Back in 2020 / 2021 I really fell back in love with Cornwall, before that I thought I was over living here, it felt too remote (it still does at times), and I was yearning for city life. Being unable to leave the county for so long made us appreciate what we have right on our doorstep. We made the most of Cornwall being quiet (again) by exploring the local area and getting out walking. I noticed throughout 2021/2022 that I was going out less and less, to a point where I was avoiding leaving the house. So I made a pact with myself that, even if it was just a short walk around my neighbourhood, that I would try to get out as often as I could. Not setting any set rules or even committing to going out daily, just that I would try very hard to leave the house as regularly as I could.
Photography gave me that reason to go out, I had forgotten how much I loved taking pictures, and being stuck at home had taken away the joy for me, but on my walks I started to take my camera with me, and it worked, I stayed out longer than I thought I would, and I began to appreciate my local area.
The photos in this post were taken on my journey to better mental health. Although as I write this in my mental health is not 100%, and I still find it hard some days to leave the house, but I know that I’m not alone in feeling like that. My camera is still my creative outlet, and I need to remember just to do my best and when the world starts to feel too busy those are the moments that I need to remember to slow down and not take in all the negative noise.
Some things that make me happy are, the Flamingo ice cream van at the top of Fistral beach in Newquay which has the best vegan raspberry ripple! I can’t resist, it is well worth a visit if you’re ever in the neighbourhood. Oh, & Sprout Health Food Shop has the cutest courtyard where you can have a coffee, and they serve amazing Vegan food. It is such a peaceful space, and it feels like you’re on the Amalfi Coast not Newquay.
I do pop up to Manchester to see family, It’s nice to have an excuse to leave the county and enjoy one of my favourite cities. We always try to visit a couple of times a year, we always squeeze in a trip in August, as we got married in Manchester 17 years ago (and lived there for many years). We love visiting all our favourite places and seeing how the city has changed in the last 20+ years.
It is a place that always gets my creative juices flowing, and I leave feeling energised and full of ideas. Although the drive up from Cornwall can be a trek, it is always well worth braving the M5/M6! Especially knowing that my favourite tea shop, Bird and Blend is there, as well as Fig & Sparrow ( the best Matcha Latte in Manchester!). I soak up all the hustle and bustle, visit every coffee shop, museum, and bar that I have time for. Then by the time I leave to head back to the quietness of Cornwall, I am ready for the peace and quiet (and a beach). Best of both worlds .
I think it is impossible to take a bad photo of Cornwall, its landscapes, pretty towns and villages and stunning coastline make for an endless subject. I never get bored with taking pictures of the same cottages, beaches, and coffee shops. But there is nothing like not being able to go further than your local area for discovering hidden gems that you might have overlooked before. Even after living here for 10 years, there are still so many places on my list that I have not visited yet, and this Summer I fully intend to tick some off. Cornwall has so many secret spots to swim, and also river swimming is popular, and I want to do more of both this year.
If you have any recommendations of things to do in Cornwall that are a little different or not to be missed. I would love to hear them.
Gorran Haven is just a few miles around the coast from where I live and very close to the neighbouring harbour town of Mevagissey. Gorran Haven is much more sleepy, quaint and unspoilt than many other small coastal villages in Cornwall. I did visit during the Winter, which meant it was very peaceful. The car park is great, you can’t miss it & from there you just walk down the hill to the sea. Gorran Haven was a very busy and important fishing port from the 12th century right up until the 19th century. It was known for its pilchards, crabs and lobsters, but now the harbour has very few commercial fisherman and more holidaymakers.
