Finally the weather is turning a little chillier! Don't get me wrong, I love warmth and sunshine but I look forward to the changing seasons and to pulling on the winter woollies to go on a tramp along the coast. We are all keen at Peppercorn to see the first morning when we can justify lighting the woodburner! To reflect the shortening days our opening hours are now 10am-5pm and from 31st October we will be open from 10am until 4pm. Our menu is changing with the season so expect to see warming stews, curries and soups on our specials board as well as comforting puddings and cakes. Our creamy cinnamon and cardamom infused Dal Makhani has made a comeback, and I keep having visions of a rich beef casserole with crusty bread or buttery mash – must make it!
For all talk of colder weather and more hearty dishes, we have just had the most stunningly warm and sunny weekend at Perranuthnoe. Customers opted to bask in the late sun in our garden and I was thrilled when Karen Wall dropped by with some straight-from-the-sea mackerel and herring which meant that whole grilled herring with gremolata as well as mackerel fillets with chilli jam were on offer on our specials board. Orange blossom and cinnamon meringues proved very popular and our lemongrass and ginger cordial quenched many a thirst.
The best news of the weekend is that Rachel and Simeon Royle now have a lovely daughter, Lily-Rose, to join their two boys. Congratulations to you all! And bravo Simeon for delivering Lily in the Hayle bypass layby on Saturday evening. I kid you not!
More congratulations are due, this time to Becca Buckland on passing her driving test first time and all at Peppercorn would like to wish our very own Amy a happy 21st birthday!
Of course, Jenni is oblivious to all these goings-on as she and Graham are somewhere in the middle of Spain enduring a heatwave and shared hostel dormitories as they undertake the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage. I've had a few wonderful missives from Jenni, some describing the stunning views over the Picos and the marvellous singing of a famous Spanish singer whose name escapes me whilst other messages aren't quite as rosy – Jenni has suffered heatstroke and so has been forced to wear a sunhat. Jenni doesn't suit hats. She sent a photo of her wearing the hat donated to her by another pilgrim. I'm still giggling. Despite hardships, or perhaps because of them, I believe that Jenni and Graham are having a fantastic time and I'm sure she'll write about it on her return.
Lilla had her first morning at nursery last week and loved it! I wobbled a bit as I left her while she turned tail and crawled off to explore the toys and barely noticed my departure!
