It's a 'Gold' Christmas here

Happy Christmas to you from all of us at Little Winnick, we hope you have a wonderful peaceful Christmas.

Our Christmas was topped off last week when our new facilities were awarded Gold in 'Loo of the Year 2015'.  We are so chuffed, and it is official recognition to accompany all your wonderful feedback throughout the past season.

Christmas is in full swing here as you can imagine with a 3 year old and 20 month old.  Jess is very excited; this evening she has little party at home for her friends, sparkly jelly and toasted marshmallows ensured some very excited/hyper little girls!

Today we popped over to Trerice - a National Trust House.  It is small as National Trust houses and grounds go, but it is quite quirky and they had a lovely little Christmas trail.  I imagine the gardens are a treat in the summer.  After the house we did our usual North Coast drive out along Watergate Bay.  The waves at Porth were breathtaking.  I have never seen such huge waves crash up over the cliffs - they were the sort you see in pictures but rarely see in real life, stunning.

Tomorrow we are off ice skating at Eden in a special parent and toddler session, I suspect the girls will be better than me - they fill the ice with toys and it snows, which given we have been playing on the beach and in the sea it is so mild down here it will be a lovely experience.

From Tuesday our family start to arrive then on Wednesday we take the girls to see Father Christmas at Heligan.  Regular blog readers will know my love of Heligan.  It is even more magical at this time of year.  Last Monday we went for a candle lit walk in the dark whilst carol singers were singing in the background.  Truly a special experience.  Jessica posted her letter to Father Christmas.  Then this week we went and did the reindeer trail which as so nice - we did not even need our coats whilst admiring all the daffodils that are out down here.  Wednesday also see's our 'work's Christmas do'.  By that I mean Richard and I along with the girls have lunch out....well if not we don't get a works do (any excuse!).

Work around the park has finished for Christmas now, we will be using this time to catch up as a family and enjoy Cornwall.

Don't forget if your thoughts turn to holidays over the festive period we are taking booking for 2016 and we already have periods that are looking pretty busy.  The phones are diverted to our home over the winter so if you have any queries please do give us a call and we do our best to help you.

Once again, a very Happy Christmas from Richard, Heidi and our family x

End of Season Review

Hello!
It has been a while since the last blog - we have been catching up on our holidays, visiting family, friends and loved ones we have not seen over the season and generally taking a bit of a break!  Following our trip to the Scilly Isles, we headed up to Norfolk to see my family, Jessica had gone up the week before us to stay with my parents so she was incredibly excited when we arrived.  From there we then went to the New Forest and South Coast before returning back to Cornwall.  It was a lovely break and much needed.

In the last blog I promised you a season round up; it is always a nice thing to do reflecting on the highs and lows of the season.

Pre Season
The toilet block build over the closed season was without question epic.  Richard did an incredible job of project managing the whole thing and brought the massive build pretty much in on budget.  He worked super hard and was under immense pressure ensuring we had toilets and showers that would be ready for guests.  In the end he managed to get it open - and the biggest reward he could have is all your feed back.  On more than one occasion they have referred to as 'the ritz of the camping toilet world!'.

Early Season
We had a staggered opening, with our usual Easter Rally in, testing out what did (and in some cases didn't work) in the new building.  The major thing we discovered at this stage was that the disabled shower room had no rake on the floor so the water didn't drain anywhere.  A hole was quickly drilled in the brick work as a quick fix for the rally then once the rally went the floor came up and was re-laid at the right angle!  We then shut to finish in earnest and reopened in May.

It was yet another sunny start to the season and we were blessed with some sensational weather in May and June which brought out many campers and caravaners.  It is at this time of the year when we take great delight in welcoming back many regulars, who stay for extended periods with us.

Mid Season
Late June and July is when we have many guests from the continent visiting.  I struggle with English at the best of times so it is always fun trying to explain how the barrier works in broken German, French, Swiss etc.  Two particular groups of German guests come to mind who arrived with huge motorhomes, in fact I guess you would be class them as winnebagos - complete with their motorbikes stored inside on a lift system.  Anyway no sooner had they arrived than they had moved picnic tables,  set up their big stoves and opened the numerous boxes of wine.  It was my night to do a walk around, as I walked passed I hoped they were not going to get too merry and noisy.  As it turns out they invited most of the guests around them on other pitches and all had a marvelous time.

We could easily write a book about some of the comings and goings on the park.  Perhaps one of the most frightening moments  was when Richard and I were in reception, we heard a dull 'boom'.  My instant reaction was to run outside fearing there had been an accident - in fact someone had pulled out of our entrance but their caravan had not followed - it had not been hitched properly.  Thankfully, there was no vehicles coming straight away and we controlled the traffic until all was re-hitched.  

Peak Season
This is when we take a deep breathe and we work every hour of everyday (well, almost!).  I bring the children to work so Richard gets to see them and we hope against hope for amazing sunshine.  This year the sun was somewhat patchy.   Now we did have a good amount of sun and lovely days to enjoy Cornwall at it's best but we also had some rain.   Instead of normal rain we were battered with monsoon after monsoon.  Normal rain is normal.  We are equipped to deal with it, we except it. Monsoon rain tested us to the limits.  The rain was without doubt epic when in came, a large holiday park on the seafront near by had to be pumped out by the fire brigade on one occasion.  The main saving grace was that the whole country was a bit damp!

We were lucky, if you can call it that.  We took a beating and we had some very muddy pitches, but on the whole most campers took it all in good spirits and accepted that we can control many things, but we cannot stop the rain.  Rain to us is very stressful.  I will not forget one night in August at about 3am we lay in bed listening to yet another monsoon and high winds and discussing what our plan was for the next day.  One entry for my 'book' will be the family who took umbridge with the rain, having pitched their tent in what can only be described in an 'interesting' way with over a foot from the ground to the outer tent, allowing all the rain in.  They took to digging trenches.  The trenches were about 10cm deep - we were not sure of the purpose, other than giving them something to do.  It did provide some amusement.

The odd monsoon aside the peak season was a roaring success.  We were full from June - September, with many repeat guests.   With returning guests comes the returning friendships.  One of my late evenings was made more enjoyable by being treated to a 'Talent Show' put on by a group of girls who have made friends at Little Winnick, their families come back at the same time each summer and the girls stay in touch throughout the year.  It was a lovely, heartwarming show, children playing how we all used to play.

Also of note were the animals who came as travel companions this season.  We had Rueben the Rabbit (my favourite!), Timothy the Bearded Dragon (I bumped into his owners at half term and apparently he has a play mate now), there were also tortoises and cats.

End of Season
September had an exceptional number of pre bookings; hard standings were completely sold out as was most of the park right up until closing.  This was helped perhaps by the amazing weather and the talk that Ross Poldark was heading to Charlestown.  The lesson from this September is book as soon as you can to ensure you get the pitch you would like.

