Dollie Takes Charge

There can be few more satisfying books to find in a holiday cottage than Dollie Takes Charge. It has been our constant companion for many weeks of summer jollity and I was pleased to find that she is still serving her original useful purpose when I visited today. They tell us that a novel should be judged by its ability to grab you from the first moment and there can be few greater openings than this:

"I wonder?" Dollie said.
 And as she said it, all her dimples showed.
There was no one to look at her, as she sat bunched in what she called "the window box" of her own private den beneath the gable. If there had been, they would most likely have guessed Dollie as "sixteen - a rather young sixteen." She wore an old grey ulster, into which she had slipped for warmth; the day was mid-December, and though her "den" possessed a stove, Dollie was spairing in her use of it. Over her shoulder fell a glorious rope of plaited golden hair, which she was wont to "let down for a rest," at times of safe seclusion like the present.

With what style Queenie Scott Hopper introduces us to her heroine; with what economy of phrasing; with what idosynchratic punctuation: one is left to wonder what the Booker judges would make of such prose if they were faced with it today. Truly a masterpiece. Eat your heart out Charles Dickens.

Prussia Cove

Another walk on the cliff top: this time at Prussia Cove on a bitterly cold Sunday morning when snow was lying in the fields on the way to Helston and icicles hung off the cliff face.

But we had a warm welcome and lunch from the tenants of Seaview after a short visit to the Victoria in Perranuthnoe.

Autumn walks

Autumn is a time for taking walks at weekends, when it is not raining that is. In almost successive weekends we have 'done' Gurnard's Head, Carn Brae and finally St Agnes Head. Each was bracing - no need for the old adage about not having it a degree warmer - and thankfully free of holidaymakers or, indeed, of other people.

It was hard to beat today's walk: a trip to Homebase, a walk along a stunning cliff path, a pub and a quick visit to Sainsbury's on the way home.

Click here for the Autumn photo album

Parental inspection

It was very good to see the most senior members of the family this weekend and to reminisce about life in the Mediterranean. They looked hale and hearty and were keen to accompany me on a walk around the town. 

Edinburgh clan gathering

A gathering in Edinburgh to celebrate 'Uncle Patrick's' important birthday brings nineteen of the Roberts/Tyler relations together for a ceilidh with half the Gordon clan.

Here is our team (minus two who were too young to attend). The instructions were to wear 'sparkly' and guess who won hands-down for his e-bay shirt.

Edinburgh never disappoints. More photos here - ignore the first 25 if you just want the party pictures.