Another New Day: holiday

A much needed break.

The changing faces of Cornwall.

This week couldn't come soon enough for us. My OH has only had two weeks off since last Christmas - the joys of running your own business I suppose. It has been a frantically busy year with so many unexpected things happening that I found myself running on empty. I'm like so many Mums in that I don't have the choice to stop, so keep soldiering on until something gives. This happened a few weeks prior to half term when I was so exhausted and unwell I spent the weekend in bed - something I never do. My OH realised enough was enough and booked us a week away, just like that! Wow, result. Never seen him act so quick!

So we are having a cosy week in the most gorgeously renovated Cornish barn. Immaculately presented and clean with a bottle of wine and Cornish cookies to greet us on arrival. The beds are warm and comfortable, the sofas deep and welcoming, the kitchen well stocked and as the children gleefully pointed out - "it's nicer than yours at home Mum." "Well, Dad will enjoy cooking in it" , was my reply!

We had no high hopes of glorious weather, just rest , walks and good food. The children have wifi, books to read, toys and TV and there is on site entertainment in the form of Tilly, a little dog waiting on the doorstep with a stick for them to throw. With plenty of room and space for them to run it is ideal and within a few hours I can feel the stresses and strains begin to depart from me. I always seem to spend the first day or two sleeping whenever and where ever possible. My OH on the other hand finds boundless energy and wants not only to eat his way around the West Coast of Cornwall , but to visit every beach within driving distance to find the perfect wave. By day three I have found my energy and he has settled down and a contended peace descends.

We have lazy mornings with proper coffee and croissants for breakfast. We venture out when we are ready to, having promised not to rush. We visit various attractions and find some super and not too expensive little places to eat. The children get over their initial exuberance and settle into enjoying this slower pace of life. Already it is over half way through the week and I am not allowing myself to think about returning just yet.

Funnily enough though, I know by the time Saturday arrives I will be ready to return to my own bed and home comforts, refreshed and ready again for what I expect will be another busy half term.

Happy 1st November !

A Glamper not a Camper!

I have come to a final, irreversible, earth shattering conclusion this year, that despite having the biggest and most equipped tent on the site, despite having a queen size air bed and a king size duvet, despite taking provisions for just about every eventuality for the kids...........

I am not a camper!

There you have it. Remind me of this next year when I am about to change my mind!

This is our 9th year on this particular camp - it is a church camp with about 8000 campers all there at the same time so you can imagine the sanitary arrangements! The kids have activities all morning and evening which they love and we cant get away with not going anymore - I even went with a 5 week old baby one year! This year, as in previous years, it just rained every day and not just a shower, the sort where you are soaked within minutes of stepping out in it. If we lived in warmer climes, then maybe a tent is feasible, but in this weather, it is an endurance for me rather than a holiday....or maybe I have just reached the age where enough is enough?

So is the solution ....

A caravan !?

We have been eyeing up other peoples caravans, peering in through the windows, hoping not to catch them in any compromising situations and there are some lovely little vans ( actually not so little ) out there! You can get some superb awnings with sleeping pods for the kids too so they feel they are not missing out on the camping side. There is also the possibility of being able to plug in my straighteners - yes I went a whole week and did not straighten my hair... and I survived, although I got told constantly that I looked tired - damn those under eye bags! I am definitely more of a glamper, needing my luxuries, than a hard core camper who is able to stand the wet and cold.

So, despite some high points, I am home, exhausted, with mounds of washing, dirty children and a resolve not to camp again!

And a few photos of the tent........ and yes, one of me,to give you a taste of reality, with un- washed, un- straightened hair, in a hoodie, clinging on to a glass of wine!