Advice to visitors to St Ives

1. The best time to shop in the Co-op is between 8am and 8.30pm, where you'll meet plenty of friendly locals buying the odd pint of milk or loaf of bread, more than ready to wait behind you while you chat to the woman on the checkout.

2. The most convenient place to park during the day is in Tregenna Place, as it is close to most of the shops.

3. Although you wouldn’t risk it at home, it is perfectly acceptable to walk down the middle of the busier streets like High Street, Tregenna Place and The Wharf as if they were pedestrianised zones, and you're sure to get a friendly wave from the locals!

4. St Ives is a pretty laid-back place, so if you overrun on your ticket in one of its privately-run car parks, don’t worry, the clampers will be cool about it, just tell them you're a visitor.

5. If you're a second home owner, a useful tip to remember is that putting a notice in the window advertising it for let, with your home phone number on it, is sure to get you a response!

6. On changeover days, if you are staying in Downalong leaving your car in The Digey or Fore Street while you unload/load it will save you having to walk far.

7. The Tate gives discounted entry to people in wetsuits.

8. Haggling is quite acceptable in restaurants – in fact many restaurant owners are insulted if you don't try to bargain down the price of your meal

9. Jogging down Fore Street in a shortie wetsuits with a foam bodyboard under your arm will gain you immediate acceptance into the friendly St Ives surfing community

10. Wearing a St Ives Lifeguard hoodie with your name on it is an excellent way of blending in with the locals (see my blog from Tuesday).

11. On a crowded beach ensure your privacy by getting down early in the morning and creating a large private enclosure of windbreaks.

12. Talking loudly in a braying voice in restaurants about how much your house is worth will get you respect and extra special attention from the waiting staff.

13. If you want to chat with locals, remember that asking them how much their house is worth is always a good ice-breaker!

14. Surf wax is used locally for cleaning car windscreens, and many locals are happy to surprise visitors with their free windscreen cleaning service, especially if your car is parked in a popular location.

15. If you spot a seal in the harbour shout 'seal!' loudly and wave your arms. They are nature's clowns and like nothing better than performing for a crowd, the bigger and rowdier the better.

16. If you're a second home owner, don't miss the chance to let people know you are, by remarking loudly how much better the place is out of season when all the visitors have gone home.

17. Don't forget that without you St Ives would have no economy or jobs whatsoever to speak of, and locals are grateful of being reminded of the fact.