1000 km Later

Well, we’ve made it as far as Penryn, having travelled about 1000 km thus far. We drove from Amsterdam to Calais (via Bruges) on the first day, then made the tunnel crossing to Folkestone the next morning and continued on to Henley-on-Thames.

Our one day with Lucy and her daughter, Lottie, was rendered more eventful than expected when Lucy accidentally locked us all out of her house. It would take a good five hours and eventually the help of a locksmith before we made it back into the house.

The visit was a lot of fun, however. The next morning, we walked into Henley where preparations for the famous regatta were in full swing. The town was bustling and the weather was beautiful.

After lunch and saying our goodbyes, we headed out in the car to Reading, where we joined the M4 and began on the long drive to Cornwall. Lucas’s crying forced us to stop multiple times in quick succession early in the journey, but after filling up with petrol somewhere near Swindon, Sarah boobed him back to sleep; a state he miraculously remained in for the remainder of the drive.

We had expected to have to break the journey into a couple of legs, with the second one coming after dinner, but Lucas’s long sleep meant that we were able to arrive at Fenella and Tim’s house at 19:00; after a little over four hours on the road. Once the M5 ends at Exeter, there’s now dual carriageway pretty much all the way down to Truro, which drastically reduces the driving time. I couldn’t believe how quickly we made it down to this neck of the woods.

Today’s been an easy day. We visited Cameron and Willow’s school and even attended a school play performance of the Pirates of Penzance; although I had to leave early with Eloïse when she’d had enough. We played in the playground instead.

Prior to going to the school play, we spent some time in Truro, stopping to enjoy a traditional Cornish pasty and make the obligatory detour to Marks & Spencer for Sarah.

It’s always very strange to return to Cornwall, due in no small part to the infrequency with which I do so. Every time I come back, I’m surprised by the things that have changed, but equally surprised by the things that have remained the same. The streets seem to grow narrower with each passing visit, but in reality, only my perception of them has changed.

This is my first visit since 2001, but I left Cornwall in 1986, when I was just 19. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then. Last time I was in Cornwall, I had no children and wasn’t married. In fact, it was on that same trip that Sarah and I got engaged.

Part of me is inextricably linked with this place, albeit it in a different era; a time so far removed, it feels like a previous life, not even my own. Something deep within me is stirring while I’m here, but it’s exceedingly difficult to give it a voice.

We haven’t planned our next move yet and are content to just stay here and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and good company. Eloïse is really enjoying spending time with her cousins and even Lucas seems more relaxed than usual, which is really saying something.

Fenella and Tim, don’t worry if you’re reading this: We will leave eventually.