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.

2013 season has come to a close

Well that is it, today we finally close the 2013 season - as I type I am in reception waiting for the last guess to hand in their barrier pass for what has been a wonderful 2013 season.  Whilst waiting I inputting details of all our 2014 bookings into our shiny new booking system which will go live very soon.  In the meantime if you would like to book for 2014 please do give us a call on 01726 843687 or email mail@littlewinnick.co.uk.

As I mentioned in the last blog we could not have asked for a better start to our new venture with fantastic weather and brilliant guests and hope that 2014 will be equally as good if not better!

Although the season has come to an end we will still be down here beavering away with a long list of work.

As a treat to ourselves once we lock those gates shortly we will be off for lunch at the Market Cafe in Mevagissey and a walk around the harbour - Cornwall in the winter is just fantastic with rough seas, dramatic skylines and bracing walks - I will take come pictures for the next blog, which will continue throughout the winter.

Storm in a tea cup

Hello,
Sorry it has been so long since my last blog, Richard, Jessica and I have been on our holidays; after our first season here we were in need of a bit of a holiday.  Some may say that it was a bit of a bus man's holiday as we stayed in a static caravan in Weymouth - but static vans are just perfect for little people into everything!  We managed to time it just right with great weather meaning will could enjoy the likes of Portland and Chesil Beach.  Never fully off duty we had a look round the touring park and checked out their facilities!  We are back now for a few weeks then off again in November to see family who didn't get to see much of us over the summer.

I am very pleased to report the storm seemed to pass through Cornwall last night without too much damage - we have no fallen trees to report and just a few more puddles after the heavy rain that the wind brought with it.

As for us, we have our hands full with Jessica who is, as of last week, walking.  We hoped she would wait until the end of the season to do it as having a crawling baby in reception was one thing, having a running toddler seems like a whole different kettle of fish.

Last time I told you about the work in the bottom field that is happening.  It is still going on and it is amazing how huge the field is now at lot of the dead wood and bushes have been removed.  The work has allowed us to clear out the leat that runs along the boundary of the site.  Until this week it hasn't really been flowing, however after a lot of hard work removing bathes and such like which had been dump in there many moons ago and the leat is running really well which can only be a good thing for the drainage of the whole site and surrounding area.

In the coming weeks Richard and his dad will be digging trenches on the site in preparation for more water points and hook ups in the rally field.  The hope is to get as much ground work done as possible before Christmas to allow time for the ground to recover.  I shall be planting hundreds of daffodil bulbs to compliment all the daffodils that are already here.  I shall also be looking into what trees we plant in the bottom field to replace all the dead wood.

As our final week of 2013 season approaches we find ourselves reflecting on our first year.  We are so grateful to so many of you who have come to stay here and hope to welcome you and your families back for years to come.  As the site changes over the seasons it is a pleasure to see our vast and differing collection of guests come and go.  From the German tanks that scared the life out of me when they arrived, to guests who come for a few nights and end up staying weeks, to the couples with their dogs wandering down to the local pub to the children who arrive knowing no one but leave in tears not wanting to leave behind their new best friends.  The site feels quite strange with only a handful of people on it now.  We could not have asked for a better start to our new venture and a huge thank you goes to you for helping is enjoy every minute of the 2013 season.

Great autumn offers

It seems that there are some great offers to make the most of autumn sun.  Heligan is offering a new Winter Pass.  You pay to get in once and for just a £1 upgrade you can go back as many times as you like between now and February.  And if that is not enough children get in free.  What a brilliant idea especially as it is such an interesting time to visit the gardens with the fabulous Harvest Festival taking place too.

The Ship Inn in Pentewan is now offering a Thursday night carvery for just £4.99.  Famed for their delicious carvery this is a real bargain - you might even see us there!

Yesterday Richard went to The Eden Project to attend an event publicising cycling around Cornwall.  Not only are there some new routes opening there are more opportunities for people to enjoy a cycling break in Cornwall.  Locally the Pentewan Cycle Hire will deliver bikes to the site for the day, however the Re:Source Centre in Bodmin will be offering weeks hires from £50.00 next season with them delivering the bikes to you and collecting them at the end of your stay.  We think this is a brilliant idea as we know only to well how hard it is to squeeze everything in when you come on holiday especially with little people in tow!

This weekend saw a Rally on site with guests coming from all over Cornwall.  The Cornwall District Branch of the Caravan and Camping Club enjoyed their stay so much they have already booked up for 2014.  The group arrived on the Friday and spent Saturday decorating their vans for a window dressing competition on Saturday night which was judged by our Wardens followed by complimentary pasties.

Bookings

Jessica and I are in charge (or so we like to think anyway) for the next few days as Richard and Alison have headed off to the Caravan Show in the New Forrest.  They are on the hunt for some new static caravans for River Valley Holiday Park, our other site a mile up the road.  So I am here writing the blog whilst Jessica is in her highchair attempting some colouring and waiting for guests to wave at.

This weekend sees our first rally on the park with the us welcoming the Camping and Caravan Club - Cornwall District Association.  It is the first of many rallies planned over the next twelve months - we just hope the weather brightens slightly for them as right now it is a bit murky.  This rally is happening in the main touring field however we have a large rally field which is ideal for rallies, groups of friends, clubs or even as a wedding location.  If you would like to find out more about holding a group event in the rally field please give me (Heidi) a call on 01726 843687.  This weekends rally will see a caravan/motor home window decorating competition which we have the important role of judging along with a pasty supper on Saturday night.

