Seagulls in the Attic: Making a New Life in Cornwall

by Tessa Hainsworth

Having given up a high-powered job and the lifestyle to match, Tessa Hainsworth had no idea how hard she would struggle when, full of optimism, she fulfilled her dream of moving to rural Cornwall with her young family one September. In the first book Up With the Larks Tessa charted her first turbulent year with the Royal Mail, and her transformation from outsider to 'Posh Postie', adopted Cornishwoman and much-loved member of her new community.

In Seagulls in the Attic Tessa is now a pillar of the community, or so she thinks. Life is becoming hard for her and her family as they realise that being part of a small community is not quite the idyll she had been lead to believe, as lack of money and the demands of family life take their toll. But, as with the first book, Tessa finds the fun and resilience to turn all the hardships to her advantage - eventually.

The first book sold over 6,000 copies in hardcover and is rapidly becoming a must-read book for all those who hanker for an escape to the country.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

My blog post also incudes photos I've taken of seagulls in Cornwall:
https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.c...

Having enjoyed Up with the Larks a few years ago, I’ve actually had Seagulls in the Attic sat on my bookshelf for years waiting to be read. My husband bought it from Amazon for me, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover it was a signed copy. As it’s Non-fiction November I thought I’d use this opportunity to finally pick this book up. I’ve chosen this book for the HOME category in the Non-fiction November 2017 challenge, seeing as I live in Cornwall these days.

Whereas the first book focuses more of just arriving in Cornwall and getting to know the locals and their way of life, this book is more about being settled in the community, but trying to embrace the Cornish way of life more, which also includes having hens, vegetable growing, foraging, living a more humble life and a very cute, but cheeky baby seagull.

In this book Tessa has hens for eggs and also starts growing her own vegetables. I love growing vegetables. I grew up with my dad growing all sorts of fruit and veg, as my parents have a large garden. He still grows vegetables to this day, and I have grown my own veg for a few years since leaving home too. However, it’s one of the things I’ve hardly done in the six years I’ve been living in West Cornwall. Just maintaining our garden is such hard work with all the brambles and nettles that insist on constantly taking over and attacking us each time we try to get rid of them. Cornish nettles are fierce! I have four raised vegetable beds, but they’re clearly not raised enough as they are almost permanently full of overgrown grass these days! It’s so much effort trying to clear them, I have to admit that over the last couple of years I’ve given up. Don’t get me wrong, I do love gardening, but I’ve taken to letting our garden do its own thing for now, with a bit of tidying up here and there. The vegetables will have to wait until I have more time, energy and motivation to face that challenge again.

I giggled at anywhere north of the Tamar River being referred to as ‘up country’. It’s true. I’m not sure some of our neighbours can comprehend us travelling seven hours in the car to visit family up in Yorkshire. It seems travelling a whole six miles to Truro is somewhat of an extravagant adventure for these parts. I’ve never thought to ask, but I bet some of my neighbours have never even left Cornwall. Can you imagine?!

I just loved Google the baby seagull. I’m afraid I’m one of those pesky outsiders who has a soft spot for seagulls and is guilty of doing the unthinkable by actually feeding them.

