White Horses and Sunbeams

By Cathy Mayes

So much is lost when our parents or other close family members pass away. So many memories no longer available to us and so this is my gift to my children and my grandchildren, some memories of people, places and adventures we have had together.

For anyone visiting Cornwall and other places of natural beauty, there are so many adventures to be had and wonderful memories to be made. Go and make your memories together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781528960403

Cathy Mayes

Cathy was brought up in North Cornwall on the family farm. Together she and her sisters had ponies on loan during the winter months and later had horses of their own. They spent many hours galloping across beaches and enjoying the fun of attending Pony Club Camp on Bodmin Moor. Having left school, Cathy trained to teach riding before starting college. During that time, she became groom to the Junior Equestrian Team GB. She enjoys teaching and has supported many people over the years of all ability. She has thoroughly enjoyed helping her grandson, Matt, with his first pony, Pandora.

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About the Author

Cathy was brought up in Cornwall from the age of 10 on the family farm by her mum and dad, with her two sisters. She has always enjoyed the outdoor life and the diversity that Cornwall offers. Her work has revolved around children, young people and families within Health, Education, Children’s Services and the Voluntary Services. She lectured, for many years, on Child Care and Education before taking up a role within Learning and Development for Cornwall Council. Having retired, Cathy is now able to spend more time with her family and grandchildren, enjoying some of the activities that she enjoyed as a child and sharing some of those special places and adventures described in White Horses and Sunbeams.

Copyright Information

Copyright © Cathy Mayes (2019)

The right of Cathy Mayes to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528913249 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528913256 (Kindle e-book)

ISBN 9781528960403 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2019)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Dedication

This book is dedicated to family and friends who have, together, helped in creating wonderful memories. Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

To those who have been ‘critical friends’, giving feedback and encouragement, namely: Rosy Grant and Anne Clover, the latter who sadly will never see the finished product.

To my husband, Ian, who has encouraged and supported me through word blindness, and has given hints and tips throughout. To Jannine Neale, who has captured the essence of the story in her illustrations.

Foreword

So much is lost when our parents or other close family members pass away. So many memories no longer available to us and so this is my gift to my children and my grandchildren, some memories of people, places and adventures we have had together.

Introduction

This story is about four generations of my family, it is about special places, lifestyle and outings that we have enjoyed together. The first generation being my parents, second my two sisters and me, third generation being my three children: Elaine, Philip and John and fourth generation my grandchildren: Beth, Dan, Matt and Freddie. Most of the events described have happened, though perhaps not always in the order in which they are told in this story; some are still likely to happen. All have been great fun. I feel so lucky that my children and my grandchildren live close by, enabling me to be fully involved in their lives. We do not live in each other’s pockets but still we are very close.

Cornwall has so many resources to use, visit and enjoy, I feel privileged to live in such a beautiful county. Our lives are not perfect; we have, like most families, had our ups and downs: illness, separation, divorce, grief, loss and sadness. With our support, commitment, sense of humour and love for each other, we have drawn strength. Our family outings, events, opportunities and time together have given us strength to cope with some of the more difficult times and enabled us to relax and enjoy the simple things in life.

We have moved to new houses more than I had ever planned. I had always hoped and dreamed of a lifetime home for my children, as I had, but it was not to be. In each house, however, I have done my best to make a home and the places, special people and surroundings have not changed significantly, they have always been there for us all. Dogs, cats, even chickens have moved in with us and have been an extension of our family.

My parents travelled the world with my sisters and me. My children and now my grandchildren have and are exploring the cultures and delights of faraway places. I suspect that wherever they may travel, they will return to Cornwall, their birthplace, their love. My travels with Dad, Mum and sisters as a child are worthy of another story and so I will leave it there for now.

As a family we have embraced the resources that are on our doorstep: the sea, the beaches, woodlands, moorland, the great expanse of space, and the simplicity that Cornwall has to offer. Home is not only the house that you live in. Home is where you live, where your family and friends are, and most definitely, where your heart is. And mine is here, in Cornwall, North Cornwall.

Chapter 1: Waves End

Waves End is one of the few original bungalows left in the seaside, surfing village of Polzeath. It was built as a holiday home and it nestles at the head of Polzeath beach among the marram grass, a sandy garden surrounded by Cornish stone walls. At varying times of the year, poppies, bluebells, wild garlic and agapanthus, the latter brought over from the Isles of Scilly, bloom. Along the banks the pink sea thrift is establishing itself and a pretty, gorse-like flower grows in the grass alongside other wild flowers.

The vista is ever-changing with time and tide. The view of the sea reflects in the huge picture window, we really are that close to the sea. The headlands of Pentire and Trevose frame the sea and between which lies the Camel Estuary that flows between Greenaway and Padstow towards the Doom Bar. There is a history of wrecks and smuggling along this rugged coast, and even in my time, ships have perished, a tall ship being one that sailed around The Rumps and foundered off Pentire with inevitable losses. Dolphins, basking sharks and seals along with the illusive puffin, if you are lucky, can be seen on this coast and particularly between the small, uninhabited islands of Puffin and Newland.

As I write this, there is a frenzy of wildlife buzzing, cheeping and screeching around me and very soon, next week in fact, this frenzy of wildlife chatter will be joined by the chatter and laughter of families arriving for their annual seaside holiday. Let the bustle begin!

Let me tell you a little about Waves End. It is rented by a continuation of returning customers and friends from early March until the end of October, and even then, the season continues to extend to the Christmas holidays and the February half-term. Our only chance to stay here is during the odd week that is not booked, precious times for me and my family. The bungalow is furnished in keeping with its age; it was built in 1927, comfortable and family-orientated. There are large ‘Narnia type’ wardrobes in two of the bedrooms, which evoke thoughts of adventure and mystery, although mostly they seem to become the storeroom for midnight feasts! Children particularly like the big, front bedroom as it has three beds and it is fun to share both the space and the sense of excitement and adventure, as well as the stories shared with each other at night whilst listening to the sea outside.