Off we go for our first holiday with Dorset Queen Coaches this year to spend five days in the West Country based at the Membly Hall Hotel in Falmouth.

Our lunch time stop was at a thriving farm experience overlooking Bodmin Moor where we were entertained by this sign on the extensions being built..

A long journey for those of us who were collected from Swanage and then circulated through much of Dorset collecting a full coach load. The weather was fine and the commentary on the points of interest much appreciated.

This old chapel opposite the hotel on the footpath at Cliff Rd provided a good landmark.

The lounge was well equipped with comfortable seats and views across the bay to the headlands of Cornwall all the way to the Lizard.

Gyllyngdune Gardens and the Princess pavillion are a short walk along Cliff Rd from the hotel.

Early morning exploratory walk along the High St Falmouth a 20 minute walk from the hotel.

Killigrew Memorial to commemorate the family who benefited from the fortifications built by Henry VIII that led to the formation of the port on the farm land that they owned at this place.

Truro cathedral,on the day of our visit the site of one of the regional books of condolence to mark the death of Elizabeth the Queen Mum.

 Penguin cookery book obtained in a Truro second hand bookshop to succeed Mum's first version provided along with an engagement ring by Dad in 1956. Same edition but not as well worn.

Each biome has a different climatic basis, here is the dry temperate example.

The dry zone.

Here in the humid zone there is space for hundreds of visitors as well as the bananas, etc.

The hot and humid challenge of the main biome includes a substantial climb to the highest point of the visitors trail.

Penzance main street with the memorial to their famous son Humphrey Davy engineer and scientist.

We leave Falmouth for our journey home via Plymouth and Exeter, thanks to Ian and Dorset Queen for another excellent trip.