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

Spring Sun & Competition Time

View from Coastguard Hut

Breakfast. Yum

What. A. Scorcher.  Yippeeee.  We are all nursing slightly burnt noses in the Clemo household today having spent the afternoon celebrating Bethany's first birthday with a BBQ in the garden.  We were truly bless with amazing weather.  We have just about managed to put the toys back in the rightful places, collected all the balls from the ball pool and gathered up all the missing eggs from the Easter Egg Hunt!  Back to work tomorrow for a rest.

We have had a brilliant few days sharing it with visiting and local friends.  We enjoyed breakfast in the Coastguard Lookout at Caerhays - I have mentioned this before but it was the first time we have cooked there.  We took our own stove and had bacon and egg sandwiches with cups of tea. The view is staggering - it was really a fantastic treat.  We then walked the coastal path to Portholland to look at the film set - they start filming Miss Peregine's Home for Peculiar Children in the next couple of weeks.  It was amazing looking around, we were tapping walls to see if they were real (they were not) and spent ages trying to work out which buildings had been added and which were always there.

We enjoyed a lovely cup of tea and cake in the Pebbles Cafe.  The lovely cafe is well worth a visit - take cash as they do not accept cards and take a bit extra for the wonderful crafts they create and sell too.

Pebbles Cafe Portholland

Film set

COMPETITION TIME

Now, down to the business of the the aforementioned competition! Each week I write the blog, I love doing it and love visiting places to tell you about.  In return for the blogs we would like your help.  We have a Postman Pat OBSESSED two and half year old who each day runs to letter box to collect the post when it is delivered as in her world every post person is Pat and has a cat called Jess with them!  So, I am asking all blog readers to make a little girls day simply by...

Please can you send Jessica (aged 2 1/2)and Bethany (aged 1) a postcard from where ever you are, near or far.  In return we will give anyone who visits us in the 2015 season who has sent a postcard a free ice cream of your choice. Please help make their days!

Please send postcards to Miss J & B Clemo, Little Winnick Touring Park, Pentewan, Cornwall, PL26 6DL.  Thanks x

Spring is springing!

It is finally here - Spring started on 1st March officially and according to some it will be barbecue weather next week which is so exciting.  And I have to say when the sun is out it is glorious and so many of Cornwall's Tourist Attractions are coming to life.  Jessica and I had lunch at Heligan last week, not only was the food delicious but the lambs they have to pet are adorable.  There are also pigs onsite now too.  We also popped into The Eden Project recently.  That was a lovely day out with so much for children to do and of course dogs are now welcome at both.  

We are busy bees with only a few weeks until opening.  We are cracking on with sprucing up the early arrivals area with new tarmac and the ground work is being done for additional site lighting.  There is also a great deal of painting going on and ordering of new site maps and such like.  Today I will be turning my mind to the shop and getting the huge shopping list ready to restock in the coming weeks and I shall begin the arduous task of choosing ice creams for the freezer!

Perhaps most exciting is the news that we have been granted planning permission for improvements to the exisiting toilet block.  Whilst the facilities that we currently have are very good, with great showers and very clean and tidy, especially the current new block, we would like to consolidate everything under one roof and provide more facilities for our disabled guests and a family bathroom suite to make life easier for parents.  So with that in mind at the end of the coming season we shall be making major changes to what we currently have.  We will have full plans on display at Reception throughout the season so please do come and have a look and ask us any questions you may have.

Online booking is LIVE!

We have now returned after a two weeks away up country - one week in London and one week in Cricket St Thomas - which was just wonderful and we feel almost fully charged.  Jessica is being looked after by Granny so I have the afternoon to crack on at Little Winnick.

Despite being closed we still have lots to keep us busy here.  As I type I am in reception doing the blog and updating the website and information sheets for when you arrive whilst Richard is busy tucked up in the back office paying bills and sorting out energy suppliers.  We are both snuggled in our winter coats as a wooden reception building is not the warmest at this time of year!

Perhaps the thing I have been most excited about over the recent weeks is the new booking system and we are pleased as punch to say you can now book directly online and make payments through the system.  To say it will make life easier is an understatement.  Of course you can still give us a call at anytime to make a booking or with queries but hopefully you will find booking online and checking availability a help.  We do very much look forward to welcoming you and your families to Little Winnick.

One of our guests who flew to Cornwall in their own plane took the picture of the site which we are so very grateful for.  You can see how well we are situated to access the wonderful Kings Wood and miles of paths that connect to the South West Coastal Path and down to Pentewan Beach.

Work in the bottom field is finally nearing completion after months of digging, flattening, chopping and general tidying.  Pictured is the work in progress - it looks a lot different now.

Richard and his Dad have spent this week digging holes to establish better drainage around the arrival area. At times the work has been like a needle in a haystack with no plans to help however they have successfully managed to locate all their drains.

Whilst it is a little bit quieter we are getting to enjoy the festivities around Cornwall.  St Austell had its lights switch on last week and I have to say it is looking lovely.  We also went to Fowey Christmas light switch on and then their market the following day which was very Cornish and lovely!

2014 seems like a long time away but it is approaching fast and it is wonderful to start to plan days out for the future or perhaps even a holiday?  Visit Cornwall is a brilliant source for what is on when so why not take a peek and plan a stay with us around one of the many foodie, literary or traditional Cornish events that happen throughout the year.

Bank Holiday Fun in the Sun

Well, despite it being a bank holiday it looks like the weather is not going to rain on our parade.  After a mixed day yesterday today it is bright with a slight breeze and tomorrow is set to get even better; which is fantastic news for our full camping field - and for our guests in the Rally Field.  On site we have the normal touring field but we are also very lucky to boast a Rally Field too.  The large field is a fantastic space for people to gather for celebrations, club events, reunions or just for a weekend away.  We already have a number of caravan and motor club rallies booked in for 2014, friends coming for a long weekend in the field, a possible football tournament and even interest in a wedding being held there.  If you would like to use the Rally Field please do get in contact with either Heidi or Richard who can discuss options with you.

As the bank holiday comes and goes we say goodbye to the summer season which has been just fantastic and welcome in our seven nights for the price of five which begins from Sunday 1st September.  That means over the coming weeks you could stay seven nights for as little as £40.  Please do give us a call or email us if you would like to make a booking with us.

September is a wonderful time to visit Cornwall, not only is it quieter but it is also often very warm too.  Dates to put in your diary include:

• 8th September - World Bellyboard Championships at St Agness
• 12th - 15th September - Heritage Open Days with free entry to
• Lanhydroch
• Gribbin Daymark
• Glendurgan
• Godolphin Garden
• Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
• East Pool Mine, to name but a few
• 14th September - St Ives September Fest, with exhibitions, poetry, walks and festivals
• 21st September - Roseland Fesitval - a community festival celebrating all local things.