24 days to Boxing Day. 3 days into Meteorological Winter. The sun is shining. Some dates are more memorable than others.

The birth date of my children is always memorable. Today is one of those days. In 1988 my son was two, we had recently moved to Cornwall from Brighton. We had lived in Cornwall for almost a month, I knew nobody and I had spent most of that month waiting for the rain to stop. The rain stopped and on the 3rd of December we spent his birthday at Cotehele House, kicking leaves and eating tasty soup to keep warm. More for me than him we were at Cotehele to see the Festive Garland. But for a small boy,  armour, swords, and candles were the best bit.

Cotehele is a small Manor House, little altered in 500 years. Lit only by candles or daylight.

I no longer spend time with my son on his birthday but by coincidence I took his two year old niece to Cotehele on the same day 36 years later. She is not a great leaf kicker but she is a pebble hunter . The armour didn’t thrill her but a box of unused flowers were very engaging.

So I have become a serial parent/ grandparent who plans a day trip in December not so much for childrens entertainment but my own. Knowing that their fascination with small details will keep them happy and interested.  500 years ago when Cotehele was a thriving home and country estate,children  would  have loved the small details of leaves and pebbles and the sensation of open fires and sunlight. 2 year olds have not changed so much. Neither have adults. Every sense gets a tweak on a visit like this.

In the gardens I found the perfect C for Day 3 of 26 Days to Boxing Day.   Cornish Language Christmas words.

There were also some fabulous winter colours in the garden. C pretty well covered I think.