TV in guest room

I'm not sure this is even worth blogging about, but there is now a working TV and digibox in one of the guest rooms, the one with private bathroom. We have never had TV's in the rooms, and this has suited most people, there is a TV in the sitting room and it feels good to escape the TV in the bedroom. However, I stopped renting my old(ish) TV and they let me just keep it, so there was a spare one, so, as there was the link to the aerial in room 3, we have set it up in there!

Cornwall Today

Allow me a little brag a moment please! We have been featured in Cornwall Today for May 2009, as one of the '10 Best Veggie Eateries'. OK, so there are not 10 vegetarian restaurants in Cornwall, so they chose a couple of guest houses as well, more to the north and east, as there is a paucity of vegetarian places to eat in these areas. But, it is nice to see Michael House in a list of this sort, do have a look. It is great that they have taken up the cause of vegetariansm, they picked May, as it includes Vegetarian Week, 18th-25th May. We offer evening meals to non residents, but obviously offer priority to our resident guests, but it usually works out fine if people wish to book a meal.

Happy Easter.

Easter weekend and next week

Over the Easter weekend, we do have the odd night available, so it is worth ringing/emailing if you are thinking of coming this way. Later next week, we have availability.

Have a great Easter break.

Where's my ball? Throw it, throw, throw it. Now.

blog by a beer.

how kan a beer do it's own blog, see uther blog www.nessienoracraftexplorer.blogspot.com for my vews on this matta

A new place to fall in love with - The Dizzard


There are still so many new places to discover around this area. Yesterday, Simon and I visited The Dizzard. We have become interested in visiting places with special or ancient trees, and The Dizzard is home to a small woodland of ancient oaks and other trees, near the coast. It is only a few miles beyond Crackington Haven, where one of our very favourite cafes, The Haven, just happens to be!





After a delicious and simple lunch at The Haven, we parked in the hamlet of Dizzard, by a farm. From there, a farm track took us to this field. What a farm track. I sank to nearly the top of my wellies in mud at one point, and we have not had very wet weather recently! The woodlands are to the right of this picture, in the valley.

There were photo opportunities at every step. The trees in the part we visited are several metres tall, but apparently the ones nearer to the sea are far smaller, stunted by the wind and salt. We could not get past a swampy section, which Berri found irresistible, but which the rest of us found impassable.

The fungi and lichen are everywhere, testament to the pure air of the area.

The dogs had almost a better time than we did and are still exhausted after playing constantly whilst we were there.

This is Berri in a very muddy puddle

This is Berri after getting out of the puddle.

We sat on the grass on our way back to the car and listened. Peaceful, the sea in the distnce, chiff-chaffs, rooks, a thrush, blue tits, robins, and skylarks were all recognisable, and other bird song we did not know. I thought I saw a swallow at one point. But, it is very early, maybe I was wrong. A perfect, soft, warm, spring day.

We wended our weary way home, to wash the dogs in the bath, I have never seen them so muddy, and it wasn't just mud either, from the squidgy cow trodden track!

This is a place we hope to visit again and again, at different times of the year, possibly approaching it from the coast path to see a different aspect.

Earth Hour

Don't forget to switch off your lights and electrical equipment this evening at 8.30 for one hour, for Earth Hour. www.earthhour.org

Of course, also do not forget to put your clocks forward one hour tonight...

Coming weekend.

This coming weekend, March 21st and 22nd, we have some availability still. The weather forecast is looking good, why not get yourselves down to Cornwall for a few days! Give me a ring or email if you are intersted.

'During National Vegetarian Week, between Monday 18th May and Sunday 24th May, 2009, Michael House Vegetarian Guest House will be offering a special rate of £150 for two nights, for two people, bed breakfast and evening meals included, in our en-suite rooms, or £125 for our room with private bathroom. This is a saving of over £50.00. This cannot be taken with any other discounts. See the website, www.michael-house.co.uk.'

Today, the weather was just superb. Still, warm and sunny, what could be better for an early spring day?

This little barn thing is at Lerryn, near Lostwithiel.

We still have availability for Easter, so give me a ring or email if you are thinking of coming this way.

Pinky Murphys Cafe, Fowey.

