Cornwall Figaro Tour – Sunday 9th/Wednesday 11th Septmember 2019

Words & Pictures by Patrick Light

Sunday the 8th September at 7pm at the Best Western Fowey Valley Hotel in Lostwithiel was the welcome night for all that had booked into the Cornish Figaro Tour 2019. Most had arrived early that day and it was lovely to see some new faces. After a few pre rally drinks, it was time to do my talk about what was going to happen in the next few days. After everyone had their carvery it was time to hand out the rally packs and explain the tulip maps which showed all routes and junctions.

Monday morning (9th) was a little damp to start with but we all congregated at 9.30am ready for our first day out. All cars lined up ready to follow us on our first day out. Our first stop was Colliford Lake for an ice cream stop, but the weather was a tad damp, so we stopped for a few photos under umbrellas and then headed off to the Dingles Heritage Fairground site. Parking was arranged and we were all given tokens to go and enjoy ourselves on the old fashioned rides. We were all like kids riding on the dodgems, carousels, coconut shies, rocket rider etc etc. After a great day out we all headed back to the Hotel were we organised a quiz night. Music, General Knowledge, Cornish Trivia and a Figaro subject. Groups split into 6-8 a team and we all had a great laugh. Winning team won a trophy and a hamper.

Tuesday turned into a beautiful day, the sun was shining, so it was tops down and we all met again at 9.30am after breakfast and we headed our way to Morwellham Quay a beautiful Copper mine. After a couple of hours of driving through some lovely country lanes we were met by some lovely ladies all dress up in their period clothing to give us our tickets for entry, we were given privileged permission to park out Fig’s down by the water wheel. 25 Figaros parked up on the Quay just looked amazing. After entry we were all given time slots to go onto the copper mine train which takes you under ground for a 45 min train ride deep underground. This was not only exhilarating but also educational. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience.

After everyone had enjoyed the train ride we had arranged for everyone to meet up at 2pm in the Vintage Fancy Dress shop to change into some vintage gear for a photo shoot outside the village and another down by our Fig’s. As you can imagine all the guys headed for the women’s frocks !! We had such a laugh and the staff were amazing and took loads of photos for us. After this great day out we headed back to the Hotel because it was the raffle/auction night.

“Our charity this year was the Cornwall Air Ambulance, everyone brought something to donate and we are so pleased to say that between us all we raised an amazing £1,516.25”

Wednesday was our last day out and it was as usual in Cornwall a little damp, we set off again at 9.30am sharp and headed our way to Looe for a lunch stop. After this we headed our way up to Kingsands and Cawsands two villages joined together with very tight winding streets it was awsome and nobody hit the walls which was great.!! After this epic day out we headed back to the Hotel to change into something more comfortable !!! It was the fancy dress night. Everyone was asked to come dressed as an Animal beginning with the first letter of their christian name!! We also booked our Local Morris Dancers to come and preform for us, and they were great fun and had most people up dancing. It was hilarious and we thank you all so much for putting so much effort into your costumes.

Thank you all so much for joining in with our Cornish Figaro Tour