So in conclusion, we seem to go from strength of strength with sensational bookings through June to September.  We are so very grateful to you for choosing to stay with us and we hope you had a fantastic holiday.  We are a family ourselves.  We save hard through the year to go on holiday and know how much holidays mean to you all.  We hope we can offer you everything we look forward in a holiday as a family.  We hope to welcome many of you back next season.

Next Season
2016 bookings are now open!  Please do book online, call or email us to make a reservation.  If you would like a particular pitch please do contact us as soon as possible as certain dates are already getting very booked up.

If you pre booked in 2015 for 2016 you should have been contacted us by now confirming your dates. If you have not been contacted but had made a provisional booking please do get in contact with us as soon as possible.

We are in the office everyday, albeit reduced hours, so if you do contact us we will get back to you asap.  When we are not at the office the phones are diverted to our home, so please do bear with me if you call and it is feeding time at the zoo with the children!

And Finally...
Well, we are still working away at Little Winnick.  It is without doubt a much quieter winter than previous ones, thankfully.  This week Richard and his Dad have been out everyday cutting the grass and picking up all the leaves - a never ending job it would seem.  We have plans and improvements for the park, as always over the coming months which I will keep you posted about.

Now we have settled back into normal life after our holidays I will update the blog more frequently about our adventures so keep an eye out for what we get up to.  Today we have been down Little Winnick practicing riding Jessica's bike.  It is heaven with all that smooth tarmac to ride around on, and Bethany has been taking advantage of an empty park going up and down the slide.  We are now home, next to the fire, snuggled in with the girls watching Frozen whilst I catch up on some office work.

We look forward to hearing from you about 2016 bookings.

The end is near

Well, we are days away from  the end of yet another season.  It has whizzed by in a blink to be honest and what a season it has been.  From kittens and rabbits on leads to caravans coming unhitched as they pull out on the main road...it really has been an exciting and enjoyable season.  I will leave the full round up for the next blog - just in case anything memorable happens between now and when we officially close at the weekend.

As the season draws to a close we get to have a bit more time together as a family; this weekend will be our first full weekend off together since March and we are starting our holidays!  Earlier this week, with the park pretty quiet we headed over to the Isles of Scilly for a few days - a belated birthday present for Richard.   With the children at grand parents (what a treat - the house stayed tidy and the fridge remained full) we began our 2015 holiday adventures and.... Wow. Wow. Wow.  I cannot recommend it highly enough and with day returns from Newquay Airport why not try and squeeze a visit in the next time you are in Cornwall?  It really is worth every penny.

We flew out on a tiny plane, the pilot was within touching distance.  It kind of felt like you were in a catapult being launched into the sky.  On arrival I was taken back by the amazing plants, white sand and (luckily) the amazing weather.  We took a couple of boat trips over our few days to St Martin's and Tresco.  Both of which have magical beaches and gardens and plants that are just stunning.

Not only stunning, but the food is incredible too - I guess because everything has to be cooked fresh.  Even the sandwiches were delicious.  I pretty much ate seafood for the whole time we were there, enjoying not having to share any food with little mouths!  In fact I would have welcomed little people to share some of the food as I am well and truly stuffed now.

In conclusion I have been lucky enough to visit some pretty special places in my life, but rarely have I been somewhere that makes you relax and unwind in quite the magically way the Scillies does.  It is an incredible, special place and you really must try and squeeze a day or two there as part of any Cornish holiday.

Phase two of our holidays starts on Saturday - we are off to Norfolk to visit family and friends for a week then we are staying in a static caravan in the New Forest.  Much to Richard's dread we may even have a visit to Peppa Pig World as we have two little people who love Peppa!

As for things here at Little Winnick, well we welcome the last Rally of the season in later today, they are here for the weekend, then we will closing the gates for the very last time for this year. We have already closed many of our pitches as we begin work on reseeding the grass.  In between jobs I am spending far too much time cooing over Steve & Jude's (our Wardens) new family member - a boxer puppy.  Apparently no puppies are allowed in our house!

If you are thinking about next years holiday then check out our tariff page for next years prices.  Our online booking will open in the next couple of weeks or you can give us a call on 01726 843687. Please note our office will be closed until 19th October.

Poldark arrivies in town

It was with great excitement that I stumbled across the Poldark set yesterday.  Charlestown has been transformed into the port featured in the popular Poldark series.  Rumor has it filming starts next week so we will obviously be there frequently just in case Ross Poldark needs any help at all - we want him to enjoy his Cornish stay.  I will attempt to get some pictures for you (of the set not Ross!), inbetween looking at Ross!  In all seriousness blog followers will know how much I love a good film set and we do get a few in Cornwall.  I find it fascinating watching locations we know and love being transformed for films and watching how they disguise modern elements of where they are.    Watch the second series of Poldark and see if you can see the Gribbins Head when they are in Charlestown or the little hut at the end of the harbour!

You might have noticed last week we missed a blog.  Well it has been a long couple of weeks.  Our youngest, 17 month old Bethany broke her leg.  It has put an interesting spin on life.  Trying to keep an outdoor loving active toddler still has proved impossible, despite being in a full leg cast she has learnt to walk again and is testing my nerves further by climbing on anything and everything.  She is in cast until the beginning of October, so we are becoming more and more creative of how to keep her dry and vaguely clean - neither of which comes easily to us.  Talking of blog frequency, I will be doing monthly blogs over the winter months.

Today is glorious.  We have another two weeks of the season and it looks like we are set to go out on a bang in terms of great weather.  Richard and I both love the Autumn.  I think it is the excitement with young children that Christmas is on it's way, the change in colours that surround the park and the fire that welcomes you when you get home that we love.  Cornwall offers some amazing places to enjoy stunning views or warm fires after a brisk autumnal walk.  Our favourites include:

• The Polgooth Inn, walkable from Little Winnick this traditional Cornish Pub has welcoming fires, a fantastic menu and is very dog and child friendly.  If you want to experience a proper Cornish pub with a Cornish welcome to match then we highly recommend.
• Lenwinnick Lodge - nestled on the tops of the cliffs on the edge of Newquay this modern Lodge offers great food and drink with views to enjoy.  Particularly good if the seas are rough.
• Sams on the Beach - Sam's is a locally renown for fantastic food.  Situated in the old lifeboat station you don't get much closer to the water than this.  Book to avoid disappointment
• The Duchy Nursery - Enjoy a stroll around the large nursery followed by lunch in front of the fire.  A sign of how good the food is - it gets very busy - even in the Autumn so go early or late to avoid waiting for a table.
• The Hidden Hut - okay so this is outside, but if you go for a walk and wrap up warm why not enjoy a warm drink and delicious food from the Hut nestled into the hill just a short walk from the beach.  Views and food don't get much better.
• Caerhays Beach Cafe - this little cafe is right on the beach and offers delicious food and fantastic hot chocolates.  Whilst researching
  this blog I notice there have a Torch Light Procession in October looking for fairies...I will be booking tickets for that!
• Lanhydrock Cafe - talking of hot chocolates - this, in our humble opinion is one of the best and there is a roaring fire to enjoy too and a huge play area for the children as well.