This was a fun, easy read that had me giggling in places, and even tears in my eyes at one point. I definitely recommend this book if you have an interest in Cornwall, especially if you’re an outsider living in Cornwall like me.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tessa Hainsworth used to think she had it all, as a high up executive with the Body Shop in London. Until she suddenly realised something was missing. She and her husband, Ben and two children moved to South West Cornwall. Her first year is described in Up with the Larks. Now she considers herself a member of the community. Yet is some ways life is no easier. Finances are tight. Being part of a small village life sometimes presents its challenges, especially when she has ideas for change that do not go down well with long time locals. Despite her job as a postwoman, Tessa has time for a community garden and learning new ways of using and cooking food. Along the way she manages to provide moments of amusement at her expense. But there are some with whom she builds a relationship, some are human. Others are ambivalent relationships as with Elvis the snake, Google the seagull, Patch the lamb and Gruff the goat.
I enjoyed this gentle, lyrical read. Absolutely loved the descriptions of Cornwall and the changing colours of the sea. Also enjoyed Tessa. She is enthusiastic, optimistic and more than a little naive at times but I liked her and some of the other quirky characters, even if sometimes they are laughing at Tessa’s expense. Having lived in a small town in Australia for a time, the way folk were resistant to the slightest change to the way things have always been done was absolutely spot on. There are moments that make you smile or laugh and other tender moments.
Maybe it’s not the sort of book I would read all the time, but in this present crazy world situation it was a breath of fresh air. I very much enjoyed it. Anyone who likes stories about Cornwall or starting over and fitting in to a new community will probably enjoy it too. Very glad I read it. I hadn’t read the first book in the series but it didn’t matter. This reads well as a stand-alone. If you’re looking for a gentle enjoyable read give this non- fiction book that reads like fiction a try.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think Tessa has ever raised a seagull, grown her own vegetables, gone camping or shopped in charity shops. Certainly not before she wrote this book!
If she had, she would know that seagulls do not get glossy grey feathers so soon, they are brown speckled all summer long as 'teenagers'.
I have never in my life heard or seen a slug inside a potato!!!! They eat leafage, they are not worms. And I have grown potatoes.
The week's camping...where do I begin...oh my!!!!!!!! So inaccurate.
FYI charity shops are not full of "vinatage clothes" - they have very normal clothes if Tessa ever cares to go in one & have a look.
AND she left the dog in the car in summer several times!!!!!!!!!!
AND the wedding was scheduled for middday so how long did that man play those bagpipes for?????????
They were all supposedly around the church from the wedding ceremony until the sun was beginning to set...that's gone 5pm in October...I don't think so!!!
They have so little money yet she's always out having lunch or coffee at a cafe. She drank half of a precious bottle of wine without any thought for her husband's share when wine is now so rare for them.
She cobbled together her "home" from 'nothing" - does she forget the van that brought their stuff from London?
So many inaccuracies it was ridiculous!

[Linda O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction but reads as good as any novel.
This is Tessas' second book about her life & her familys,' when they moved from London, to live & work in Cornwall.
Tessa is a postwoman, but it's not like any other postal service. Things are different in the countryside, especially if you live miles away from civilisation.
She is forever busy, rushing from one place to another & keeping up with all her various chores.
Her husband Ben, is an actor & when he has no work, he does various jobs here & there, to help make ends meet.
The two children are at a local school & help out where they can.
They are all happy with their lives here, although money is tight most of the time, but they have quality of life & never want to return to London.
An entertaining read & plenty of laughs.
It would make me want to move to Cornwall, if I didn't already live along a lovely part of the Essex coast.

[Bart · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I’m only reading these books as some sort of reminiscence as I was born and grew up in Cornwall. It’s a pleasant enough read but it feels a little like reading a diary, which I suppose it is really.
Not sure I’m going to read any more. Need to find something to beat The Salt Path from Raynor Winn, now that was a book series.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in this heart-warming true story of life as a rural postie in Cornwall, following her & her family quitting life in London.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this feel-good book. :) There were many times I was smiling and giggling. I definitely will be rereading this someday. :)

[Caroline Southgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want Tessa's life, reading it made me wish I was there

[Fluffychick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book by this author detailing her downsize from high powered executive for "The Body Shop" to Cornwall postie in a picturesque seaside village. It's more of the same really...but a cosy, easy read, that makes such a huge change seem really appealing.

Mainly consists of a variety of small episodes about animals, gardening and misunderstandings where a uptowner (even in her second year in Cornwall) gets things badly wrong. Not a lot happens, but the scenery is lovingly described and she and her family obviously love the new life.

A very pleasant read and gives you lifestyle envy, but her fasination with foraging remains a total no for me!

