To celebrate the end of another successful summer for Aloft, the team had an day out and enjoyed a couple of Padstow’s experiences.
All of our team enjoy spending time at the coast and we try to get outside come rain or shine. Well we really do. The day brought 40 knot winds and rain for our Sealife Safari boat trip.
In his 1973 book Coast to Coast, Alfred Wainwright wrote “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” So undeterred and clad in our waterproofs and lifejackets and in the capable hands of skipper Ian, we took to the water.
Safely aboard the 10m Humber rib we set off for a wildlife tour of the Camel Estuary. There is so much birdlife so close to the hustle and bustle of Padstow harbour; herons, egrets, kingfishers, cormorants are just a few.
Feeling comfortable on the boat we headed out the mouth and the infamous Doom Bar to see a bit more of Padstow’s history, such as St Enodoc church over in Daymer Bay. The swell rolling in was huge and we enjoyed the rollercoaster ride knowing that as a volunteer for the RNLI Padstow lifeboat, Ian would keep us safe. What an amazing way to enjoy the Camel estuary. We would recommend a trip with Padstow Sealife Safaris if you are visiting. Sea n Shore run similar experiences down in Salcombe.
With the cobwebs blown away we headed back to our Padstow store to warm up with hot chocolates from the lovely JoJos cafe. The Aloft team are always busy and many of us based in the one location so we don’t get to spend time with our lovely team so it was a treat to hang out together.
After some celebratory fizz it was off to Tarquins Gin distillery for their gin school experience. Whilst enjoying a few of their delicious gins, we were given an introduction to Tarquin’s Gin and guided through the process of distilling before being let loose to make our own in a mini copper still.
With an array of local, familiar and exotic botanicals it is a chance for you to get creative. We had some tropical flavours going on with ‘Tina Colada’, some seasonal spice with Beth’s ‘Christmas Twist’ and Kim’s fruity ‘It won’t be around for long’ gin. All our creations were beautifully bottled and labelled before we sealed them with the signature dripped wax and seal that are given to all Tarquin’s bottles.
We are fortunate at Aloft that we have two amazing distilleries on our doorstep. (Or maybe it’s how we pick our locations!?!) Salcombe Gin creates exceptional gin at its waterside distillery on Island Street, Salcombe; one of the world’s only distilleries directly accessible by boat. As well as having the The Boathouse, distillery and bar, they also run tasting sessions. After a complimentary ‘Salcombe & Tonic’, you’ll learn all about the distillation process before being led through a tutored tasting where you’ll learn the history behind each spirit, the flavour profile and characteristics, and which tonic & garnish work best with each.
We are lucky to be part of an amazing team and to be based in such a beautiful part of the world where we have so many fun ways to spend a blustery day by the sea.
We hope to see in you soon to enjoy some of the Aloft fun.
The Aloft team.
0 comments