I should just mention that Heligan is looking stunning at the moment - it is Harvest Festival, it starts today but we had a sneaky peak yesterday as they were getting ready for it - well worth a visit to appreciate the stunning displays.

Glorious Gardens in Glorious Weather

I love Cornwall so much at times like this.  The days are long and gloriously sunny, in fact I might even plan a beach bbq on our day off this week - the question is which beach will we go to?   I will keep you posted.  It is like a switch has been flicked on the 1st September and the sun in out in full force.  This weekend, making the most of the weather we went to Pinetum Park on Sunday.  Richard had a thing about going and I had been dragging my heals; just not that keen for some reason.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, and would highly recommend a visit.

The layout and entrance to the garden would benfit from a little rethink as you are left asking 'is this it?'.  However once you go through the parkland your breathe is taken away.  The stunning vista is a testiment to the planting of previous owners Shirley and Ray Clemo (no relation!).  At the bottom of the parkland is a stunning lake, you are transported to some far off land - it is easy to forget you are in the heart of St Austell.  The Japanese Garden is utterly stunning.  Although heed the signs about not wheelchair/pushchair friendly.  I was a little stubborn and insisted I could manage the pushchair through - Richard thought it was hilarious when balancing on a narrow bridge I nearly fell in the water feature!

If you take pleasure in wandering around gardens then you are spoilt for choice locally and slightly further a field.  With the weather set to remain fair then why not plan a 'Sepetember Sun & Garden' visit to Cornwall?

• Pinetum Park, St Austell - A hidden gem, a love affair with gardens by two dedicated local people, recently brought by another plant lover - the parkland is stunning.
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan - I am a lover of Heligan and we are there most weeks.  One of our most favourite times of year is coming up - Harvest Festival - well worth a visit to enjoy the stunning colours, vegetables and fruits. Starts 19th Sepetember
• The Eden Project - The huge visitor attraction is hosting a food festival at the moment.  We will be going next Sunday to see Katy from Cbeebies.  But if a more distinguished chef is more your cup of tea then check out the two week programme.
• Lanhydrock - This National Trust estate not only has my favourite NT house (great example of upstairs/downstairs living) but it also has spectacular gardens with stunning beautiful herbaceous borders.
• Trebah Gardens - My Mum & Dad's favourite.  This is a special garden - a showcase of Cornish Gardens at their best.  With a lovely walk down to the small waters edge - it is quite magical.  

I would recommend picking up 'The Great Gardens of Cornwall' leaflet in reception.  You pay full price at your first garden and then at each subsequent garden you visit you get a discount.

September Sun (Honestly!)

Porthpean Beach 1st September

The 1st September.  How did that happen? We utterly love September.  It usually proves to be glorious and if day one is anything to go by we will not be disappointed.  I have spent the morning today down at Porthpean Beach.  It was glorious.  The tide was on it's way out so we had lovely wet sand perfect for making sandcastles, boats and mermaids and the rock pools were revealing themselves.  We had our best ever catch, we got two crabs, lots of shrimp like things, a fish and some snails.  I say 'we'; as usual I caught nothing however my neighbour who is 'rock pooling' expert and also rather a good sand castle builder caught everything!  Not quite enough to have on the barbecue!

In all seriousness Cornwall is renown for being a suntrap in September and the long range forecast promises an Indian Summer.  So why not head down for a bit of Septmeber Sun.  With 7 nights for the price of 5 you can stay for as little as £50 for the week, go on...treat yourself and have a well earned break.

If you are thinking of a visit here are a few things on you might like to go along to:

• 1-6 September - Gorsedd Kernow, St Austell.  A festival held in a different location each year to celebrate the Cornish Identity - this year St Austell has the honour, the highlight is a civic position on Saturday through the town at 11, with stall and entertainment.
• 5 September - The Big Autumn Market - Truro.  With over 50 stalls of food producers and street food stalls along with demonstrations, you are sure to see the best of Cornish Produce.
• 5 September - Grampound Fete and Carnival.  A lovely local carnival a short drive away
• 9 September - Padstow Lifeboat Harbour - Padstow.  The lifeboat will be in the harbour from 1.30 with live music and entertainment throughout the day.
• 10 -27 September - Eden's Food Festival - The Eden Project.  With a whole host of celebrity chefs showcasing their skills.
• 11 -13 September - Newquay Fish Festival.  Learn about local fish and see demonstrations from local chefs.
• 13 September - Truro Day - Boscawen Park.  A community day to celebrate Truro with over 40 local groups showcasing what they do and activities for children.
• 19 September - 4 October - Heligan Harvest - The Lost Gardens Of Heligan.  What better way to marvel at all the amazing produce usually displayed in the most amazing and creative ways.
• 25- 27 September - Great Cornish Food Festivial - Lemon Quay, Truro.  A truly huge array of all things food and drink related to Cornwall.  Lots of things to sample and try.
• Every Friday in September - Sunset, Fire & Feast Evenings - Bethruthan Hotel.  Check out the fantastic evenings run every Friday.
• 25 September - Lobster Fish Supper Friday - The Beach Hut Watergate Bay.  Enjoy everything Lobster related at this great restaurant.

This holiday park business is a  funny old game, as today the park has a completely different feel to it from this time last week with a completely different clientele staying with us. The park, as strange as it sounds really does have a little personality created by those staying here.  We have a lot of returning guests with us right now, many of whom we have had the pleasure of getting to know over the seasons.  It is always lovely to welcome people back, to hear their stories about their adventures and for them to see our family growing up far, far too fast.

Make the most of the summer we have left and give us a call to see
what we could offer you throughout September.

Food for Thought

Last Wednesday we were treated to a real food adventure.  Now it is fair to say on Tuesday night when I remembered I had booked us all in for a 'Family Foraging Day' with 7th Rise I moaned quite a lot.  The thought of being outside in the pouring rain whilst absolutely shattered was not my idea of fun.  We were craving a duvet day watching Frozen.  What actually happened could not have been further from this.  So, on Wednesday we packed our waterproofs and headed off for the 'lay-by'.  As the place we were heading for is a little bit of a secret so you just get a postcode and a lay-by to park in.  All a bit secret squirrel! We quickly realised we were the only people booked in.  Another big sigh.  Maybe we should of cancelled.  Still we were fully clad in waterproofs, we had paid for it.  We decided to embrace the conditions.

We met Matt our guide for the day and headed off for a 15 minute walk down the fields, spotting a couple of deers on the way to The Lost Cottage.  What an apt name.  The magical little cottage really is straight out of a fairy story, and I doubt changed much in the last 100 years.  7th Rise is brain child of Thom Hunt who continues to make a name for himself both on television and across the country as an expert in all things wild.   Thom's vision is to create a 'space and opportunity for the public to learn about and have incredible authentic experiences in wild environments'.   Whilst Thom is away filming his team have been running family days.

