Today, I wanted to post a few photos from a creative bakery in Cornwall and was looking for a context, something like National Cake Day, perhaps… And sure enough, there are cake days all over the place.

Cup cakes, in particular, seem to be popular. In the UK, National Cup Cake Week is 17 – 23 September and the USA has National Cup Cake Day on 15 December. In Australia, 15 August is RSPCA cup cake day, neatly combining cakes with good work.

Trouble is, none are anywhere near March. So I continued searching and discovered all sorts of peculiar food holidays. The USA alone has an entire calender of them. It seems every food has its own day, week or month. My favourite is National Something on a Stick Day. That’s later this month, on 28 March. But I digress.

Today – 4 March – is National Pound Cake Day. Close enough for my purpose.

Cornwall

In 2010, the girls and I explored Cornwall, a beautiful and mysterious part of Britain. Every Sunday for the next few months, I’ll post stories and photos from this independent-minded, ancient Celtic kingdom. If Cornwall is on your agenda this summer, even tentatively, I hope you’ll find a little inspiration here on Sophie’s World.

We’ll cover the deliciously spooky Bodmin Moor and Jamaica Inn, the quirky villages Looe and Polperro, We’ll have a look at surfers’ favourite Newquay, and a quick peek at Trerice Manor nearby. There will be a little something from Land’s End, Britain’s southernmost point. We’ll explore a little history, King Arthur in particular, including his mythical birthplace, the very real Tintagel Castle. Last, but certainly not least, my favourite spot in England and possible anywhere, is in Cornwall, the uber-gorgeous seaside village of Port Isaac.

But where’s Penzance, you ask? The Eden Project? Padstow? And the Isles of Scilly? Truth is, we ran out of time. Also, we have an excuse to return. As if we need one…

First out is Truro, Cornwall’s capital.

I’ll be honest, Truro isn’t what first pops to mind when I think back on our Cornish summer. We ambled along the river for a bit, we walked the square and the narrow cobbled streets. We had a look at the Georgian houses and the cathedral. And we shopped a little (Truro has some very good shops).


Shopping – not so exciting when you’re 8


Cake, on the other hand… looks promising.

Cakes and Cornwall

In Truro, we found a little bakery called the Tilly Mint.


A blue cake. Well, why not?


Pretty wedding cakes


Birthday coming up for the little one?


Or perhaps a little something for your very own Bob the Builder?

Cup cakes are a specialty here. Sadly, it looks better than it tastes. As is usually the case with English cakes. And American ones are even worse. Too much sugar, perhaps? Tastes artificial somehow. That said, I can certainly appreciate the visual art work here.

Want more on curious Cornwall? Stay tuned next Sunday right here on Sophie’s World!

Meanwhile, if food and travel is your thing, my friend Katie and her gang have just launched The Flying Fugu, a new food and travel blog. Hop on over and have a taste!

What are some of your fun or curious food finds from around the world?