I get so many messages asking, “Where do you live”?, so I thought the easiest way to reply was through a short blog. As many of my readers know, I write about life events and the challenges of living with an autoimmune disease. I’m also a travel writer and photographer, and whilst I’m not getting paid for this one, yet 😊, it combines both subjects, life and travel, so here goes….
We live in St Agnes, on the North Coast of Cornwall, between Newquay and St Ives. When you leave Devon and see the “Welcome to Cornwall” sign, we’re another 56 miles southwest down the A30. You don’t quite fall off the end of England, but we’re close. We had been holidaying in St Agnes for about 20 years before we finally made the big decision to move here from the Surrey commuter belt.
Following many hard-working years, with long but enjoyable days in the City of London, we decided to embrace the freedom and joy that retirement offers, using the hard-earned savings from our working years to enjoy life to the fullest. I’ve always loved the weather in Cornwall, whatever the season. We are heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream, resulting in a mild, maritime climate with more sunshine and warmer temperatures than other parts of the UK. The Winters are milder than most of the UK, too, but with lots of dramatic storms regularly roaring in from the Atlantic,
It’s not that this was an influencing factor, but St Agnes houses six amazing bars/pubs, one of which was recently voted “best in the UK”—yes, the best pub in the whole of the UK! Two are located in Trevaunance Cove, our magnificent sandy beach nestled below the high cliffs. It’s great for families and surfers alike, with plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide.
Each pub regularly hosts live music, quiz nights, DJs, and even the occasional beer festival. The variety of food is amazing, with a superb array of seafood, including the best fresh lobster available. We also feature a superb Indian restaurant.
Jamie and I love them all, but my favourite is the one that transports you to Hawaii for the night, even in the depths of winter. It exudes a unique charm that’s fun and uplifting, even on a damp day. We also have three breweries, a great butcher, a bakery renowned throughout Cornwall, fresh veg shops, a delightful antique shop and many more. Our fish and chip shop is five-star, and you can’t beat a freshly cooked fish supper to take up to the cliffs and watch the magnificent sunsets. Oh, and a couple of tinnies from the breweries, too 😊.
The first time Jamie and I visited Australia, we loved the café breakfast culture, which we also have here, with one café right on the beach. What can be better than drinking proper coffee while storm-gazing in the Winter, watching the expertise of the surfers riding the waves in Spring and Autumn, or the turquoise glistening waters and white sand in the Summer. Next door to the café is one of the bars serving wine, beer, and excellent pizzas, for all your stunning evening sea views too
Now, you might think that’s all, but it isn’t. Our house is only a few minutes walk from most of the eating and drinking venues I’ve mentioned, but here’s the thing: It’s also a few minutes walk to the top of the breathtaking cliffs, where you can stand and admire the glittering expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, spot dolphins swimming alongside the fishing boats or walk along one of the most magnificent sections of the southwest coastal path.
Whilst we have the sunniest climate in the UK, if you prefer basking in 24/7 sunshine by the pool, Cornwall may not be your ideal destination. You’ll want to pack a summer hoodie, and your Ibiza attire should be swapped out for shorts and flip-flops. My wardrobe is filled with clothes and high-heeled shoes that are now relegated to my weekly dusting routine; that’s the only time they get my attention! If you don’t swim or surf, I suggest avoiding matching dry robes for you and your partner, as they look weird.
If you want to visit in the winter, be prepared, as our ferocious storms don’t receive names or colourful warnings from the Met Office. They are wild and dramatic, making them perfect for my new hobby: photography. I love trying to capture the waves breaking around the rocks in the shallows. The foam crests become chaotic, creating what surfers refer to as “messy” seas.
We’re also steeped in history. St Agnes was recently featured in BBC’s “Villages by the Sea” informing us that ‘St Agnes tin is the finest tin in Cornwall’. The area produced some of the best tin ore in the world, including ‘diamond’ tin, which needed little processing. Our historic mining landscape is included as one of the ten areas of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
People are said to be happiest and healthiest in small, picturesque Mediterranean villages, largely due to their friendly lifestyles and nutritious diets. We believe we have that experience here in Cornwall. Jamie plays league cricket for Gulval, a village team that boasts one of the best views from any wicket in the country. He also plays for Cornwall in the over-60s, and through cricket, we have made many new friends across the county.
Many of our friends are “blown-ins,” like Jamie and I, who have made their home in this magnificent county. Leaving our previous home was a big step, but it’s only a four-hour drive, and most people here regularly make the journey to visit friends and family up-country. We have daily flights from Newquay Airport to London, as well as an excellent train service to the big City! Our house is a 20-minute drive from the airport and only 20 minutes from Truro, Cornwall’s big city, where we enjoy a superb theatre and, more importantly, my new hairdresser. We’re still season ticket holders at Wimbledon, and our trips to visit family somehow always coincide with home games. 😊
Making life-changing decisions is difficult, but you must be brave to embrace retirement and truly enjoy it. Life here is relaxed, and we hope our grandchildren will create wonderful memories during their time in St. Agnes. Two of Cornwall’s biggest summer festivals, Boardmasters and Tunes in the Dunes, are just a bus ride away, and we can see both from our upstairs window. The Skybar transforms the stunning cliffs of St. Agnes into a vibrant pop-up beach club for the bank holiday weekend. I’m sure they will keep us on our toes as they grow older, lying awake waiting for them to get home!
Living-your-best-life 