Well what a day.  The Lost Cottage is nestled on the edge of the River, Matt is a fish lover so told us all about the mussel and oyster beds we could see and took us on a tour of the site whilst looking at plants.  Part of the Tregothan Estate the house used to provide the charcoal and lime for the area.  On site there is access to the river, hammocks nestled into the trees, an outside bar, various animal hides in different stages of drying, an outdoor kitchen, a tree house and an abundance of plants to eat.  Matt's knowledge provided an interesting education for us.  Bethany seemed the best forager strapped to my back screaming like a little bird demanding yet more and more blackberries!

After a good hour and half exploring we collected various foraged bits from around the grounds and Matt set about cooking us a truly delicious lunch of hot smoked mackerel with potato cakes and foraged greens. Given our business I always maintain that food tastes better outside, but it really did taste amazing, washed down with  raspberry home brew.  So after our adventure we now have the following to do list: create a hot smoker out of the numerous bbq's we have had left behind this year, build a clay oven (The Lost Cottage has one in the making at the moment) and forage  for the tasty offerings around our amazing coastline.

Rarely do rainy days off become such a memorable experience, if you get a chance to go foraging, I can't recommend it highly enough, especially if you are lucky enough to get to experience the beautiful 7th Rise and their fantastic team.

Puddle jumping at Heligan (again!)

Now, back to reality.  So, it has been a bit damp this week. Saturday was pretty horrible, with thunder, lightning and a lot of rain.The summer is proving to be one of extremes.  Saturday night we were on a weather warning, then come Sunday we were down on the beach getting burnt.  If you are coming to stay in the next few days come expecting all spectrum's of the great British Weather and you will not be disappointed!

As I write this my little heart is still pounding after an adventure that went slightly wrong.  We went to Heligan for our weekly visit today.  A few hours well spent jumping in puddles!  On the way back instead of my usual Caerhays drive to encourage sleep I thought I would explore
Hemmick Beach after reading about it.  Well  I obviously missed the bit about the road to it.  Scary does not to it justice.  For the first time ever I lost my nerve and considered phoning for help!   I attempted a three point turn at one point only to become wedged and decided the sides of the car would have to be sacrificed to the hedges as it got narrower and narrower and narrower.  (if you don't believe me check out google earth as Richard did when I got back). I pulled myself together and continued on the extremely narrow lane to the beach.  What a view.  What a location.  Cornwall at it's best. I highly recommend going to Hemmick.  Just park on the National Trust carpark at the top of the hill to avoid any nervous breakdowns!

Sun, Sea and a sloath

After a slight blip in the weather last week things have changed for the better, it has been glorious and we have been making the most of it.  My twin brother and his wife came to stay for the weekend so we have had an action packed weekend whilst poor Richard worked.  Saturday we started with a trip to Eden Reclamation Yard for a bit of a poke around.  If you are looking for random and beautiful pieces for your house then we recommend a visit.  Kirstie Allsop would love it!

We then walked/biked down to Pentewan.  Jess was on her balance bike.  She tested my nerves to the limit when she came within a foot of skidding off the edge into the river.  For once I think she might have been as scared as I was!  My brother pulled Bethany in the bike trailer.  He is a bit of a serious biker so this was not the pace or the type of bike he is used to but the trail is idea for a steady, easy ride along to the beach.  We had lunch at The Hubbox on the beach.  We can highly recommend it - the burgers and milkshakes were delicious, although part of Pentewan Sands Holiday Park it is open to non residents.  We then chilled on the beach, enjoying a little paddle and Jess dug a boat for her and Uncle Daniel to sit in. Uncle Daniel does not like sand!

Sunday we headed to Newquay Zoo as Alex, my sister in law, adopted a Sloath for Christmas so we had to meet him/her.  Funny little creatures, they just seem to sleep a lot!  If I am to be reincarnated as an animal I would not mind being a Sloath. The zoo was busy, but as per our last visit it was a very enjoyable day with a little bit of face painting and animal petting to top it off.

This week sees Fowey Regatta taking place and on Thursday one of my favourites - the Red Arrows put on a stunning flypast  through the estuary.  I am going to be brave and take the girls to see it - I am hoping they will like it!  If you are intending on going just remember it gets very busy and it is best to park in one of the field car parks.

Following on from last weeks blog about what it is like running a holiday park I thought I would share my day with you.  Today it is glorious hot, baking in fact.  I started the day working down here whilst Richard spent some time the the girls as he has not had a day off since last week.  He came down at 11 then the girls and I headed to The Lost Gardens of Heligan.  We took our picnic and did the Lost Summer Trail which was lovely and, although busy around the entrance it didn't feel too bad once in the grounds.  Bethany, 'Miss Independent', choose to walk about half the way round, which given she is only 16 months is a long way so it was a slow but very enjoyable walk.  I can highly recommend it for guests whether you have children or not and now it is dog friendly the whole family can enjoy it.

We didn't even get out of the car park before Bethany was fast asleep so I turned left out of the car park and headed towards Gorran.  Just at the village sign for Gorran Highlanes there is a turning to Caerhays on the right.   After a 2 mile drive you stumble across the stunning Caerhays Castle which over looks the small but perfectly formed cove. Another one of my favourite haunts and by this stage of the journey Jessica was asleep too so the nursery rhymes were able to be turned on and Steve Wright back on!  Caerhays looked stunning with tide on it's way out and a busy cafe serving delicious food.  This dog friendly beach is one you can go to for the whole day and everyone will enjoy.

So whilst our days and weeks may be long at the moment, it is pretty cool that we can just pop to amazing gardens and then go for a drive to the sea, sometimes you need a hit of the sea just to feel good about the world.  We are so lucky it is on our doorstep and part of our daily routine.

Whilst we are basking in sunshine it is hard to imagine Autumn is around the corner.  Autumn to Cornwall normally means it gets even hotter.  Last September and October were glorious, in fact it was hotter than August.  Throughout September we are offering our great seven nights for the price of 5 which means you can stay for as little as £40 for seven nights.  Give us a call for more details.

If you fancy a little more luxury we are offering all Little Winnick guests 10% off Richard's Mum and Dad's holiday cottages, just up from the villahe of Polgooth, St Austell.  Tregongeeves Farm  Cottages are seven luxury cottages open throughout the year and boast a heated in door pool, games rooms, animals to feed, tennis court and much more.  All you need to do is use this special code at the checkout when you make a booking online or mention you would like the discount by calling and speaking to Judith. (Richard's Mum).

10% off code:  BDVFP

Holidays where happy memories are made

Reuben

We are often asked what it is like running a holiday park and the answer is - fantastic.  Right now we are at our busiest and it is a case of making hay while the sun shines whilst juggling 'normal' life at the same time.  We become hermits from our friends, and this week even Jess's birthday party has been postponed (twice) due to us having to cover shifts, that said it is absolutely brilliant to met so many people.  As I type this in between a huge check in and departure day I have the pass the parcel bits under the desk ready to wrap during a quiet 5 minutes, as the party is back on for this evening!

