Books + beer = bliss

Do you love books? I do.

I’m also somewhat partial to a good pub serving a range of craft beers and real ales (I think perhaps it’s my northern roots).

If you don’t like either of these things much it might be best to stop reading now. If you’re with me then I’d like to introduce you to a place that combines these two obsessions in one glorious corner of Falmouth. Tucked away in a little courtyard just off the main shopping street, Beerwolf Books is the sort of place that dreams are made of, or at least I think so.

Venture up the stairs of this unassuming hideaway, beloved of discoverers including Tim Burgess once of Charlatans fame, and you’ll find a place quite unlike any other I know (of you know of another I’m dying to hear about it!) Peruse the menu and select a pint at the bar, then sit by the blazing fire (winter) or back out in the courtyard (summer) and bask in a place that doesn’t lose its charm with the changing of the seasons. That pint you choose, by the way, it won’t be a Stella, a Strongbow or a John Smiths, but a sample from an ever-changing menu of guest ales, ciders and porters. My all-time favourite was a chocolate orange Christmas-time stout that I can’t remember the name of and have never seen again.

Stop at that if you like – kick back and enjoy the atmosphere of a lovely little pub with a very good drink.

Or, if you’re up for it now is the time to delve a little deeper as you enter the book worm’s cave of delights that is the bookshop here. Leave your drink on the table and peruse a large selection of specially selected and very reasonably priced novels, non-fiction and more, from politics to philosophy and geography to typography. I don’t know quite how they manage it, but never before have I found a place where so many titles that interest me. I have a rule that I can buy an absolute maximum of three titles – but it’s so often not an easy choice. Sample another drink as you pay at the bar and then sit and read your purchases all day if you like.

That’s it really. Either you’ll adore the idea and simply have to seek it out when you’re in town, or you won’t. All hail the geek!

Finding it: Look for the alleyway opposite M&S with signs for the Corner Deli. Follow your nose. Seek and ye shall find!

Passion for coffee. Attention to detail.

It started as an amazing little café in a tucked away spot in Killigrew Street. Brewing artisan coffee for those in the know. It’s since become a cult Falmouth revelation.

Vintage furniture and eclectic décor that includes full-on chandeliers, William Morris wallpaper and stags heads, make Espressini feel like a friendly Cornish gentlemans’ club. This is a place where everyone’s welcome and where you’ll find a drink and a reception that makes you feel special – even if you don’t like coffee.

Owner Rupert (he’s the one behind the counter) is a man who loves detail, a man who is passionate about coffee. And it shows. If you know your ristretto from your cortado and understand what ‘grapefruit acidity’ tastes like then you’ll get on like a house on fire. Or if, like me, you’re happy to be guided through the wonderful world of coffee and then sit with a flat white and watch the world go by. Well, of course, that’s fine too.

With the popularity of Espressini growing, Rupert has now branched out in all of three new directions, recently launching a food offering and a second takeaway coffee venue. He’s even roasting his own coffee.

 

The original Espressini now offers a wider selection of amazing local, seasonal food through Espressini Kitchen. Here you’ll find scrumptious brunches, modern twists on classic Cornish fare and lots of sweet somethings (including lots of gluten free options) all sourced with Espressini’s trademark care and attention. Don’t miss the grown up beans on toast!

The shiny new Espressini Dulce can be found on Arwenack Street and if you’re walking through Falmouth town it’s well located to pick up a handcrafted takeaway cup of your favourite brew. It’s sited in an old confectioners shop and the cake offering changes daily so you can still get a hit of the sweet stuff. There’s bags of coffee to buy here too.

Having always worked with artisan roasters including Square Mile, Workshop and Cornwall’s own Origin, Rupert has recently started roasting his own coffee with OlFactory roasters down the road in Penryn.

 

 

 

Tall sails. Tall tales… Tall ships.

Fluttering flags. Shining sun-drenched sea. Masts amassed. Twas a gorgeous morning when the Tall Ships came to town. A day for celebration. A day for a poetical blog post.

With the rain from the previous day chased away by the sun’s bright rays, the people came. Hoardes of them. Laughing and queuing for the chance to step on board these beautiful craft that will spend but a few days in Falmouth town. To hear the captain’s call and see the singing sailors.