I have to tell you about this cafe. It is wonderful. It is different, quirky, a one off. We visited today when on a visit to Fowey on a wet Tuesday at the beginning of March. It was pleasantly busy, it has comfy chairs, wonderful food, originally presented, great atmosphere, something different to look at in all directions, books to read, puzzles to do, perfect. And great for vegetarians. We had a vegetarian platter. And it was just that. It came on a wooden platter, with a selection of dips and sauces and fresh bread and delicious salad. It was magical. We went back for tea and that was fantastic too, again beautifully presented, I won't say more or it will spoil the surprises if you get there. I think it was well used by local people, always a good sign, but we did not feel like intruders. And it is friendly, arty, there is great music playing, and there is a full size sculpture of a man relaxing outside to see in the summer! I hope to go back, soon!
www.pinkymurphys.com

Half term week.

We have availability for this week, over half term. So, if you are considering coming to Cornwall, give me a ring or email. The weather is settled at present, very still, quite mild. Apparently there is high pressure over the area, the result we are experiencing is that the wood burning stove will not burn properly and lets out clouds of smoke into the room when it is opened. The log stove is situated in our little cottage behind the house, where we sleep, so no danger of guests getting clouds of smoke in their faces!

Naming the guest rooms.

For ages, probably a couple of years, I have been considering naming the guest bedrooms at Michael House. But, choosing names has been fraught with pitfalls, probably mainly of my own imagination! I plan to make felt names to put on the doors and to give far more info and photos on the website, as I am aware how much people like to get an idea of the place they are visiting.

So, the names. Cornish flowers, local to the area, typical. Room three, the room with a private bathroom and views out to the back of the house, is easy. Echium. The room has many echiums swaying around beneath the window. But, even this easy choice went slightly wobbly recently, as I was worried the echiums would all die in the recent cold weather. They seem to have survived, but may be a bit straggly this year.

Then we thought of the lovely wispy shrub so typical of coastal areas, the, erm, er, the, oh no whatever is it called? You know, it's name is like that exotic plant that is used in making a tangy paste for flavouring cooking. We spent ages trying to remember. Tamarisk. That's it. We have planted one in the front garden now, so that we can name a room after it! I couldn't find a suitable photo to post here.

OK, so that is two sorted. For the third, we went through a lot of ideas. Valerian, sounds like a disease, thrift, sounds like the room may be a bit spartan, sea pink, another name for thrift, the room might be a bit pink. The latest idea is hebe. Surely there can be nothing wrong with that? It sounds fun, short, blue, and we have loads of it, it thrives here.

Let me know if you have any suggestions, or can think of any reasons why the ideas I have had are no good!

Have a laugh

if you need a laugh, have a look at my other blog, www.nessienoracraftexplorer.blogspot.com and you can have a giggle at my expense!

CIWF

Of course, I will offer 5% discount to members of Compassion in World Farming as well, this is one of my favourite charities, they do such a lot to further the welfare of farmed animals.

I have decided for 2009 to offer a 5% discount on bed and breakfast to card holders of the following organisations:

Viva, Vegetarian Society, Vegan Society, Animal Aid, Peta, WSPA.

This will not apply with any other special offers, eg the three for two spring and autumn offer. Please show your card when making payment. And no, you cannot get 30% off by belonging to all the organisations! But yes, you can get 15% off by staying for five nights or over and therefore qualifying for the 10% reduction.

Recipes



I plan to occasionally include recipes that have been popular at Michael House here. I will of course acknowledge their source!



chocolate torte.



This is vegan and quite, quite yummy! Very sophisticated, it looks good, and tastes wonderful, and is almost alarmingly simple to make. It has been taken from Rose Elliot's book 'Vegan Feasts', which I use increasingly and recommend highly. My admiration for Rose goes back to her first book, 'Not Just a Load of Old Lentils' which I believe she wrote when she was around 16. My favourite book of hers has to be her 'Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking' , but I wonder if not many of these were printed, as it did not seem to be around for long, and most people have not heard of it. Perhaps the recipes have been printed in other books?



Anyway, on with the torte!:



serves 8 - 10 - I sometimes make half the quantity, and make individual tortes in little tins.



Ingredients:

for the base - 100g, 3 and a half oz. vegan plain chocolate
175g, 6 oz. vegan digestive biscuits - eg Doves Farm

for the top - 200g, 7oz, vegan plain chocolate
250ml soya cream carton
1tbs rum
chocolate curls to decorate

Method:

melt chocolate for the base over pan of simmering water, or in microwave. Break up the biscuits, in a mixer or by bashing in a bag! Add the melted chocolate. Press into the base of a greased tin, approx 21cm or 8 and a half ins. Chill.

Melt the reminder of the chocolate as before. Add the rum and soya cream. Spread over base and chill for at least 3 hours, covered, longer if possible. Decorate as needed. Good dessert to make ahead.

Happy New Year!