One of my favourite things is seeing the children arrive, shy whilst their parents check them in, only to make dozen of friends from all over the country and in some cases from all over the world.  There is something magical about camping and how it unites people, if it is raining campers discuss the rain, if it is sunny often a beer or two is shared over the BBQ and even a few tears shed when it is time to say goodbye.  In the middle of our third season here we take much pleasure in watching the children returning another year older, wiser and getting bigger all the time.  Our two girls also love meeting new friends, admiring the many bikes on the park and Jessica's case pressing the buttons on the till.  (I had brought her a play till for her birthday but that is being returned - it is not as much fun as the real thing!).  This week I was treated to a 'play'.  Two of our young returning guests who met last season whilst staying with their parents put on a show for us with a selection of songs and mad returns.  They made tickets for it and even provided the adults with chairs and the refreshments of lollipops - a brilliant effort.

At the moment it is not just the guests making me smile, it is indeed the animal staying here too.  I thought I heard it all when I blogged about Timothy (the Bearded Dragon) and Herman (the tortoise).  But this week Reuben made an appearance - a huge rabbit who goes about on this lead!  He was a delight and


quite a hit with many guests - especially Jess who has two 'bunnies' who go everywhere with her.

My new fav mug!

Today we waved goodbye to the Lincolnshire Centre Rally who have been with us in the Rally Field for two weeks.  By all accounts it was a brilliant rally, in one guests words 'the best we have ever been on'.  With craft events, a bouncy castle, party bags, cream teas and pasties it sounds like everyone who attended has a fantastic time.  We hope to see you all back soon and thank for our beautiful mug, it is too nice to have tea in so I have put some flowers on our desk).  We are now taking rally bookings for 2017 as 2016 is getting busy in the rally field so please do get in contact if you would like to book in a rally.

Nanna & Grandad with our girls

My Mum and Dad have been visiting this week, they live in Norfolk.  It has been a huge help as they have taken great delight looking after the girls (especially as Richard and I have not been there stopping them spoiling them or indulging them in sweet treats!!).  They have had a real adventure going to Sticker Vintage Steam Rally, a couple of days on the beach, a trip to Bodmin & Wentford Railway.  On our day off we all went to Trevaskis Farm.  It is a 'pick your own farm' with animals to look at and a brilliant restaurant.  The dessert counter is like something from the 80's.  The selection is immense and the portion size is out of this world.  As for the pick your own, you pick whatever is in season so I think there were strawberries, raspberries, broad beans, peas, red currants and gooseberries available.  We went for the strawberry and raspberry option.  Good job they didn't weigh Bethany before and after as she consumed quite a few - she was in heaven as she loves strawberries!

What's on this week:
9 August - Porthleven Lifeboat Day
12 Augut - Toddler Tate - A toddler event at The Tate, St Ives
14 August - St Ives Annual Raft Race
14 - 16 August - Cornwall Steam & Country Fair, Stithian Showground

Fairies & Dragons all at Little Winnick

This is an important notice to any little people coming to stay - the tooth fairy does visit Little Winnick, no matter where you are from, they will find you here.  This week one of our younger guests had a tooth fall out whilst she was in her caravan.  Her Dad told us she was a bit concerned that the Tooth Fairy would not know where to visit, but thankfully the Fairy had visited reception and left a letter for her, along with a small token for the tooth.  The young guest very kindly brought the tooth in wrapped in kitchen roll as proof it had fallen out!!  Whilst we are on the subject Father Christmas also watches over everyone here too and makes sure everyone is being nice...you better be on your best behavior.

To accompany the fairies that float around we also have a dragon on the park this week - Timothy the Bearded Dragon.  He is a lovely chap (well confined within his caravan, don't worry he will not escape), I would not describe him as cuddly but I did have a little stroke of him.  He had a prickly demeanor about him!  He is in one of my favourite caravans currently on the park - she is called Daisy, is a vintage caravan and has been restored brilliantly by her owners.

This week I came across a guest who claimed he was working in his 'office' aka the top of his car, as that is where he could get phone signal!  Phone signal is pretty patchy here, as we are nestled in a valley.  There are 'spots' which are better than others to get signal but come expecting none and then you will not be disappointed if you get some.  Most guests leave saying it has been wonderful escaping from the technological world we live in.  That said we do offer WiFi across the park.  You can buy vouchers from us in reception or directly from Club WiFi.  Wifi costs:
2 devices:
2 hrs =£3
24 hrs = £5
48 hrs = £7.50
1 week = £25

5 devices
48 hrs = £15
1 week = £25

The next few days see's lots of lovely events locally:

1 August - 1000 Fish Festival in St Austell
1 & 2 August - Sticker Country Fayre & Vintage Rally
2 August - Porthpean Fun Day
5 August - National Play Day at Kidzworld
5-8 August - Garden Truro
7 August - Drop in Yoga on the beach

Family Fun

The school holidays have finally arrived - how did that happen?  In my mind it is still April.  Anyway, Cornwall is a brilliant place to visit with children no matter what their age.  We are full for the next few weeks but still have some availability towards the end of the month so give us a call and we will see if we can squeeze you in.  Here are a few ideas of things to do:

1. The Lost Gardens of Heligan - If you are a regular blog reader you will know how much I love this place.  As of today they have their Lost Summer event and if past events are anything to go by it will be brilliant for all the family. They are also now open until 7pm.
2. Breakfast at Fifteen - bookings taken 7 days before the date you would like to go, this is an amazingly child friendly restaurant with exceptional views.  The breakfast is lovely - a bit of a treat.
3. Carnglaze Taverns - recommended by guests that stayed last week this is a magical place, full of mystery and fairies!
4. Lappa Valley - Have a ride on the trains, but check the departure time of the trains before you go so you are not sitting waiting for the next train!
5. Newquay Zoo - we went there on Wednesday.  A lovely zoo, laid out nicely with a  good selection of animals and excellent cafe.  There is lots to do near by including the boating lake and a miniature railway.
6. Walk to the beach - leave the car behind for the day and visit Pentewan Beach (not dog friendly).  Take a picnic and enjoy the sun.
7. Dairyland - fancy seeing some animals?  This is a small but lovely farm attraction, watch the cows being milk, bounce on the trampolines or make use of the huge indoor play area.
8. King Harry Ferry with a few castles enroute - A little adventure for you, drive to St Mawes first to St Mawes Castle, it is small but lovely castle and a lovely village to explore, then catch the King Harry Ferry across the River, driving on to Pendennis Castle.  You can pay to go in or there is a lovely walk all around the moat.
9. Coastal Path walking - you can access the South West Coastal path from Pentewan, so why not walk across to Mevagissey taking in the stunning scenery and then catch the no. 24 bus back which stops right outside.
10. Do nothing - I know this is on a list of things to do, but you are on holiday, the sun will be shining at some point and we have games, toys and books you can borrow from reception so just have a chill out day recharging.

