This year we made the long journey down to Cornwall for our holiday. We started down last Monday and it was already late afternoon by the time we had settled in our caravan. We took a walk down to the pub restaurant and had our dinner while watching the sunset over sea.
Day Two, St Ives, Cornwall
The second day we set off to visit nearby St Ives. We arrived while the tide was out and all the boats seemed stranded on the beach. We had our lunch and then grabbed some lovely cornish ice cream while watching the tide come in and in no time at all the boats were floating.
It was a nice day, not hot and sunny, but it was warm and at least it wasn’t raining. I think we had a mixed week weather wise. One minute it would be sunny, the next it was pouring down with rain. In St Ives we were lucky, not too hot, but not raining either.
I love this photo I took of Boo eating her ice cream.
The kids had so much fun building rock towers on the beach, but I loved this photo of them all playing with dog at the water’s edge.
Day Three, Perranporth, Cornwall
I have a bit of a confession to make here. When I booked our holiday there were two campsites in Cornwall that we could go to, and one was in Perranporth. I really thought that this was the one I’d booked and it wasn’t until the day before the holiday that I’d realised my mistake.
It wasn’t a problem, the campsite we were on was nice enough and Perranporth was only a short drive away. We decided to visit on Day Three. I was keen to get onto the beach. We didn’t pick the best day, it was pretty blustery. Again it didn’t rain while we were there, but it wasn’t perfect beach weather. We borrowed a beach wheelchair and I managed to get right down to the water’s edge. I had to share a photo of my wheels.
Graham and the two youngest left me and Star at the pub on the beach where we could shelter if it rained. Luckily it didn’t, and even the sun made a brief appearance at one point making everyone a bit excited for while.
In the meantime, Graham, Boo and the Little Man enjoyed exploring the rocks and cliffs.
In the evening we went back out hunting for a nice fish and chip shop and ended up in a nice quay side restaurant instead. The food was yummy, but they had no dessert menu for the kids. The desserts ended up costing more than the main meals!
Day Four, Meeting Friends
We had arranged to meet some friends so stayed around the camp site for the day. The camp site had boasted a view of the sea from the balcony cafe. So, we went up there for lunch. The lift wasn’t working so I had to go all around to the back of the building to be let in the fire escape door. It was nice up there and you could see the entire camp site. If you looked real good, you could just about make a slim view of the sea in the distance.
The kids played in the park for a while and then we headed down to the local beach to meet our friends. We sat outside the pub we’d spent the first evening in. This beach is the same one I took the sunset photo on.
We stayed on the park all day and in the evening we headed off for some campsite entertainment. The kid’s played in the arcade for a while but came back to the club and watched the singer. It was a nice evening, my husband even made a video of all the kid’s joining in with a song they knew.
Day Four, Rain Spoils Play
The plan for day four was to visit a local attraction, Paradise Park. But the day started pretty grim. We didn’t have waterproof coats so we went off to the local Asda to see if they had any pac-a-macs. We bought a couple and some umbrellas and also some food so we could eat in the caravan later. When we came out, the weather was abysmal. Our moods were not much better, so we headed back to the caravan. Where we stayed most of the day. At least we had food to cook. The kids were happy because they had lots to play with, including the Switch. It was quite relaxing to sit back and do nothing and I managed to get through some of my audiobook.
Day Five, Paradise Park
I’m so glad we didn’t try to visit Paradise Park in the rain, we’d have missed so much. It really was a lovely place and we got to see lots of birds in flight because it was such a nice sunny day.
My kids love animals so they were in their element. There was also a huge playbarn with slides and soft play. Some of the slides were sheer drops!
We were lucky to see some big birds flying right above our heads. Then we headed into a tropical rainbow paradise where there were colourful lorikeets flying around. They were so pretty and you could get little tubs of nectar to entice them to come and sit on you. Star was in her element, she loved this best of all. The Little Man was also enjoying himself, and I loved how he was wearing the same colours as the birds.
