash overlooking the Tamar Valley. Originating from the 1300′s Cotehele was the home of the Edgcumbe family with Sir Richard Edgcumbe being responsible for the main parts of the building we see here today. Its a stunning house to explore on a dull day and has beautiful gardens to enjoy in finer weather. My pictures were taken in March last year so do not do the grounds justice, however check out the National Trust Website here to find out more about this lovely house, how to get there and admission.
One of the UKs most least altered Tudor houses
Details of the main hall and armoury
Details from the chapel at Cotehele
Kitchen utensils in fireplace
Signs of Spring and Signs of Autumn
Top Pic – Dad, Never happier than when he is in a shed….
Bottom Pic – Magnolia in bud
The quayside and relics of days gone by…
With 101 ‘likes’ in the first six months, over 6000 hits I would like to thank everyone for following My Saffron Bun. My followers are now 123 people and rising so please keep spreading the special recipe of My Saffron Bun to your friends and family. Thank You!
I have been having a look at a few pictures taken from a recent trip to Falmouth and see that once again I have several pictures of the coast! What’s lovely about them is the way the different colours conjure up different moods of the sea.
View of Pendennis headland from the St Mawes ferry
Red sky at night, photographers delight!
Sunset From Pendennis Point, Falmouth
Finally, not a picture postcard photograph but one of my favourites reminding me of some of my photography heroes such as Joel Meyerowitz and his images taken around Cape Cod and also the work of American legend William Eggleston for his excellent use of colour within his photographs. Anyhow, here is my effort of the glamorously named Gasworks car park, Falmouth.
A misty Gasworks car park, Falmouth
Today I would like to introduce to you Catherine Lucktaylor, an artist who relocated to Cornwall 3 years ago. Here is her story…
I have been a practicing artist for over 20 years and three years ago I took the plunge and relocated to Cornwall. I now live in West Cornwall surrounded by the sea, ancient stone circles and sacred wells.
My love of Cornwall began about 12 years ago when I put my bicycle and camping gear on the train and headed to Penzance. I spent a week exploring West Penwith and fell in love with the wildness of the land, the beautiful turquoise sea and stunning cliffs. The people I met were very friendly, helpful and welcoming. I particularly loved the Mermaid of Zennor, which is a beautiful carving of a mermaid on a pew in the church at Zennor. I created a mixed media piece inspired by the carving and have been making mermaids ever since.
My creations include beautiful and sensuous ceramic sculptures, pots and jewellery. I take inspiration from the ancient myths and legends of Cornwall which I blend with the sacred art and earth based spirituality of my West African heritage. My elegant sculptures and ceramics are designed to create an aura of magic and ethereal beauty to enhance any home or garden.
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I always hand build my sculptures, pots and jewellery individually, so each piece is unique. I have recently been making raku fired ceramics. Raku is an ancient Japanese technique which has been adapted to modern times. The pieces are fired to around 900 degrees centigrade in a specially made gas fired kiln. They are removed from the kiln when they are red hot and plunged into sawdust. This dramatic process gives the beautiful effects unique to raku. The thermal shock causes the glaze to craze and enables the smoke to penetrate the clay body.
I am especially pleased with my latest ‘rock pool bowls’ and ‘landscape pots’ and I am currently working on a private commission for a mermaid garden sculpture.
To see more of Catherine’s magical artwork visit www.catherinelucktaylor.com
People are up in arms on the south side of the Tamar as those in charge of the country namely the The Chancellor of the Exchequer in his 2012 Budget has announced that VAT will be added to hot food. This means the Cornish Pasty will incur an additional 20% VAT to its price. This increase will dramatically damage the Cornish economy and could potentially damage employment in Cornwall too.
Boo… Mr Osborne, surely Mr Cameron is not happy with this decision for all the holidays he has in the county! Another 40p on top of a £2 pasty, whatever next? 5p if you want it in a bag!
The pasty is a staple diet for the Cornish and a popular attraction for visitors. Pasties are expensive enough as they are without putting the cost of them up.
Well, followers of My Saffron Bun please have your say and sign the e-petition on the HM Government website here.
Mother's pasties - you will not be putting VAT on these beauties Mr Osborne!
After much debate created with a previous post about scones and what should be on top I though it was about time we had a little survey.
Don't let this tasty little treat influence your decision...
So please spread the word and lets get as many votes as possible on this matter and clear it up once and for all!
The Cornish would put jam on first then cream whilst some of those from over the Tamar would put the cream on first and then jam. Why I will never know as the jam would slip off the cream on a hot day but lets get you the audience to decide on this one.
So….
Ok, let’s get this blog a bit interactive with a bit of audience participation!
Whether you live in the county as several of my followers do, holiday down there or like myself are Cornish and live outside of the county – this post is for you! Do you have a fond memory of Cornwall, from your childhood or maybe more recently? It could be something life changing or something silly but when you think of it makes you feel great and gets the Kernow blood pumping though your veins.
So, please send them in, with a photo if you like and I will post them on My Saffron Bun. If you wish to remain anonymous that’s fine, just let me know.
Please send your fond memories to mysaffronbun@gmail.com
Go on – you know you want to! Thanks 
Here’s my effort…
Who said men can't multi task?
This is a photo of Becky and I on a bicycle made for two (mainly pedaled by one!) on the Camel Trail, Padstow. We always go from Wadebridge to Padstow and hire bikes from Bridge Bike Hire who are good chaps and always supply decent bikes, well ones that will get you to Padstow and back. The scenery is stunning all the way and its an easy 7 miles each way although it doesn’t feel that far, well maybe on the way back!
When we get to Padstow its got to be Rick Steins Fish and Chips for lunch, eat in or on the quay. If it’s a nice day I’d do the quay option, you will be served quicker and the views are better!
Have a great weekend, whatever you get up to?
Turning Leaf Ring
Riptide Studs
Turning Leaf Earrings
Riptide Bracelet
Turning Leaf Bangle
Double Drops Pendant
” I take all my photos on the beach which is just at the end of the lane where I live and couldn’t wish for a better photography studio”. All images © Marsha Drew
If you are visiting Rock, Polzeath and the North Cornwall coast then you must pop into The Winter Gallery at Polzeath to see Marsha’s work and other Cornish artists work.