You may remember about the adoption process of the chicks I hatched to the hens.  Well I am pleased to report Lady has taken to motherhood like a duck to water and is now happily nurturing three chicks.  They will not return to the park for a few weeks as they are too small to get up into the run at night.  In sadder news Lady's partner, Bird came to a dramatic and upsetting end.  I basically accidentally squashed her.  Well she got herself in a position to be squashed.  It was all very upsetting especially trying to explain to Jess that Mummy and Bird had a little accident.  Anyway enough said, Lady and her chicks thankfully are all doing well.  

Local Events

26 July - Trewithen Country & Classics Fayre at Trewithen Gardens - a lovely event

26 July  - Pentille Festival of Motorsport

30 July - Last night of Proms & Carnival part of Charlestown Regatta

1 August - Carnival Day Padstow.

Today's important lesson is do not buy an ice cream during a busy check in....it's melted all over my desk!

Tea by the sea and a school girl error

We had a huge check-in this weekend, with schools finishing and a gig at the Eden Project we were full to the brim and are bracing ourselves for this weeks massive arrivals.  It is brilliant to see the park full and to meet so many lovely families.  I had to smile to myself as I worked Saturday - it felt like all the departures were caravans and all the arrivals were tents - obviously that was not the case there are still plenty of caravans and motor homes on the park but there are a lot more tents!  We like all our guests whatever you arrive with/in, however one of my favourite things is walking around the park admiring all the tents and gadgets and gizmo's that people bring.  I get big tent envy  (So if you see a strange lady looking at your tent it is probably just me admiring it!).

On Friday the local fisherman from 'Aquila' popped in as he had some spare mackerel.  I LOVE mackerel and asked him once before if he ever has any spare to drop some in, well now every so often we get a little present.  I went home and gutted, boned the prepared the fish, wrapped them in foil, dug some potatoes from the garden and picked some peas (Jess' current favourite to be eaten straight from the pod) and packed the bucket barbecue and beers.  Then after work on Saturday we headed to Porthpean beach for a barbecue tea.  Before we moved to Cornwall I dreamed this is what you do on long hot Cornish evenings...turns out I was right.

Now, do remember that my first job of the day when working reception is to write up the tide times for guests.  As we walked onto Porthpean Beach and headed for a spot where no one else was I casually checked with Rich that the tide was going out.  He reminded me I was the one who have looked at the tide times that very morning.  I had spoken to a lot of people through the course of the day and had forgotten my name let alone the tide times.  So we set up our tent, BBQ, opened a beer and went for a paddle.  Only as I put the aforementioned fish on the barbecue did we truly notice the extent and pace that the tide was coming towards us.  So, we had to quickly move everything across to where everyone else was sitting (and probably laughing at us) and eat quickly before we got washed away.  Morale of the story - check tide times before you do anything that involves the sea!

What a fantastic way to enjoy a Cornish evening though.  Why not make the most of the long, lazy Cornish evenings and visit a beach for tea - a fantastic day way to finish a long day of travelling if you have just arrived.  Our favourites are:

1. DIY - Barbie on the beach - pick one of the many awesome beaches near by, we went to Porthpean as the car park is right near the beach, grab some fish from the fish stall in Mevagissey or meat from Kittows and check tide times!
2. Caerhays Beach Cafe - open every night through the summer holidays - one of my favourite and most magical beaches. (one day I hope to own the Castle!!!)
3. The HubBox - Part of Pentewan Sands Campsite - open to non residents. Walkable from here.
4. The Ship Inn, Pentewan - walkable, dog and child friendly just take a torch for the walk home if you have a late one!
5. Fish & Chips on Gorran Beach - Buy a bag of chips and wander down to the beach.  Park at the top of the village to avoid little roads.  I once got so scared of the little roads here I lost my car...long story!
6. Sams on the Beach , Polkerris- cool, trendy, relaxed, very family friendly, great food and even better cocktails.
7. Sams on the Bay , St Austell -  as above but on the beach with live music
8. The Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick Beach - worth the little drive and walk to find, the food is yummy, it is a bit pricey but worth it.
9. Mevagissey Fish & Chips on the Harbour - get fish and chips and then as you look out to sea
   
   head to the left, this is the quieter side of the harbour and beautiful.  
10. The Rising Sun, Portmellon - stunning location, but we would recommend you turn off the SatNat, don't go in via Mevagissey unless you like seriously small roads and lots of reversing, go in via Gorran Churchtown.

LOCAL EVENTS THIS WEEK:

24-26 July - Boconoc Steam Fair

25 July - Start if Charleston Regatta Week

25 July - Perranporth Carnival

25 July - Grampund Local Produce Market.

'Sunshine' on a rainy day

"Sunshine on a rainy day

Makes my soul, makes my soul

Trip Trip Trip Away..."

And you know what today my heart and soul tripped away as my 15 month old reminded me that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.  She was that little ray of sunshine on a rainy day.  Although she has been walking a good three months she has not seen big puddles (a good indication of how good the weather has been!).  Today she was utterly amazed by the puddles.  I cannot put into words the shear joy and delight she had towards puddles. She started touching them, sitting in them and then jumping in them.  She obtained a small crowd outside reception, as the joy and excitement was infectious.  When do we loose that love of jumping in puddles? Or in fact the love of the rain?  It is, after all, at this time of year warm rain! So with that in mind, I have complied some wet weather ideas for you...just incase you get the odd damp spell during your holidays!

1. Jump in puddles.  You are NEVER too old to stick on a pair of wellies, or even better take your shoes and socks off and jump in puddles until your hearts content.  Don't just watch the children - do it yourself.  (there will be a prize for the best picture of puddle jumping during the summer holidays - post them on Facebook)
2. Forest School Adventures at Cardinham Woods - join Claire and her team for what are brilliant sessions exploring the outdoors, eating scrummy things and developing outdoor skills, all around the campfire.  (we go and these are BRILLIANT!).  The weather will not spoil your fun, the more mud the better.  Daily sessions throughout the school hols.
3. St Austell Brewery Tour - well worth a visit, all indoors and you get to sample their produce at the end!  Booking is a must as the tours get very busy.
4. Bodmin and Wentford Railway - Enjoy a ride on a steam train.  Can you beat the smell of a steam train?  If you fancy stretching your legs get off at Bodmin Parkway and walk the old coach road into the grounds of Lanhydrock.
5. National Maritime Museum - I used to groan at going to museums as a child.  This would have been my idea of heaven though; lots to do, touch, try, experiment with and learn.  A really interactive place for young and old, situated in the vibrant town of Falmouth, also well worth a visit,
6. Mevagissey to Fowey Ferry - we went on the ferry on a glorious day and got soaked from the sea spray so logically you might as well go on it in the rain and you will not notice the spray.  Treat yourself to lunch at Sam's - the burgers are brilliant.
7. Multi Activity Days - 8-14 years old - Polkyth Leisure Centre - a fun day of activities from swimming to tag darts - sounds like great fun.
8. Kidsworld - a huge indoor play centre in Par, it has a skytrail, climbing wall, dodgems, indoor play, sand and water play and a treehouse scramble.
9. Take a bus trip - bus no. 24 stops right outside the park, so why not take a trip to St Austell Bus & Train Station where you can access connections across the county.  You can purchase a weeks bus ticket for unlimited travel for £25, which works out £3.57 per day to roam around the county.
10. Drive to the other coast.  More often than not, if it is raining here then the North coast will be basked in sunshine.  Each valley seems to have it's own micros climate so go for an explore and hunt out the sun.  Or just stay put and puddle jump!