Finally, we got to see some more birds flying over the picnic area. By this time the weather had become really lovely and warm and the bird show was just perfect. Boo even got to go up on the stage and have a bird fly to her hand and retrieve some food.
Day Six, Go Carts and Swimming
Day six was our last full day on the camp and the sun was shining bright. All week Boo had wanted to hire a go cart to ride around the camp and it seemed like the perfect time. I waited outside the cafe with a cappucino while they explored the campsite on the go karts, Graham went with the Little Man and the two girls went together.
Afterwards, it was pool time. Star couldn’t go in so I sat with her around the sun beds and we both read while the others splashed around. The outdoor pools were heated, but they were under the sun today too. I even managed to catch a little sun on my arms.
We then went back to the caravan to pack and have a late lunch. When we were ready we went back up to the campsite entertainment venue for our last night of music and arcades. We left a little earlier though, so we could have a chip shop tea before settling down for some television. (I managed to catch the finale of Marvel Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D) then bed.
The next day it was sad to leave behind such a beautiful place, we’d had such a lovely holiday.
It took us even longer to get home, seven hours, with two stops on the way. We just about made it home for the shopping delivery.
The last time I had been to Cornwall was 15 years ago. It’s such a beautiful place I’d love to go again. I just wish it wasn’t such a long drive! Next time we might visit Southern Cornwall, I’d love to see Mousehole and Lizard Point.
I’m also dissapointed that we didn’t get to visit the Eden Project. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go, but I couldn’t face the long journey there and back from where we were staying.
Have you visited Cornwall? Next time I go I will be considering some of these Inspiring Short Walks.
Linking up to That Friday Linky
Also linking up to Country Kids which I miss linking up to regularly now my kids are older and we don’t get out so much.
Looks like a gorgeous place and you sure had some adventures!
The views are stunning. I waved to you across the Irish Sea, but you probably didn’t see me 🙂 We always look for adventure, even if I have to sit on the sideline.
What a wonderful and fun filled holiday. Looks like everyone is having a great time and way better weather than up here. Enjoy xx
The weather wasn’t great, but apart from one day it wasn’t awful either. The best day was when we went to Paradise park, I think we all got a little sun tan that day 🙂 xx
Hi Anne, Cornwall is such a beautiful place, it’s a shame the weather can’t ever be guaranteed. Now that beach wheelchair looks like a contraption not to mess with! The Eden project is somewhere I’d love to visit one day.
xx
I guess I’ll have to leave the Eden project for another trip. Maybe if we stay somewhere a little closer. Of course, I’d messed up the holiday site, if we’d been at the right one we’d have been closer. My fault! But there will be other chances I’m sure. The beach chair was amazing, I couldn’t believe how comfortable it was 🙂 xx
Sounds like a wonderful holiday. I’d love to visit Cornwall someday. Love the photos.
#ThatFridayLinky
Cornwall is a beautiful place and nowhere seems overcrowded. It’s a pity it’s so far for us to go, or we’d probably go there every year.
Those sea views are beautiful! It sounds like you all had a lovely holiday despite the weather! #thatfridaylinky
We never let the weather bother us. We’ll go on the beach in the rain if we have too. 🙂
What a lovely vacation! I have never seen a beach wheelchair. Such a cool device!
It really was cool, I haven’t been on the beach for so long.
You can’t beat going to the sea with the family, lovely memories you have created X #thatfridaylinky
What a lovely holiday you had (apart from the rain on day five!). Cornwall is such a beautiful county but yes the drive to get there is a long one from most other places! So glad that you were able to get right down to the water’s edge at Perranporth and I love those wheels! Paradise Park sounds like a lovely place to visit. Little Man is very well co-ordinated with the bird in that photo! The go-karts look like great fun. Thank you for sharing with #CountryKids
Love spending time on the beach. I’ve only been to Cornwall twice. Once when I was a boy and a few years ago on a stag party weekend. I have fond memories of the pub on Perranporth beach.
If I ever make it to the UK Cornwall is going to be on my list of must see places based solely on the words of all the bloggers that I read #thatfridaylinky