1. May in West Cornwall
If you have a spare day or two, now is the time to be out of the cliffs. The flowers are absolutely fantastic. Perhaps it was the snow and frosts of February that has made this one of the best years for wild flowers for a long time. Whatever it may be, everyone you meet is commenting on their colours, variety and beauty.
The glories of the Cornish Coast
As the clouds blow inland
the sea changes from grey
to green, then blue,
with silver lakes
dappling the crinkled waves.
The soft green of May’s
new grass brightens,
and all the flowers
fringing the cliffs
lift their dancing heads.
Here is the warmth,
the light,
shadows sharp,
colours bright;
the golden gorse,
pink banks of thrift,
bluebells flowing down the cliff;
the glories of the Cornish coast
© David James 2009
On Carn Gloose
Thrift in Priest’s Cove
A sad looking Cape Cornwall stack
Choughs, swallows, ravens and buzzards compete for air-space with the gulls. A basking shark has been seen near the Brisons and sparrows are busily nesting in our eves.
2. Jenny Stephens
Jenny joined the Cook Book Crew when we opened in April 2003 and soon became an integral part of it. She is a wonderful baker and cook and her cakes have been enjoyed by guests from all over the world. It was always a matter of marvel that she could switch from baking to cooking several breakfast without losing track of what she was doing, or ever looking in the slightest phased by the multitude of tasks she was often asked to do.
It was Jenny’s 60th birthday on Friday 8 May and, very sadly for us, she has decided to retire. We had a lovely party for Jenny in the Cook Book that evening, joined by some of the many friends she has made here over the years. They and others who couldn’t be here contributed to a beautiful Dartington Lead Crystal Decanter, four Dartington glasses – and a bottle of gin!
Jenny Stephens’ retirement party
Thank you, Jenny, for all that you have done to help make The Cook Book so successful.
3. The Kyran Fund
As many of you know, Jenny’s grandson, Kyran, was born with severe disabilities. From an early age he has been a regular guest in The Cook Book, and we have become a place that he loves to visit. That may have a little to do with chocolate biscuits, but mostly it is because he is always welcomed with open arms.
When we wrote our book about starting and running this quirky business, ‘An Uncommon Place,’ we decided to donate 10% of the proceeds to The Kyran Fund. On Friday we were able to give Jenny a cheque for £396.95 for Kyran and look forward to being able to continue to raise much-needed funds for him in the future.
4. Family News
For a non-contact sport, netball seems to be remarkably violent. You’d expect broken bones in rugby or boxing, but not netball. Very sadly, that’s what happened in the last game of her season. An opposing player landed on Becca, breaking a bone in her foot. Now that Becca has a plaster cast that she can walk on, she is at least able to continue to work, but it has been a real blow for her and is such bad luck. We wish her a full and speedy recovery.
Four friends of Ellie’s from Brisbane burst in over the Bank Holiday week-end. She had stayed with two of them for a couple of months while she was finding her feet out there, so it was good to be able to return a little of their kindness. We’re looking forward to a longer visit sometime.
One Sunday in April two Australian women walked here from Sennen. They had planned to walk back but had taken longer than anticipated. As there are no buses from St Just to Sennen on a Sunday, Philippa drove them back to their B& B, discovering that they came from Brisbane and knew the gastro pub where Ellie works. These sorts of journeys are not unusual when it’s quiet, as we know how miserable it feels to be stuck and facing a hefty and unexpected taxi bill. It was a lovely surprise to see the two people a few days later, bringing Philippa this beautiful orchid as a way of saying ‘thank you’. They will be dropping in on Ellie soon! She has just had a couple of week’s holiday, exploring more of Australia, including a few days on Fraser Island and at Byron Bay.
An Orchid for Philippa
Maia is now 4 months old and weighs in at 20 lbs! She is such a sunny baby, sleeping and eating well. Jake is busy in his forge, with a steady flow of commissions as well as the blacksmith courses that he runs, while Miranda is developing a small chicken farm in their garden, ably assisted by Olivia and Rowan. Liv has a thriving business delivering fresh eggs to their neighbours at the week-ends, and is turning into a highly skilled seamstress.
It is sad to be so far away from our children and grand-children, but we are rather anchored here in St Just, not only by our little business, but also by other family commitments and responsibilities.
5. New staff
We welcome Sheila Tyler to The Cook Book. She has joined us to replace Jenny and has been working part time for the past month to get used to the place. We look forward to a long and happy association.
6. Art at The Cook Book
The exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints by ‘The Collective,’ a group of artists working in St Just, has now ended. It was the first time this group of artists had exhibited together and they have been delighted by the response. Here is a small taste of what our guests wrote:
“So much rhythm, texture and vibration unites these diverse and amazing paintings. The walls are speaking.”
“Perfect combination – art, books and coffee!”
“Terrific show – such a rich variety, such great artists in St Just (not surprisingly). Do it again, Cook Book!”
8. What the papers say!!!
If you buy this month’s Inside Cornwall, you’ll find it comes with a copy of “Taste of Cornwall” and, on pages 43 & 45 there is an article about tea rooms by Carol Trewin, titled ‘Home from Home’ Carol has included a lovely description of The Cook Book.
She also writes for the Western Morning News and a feature about The Cook Book is expected in a Saturday edition soon.
9. Philippa’s Ark!
Be it an exhausted bumblebee, a plaintive dog or a passing horse, Philippa will be there with honey, cheese or carrot.
This week it was a racing pigeon It appeared at the back door of our home looking hungry and beautiful. A handful of seed bonded her and the pigeon. Armed with the number on its leg, she rang our vet who gave her the number of the British Racing Pigeon Association, who traced it to Penzance.
Pigeon Post!
The pigeon spent the day in a box in our spare room, before being reunited in the evening with its grateful owner, who gave Philippa a lovely bunch of flowers.
Meanwhile, up in The Cook Book, we had been researching pigeon pie…
10. Recipe of the month – Watercress and Goat’s Cheese Tart
….not pigeon pie
Ingredients
Short crust Pastry
Goat’s Cheese
Large bag of watercress
1 onion
Butter
Salt
Method
Blind bake the short crust pastry in a flan tin
Lightly sauté the watercress in butter
Drain and set aside
Chop and sauté the onion in butter until soft
Stir into the watercress
Fill the pastry base with the watercress and onion
Cover with slices of goat’s cheese
Bake at 180°F for about 30 minutes or until golden brown
Delicious warmed up for about 10 – 15 seconds in a microwave or hot oven and served with a green salad
