Thursday, 22 May 2014

Captian White's Reward - Top Tips for 2014

Just wanted to share our favourites amongst the many things listed on the Captain White's Reward Blog:


  • Oliver's Restaurant, Falmouth - Look beyond the simple decor.  The food is amazing and matched by some of the friendliest service we've ever encountered
  • Dolly's Tea Room & Wine Bar - Quirky and bags of character.  Wonderful for an afternoon tea (which you can replace the tea with a cheeky cocktail, served out of a tea pot), or to enjoy their amazing Gin List in the evening with a great Tapas selection.  Great live music on weekend nights (mellow guitarist/singer with an eclectic range)
  • The Walk from Flushing to Mylor Harbour - After a lovely, quick ferry ride over from Falmouth to Flushing (the town across the water from Captain White's Reward), you walk to the right around the headland, through beautiful fields and then can relax with a cider and lunch at the restaurant there
  • The Pandora Inn, Restronguet - A great, historic pub (dating back centuries) - good menu and you can always arrange for a water taxi (the ultimate way to travel in Cornwall) - you can walk from Flushing if you fancy an extension to the Mylor Harbour walk
  • The Poly, Falmouth - Great Art Institute.  Always a great free exhibition and look out for their comedy and arthouse film programme
  • Gylly Beach & Cafe, Falmouth - A lovely walking beach, with a good cafe for snacks and lunch
  • Trelissick Garden, Feock - Beautiful National Trust Gardens and views
  • Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell - Stunning gardens and a great walk.  Not easy to find, but well sign posted
  • Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes - A real treat.  Jump on the ferry from Falmouth to St Mawes and the service and cuisine is second to none
  • Picnic, Falmouth - The best Cornish Pasties (Anne's) and lunchtime treats
  • Baker Tom, Falmouth - Beautiful, home baked breads and cakes
  • Hunky Dory Restaurant, Falmouth - A great brasserie.  Lovely Moules Frites
  • The Wheel House Restaurant, Falmouth - Amazing seafood and only sell what they catch that day. The menu is limited, but the simplicity makes this place so special.  Book well in advance - its super popular
  • Constantine Stores - An Aladdin's cave of booze and one of the quirkiest places you will stumble upon in Cornwall
  • Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick Beach - Situated on a small beach, close to Portscatho on the Roseland Peninsula, this is well worth the drive to experience the wonderful food and unique atmosphere.  Check the website for opening times and directions.  Great walking in the area as well.
  • Espressini - A great artesian coffee shop and restaurant. Perfect if you are looking for a more refined brew and some super home made food at breakfast or lunchtime.
All are listed in the Blog with full details and web links.

As we discover more favourites, we'll add to the list

Sunday, 11 May 2014

Friday, 9 May 2014

Cornish Scones Recipe

Recipe to make your own Cornish Scones - remember which is the Cornish way to put on the cream and jam (jam first...): http://www.roddas.co.uk/recipes/cream-tea-proper-cornish-scones

Rojano's in the Square Restaurant - Padstow

Acclaimed Italian Restaurant under the guidance of Paul Ainsworth and Derek Mapp in Padstow: http://www.rojanos.co.uk

Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 Restaurant - Padstow

Acclaimed Chef and restaurant in Padstow.  Book well in advance: http://www.number6inpadstow.co.uk

Nathan Outlaw Restaurants - Rock & Port Isaac

Michelin Star Chef, with restaurants in Rock and Port Isaac.  Book well in advance and a real treat: http://www.nathan-outlaw.com

Lizard Peninsula Guide

Comprehensive guide to the nearby Lizard Peninsula.  Great for walks and characterful villages: http://www.visitlizardcornwall.co.uk

Helston Flora Day

Famous, historical festival in May.  Helston is around a 30 minute drive from Falmouth: http://www.helstonfloraday.org.uk

Mousehole Harbour Lights

Famous Festive Season lights in the beautiful town of Mousehole.  From mid December, into the New Year.  About an hour's drive from Falmouth: http://www.mouseholelights.org.uk

Wild Pony Vintage Apparel - Falmouth

Great vintage clothing store in the town centre (45 Arwenack Street): https://www.facebook.com/wildpony

Maps and Guides

There are a range of maps and guides in the drawer under the television

Rubbish/Trash Collection

The rubbish/trash is collected on a Tuesday morning.  Our bin is clearly marked and we ask kindly that you pop the bin onto the verge on a Monday night for the collection.

King Harry Ferry

The quickest way when driving to the Roseland Peninsula (also, cycle friendly): http://www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/king-harry-ferry

St Mawes Castle

English Heritage Castle on the outskirts of St Mawes.  Perfect for a walk and explore, once you have caught the ferry over from Falmouth: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/st-mawes-castle/

Plume of Feathers Pub - Portscatho

Nice pub in the beautiful town of Portscatho, on the Roseland Peninsula.  Great walks close by: http://www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/pubs/a-z-of-pubs/222-plume-of-feathers-portscatho.html

The Cornish Arms - St Merryn

Rick Stein's pub, which is in the picturesque town of St Merryn, just outside Padstow.  Simple, well presented menu and good service.  The link also takes you to the Rick Stein empire of restaurants, cookery school etc...: http://www.rickstein.com/The-Cornish-Arms.html

Monday, 5 May 2014

Pilot Gig Rowing - Falmouth

The famous Cornish Rowing Boats are great to watch and participate.  The World Championships take place on the Isles of Scilly in May.  Details and links to further websites are available here: http://www.falmouth.co.uk/on-the-water/gig-rowing