It has been an exciting week here at Little Winnick, we are finally getting a super doper booking system.  In times gone by Judith and John used to run their holiday businesses from a chalk board and a note book.  Now I will let you into a secret, at the beginning of the season we didn't know how busy we would be, we had missed all the big advertising opportunities and after another very wet winter we were slightly nervous about the weather.  So we took the bold decision to run the booking systems on an excel spreadsheet not too dissimilar to the old systems Judith and John used.  My, what a decision that was.  Not only were we busy, but we were full most of August so I am sure you can imagine I had a few sleepless nights worrying about double bookings and whether the excel spreadsheet and more to the point whether we were up to the challenge.  Luckily it all went okay but I could not go through another season juggling over 90 pitches like that.  So within the coming months you will be able to check availability and make bookings on line.

Talking of bookings, you can now book for the 2014 season by giving us a call.  We already have a lot of bookings coming in.  If you have stayed with us before and would like a specific pitch or pitches please do give us a call and we will do our best to reserve it for you.

This week has seen diggers on site.  It has made us smile all the speculation we have heard about what people think we are doing.  Despite some interesting rumors we are merely tidying the bottom field and finishing some clearing work we started earlier in the year.   I am myself hoping to get down to the bottom field for half an hour on Saturday to harvest the last of the blackberries to keep us going over the winter.

The week will end with a bit of a party for us.  On Friday nigall the staff from Tregongeeves, Little Winnick and River Valley are off out for our end of season/Christmas party!  I am sure it must be one of the earliest Christmas parties but some of our team head off for hotter climes over the winter so they like to have a celebration early.  We are all heading to the Polgooth Inn for tea.

CAPTURE CORNWALL COMPETITION

It is competition time here at Little Winnick!  We have loved meeting everything single one of our guests over the summer and have loved hearing about all your adventures throughout your stays.   Believe or not some people have never been to Cornwall and have no idea what it is like.  So we thought we would run a little competition - to see your best pictures from your holidays that 'Captures Cornwall'. The winner will get  a two night stay here at Little Winnick, with pasties on arrival!  So what do you have to do?

1. Email us your picture(s) you think 'Captures Cornwall' at it's best.  It could be from around Little Winnick Touring Park, a beach, walk, eatery or what every you think captures Cornwall
2. Email us all entries by 31st October 2013 to mail@littlewinnick.co.uk.
3. Please include within your email, where the picture was taken, who took the picture and when it was taken along with your full postal address and contact number.

By sending us your pictures you are allowing us the rights to your picture and as such we can use it within publicity produced by and for Little Winnick Touring Park.

Autumn arrives in Cornwall...but the sun is still out

I think most campers will agree that there is certainly a chill in the air, however I can confirm when the sun is out it is still very powerful and warm.   If I am honest with you we are moving into our favourite time of year here.  Don't get me wrong, summer in a sunny Cornwall is awesome, however hot days in September and October feel extra special, especially as everything is a little bit quieter and calmer.  

As locals we know that there are some brilliant events in the coming weeks and we also know the best places to find a roaring fire to snuggle up next to after a long bracing walk.  My favourite fire to nestle in to is at the Polgooth Inn.  The fire is in the heart of the pub, and with a pint of local ale warming your insides you can't go wrong.  The Eden Cafe in town also has an amazing fire.  The large open burner has sofas all around it so you can enjoy a lovely treat off their menu whilst being tucked into cosy chairs.  Right now, at this time of year when it is still warm enough to enjoy the lunch time sun but you want to feel like winter is coming my all time favourite place to go is the Duchy Nursery just outside Lostwithel.  Their food is brilliant, their plants are fantastic and their shop will want you make to buy everything.  But my favoutite thing is sitting outside in the sun whilst smelling their wood burner that burns away inside...there is something about that smell that gets me ready for the winter!

If you are planning a visit to Cornwall before we close for the winter on 31st October why not plan it around one of the many events up and coming over the next few weeks.  In fact I found something on every weekend - all of which are worth a visit.

Roseland Festival - 21st September - 6th October.  The full programme can be found here, but with lots of community events, talks, shows, dining and a quiz you are sure to find something of interest.  The Philleigh Way Cookery evenings looks particularly good.

Cornwall Food & Drink Fair - 27th - 29th September.  We loved this last year with all things foodie and Cornish showcased in one location.  We would advise going early though as it does get very busy.  If you don't manage to fill yourself up on all the tasters then why not treat yourself to lunch at The Old Grammar School - we love their food.

Boscastle Food, Art & Craft Festival - 5th - 6th October.  This small village knows how to enjoy food -and this year the programme looks even better than usual with famous chefs, cooking demonstrations, talks, barn dances and concerts this is one not to be missed.

Falmouth Oyster Festival - 10th - 13th October.  Love them or hate them oysters are a bit like marmite. But the festival celebrates the start of dredging season and brings together music, food and crafts to celebrate.

Seed to Sow - Lanhydrock - 17th October.  Join the garden team to collect seeds in the Herbaceous Border and learn how to sow them and care for them in the Plant Nursery.  Maybe you can get a garden looking as good as Lanhydrock!

Spooky Halloween Trail or Tour at Pendennis Castle - 26th October - 3rd November.  Enjoy following a spooky trail around this impressive English Heritage property.

Little Winnick News - we look forward to welcoming our first Rally to the park later this month and are looking forward to the numerous rallies we have booked in for 2014 both in our purpose built Rally Field and within the park itself.  

We have a comprehensive list of works for the winter - some of which we have already started including putting in pitch dividers on certain pitches.  We will be sprucing up the toilet blocks, developing the planting, installing a new booking system, and a few other things!  In between on this we hope to have a little holiday ourselves.

The chickens have already gone on their hols.  Currently they are at our holiday cottages in a warm stable whilst we clean their pen as they have red mite which is very common at this time of year.  They will however be moving to our back garden fairly soon for their winter break.  I am most pleased about this - Richard is less than pleased that they will be spending the winter with us!