by Sarah Jacobs inProperties

Owner’s Tales of Morning Star

Stay in Restronguet
Perched in an elevated position, Morning Star offers breathtaking views over the sparkling sailing waters of the Carrick Roads, and the picturesque Roseland Peninsula. This waterside home is an ideal cottage to stay at in the Restronguet area, within close walking distance to the Pandora Inn and a short drive from nearby attractions.

What makes Morning Star special to you?

 

It’s the peace, the tranquillity, the complete lack of road noise and the views. Being able to sit out in front of the cottage at night in complete silence, just listening to the sounds of nature is just magic for me. I always properly relax when I go to Morning Star. Life slows down and I feel very peaceful. Life is simple.

If you had to describe a stay at Morning Star in three words, or so, what would they be?

Footpath living – there are no cars so you adjust to a slower pace of life.

Relaxing – I always feel completely relaxed when I’m at the cottage.

A retreat – a retreat from normal life as we slow down and hardly use the car.

“My favourite part of the day is sitting out on the footpath at night when there is no-one else around, there is no noise, just the sound of the sea and nature, and it’s just magical.”

Could you share a bit about Morning Star’s history?

Until the late 1990s Morning Star was home to a wonderful man, Frank Cock. Frank lived almost his entire life at Morning Star (from the age of 4 up to his death in 1997). Frank was an oyster fisherman, but he hated oysters. He knew everything there was to know about Restronguet Creek and the Fal. He knew every sandbank and was a skilled sailor who raced regularly in the Falmouth working boat fleet. His working boat was called Morning Star, which unfortunately sank in the creek after a storm. The cottage didn’t have a name in those days and his granddaughter subsequently named the cottage after his boat. Frank was the most wonderful man, who if you asked him the secret to a happy life, he immediately replied “being content with what you’ve got”.  He was extremely sociable and would love the fact that people now come to his cottage and enjoy themselves. He knew he had the best view in the whole world. He was a skilled wood turner and the lounge used to be his work room (his work bench is still in the front garden). He lost his wife quite early on in his life, but he had masses of friends and was often found propping up the locals’ bar in the Pandora where there is still a picture of him. I still walk up the footpath expecting to see him.

What do you appreciate most about the surrounding area?

The lack of cars and road noise is the thing that I appreciate the most. Also the creek, the fact that it’s undeveloped, I feel very connected to the natural world when I am at the cottage.

How do you typically spend your time when staying at Morning Star?

We sleep well. We lead very simple days, basically after breakfast we walk the dog from the cottage. We go out and buy our food for the day, either from Mylor Butcher or Seabourne Fish in Penryn. We cook it and then we do the same all over again the next day! Often we walk to the Pandora Inn (Closed for refurbishment and opening up again soon) for supper and it’s always good. We usually try and go to the Food Barn at Tregew near Flushing on a Saturday morning, it sells wonderful organic veg, bakery goods, meat and fish, and there’s a wonderful coffee van. My favourite part of the day is sitting out on the footpath at night when there is no one else around, there is no noise, just the sound of the sea and nature, and it’s just magical.

Which room or part of the property holds the most meaning for you?

The footpath is the most special place for me, and the little patio area on the footpath. I love sitting there at night, listening to the gentle movement on the creek and in the trees.

I love the kitchen as you can sit at the kitchen table with the wonderful panoramic view of the creek, but my favourite room is the bedroom with the king-size bed as you wake up in the morning and can just lie in bed with the most amazing view straight ahead. All the rooms have lovely creek views, but these are just my favourite rooms.

How would you introduce the local area to someone who’s never been?

I would encourage someone to try and have a simple holiday at Morning Star, exploring the environs on foot and by water. There are lovely walks from the cottage, and also many easily accessible, interesting places, that are within fifteen minutes’ drive.

Explore Inside Morning Star

Are there any must-visit spots nearby that you think guests should explore?

  • The National Trust property Trelissick is only about fifteen mins by car and has a super creekside/woodland walk, with sweeping views down to the estuary, as well as a wonderful arts and craft gallery run by the Cornwall Arts Association, and a great second hand bookshop.
  • Mylor Boat Hire is very good for water sports and it’s easy to hire boats and kayaks (they will also deliver to the cottage).
  • Tregew Food Barn on a Saturday morning for fresh Cornish produce and artisan items.
  • Enys Gardens is renowned for its bluebells.
  • For more things ideas of things to do explore our blog on The Best Things to Do in Restronguet.

Do you have a go-to place to eat or a dish you enjoy cooking at the property?

We regularly buy fish from Seabourne Fish in Penryn, or from Mylor Fishmongers. Our favourite is just simple grilled plaice or sole. Another favourite is Rick Stein’s seafood linguine, with huge prawns and tasty crab meat.

We also love Cornish pasties from Mylor Stores, (they’re baked on the premises and absolutely delicious).

Can you name a few Cornish artists, makers, or shops that you enjoy?

As above, we love the arts and crafts gallery at Trelissick. It is run by the Cornwall Crafts Association to support craft makers and artists resident in Cornwall. It specialises in contemporary design-led craft work, including jewellery. Each craft maker or artist has to go through quite a rigorous selection process and the gallery is a wonderful space to view their work.

My husband and I love art and three of the small pastel pictures in the cottage are by my father, Bernard Penry.

The painting above the fireplace is of Mylor village by a young local artist Sean Hayden and this is a typical work of his in oil. The oil painting above the sofa is of Mylor Yacht Haven by Olivia Pilling.

The oil paintings in the dining room are by Reginald J Lloyd (1926-2020) and are of Mullion Harbour on the Lizard. He lived in Devon and was reportedly a good friend of Henry Moore who encouraged him. He later became friends with Ted Hughes and illustrated some of Hughes’ work. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Explore inside Morning Star

Perched in an elevated position, Morning Star offers breathtaking views over Restronguet Creek, the sparkling sailing waters of the Carrick Roads, and the picturesque Roseland Peninsula. The enchanting seaside garden, large deck, kitchen patio and crow’s nest seating area amongst the trees and birds, means you are never short of somewhere peaceful to escape with your book.

Look inside Morning Star

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