A day at Cotehele

Simon, Clare and Jake went home this morning. Before they did, Tom and Jake had one last play together. They played very well with each other very well and as you can see they even have the same mannerisms. Tom tried to copy everything that Jake did - which involved running - not easy when you've only just learnt to run. Matt was in the room when Jake said "I got it", Tom turned around and repeated "got it". I wish I had been there!

I also wasn't present when they had big hugs when Jake left (I had been bullied into getting my hair cut at the local hairdressers). Of course it wasn't caught on film (the best moments never are!) Was good to see that they liked each other. Lets hope it continues.

Once I got back from the hairdressers (with a light head) we headed out to Cotehele - a local National Trust property. It is only about 5 miles from Crapstone as the crow flies, but the Romans never made it to Devon or Cornwall, so it took 15 miles and the best part of an hour down very narrow roads to get there.

It was worth it. The house was very good looking (we didn't get a chance to look inside, but would quite happily go back for an explore). The grounds were amazing. The shrubs were at their best - bursting with colour. We took a walk down a valley to the Tamar River, where there were a collection of buildings and more importantly a tea room (we were quite hungry by then) . Unusually for National Trust the prices were reasonable. We had cheese scones followed by a flapjack. We got 3 scones thinking Matt and I would have 1.5 each. Tom had other ideas. He was in extra hungry mode. He ate the best part of half a scone and a big chunk of flapjack on top of all his lunch I had brought with us. He was eating again for over an hour - where does he put it all?

After lunch he had a run around by the river. He had a great time toddling around and made lots of friends. There was a discovery centre with old fashioned toys and dressing up clothes to play with - Tom did so. I think he looks very cute in his flat cap!

Once everything had been discovered, he went back into his rucksack so his Dad could lug him back up the steep hill to the mill and then the car park (what a hero).

I, once again kept him awake in the car home, so he could have a proper sleep at home whilst we relaxed. Mum and Dad returned home from Plymouth (where they had been helping out the Diabetic Association on a bus), so we all had a play when Tom woke up. We then had a good dinner and all of us were early to bed.