This year’s heat wave has brought a twofold new appreciation of both the delicious prospect of visiting Perranuthnoe’s sandy beach to swim and the cool shady depths of the garden.
Lately, we’ve carved out some extra time in the day to make the most of the summer gift of endless blue skies- although constantly carrying watering cans around the courtyard pots in the drought, is another matter!
Life’s a beach?
Well having the sea just at the bottom of the valley has to be a clear perk of living in Cornwall. And it’s never been more so than this year of the endless heatwave, However, I’ve never know the sea to be so warm here!
After a hot sticky day, Perranuthnoe’s sandy beach at the bottom of the valley often beckons with clear blue waters and gently rippling waves.
The late afternoons have been perfect for a swim over the gently shelving sea bed there. Which is something which allows me to probe the depth of water with a toe at intervals, even if the lifeguards are watching!
We usually arrive just as the daytime beach goers are leaving. Occasionally we take our supper, to make the most of this new Mediterranean inspired life! On high days and holidays we might just stop for a drink at the village pub on the way back through the village.
Mediterranean gardening – sunshine versus shadows.
Heatwave gardening
The intense heat this year has brought me to a new appreciation for the for shade in the garden, as well as for the sunshine.
For the Ednovean Farm gardens the major Mediterranean planting of palms have luxuriated in the heat this year, whilst the lawn and tree ferns? Well they’re crisping but they should recover with the autumn rains.
The sunken Courtyard
The dappled shade of the trees above the sunken courtyard, has been given a new rhythm with a parade of white hydrangeas to pace its length.
The hydrangeas had to be rescued from sunnier spots, as their velvety blooms crisped in the heat, regardless of watering them twice a day.
Oh the cool relief to walk through there away from the heat of the day.
The heat baked terraces
The Russian sage is a clear winner this year, lining the baking lower terrace with an intense blue glow, whilst the lavender is surprisingly, looking a little bit more dubious about the conditions. I chose hidcote and munstead – two compact hardy lavenders that normally thrive in the United Kingdom. The unknow variety from a supermarket is intensely aromatic and thriving of course!
Water conservation
Saving water is coming to the top of our agendas as we enter the fifth heatwave of the year.
Ednovean Farm has twin water tanks, each the size of underground rooms, hidden below the surface of what was once the old farmyard.
They were blown out of the rocks with explosives in mining times, and remain to this day filled with clear water. I used the water for years for the horses here and because of the effort involved, I quickly learned not to waste any water. These days a tap is a distinct luxury and a dripping tap has the same effect on me as nails on a blackboard!
Pulling up the water from the underground tanks was an acquired art. There’s a certain flick of the wrist to land the bucket on the surface just so, before it sinks into the depths and fill with water. (Remember to hold onto the rope) It’s a quick and simple way to fill a bucket up, before it’s pulled up hand over hand… Well we haven’t quite got back to that yet quite yet, but we will soon very soon I fear!
Sun dried pastures
The sun dried fields are parched of course and the horses are already eating their winter haylage or picking at the banks and hedges. They normally arrive to the gateway promptly for supper time these days after a busy day of standing head to tail to whisk and fan each other. No camping out overnight for the horses this year.
August vacancies
We’ve unexpectedly got a whole week free at the end of this August.
Our private breakfast rooms stay cool with French doors that open out onto the courtyard’s tinkling fountain.
Can I tempt you to spend some time in Cornwall? Perfect for a visit to the Mediterranean on British shores in this exceptional summer.
Discover more from Ednovean Farm
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
