sunset

Our Holiday in Cornwall 2019

August 21, 2019 by Anne Sweet 16 Comments

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.

An orange glowing sunset over the sea — *a beautiful sunset*

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.

little girl eating a tub of ice cream while looking out over the sea. — *I love her sunhat*

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.

Three children standing on a beach with a black dog in the water. — *The little dog’s owner was nearby but I cropped him out of the photo.*

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.

A Woman sitting in a beach wheelchair at the edge of the sea. — *I’m looking quite windswept and I’m glad I took my cardigan*

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.

Image taken from a cliff side looking down on the beach where a little boy is standing looking up. — *Daddy, why have you climbed so high, don’t you realise the tide is coming in?*

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.

a blue sky, the sea and a beach, lined by grass at the front of the photograph — *a sea view is bliss, I would love to live somewhere with a view like this.*

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.

Little boy with orange and blue t-shirt holding a little lorikeet bird on his hand. The bird has a blue head and orange chest, while it's wings are green. — *Lorikeet – “wow, you’re a big bird, but where are your wings?”*

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.

Litttle girl on an outdoor stage with a bird feeding from her hand. — *The perfect bird trainer!*

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.

Two go karts from behind. One with a man and a young boy, the other with two young girls. They are in a caravan park. — *And they’re off!*

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.

A girl and a boy floating in a small outdoor pool — *Practicing floating*

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?

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.

My Sunday Photo – 6th May 2018

May 6, 2018 by Anne Sweet 5 Comments

Are you enjoying the sunshine this weekend?

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago while I was at The Retreat. It’s the view from my bedroom first thing in the morning and the sun was shining.

The sun is shining this morning too, I’d have watched the sunrise this morning if my window was not West facing. I was listening to the birds around 4.30 am. knowing that it would soon be morning. I’d been awake nearly all night after catching a sickness bug from my darling offspring.

Yesterday we spent lounging around in the living room with the curtains drawn and the fan on. We tried opening the patio doors but the neighbours were enjoying the sunshine with a BBQ and very loud music. I was partly jealous that they were having so much fun, partly annoyed that they didn’t shut up all day. We were sick, we wanted peace.

The kids had been up all night the night before so they were getting better by bedtime. Thankfully, they were still tired and went to bed pretty easily. Graham had gone out and I was parenting alone, and by the time they went to bed I was feeling very, very ill myself.

I was clever though. I didn’t eat much yesterday. It’s hard to find an appetite around poorly kids. So all day I’d eaten just a bowl of cereal and a piece of toast. The big kids were staying well out of the way and only came down for dinner which was a take out. The little ones hadn’t been in the kitchen all day so it was deemed a ‘safe’ area. I joined them for a while but I still didn’t feel like eating so I left them too it.

Then after retiring to bed at the same time as the kids, I’d been up all night the night before, I was ill myself.

I think the worst of it was being unable to take my medication so that meant no sleep all night for me.

This morning I am feeling rather delicate, but it will be a slow day for recovery.

And hey, we still have another day this weekend. Maybe tomorrow we will all be well and able to enjoy the sunshine. Fingers tightly crossed.

Finally, how about a sunset photo. After all, tomorrow is another day.

Beauty Exists Not in Sameness But in Difference

March 5, 2018 by Anne Sweet 9 Comments

Last month I spent a lot of time on Instagram promoting Rare Disease Day, 28th February. I also wrote two posts, one about my rare condition and one about my daughter’s. How lucky are we to be so different and have two rare conditions in one family. (hint of sarcasm!)

In fact we don’t have a normal family situation either. I live in a house with four adults and three young children which makes life pretty interesting. The other two adults besides me and my husband, are my older children from a previous marriage. They have yet to leave home and make their own life.

Sometimes I wonder why we have to be so different, why we have so many issues to deal with. I read blogs, lots of them and I see so many ‘normal’ families, enjoying life as it should be. I wish we could be like that. Then I realise that if I think like that I will never be happy. Sometimes being different is okay.

Then I found this story from one of my favourite authors, Paulo Coelho.

Beauty exists not in sameness but in difference.

Who could imagine a giraffe without its long neck or a cactus without its spines?
The irregularity of the mountain peaks that surround us is what makes them so imposing. If we tried to make them all the same, they would no longer command our respect.

It is the imperfect that astonishes and attracts us.

When we look at a cedar tree, we don’t think: ‘The branches should be all the same length.’
We think: ‘How strong it is.’

When we see a snake, we never say: ‘He is crawling along the ground, while I am walking with head erect.’
We think: ‘He might be small, but his skin is colourful, his movements elegant, and he is more powerful than me.’

When the camel crosses the desert and takes us to the place we want to reach, we never say: ‘He’s humpbacked and has ugly teeth.’
We think: ‘He deserves my love for his loyalty and help. Without him, I would never be able to explore the world.’

A sunset is always more beautiful when it is covered with irregularly shaped clouds, because only then can it reflect the many colours out of which dreams and poetry are made.

Pity those who think: ‘I am not beautiful. That’s why Love has not knocked at my door.’
In fact, Love did knock, but when they opened the door, they weren’t prepared to welcome Love in.

They were too busy trying to make themselves beautiful first, when, in fact, they were fine as they were.
They were trying to imitate others, when Love was looking for something original.

They were trying to reflect what came from outside, forgetting that the brightest light comes from within.

taken from A Manuscript Found in Accra, Paulo Coelho

We may be different, we may not lead the same lives as others, but inside we have light and love.

My Sunday Photo – 26th November 2017

November 26, 2017 by Anne Sweet 9 Comments

bare trees sitting against a background of pink clouds at sunset.

If you follow me on Instagram then you may have noticed that I like to photograph the trees at the end of my garden. I have them in the Spring when leaves and blossom are just beginning to grow, in the Summer when they are full and heavy with leaves and birds, in the Autumn when the leaves are changing colour and in the Winter when they are bare and barren. Just like they are in this photo. But it wasn’t the trees that caught my eye, but this lovely pink sunset.

I don’t know if it’s still a ‘thing’ but I remember it once being an insult saying “what’s the colour of the sky on your planet” meaning that you are behaving more than a little weird or alien. Well, I’d like to live on a planet where they sky was always pink or purple.

This day my sky was pink, but I wasn’t being weird, I was just changing the bedclothes when I saw it and grabbed my phone to take a photo….or maybe that is weird?

p.s. this was me this time last year!

It’s also my birthday and it was to make my hubby’s life a little easier not having to remember two separate occasions. I’m pleased to say, he didn’t forget my birthday present this year 🙂

I pin My Sunday Photo pics I visit on my Pinterest Board. Please let me know if you wish your photo to be removed.

My Sunday Photo – 26 June 2016

June 26, 2016 by Anne Sweet 11 Comments

Sometimes you don’t need an explanation. Sometimes just a photo will do.
This is a sunset I took on my phone, no filters, no editing. Just the end to a lovely day.