mine's a pint of cider, Rubicund.

OK Ann and Rubicund, it looks like we're on! Name the pub of your choice in Cornwall Ann and we'll be there. We are in Falmouth from May 8 and our last full day will be on the 11th. My shout (even if it is cider). Rubicund, I should have picked you are an Old Trafford specialist. Perhaps a pint before the game? You'd know the best watering holes. Look forward to it. Matt

ok, Mattchoo, that would be great - I'll "mull" it over. Where are you staying?

BTW, there are two great exhibitions in Falmouth at the moment, both at the National Maritime museum - one on Captain Bligh, and the other on the history of tattoos - which made the BBC national news last night.

Thanks annhig, I'll be very interested in the Captain Bligh exhibition - a fascinating man and life. We are staying in an Airbnb in Tredynas Road, Falmouth. Can walk into town from there I believe but we'll be looking all over Cornwall we hope. Have heard the Rick Stein restaurant in Padstow is worth a visit - if we can even get a booking two months out?!
I'm ignoring the "mull it over comment" deliberately.... ;0

This may be heresy, Matt, but I'm not sure that I would bother to go all the way to Padstow to eat chez Rick [whose programmes I love, BTW, and I really admire what he's done for Padstow and Cornwall; i just can't see the point of going there to eat]. This is purely hypothetical advice mind you, because we've never eaten there in our nearly 20 years in Cornwall, but we've never felt the need. Again hypothetical but if I were gong to throw serious money at a meal here, I think that I would go to Nathan Outlaw's place in Port Isaac:

http://www.nathan-outlaw.com/menus/

There are however a number of very good restaurants in and around Falmouth - Olivers, Samphire, Hooked on the Rocks [overlooking Swanpool Beach], the Cove [overlooking Maenporth], the Harbour Lights for fish and chips, and the Pandora at Restronget [if you like your food with a side helping of yachts and thatch roof].

I found this website which might interest you too:

https://hungryincornwall.wordpress.com

[sorry Matt - when I came to look more closely at that blog, it ends in 2013, so it's not much use. the tips on beach cafes are OK though].

Hey annhig, thankyou for that. It makes good sense to me - we have friends who went to Rick Stein's in Padstow when they were there and loved it. That's not to say we would though and I'll take your local advice over the more touristy known ones every day. As you say it is serious money and when we do the conversion, it's an awful lot of coin for a meal. The blog has some great ideas too thanks. Great photos too. Much appreciated, Matt

No probs, Matt - just coming back to say I would advise you to book ahead for all of the ones I mentioned - despite the vast number of restaurants in Falmouth [I think you could eat at a one every night for a year and not repeat yourself] the best ones get booked up in advance especially at weekends.

Yes, I think we'll find the population in Britain (and the demand that brings) quite an adjustment. We'll enjoy a lot of hopefully good pub meals and ales. We don't really travel for the fine dining, more the scenery, history and chance to experience a taste of life in whatever country we may be in at the time.
I'm sure we'll have a ball and if we get to do some hiking or walks along the coast or inland a bit we will enjoy that experience much more than sitting at a restaurant table - I'm speaking strictly for myself now - my wife may well have other ideas! Thanks again Ann for all of your help. Matt