We arrived in Cornwall in the dark which always leads to a surprise awakening the following morning and we weren’t disappointed – an uninterrupted view of Falmouth harbour and the magnificent sight of the multi-masted schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques from countries around the world in the harbour for the Tall Ships event.
The weekend was not all about the ships however and Falmouth created a carnival atmosphere with stalls, rides and 2 main event stages. The town was buzzing for 3 whole days with all forms of entertainment and was well support by locals and tourists alike. We visited the Tall Ships, watched the most amazing firework display and sampled many of the bands with particular reference to the Abba Tribute band who had everyone up dancing and singing along.
On Friday night we walked past the National Maritime Museum to Pendennis Castle and onwards to Gyllyngvase beach and had a superb array of starters on the terrace at the Gylly Beach Café watching the sun go down over the ocean. We will definitely be returning here again.
We took a trip to Truro on the bus with a plan to return on a boat trip down the River Fal. Enterprise boats offer a regular boat service from Malpas (note to self to pop in to The Heron at Malpas for a pint) to Falmouth with a courtesy bus service from Truro to Malpas. The Fal is a quiet deep backwater perfect for mussel farms and laid up vessels but it is best known for its wildlife and herons are always to be seen on the undeveloped shoreline where the trees come right down to the water. A commentary from the crew is insightful and varies depending on what’s happening around the river – we saw enormous banana boats moored close to the Pandora Inn, King Harry Ferry and Trelissick National Trust property and gardens before come across a Saga Cruise ship, Sapphire, waiting for the firework display in the Carrick Roads.
Being on the water seems to awaken the appetite and a generous chicken curry roti and Ting from Cribbs Café Bar in Killigrew Street certainly satisfied and great value too!
Sunday morning saw the Tall Ships leaving the harbour for the Parade of Sail – a chance to really show the ships at their best with their sails billowing in the not inconsiderable breeze. All too soon they left to race along the coast and onwards to London.
Then it was our chance to get out on the water with a paddleboard lesson. I hadn’t anticipated that I would be standing and paddling so quickly and am looking forward to having another go next time we go to Cornwall. Hope that is sometime soon.
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