Getting broody (this could end in divorce...)

It is exciting broody times at Little Winnick this week.  Lady and Bird, the two very tame and adorable chickens who guard reception have been broody for a while.    Lady is the broody one -we got her some eggs, but she stopped sitting when we put them under her so I have had an incubator in our back bedroom - in the meantime she went back to sitting on her eggs.  To cut a long and some what miraculous story short this week three chicks hatched!  So Tuesday night I returned home from work with a box of chickens under one arm and a Mcdonald's under the other!!  Richard's reaction was not good.

So on Wednesday we undertook an 'adoption process'.  Lady is very young and I was not sure how she would react.  But after consulting our friend Google, we converted our shed into a little pen, and then when both Lady and Bird were asleep we took her eggs and replaced them with chicks.  Now, a few days in, so far so good and the adoption seems to be going okay.  We will give them a week or so then they will return to Little Winnick.  Best not talk to Richard about the chickens though.  He does not want chickens in the garden and was less than impressed when the very tame Bird came into our kitchen last night when we were having a BBQ.  They are just so tame!!  I should say our new chicks have be named Annie, Clarabel and Thomas.  We have no idea what sex they are but I will let you work out who we allowed to name them! (Thomas mad Jessica)

We have had a lovely week both weather wise and adventure wise.  Last Saturday we were lucky enough to enjoy an evening meal at Salamander in Mevagissey (a rear treat with two young children).  What a treat - the locally inspired menu is a delight and the service was brilliant.  We then wandered to the front to watch the finale of the Mevagissey Feast Week - a huge fireworks display over the harbour.  What a treat.  If you are thinking of when to stay next year then you must try and be here for the end of Feast Week - it is spectacular.

On Wednesday we popped into Griggs.  From the outside this is a agricultural store, however their selection of Joules, White Stuff, Frugi and various other clothing at a cheaper than normal price is well worth a visit along with the restaurant which does brilliant food.  We enjoyed breakfast there, we were there to buy chick food so I had to butter Richard up a little!  It was one of the nicest breakfasts we have had a while, and very reasonable too.

What's on this week:
Today - Truro Carnival
13th July - Stithians agricultural Show
17th -18th July - Lafrowda Festival - Penzance
18th July - Camborne Show
18th July (and every Saturday morning) - Lanhydrock Park Run
19th July - 12th Annual Motorbike Show - Lemon Quay Truro.

Herman - officially the best guest of the week..maybe the month

We love all our guests dearly, but some times you can't help smile every time you see some, or even just think about them.  And Herman has that effect on me.  When I saw a group of guests pointing at him I thought it was a bit rude and wondered how I  would defuse this situation, poor Herman cannot help his looks.  Then I realised what Herman was.  A tortoise!  As I am writing this I am smiling to myself.  He is without doubt the loveliest four legged friend we currently have on the park!

We are full this weekend again, the good weather and two rally's have ensured we are full to the brim.  Many of those in are extending their stays longer to make the most of this glorious sunshine.  This week, as with the rest of the country it has been glorious.  We have had the odd shower, but to be honest it is a welcome break from the heat.  The touring park is look lovely at the moment with a fantastic mixture of tents, caravans, motor homes and various other set ups.  I have been wandering around the park this morning look on enviously at those cooking breakfast, eating the fresh strawberries and generally enjoying the sun.

With two tired and teasy little girls on the afternoon of our day off we went for a drive, as we sometimes do to aid sleep.  Now it was a brilliant example of the SAT Nav Vs. Maps Vs Guess Work dilemma people often face in Cornwall.  The first rule of thumb is don't solely follow your SAT NAV.  It will take you on, very, very little roads.  We can normally tell by the colour of people if their SAT NAV has taken them on a little adventure to get to us.    So with this in mind, with our trusty road atlas in hand we set off for an adventure across Bodmin Moor and then through some country roads visiting other campsites along the way for a little bit if market research.   We were fine, until I missed a turn and went on some very skinny roads which were not on our map.  The sort where the hedges are 10ft tall, your wing mirrors touch either side and there is grass growing up the middle.  In fact we ended up in the entrance of a farm and had to do some very tense reversing. According to Richard there is never a problem as if you get too lost in Cornwall you will eventually get to one of the coasts, then just turn around and go in the direction you actually want....as the driver I am not sure my nerves could cope fully with this view.  Moral of the story - use agood map!

With the mixed bag of weather comes the dreaded need to pack tents away wet.  We had that fun after our camping adventure here last weekend. with two tents used we had a lot of wet tents to put away.  I have to say putting up tents and to an extent packing them away is one of my favourite past times.  Randomly, believe it or not, I actually have a degree in Adventure Recreation.  Some 15 years ago when I got my degree I never thought we would be in Cornwall with our own campsite.  But that said those skills learnt over three years on various expeditions, putting up various tents and staying in some awesome places are coming in useful now.  You just can't beat putting up a tent, the smell of it, the noise of rain on it, the anticipation of unzipping your door to see if the sun is out...I love tents.  So if need a hand putting up a tent give me a shout!

A new feature of the blogs for those of you staying over the next few weeks is what is on, so here are a few highlights for the next few days:

Tonight - Carninval and fireworks at Mevagissey

11th July - Truro Carnival

11th July Craft Fair & Children's Fun Day at the Merlin Centre, in aid of MS 

18th July - St Ewe Garden Fete (a lovely old fashioned church fete)

26th Jul - Trewithen Country & Classics Show, in aid of Marie Curie

A feast full of fun

This week sees the welcome return of the Mevagissey Feast Week.  A full programme of events is available from reception along with a summary on the daily notice board.  Highlights include the Fish Procession, the amazing Mevagissey Male Voice Choir,  a fishing boat race, crabbing and the finale of fireworks from the harbour.

Many moons ago Richard and I went to the Carnival, it was fantastic watching the processions through the small streets  - it really is worth a visit.  As for the fireworks which go off over the harbour - I still maintain they are the best I have ever seen and I am a lover of fireworks!  It is a late one but it is well worth it.  We are having a rare night out on Saturday for dinner, and then watching the fireworks as a birthday treat for Richard.

I say rare, but this week we were out at one of the 'Eden Sessions' watching Paloma Faith.  It was a stunning evening with great music and company.  Cornwall is a fantastic place to catch a little bit of culture outside, especially with the amazing long evenings.

