Last weekend a local stately home - Pencarrow House, held an open day in aid of 'Shelterbox' a local charity which provides international emergency aid in crisis situations. Recently the charity has been stretched to its limits providing help for the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The house was not open to the public but the extensive gardens attracted many visitors, including us.

We had a lovely afternoon and saw........snowdrops......

snowdrops............

snowdrops.............

and even more snowdrops!

And just a few crocus.

The trees are still very bare but the reflections in the lake were quite impressive.

That wretched pixie follows us everywhere!

There are many celtic crosses around Cornwall but they are often in very poor condition. This one is particularly good. Pencarrow House and its 50 acre estate is still a family home to the Molesworth- St Aubyn family whose ancestor John Molesworth became auditor to the Duchy of Cornwall for Elizabeth I. Parts of the house are almost 500 years old.

There were many photo opportunities as we strolled around the grounds. Not sure what this bit of twisted wood is but I liked it!

There is open access to miles of woodland walks .........but we didn't quite manage them all!

The next few photos are from our wanderings around Feock a couple of weeks ago.

The sub-tropical gardens at Trelissick with views over the Fal estuary.

It's that pixie again- seems to like standing under trees!

After the freezing temperatures in early January we have recently enjoyed a couple of lovely sunny weekends and out and about on our wanderings we have spotted signs of spring in Cornwall.

Daffodils in full bloom on the banks of the river Fal.

Having recently joined the National Trust we decided to visit Trelissick gardens which is just the other side of Truro and about 45minutes drive from home. We saw our first snowdrops - not the best of photos but it was not possible to get any closer.

Camellias grow particularly well in Cornwall and Trelissick has many different varieties, all just about to bloom.

The gardens are extensive and reach down onto the Fal river. It's a very sheltered spot and the views are stunning.

This is the former water tower for the manor house but has now been converted into a very unusual house.

Tip-toe through the tulips........well they were daffodils actually!

Trip trap, trip trap over the rickety bridge........ look out for the ugly troll!

No good trying to hide, we can see you!

We wandered around the orchard -Trelissick has many types of traditional Cornish apple trees but we were a few weeks too early to see the blossom.

Im tired....................wait for me!

Can't quite remember how old this tree was but it was hundreds of years......... similar age to the pixie hiding behind it!

Comfy seat for a welcome break!

After recovering with a coffee and huge piece of coffee and walnut cake in the cafe we left Trelissick and drove a short distance along the estuary to Feock which is probably the most most expensive place in Cornwall to buy a house. Most properties have moorings for the yacht at the bottom of the garden!

But we don't have the yacht yet so don't need the mooring!

But it is a stunning place to live -surrounded by water.

We had a walk on the beach and sat in the sunshine watching the boats.

Around every corner there is another stunning view.

We took a different route home via the King Harry ferry. The car ferry shortens the journey home slightly but at £4.50 for a 5 minute trip is rather expensive but we enjoyed the experience and the views along the river were excellent.

Not quite the Pride of Bilbao and we didn't see dolphins, but we did have a lovely day in the sunshine.