You can’t help but imagine how Falmouth must have been in the great age of sail. When these wave-whippers offered young men a matchless means of escaping their dreary everygrey lives. When the world was but a sail away, is it any wonder so many sailed away?

First, for today’s adventure seekers, there’s a mere glimpse of the tallest of tall masts, far in the distance. Fluttering flags in technicolours. Then closer and closer through the fairground and the food stalls and to the main event. A chance to walk the deck and hold the wheel. From the water on vassal vessels more people gaze; wheedling around the giant, serene, pot-bellied beasts with their stretched limbs. Lying dormant. Waiting. Waiting.

Sailcloth is currently tied up. Fettered. And bright white sailors work on masts like those New York construction workers, strewn on girders. All coiled in wait for the day when white cloth will swell forth with gusto. When these magnificent ships and crew will do what they were made for.

On Sunday the ships will weigh anchor and shake loose their sails to parade along the coast. Past Gyllingvase, Swanpool and Maneporth, like unchained leviathans they’ll sail out into Falmouth Bay at Rosemullion Head, answering the call of the waves. Quenching their thirst for the open ocean. Unleashed. Then the race is on for the Isle of Wight before the flotilla cruises to Royal Greenwich for their final festival port.

Visit the Tall Ships website for full details and programme of events. And don’t forget to check out the Big Art and Storytelling that’s been produced in response to John Dyer’s Tall Ships painting. Find the best in Falmouth in the Princess Pavilion and National Maritime Museum and read my story about a mermaid, written as part of the project.

The Old Wharves, Falmouth

An eccentric open studio space; an independent recording studio; a treasure-filled vintage furniture and fashion warehouse and a quirky café for a spot of tea and cake – all tucked away in a lesser known corner of Falmouth.

Make your way upstairs to the red door

I’ve seen a few postcards for Vintage Warehouse 13 around the place;  a cornucopia of intriguing events taking place at Troubadour Studios and some curious looking art exhibitions advertised at the Fish Factory. All of this is my kinda thing. A little bit rough and ready. A lot of natural style. Not too well known. Yet I’ve never been.

I decided it was high time I went on an explorative outing.

Yellow welly, in particular, was lured by the cultshare show.

If I’m honest I was lured by the cultshare show – the latest display of art to occupy the space. I’d heard great things about work from talented designers based on the cultshare website – and something about a vintage typewriter. I’m a sucker for a vintage typewriter.

The cultshare website is about sharing inspirations, and this show aims to bring that to life by showcasing installations by 17 talented creatives from the worlds of sculpture, writing, painting, pottery, illustration, photography and more.

Glassblower Rosie Sutcliffe created this gorgeous glass bowl, inspired by the geometric sand sculptures of Calvin Seibert.

Follow the arrows to the upstairs studio space – it’s bright and white and I seem to be the only one here. I like that. Can’t stand crowds at something like this – means I have time to sit and contemplate.I’m no art aficionado. Exploring the beginning of an idea and how it has germinated into a final, tangible work, however is something I can get down with. The fixtures and ideas here certainly sets the little grey cells dancing. And I got to clickety clack my very own bit of creative silliness on the typewriter. Fancy that!

The clever wordy types at Stranger Collective set visitors a challenge to flex their creativity in this interactive installation. They even provide boiled sweets to get the juices flowing.

The cultshare show is only on until June 15 – but there is a whole programme of art shows throughout the year.

Across the road form the Fish Factory is the gorgeous vintage heaven of Warehouse 13 – a real Aladdin’s cave stuffed with furniture and fashion finds. And a lovely little nook of a hidden café in Marmajars.

Enjoy a break at Marmajars

Lara tells me they’ve been open here now for almost a year and she loves the steady stream of people that stumble upon the place. She invites me to their 1^st birthday party in a few weeks time. It’s that kind of place. The sort of place where you can rock up, pick up the guitar and belt out an impromptu solo – or just sit with a cup of tea or a milkshake and enjoy. Whatever floats your boat.

Funnily enough, the Wharf has some pretty awesome views out over Falmouth Marina.

Speaking of boats you’re right by the water here so don’t miss a peek out across the water before you leave…

Find the Wharves on North Parade – TR11 2TD.