Cake is on hold

It's January, the time when sad people everywhere give up cake, and fool themselves that if they join the gym again they will remember to go. If ever there was a time of year when cake was necessary, it is surely January. Even those of us inclined to a glass half full feel a bit gloomy in January (unless you live in Australia in which case substitute July) and a lovely piece of cake would work wonders. But here in Cornwall nearly everything shuts down around about the second week of January.  This week a few places are hanging on, as the New Year Holiday makers are still here for few days, but by next week almost everywhere will be tucked up for the winter.

I shall be out and about in search of, and in praise of , the valiant few who keep their doors open and keep the flag flying for hot chocolate and cake through the very dead of winter.

I'd also just like to point out that although in theory it is the very dead of winter, my geraniums are still blossoming with many fresh flowers coming through, and the first of the daffodils are brightening up the lanes and the fields.

Holiday makers should come to Cornwall all through the year - its mild, and lovely, and last Tuesday I watched a pod of dolphins playing in St. Ives bay.  And if you were all here, the cafes would stay open and I wouldn't be deprived of cake.