The Maytrees Newsletter
As we sit here in the new studio on a January afternoon, we remember that it is nearly a year since we first came here on a house-hunting expedition, after the disappointments of the months spent combing south Devon and then east Cornwall in the latter part of 2006.
We still find it difficult to believe that we found a place so suited to our needs and in such a wonderful location. Even better, we have been so fortunate to find ourselves with such excellent neighbours, and living amongst people whose friendliness and easy-going nature make a simple shopping trip in Hayle a pleasure. Ever local health care is so much better than we have been used to – you really seem to matter as an individual.
Of course, as newcomers, we were warned that things might prove different from what we might expect from holiday visits. They were right – it takes a few months to penetrate the artificial and manufactured holiday resort shell that most people know about, and we were delighted to discover the real Cornwall underneath. We were aware that in-comers from 'up-country' can sometimes be resented, but, as we have got to know ‘proper’ Cornish people, it seems that it is a desire of newcomers to change things that is resented. Well, we can reassure our Cornish friends that we don’t want anything to change, thank you. They did lie to us though. We were warned that many summertime visitors fail to cope with the harshness of Cornish winters. As the days grew shorter we became more and more nervous. So far, the temperature has dropped to zero one night at the end of November (the postman complained about it for days). But what we do get of course is gale force winds and lashing rain. The wind doesn’t blow the plant pots over, it blows the plants out of the pots. The rain goes sideways and any thought of an umbrella would be madness. Of course there are plenty of bright days for bracing walks on deserted beaches in between. Would you swap that for days of sub-zero temperatures and blizzards? Or driving on icy roads made filthy by constant gritting? We wouldn’t. The Cornish, unsurprisingly, are all desperate to see some snow, it’s so pretty isn’t it?
Christmas is an old-fashioned and spectacular time of year, with every community trying to outdo each other with their displays of illuminated decorations. You would have to see it to believe it. We started our Christmas celebrations well with the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in Truro Cathedral, but unfortunately on Christmas morning Keith finally succumbed to the cold bug that had affected so many others, so it was a bit of a disappointment after all.
To those of you who trekked down here last year to see us, we enjoyed your visits and hope you will come again soon. It wasn’t the best of summers, but we were very occupied with the project of reclaiming the large and overgrown gardens so we weren’t too tempted into giving up and going to the beach. Early visitors will probably be surprised to see what has been achieved (it’s the ‘Found Gardens of St Erth Praze’ now). The chalet-style cabin is now in place and visits this year should be much more civilised. We couldn’t leave the abandoned lane alone and have cleared it as far as we dare go. Certainly all the facilities are now in place for anybody of the touring van/motorhome/camping persuasion who wants to pay us a call.
The big success was the conversion of a third of the large workshop space into a very pleasant studio for the pursuit of our hobbies. It has turned out a very cosy and airy space with views on three sides, and is where we spend a lot of our quiet winter days (the woodburning stove with free heat often over 30 degrees is part of the attraction). The output of seascapes is quite prolific and Margaret is enjoying her painting with the fellowship of the members of Camborne Society of Arts and Crafts. She has also successfully joined in the life of the village church and the activities of the WI.
Some of you thought that we were moving off the edge of the known world. That hasn’t turned out to be the case. Journeys back up-country by road are amazingly quick and smooth, if you avoid the summer peaks. (The A30 is deserted at night). Local roads are good and not as narrow as in Devon. We have a village station where all the mainline trains to Paddington stop, as well as various cross-country services from the Midlands and the North. Every retail outlet you could want is in the Camborne/Redruth area, and our local town of Hayle is that kind of place that still has plenty of small private shops of all kinds that you can still park in front of. It also now boasts one of only three M&S stores in Cornwall, the furthest west in the UK. Truro (less than 30 minutes away) is a very upmarket shopping city – can’t afford to go there too often, but we regret being an hour away from supercheap Trago Mills!
Most of you will know that last year was also one of great sadness. Two very special ladies, who we were fortunate to have with us during the summer, lost their fight for life. Tragically, Pennie’s cousin Kate who, despite her illness, came to see us with the entire Dixon family in June, died at the end of August . She leaves her husband, Martin, and three-year-old daughter, Charlotte. They have a special place in our hearts and here with us, as do Mary and Michael, her parents.
Keith’s mother, Hilda, despite untreatable melanoma, managed to come to see us in August for three weeks with Keith’s father, George, and enjoyed being with us. Sadly, she died suddenly on the morning of 10th December at home in Kent. She had a full and rewarding life and was spared much suffering at the end, but her loss is felt sharply. She wanted everyone to ‘keep their pecker up" and that is what we are going to do.
These two ladies, although of very different ages and backgrounds, had some things in common. They both bore their awful illnesses with immense courage and without complaint, and kept their dignity to the end. God bless both of them.
And now we look forward to better times in the year ahead of us. Keith is insistent that he’s getting a wetsuit and surfboard, so he must be expecting a hotter summer. We hope that Keith’s dad, George, will want to spend some time with us when the days get a little longer, so that we can help him come to terms with his loss. The rest of you know where we are and we hope you can find your way here during the year. Don’t leave it too long!
Our best wishes for 2008 to everyone.