Kotakai Restaurant - Porthleven

Sister restaurant to Kota and less formal.  Set in a picturesque fishing village, approximately a 30 minute drive from Falmouth.  Great as a lunch option and also check out their great Movie Nights (with table drinks and food service): http://www.kotakai.co.uk

Kota Restaurant - Porthleven

Acclaimed restaurant (Michelin Guide and various newspaper/magazine listings), set in a lovely fishing village.  Approx. 30 minute drive from Falmouth: http://kotarestaurant.co.uk

Saturday, 3 May 2014

Introduction/Welcome - Quick Guide

QUICK GUIDE

KITCHEN

The cupboards do not all have handled and require you to press the side and they will open (above the microwave as an example).  There is everything you require from a Cafetierre, Milk Frother, Toaster etc...  The full instructions to use the Microwave, Oven and Hob are all listed on the Website (under the Essentials tab).  A quick guide:

Microwave - Turn the round knob to the required time, select the strength of microwave and then press Start.

Hob - Press the On Button, select how many hobs you require and then slide your finger up the scale for the required heat.  The hob is induction, so only heats up when there is a pan on it and cools as soon as the pan is removed.  You will also find a griddle plate in the drawertunder he hob, which can be laid over the hob and is perfect for steaks etc...

Extractor Fan/Hob Light - To switch on the Extractor Fan/Hob Light, pull towards you to reveal the controls.  In addition to the light here, there is lighting under the cupboards (switch on the RHS, next to the Nespresso power socket).

Oven - The two round knobs pop out and then once you have selected the mode, you can then choose the temperature and off you go....

Nespresso Machine - Once switched on, you select one of the 3 round symbols (for size of espresso shot), insert a pod and close the sliding lid to start automatically (make sure your cup is in position...).  To have a Cappucino, fill the Milk Frother to the line.  Pop into the Microwave for 2 minutes and then use the plunger to create a froth.

Dishwasher - The user buttons are on upper side of the door and are pretty self explanatory.

LIVING ROOM

There are two drawers above the cupboards, which contain maps and other items that may assist you during your stay.  The DVD Player is in the cupboard under the television and there is a small selection of movies (I hope you like our choices...).  To operate the TV, Bose etc...

Television - To switch on, press either the Power Switch, Numerical Number, or TV Button on the remote.  To switch between TV mode and the Radio (Digital Radio) and DVD, press the Menu Button

Bose Soundlink Mini - You have the choice of plugging in your device via the headphone jack (cord provided).  Just select Aux and you are good to go.  You can also connect via Bluetooth.  Just press and hold (until it starts flashing) the Bluetooth button on the Bose and locate it on your devise and it will connect.  The Soundlink can be lifted off the stand (which is also the charger) and moved to other locations in the home (if you fancy some music in the bedroom, or kitchen...)

Digital Radio - Pretty self explanatory and all stations are programmed in.  You can also select a manual tuning mode.

BEDROOM/BATHROOM

The switches to the main light and extractor fan for the Bathroom are next to the door.  The mirror in the bathroom is heated, so will not mist.

WIFI

The box is located in the Bedroom and the WiFi code can be found on the rear of the box (please do not remove).  There is also a booster box in the Living Room.  Both are normally switched on when you arrive, but if not just turn on the power at the mains.  The WiFi Code is: 3c3a26a9dc

PARKING

We have a private parking space, which is behind the house.  The parking is off Penwerris Lane (first entrance on the RHS), which is the first road on the RHS as you drive up Symons Hill (opposite the Greenbank Hotel).  There are spaces for up to 5 cars, however our dedicated space is next to the stone wall.  The parking has a sign to say that it is private property/parking and fines apply.  This is in place to deter other people parking there and you will not be penalised.  There is a pathway connecting the parking to the house. Lighting is minimal at night.  There is also on street parking.

HEATING

We tend to have the heating switched off in between rentals.  We also feel it is easier for people to use the system in a Manual Mode, rather than the complex Automatic Settings (there is a separate Blog Entry with the link to these).  To switch the heaters on, please follow the following steps:


1   Switch on Heater Power Switch
2   Press the Central Button to switch between On and Standby Mode (not normally required – just if it is in Standby Mode when you switch on)
3   Make sure that the M symbol is showing (Manual).  If it shows A, then press the Man/Aut button to change it to M (bottom button)
4   Use the + and - buttons to adjust the temperature, to the desired setting

Thats it - the Heaters work very quickly and you should warm up in no time at all.

HOT WATER TANK

The tank is located behind the wardrobe.  There is a switch on the LHS of the interior of the wardrobe.  This needs to be switched on when you arrive (please remember to switch off when you leave). It is programmed to heat up 3 times a day.  If you need a boost, there is a separate switch which is located next to the main switch.  This gives a 60 minute boost.

RUBBISH

Our bin is clearly marked and please use this.  The collection is on Tuesdays and we ask for people to pop the bins out onto the pavement (outside the gates) the night before.

IRON & BOARD/VACUUM CLEANER/WINDOW VAC

You will find these in the cupboard in the Cloakroom.  We have a Karcher Window Vac, if you wish to demst the windows on a cold morning.  There is a charger on the shelf next to it.  Please don’t forget to empty the water container after use.

GUIDES

There are plenty of maps and guides in the drawer under the television.  Please add to them if you come across anything useful

Friday, 2 May 2014

Samphire Restaurant - Falmouth

Lovely restaurant (about 10 minutes walk), with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients: http://www.samphire-falmouth.co.uk