Wonder Ear Full

Some say there is something in the air down here, and a few of the stories that I have heard attached to the core of that belief has caused my eyes and jaw to feel as if they were popping and dropping cartoon style: but that's another story.

Anyway, I think it's more to do with there being something in the people down here.

My brother, Dominic, who until three months ago had lived and worked in Newquay for three years, is down visiting from Edinburgh, where he now lives, along with his long time friend, Larry, who is like a brother to me, also.

Now Kumali loves her Uncle Dominic and her Uncle Wah-wah, as Larry is called, as well her cousin Josef, Dominic's young son. On the Saturday night Kumali was adamant that she wanted to paint everyones nails and toes: she has recently been allowed to paint hers, Toni's and my hand and toe nails all by herself. The experience and result was hilarious, taking it as we did as just another creative art session for Kumali.

I convinced Kumali, as she is a child who can be reasoned with, or bargained with at best, that she could do it in the morning after break fast. I assumed, as children can be forgetful, especially overnight when dream time kicks in. This morning, after breakfast, it was me who had forgotten my promise, and Kumali calmly announced after the last mouthful of Shreddies had been swallowed, that it was time to paint Wah-wah, Dominic and Papa's nails.

Larry wasn't even awake at this point, and none of us had eaten, washed or dressed. I again reasoned with her to wait till we had. Again she agreed, and patiently got us up and directed us to the kitchen. And as our last mouthfuls were finished, with Toni, catching up on some sleep upstairs after being up twice in the night for Kumali, only disturbed once, to get the lilac and pale blue nail varnish, she had the floor.

We dually had our finger and toe nails painted alternate shades of lilac and pale blue, although I managed to avoid my fingernails being done: somehow! To top it off we got sparkle in the light love heart sticker earrings, one on each ear. I swear if we hadn't had a prearranged trip, that Kumali was fully informed of, she would have had us in Toni's dresses before the day was out.

Being a pleasant autumn day, mild and cosy, rather than warm, I wore sandals and admit to being both aware and proud of my shiny toe nails. I was also aware of Dom and Larry's hands, but I quickly got used to it all, and forgot all about the 'earrings' we all had, as you don't, after all, look at peoples ears much when you talk to them. We drove to Gweek, where Holifair was, the second festival Penrhythm played, as Toni and I liked the place.

We wandered round the boat yard, played Pooh sticks over the bridge on the main street, devoid of cars, that Gweek river runs under, and wandered around enjoying a bit of nature. Ultimately, inevitably, we found a cafe and ordered some food and drinks. Our host was charming, hospitable and accommodating.

Time caught up with us, and we had to dash back to Falmouth as I was being picked up at 5.30pm for five-a-side football. (Yes, at 43, I'm back playing, outdoors, for an hour and a half every Sunday night: I'm loving it, but my hamstrings are tighter than ...) I just had time to change into my footie kit, as there are no changing facilities where the pitch is, before Keith arrived to whisk me away: wishing I hadn't had that plate of chips!

I've been going for four weeks now, and everyone, all of them Cornish born and bred or incomers of twenty plus years, was as friendly and welcoming as usual.

It wasn't till I got home I realised I still had my earrings on. Oh how they must have sparkled under the spotlights we play under, now it's getting darker earlier. None of the other seven guys said a word or made me feel at anytime that they were looking at me funny. I texted Keith to explain my discovery: he texted back, "I did wonder ...