For a bit of alfresco culture why not visit one of the following:

9th July - Spandau Ballet at the Eden Project
21st July, The Jungle Book at Pentille Castle
25th July - 23rd August - 946 from  Kneehigh Theatre at The Lot Gardens Of Heligan
29th July - The Manificent 3 from Miracle Theatre at Pencarrow House
19th August - Mama Mia outdoor cinema at Caerhays Beach

There are rumours flying around that we are in for a bit of a heatwave,  It looks like Cornwall is set to bake next week.  We are full to the brim next weekend but if you fancy a spot of Cornish sun then why not head down before the schools break up in mid July to make the most of the fantastic weather?

Here at Little Winnick we are pretty full at the moment, with only a hanful of pitches available over the next ten days - it really is lovely to see.  Our wardens who live on the park are away at the moment, and we always like to have someone on the park so we are camping (I know, twice in a week!).  This time it is all of us.  We have stretched to an electric hook up this week so we can listen to Glastonbury on the radio when the girls are in bed whilst listening to the river and watching the stars.  Sounds Lovely doesn't it?!  It is!  I am testing out a new canping kitchen and gas stove - so far so good.  We had sausages last night and bacon this morning.  It was in fact sweet cured bacon from Kittow Butchers who supply our shop.  Wow it was good!  We are stocking their sausages and bacon in the shop.

Little Winnick Virgins

Until last night we were in fact Little Winnick virgins!  We had never stayed on the park, as we have a house near by and wardens who live on the park all the time.  However I undertook a 'Mum & Daughter' adventure and Jess and I pitched our tent and barbecued our sausages for her very first camping adventure at 2 1/2!  It was brilliant.  Richard stayed at home with our youngest as she is not very well and it turned out I got more sleep than him!  I was slightly nervous about being the 'noisy person on the pitch next door' as Jess is yet to master the art of volume control, however we managed to tired them out.  We had friends staying too and by 8.30pm the children had run off just about all their steam, from looking for treasure in the wild flower meadow, feeding Lady and Bird (the chickens) left over tea, playing on the play area and having the excitement of using 'toilets with sinks in' - only a 5 year old can get excited about a toilet and sink next to each other in our vanity cubicles! So my review of the park would be:

"Lovely family park, ideal for families to relax and rewind.  We were one mile from home but felt like we were miles away.  The clear blue skies and barmy warm evening meant we could make the most of the great outdoors.  The 5mph speed limit and park layout made me feel the children could have the freedom to be children but were safe in doing so.  We even had a visit from a little snuffling friend - one of the many hedgehogs who are living on park!"

With families in mind, we know that holidays can be expensive times and sometimes the cheaper days are the best days.  And paying lots to get in somewhere then buying lunch and everything else that you just 'must have' can really add up so with than in mind we have been thinking about how you can holidays for less.

First of all - equipment.  Please do ask if you need something or have forgotten something.  We have quite a collection of camping chairs, wind breaks, camping tables, BBQ's and much more that people have discarded whilst staying with us.  I will start posting what we have on Facebook.  We have decided to help our charity of the year - Parkinson's UK - by asking people to make a very small donation for preloved camping equipment so keep an eye on what we have, and feel free to donate.  My camping trip last night made use of a preloved BBQ, table, 3 chairs, wine glasses and children's glasses.

This week we had a brilliant cheap day out  with a trip to the beach.  We packed the camping stove, some burgers, the most amazing potatoes with butter and bacon from Lidl for 89p (a camping must as they are delicious and there is no mess or fuss with them -  just fry them up!), and the flask of tea.  We headed over to Caerhays.  Now considering we are full tonight we were surprised with how quiet it was.  At most there were 6 other groups on the beach.

We had a lovely beach picnic and an explore of the beach including the 'dinosaur cave' (just a cave but to Jess everything is a dinosaur cave) and then we walked right out across the beach as the tide was the furthest out we have ever seen.  All was going brilliantly until Bethany decided it was far too hot to not have a little dip in a rock pool.  It was the funniest thing we have seen in ages, it was like we had provided the best toy ever.  So not to be left out Jess joined in too.  We were all soaked with no change of clothes but some brilliant memories were made.

From the park why not explore the King Wood.  The beautiful wood has many path to explore, benches to rest your legs and a good selection of trees to admire.

If a more landscaped garden is more your cup of tea then pop over to Lanhydrock House.  Whilst it is National Trust property, and in out opinion one of the best examples of upstairs downstairs living, you can explore the informal grounds for free and make most of their brilliant play area, great for all ages.  There are also free bike trails, including a balance bike track.

Beauties of Cornwall

This week has been wonderful, we have had some lovely interesting guests staying, we have an amazing day exploring Boscastle and we had the honour of showing Malcolm Bell - head of Visit Cornwall around our new facilities and to cap it off I have just read in the visitor book that someone has written "Probably the best site we have ever stayed!"

Sometimes when you are running a holiday park you get so bogged down with bookings, inquires, cleaning and everything else that goes with a campsite that you forget the reason the majority of people are coming to you is they are on holiday and they want to relax and get away from everything.  This week I have had the pleasure of enjoying the park on a number of warm long evenings and it is not an exaggeration to say that is brought a little tear to my eye when you see people just enjoying themselves, kicking back and relaxing.  We had a group of four huge German motor homes in on Tuesday for a few days, they are so big they have their scooters stored inside them.  Amazing pieces of kit.  Our German friends had a wonderful time; so much so many other guests joined them for a glass or two of wine.  Their leader made me a laugh a lot though as she was just blown away by our 'fizzy cider'!

This week we ventured over to Boscastle.  It took about 50 minutes to drive to but it was well worth it.  What a magical place.  The small harbour more recently is known for the terrible floods, however it has long been a 'must visit' place.  You park in the centre of a small village, not dissimilar to many a Cornish village but as you walk past the Museum of Witchcraft

and over the small bridge you realise this is no ordinary Cornish village.  The clear turquoise waters make you feel like you are in the Mediterranean but then you see the Cornish fisherman tinkering with their nets.  Carry on up over the inner harbour (this is not for pushchairs or those unsteady on their feet) and you will be blessed with the most amazing views - truely sensational.  We had clear skies and and hardly any wind and it was the most beautiful place.

After exploring the harbour we indulged in some lunch.  Fresh caught crab sandwiches.  Oh my word.  They were delicious.  Now since I moved here and read Tessa Hainsworth books Up with the Larks, a lovely true story about a lady who moves down to Cornwall to become a postlady, who enjoys fresh lobster I have had a hankering for lobster.  So after chatting with the lovely ladies in Boscastle Fishing Company we took the plunge and invested in a fully dressed one.  It was a lovely treat and something you have to do when so close to the coast.

This week we saw the installation of the radio throughout the new toilet and shower facilities.  A guest just commented that even if it is raining you could pop in and have a lovely shower and listen to the radio!  Talking of toilets; I had the honour of showing Malcolm Bell, head to Visit Cornwall around the facilities on Wednesday with the aim of sharing with other parks and highs and lows of building such an enormous building.

If you are thinking of coming in the school holidays it really is worth booking to avoid disappointment.  We have a handful of pitches left the first week of August and limited availability throughout the rest of the month so please do get in contact if you are hoping to stay with us,