Cotehele Quay

By the slip way

River Tamar

Steve had another early walk with Lottie and again he failed to follow the footpath and did not find the woods, but assured me that he had got closer.

As it was not far to Cotehele we had another leisurely breakfast. The sunny views this morning were excellent and from the kitchen window we can see the Cheesewring and Caradon hill either side of Minions.

The Mill Wheel

It took just under 30 minutes to get to Cotehele Quay and we arrived before Chelle. While waiting for Chelle we looked around the Quay. Lottie went down the slip way to have a dip in the River Tamar. We went back to the car park as Chelle arrived.

Front of Cotehele Mill

Next to the car park was a small play area which the girls used while Chelle got the younger two ready, as well their lunch.  Once we were all ready we walked to Cotehele Mill, which took about 20 minutes. It was a lovely walk, following a tributary to the Tamar.  We spent quite a bit of time looking around the Mill, as the children enjoyed completing a questionnaire about the mill.  

inside Cotehele Mill

Lottie had to stay on her lead and enjoyed sniffing around the outside of the buildings.  She only got noisy when we split up. I took her to a different part of the mill until Steve had seen inside and then we swapped over. At one point I walked back to the entrance to the mill and had a chat with one of the volunteers who made a fuss of Lottie.

Lottie waiting for our Mill explorers

 On the way back Lottie paddled in the stream, as it was a sunny hot day.  Back at the Quay we had a picnic. Lottie laid down and watched the world around her while we had lunch. After lunch she had another dip in the Tamar and found that the tide had gone out and she was down on the mud, which was thankfully solid.

Once everyone had finished eating we had a look around the activity centre and lime kilns. 

Lottie exploring

Then we all had a look around the Tamar sailing barge Shamrock.  We found out chatting to Carolyn, owner of the cottage, that visitors have not been allowed to board the Shamrock previously, so this must be something new NT are doing.  Anyway the girls and Asher enjoyed ½ hour or more playing around below and above deck. Obviously Lottie was not allowed onboard. There was only a limited time visitors were allowed onboard and it appeared to coincide with low tide. Again Lottie was very good waiting around while the children enjoyed playing on shamrock.  By the time we called them off it was time for Chelle to round them up and take them home, as it was mid afternoon and she had at least an hour’s drive back home.

Activity centre and Shamrock

On our way back to the cottage we went up Kit Hill to the car park at the summit and had a good walk around taking in the views and having a long chat with some local dog walkers. Kit Hill Country Park is a world Heritage Site and the highest point around Callington. There are earthworks and a brick pinnacle on the summit. Lottie enjoyed a run off the lead and meeting the other dogs. From the summit there are 360° views around Cornwall and Devon.  With a clear sunny afternoon these views were super.

The Shamrock

We eventually got back to the cottage.  Lottie had her dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening.  We had a cold platter for dinner finishing off the food we bought down with us and then sat back and watched telly.

As Steve found it relaxing at the cottage we decided to do some shopping and have our dinners there, rather than spending each evening at our daughter’s.  He could eat when he wanted and it released Chelle from having think about feeding us each evening.