[Emma Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seagulls in the Attic is the second in Tessa Hainsworth's autobiographies of her life as a newcomer to Cornwall, along with her husband and two children. The book is heart-warming, funny, sad and hopeful all at the same time. The part about her delivering items to people, gifted from neighbours and friends, along with her work as a postwoman was beautiful.

So what if there are inaccuracies and the truth is obviously stretched at times? This series gives a bit of an insight into the adventure of moving to another part of the country and the hilarious things that can happen when you put some rather eccentric people together!

[Lesley McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seagulls in the Attic is a quick read, full of the challenges of a family moving from London to a life in Cornwall. I live in a town in New Zealand which has real problems with seagulls and I can imagine people scoffing if they knew someone had a pet seagull , just the experience author Tessa Hainsworth encountered . But a fun read about living in a small village and I read this book in large print so even better option for aging eyes.

[Clare Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a heart warming story, but a little bit boring at times. I felt like I got to know the characters and liked the happy ending. It's definitely worth a read, if you're interested in Cornwall or moving to a new area.

[Michelle Marie McGrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

A follow on from 'Up with the larks' about Tessa and her family's move to Cornwall from London. Now settled in Cornwall for their second year, the family start to explore becoming self-sufficient and share the warts and all ups and downs of rural living.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I read this it felt vaguely familiar. I then found I had in fact read the previous book on the same story line. This again focuses heavily on the author's postal role and less so on animals and places. Regrettably I am not an ardent fan of 'people' related stories.

[Lynn Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a trilogy of true stories written by Tessa Hainsworth about her new life in Cornwall as a postwoman. Full of lovely characters and funny antics, a joy to read. I’m looking forward to the last book, Home to Roost

[Elka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, more Herriot than Mayles

[Anna Ciddor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on audio. A fun, mostly light-hearted tale about family life in a village. Appealing characters and great dialects.

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little three book series of books, such feel good -books. :)

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book it makes you feel as if you are there,couldnt put it down.cant wait for another one from her

[Gail Danks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant - I’ve laughed and cried with this book

[Jo L Caunt]

Didn't finish

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely read to follow on from Up with the Larks. Immersing myself in this book takes me away to a beautiful part of the country. I hope the next book will be as enjoyable as the first two.

[Nicola]

Very light hearted.
A bit over the top on the Cornish turn of phrase and very sanctimonious and preachy about second home owners which wasn't nece in my view.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cosy and wholesome read.

[Claire Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read

[Belle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Tessa's first book and would highly recommend it but unfortunately I didn't find this book as good as the first. it has been assumed that the reader hasn't read the first book and therefore it's been written with explanations for almost all of the characters all over again, which I found slightly tedious and annoying, especially as I only read her first book a couple of weeks ago.

It might have been better to have waited a few years to write a follow up, as the anecdotes making up this book, while sometimes interesting, did feel a little like padding occasionally. Still, it's a quick and easy book to get through and I found it enjoyable to read about Tessa's new found country living skills.

[Nici Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally agree I loathed the books unfortunately bought all three together. She knows absolutely zero about Cornwall and can’t even name roads in places she apparently visits loads of times great postie. Full of inaccuracies and just padded out rubbish not at all the life of someone who has moved to Cornwall as several of my close friends have and many many others are locals and I myself a lifelong visitor. I can make and describe most of the places she’s taking about far more accurately and so could anyone whose been to St Ives for example for more than a day let alone lived in Cornwall and been a postie. God awful books.

[Janie O · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, like the first one in the series, was so enjoyable and well written. The author describes scenes so well you can picture being there and thus pulls you into the story, the weather, the adventure. It's lively with plenty of action and yet, truly, a relaxing read. I look forward to reading the third book.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok but pretty much a re-hash of her first book. So an okay read but you don't learn anything particularly new or fascinating about the family this time around. I still enjoyed it enough tho.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a very easy going book, nothing exciting happens and it just jogs along, not spectacular just a story of the life of a Londoner now Cornish postwoman and her story of moving to Cornwall with her family and learning the slower Cornish pace of life.