Cornwall & More

Yippeee we finally made it to Cornwall,the camp that was put on hold.
The weather is glorious on our arrival and the site is very peacefull.We are not the only campers we have several other tenters caravanners and motorhomers for company.Many of whom have taken up late season special offers.On talking with fellow campers we are suprised to find that they had the mother of all storms last night.The weather report for the week is looking rather soggy.Not put off in the slightest as we have waited far to long for this break.

The site littlewinnick is in the beautiful district of St Austell.A site we would readily come back to.
There are plenty of walks from site and it also boasts direct access to the Pentewen Cycle Trail.We walked to Pentewan beach which also had a quaint pub

Although our week was at the end of the holiday season we still found there was plenty to do and see,the benefit we found was no queues or bustle.Just what we both really needed.
We spent our days wandering around the harbours and small villages.Where we were very impressed with the meals on offer.Our evenings were spent relaxing in the tent planning where to go tomorrow.

We were asked by familly to stay in contact whilst we were away.So to give them piece of mind,we took along our laptop and skyped our elderly parents from the tent.Their reactions were pure amazement as we gave them a guided tour of our home from home for the week.

As with all holidays it comes to an end so much quicker than you want it to.We brought back the usual gifts and information packs however I also came home with a new hobby.Having fell in love with the many driftwood sculptures that are in every shop window.I decided to try my hand at making a driftwood tree.I ordered the driftwood from the internet and set to, working out where and how I would have the space I needed..Hubby has set me up in a small garden shed.So once again I have another sanctuary.

I'm really enjoying working with driftwood,I have found it to be very relaxing.I've also found an artistic side that has been buried deep within me.Family and friends have suggested selling my items but I'm just happy doing what I do for now.Maybe one day I will though at the moment I don't need the stress of another job,which i'm sure it would turn into eventually and the added risk of losing my enjoyment.I might add that I have not had any panic attacks,since I put my mind to work on my new hobby.

Our latest camping trip took us to the coast,yes I know not the weather for the seaside.However I had other plans.Finally managing to get a pitch here Graffitoe Farm ( awesome views of the beach ).Quite a lot of the open all year sites were waterlogged and we struggled to find a coastal site.

Kind of like two birds one stone,I decided to see if I could collect some driftwood from the nearby beaches.I did manage to source enough to make a small item.Yet to be decided though.I felt like a bigkid again running up and down the beach without a care in the world.How I needed that.Hubby also had his turn at being a bigkid, catching waves as they came crashing in.Though one wave has cost us a new camera,we had lots of fun and came back wet through of our own choosing.

The weather again was suprisingly mild for November. Views were amazing and again no hustle and bustle.We were the only Tent and had one caravan for company.Again another site I would really like to return to.

Watch this space.

My next blog will cover the trials of a new year camp.
I may also set up a page to display my handmade driftwood collection.

If you have time I would really like your feedback on my blog

Donna Nook

   It's now early November and I have no trouble choosing where to camp this weekend.I'm looking forward to taking the hubby to Donna Nook Nature Reserve. I remember going, way back when I was knee high to a grasshopper but hubby has never been.

Booked into Pigeon Cottage a quiet little site,with good shelter.
The weather is rather chilly but dry. We pitch Bella with no problems,I'm happy now.

Saturday morning we have a good breakfast and set off for Donna Nook. It's very chilly on the coast, so we head to the onsite vender.The coffee is surprisingly good for only £1. Clutching our coffee's we head onto the small walkway.

The sight before us is not for the squeamish,though you wont get much closer to nature.With coffee finished the cold wind becomes forgotten as we click away with our camera's,oh and awe -ing to what lay before us.The hubby is impressed, pointing out the huge protectors of their young bouncing and sliding to an approaching predator.We spend a good couple of hours just watching nature unfold.
On the way back hubby asks me what seems like a daft question.I look at him gone out,with a cheeky grin he repeats his question."I have no idea " I reply.With my response given hubby points down towards a wooden sign. Where he slowly lifts the small wooden panel, beneath his seemingly daft question .Here lies the answer.Which he refuses to tell me.We notice the walkway is dotted with these Q & A signs and race each other to read them. At the last one there is a small hut where you can read lots more information or purchase small gifts.

Feeling the cold once more we opt for another coffee ,welcoming it's warmth to walk back to the car with.

A good morning out for so little cost as entry is free,but car parking is a small charge.We both agree that this will become a yearly visit.

Donna Nook

Introducing Bella

  I've not wasted anytime at all looking for a canvas tent.It could only be a bell tent.But which supplier caused a headache.

In the end we opted for a 4m Ease from Soulpad. Why? As a now declared camping addict,they had the fastest delivery option at purchasing time.

Of course I feel very strongly attached to this tent so have had to name it just like I did with Lincoln.

Bella

 Picture taken recently at Bungdale Head Farm

We use Bella from Mid September through till Easter,loving the snugness from the Sig and the quickness with which we can be set up on those chillier days.The glow of the indoor lantern also looks prettier in the winter months,giving a very warm welcome after a day out walking.

We do have a couple of niggles with Bella but nothing major.Firstly She's way to lovely to cook in ,so currently looking at options available to us.Secondly the cable for EHU has to go directly through the middle of the front doors,I dealt with this by inserting my own zip into the left  lower wall panel.
Friends and campers alike have commented on this from,"you brave girl "to" wow super job","will you do mine". To which I respond "NO,would any of you have dared to do it for me".

We have several canvas tarps which we can use for outdoor cooking or just shelter.

Scotland

  Our main holiday is now upon us a week booked in here  http://www.glen-nevis.co.uk/?id=13 with the TT.On arrival at the site you can't help but take in the freshness and beauty that surrounds you.Not least the striking closeness to Ben-Nevis or the fact that we have a bird's eye view from our pitch.

Our Pitch

  Setting up today takes longer as we are just so in awe of our surroundings.The site is very peaceful though far from empty.Back home in England it's the bank holiday and we relish the fact that we are out of it.

After setting up we wander around the site and are impressed with the facilities on offer.Gardeners are busy trimming and sweeping.Yet still more noticeable is the peace and quite, yet there are children and adults alike enjoying the on-site park.

As night falls all we can see of the groups of walkers coming down from Ben Nevis are the torches.It's quite a scene.

We have no set itinerary though we do have a few places we'd like to visit.So after a leisurely breakfast we head out on foot to explore the surrounding area.Camera's clicking constantly at the scenes before us.We call in at the Ben Nevis visitor center to learn more about our neighbour.

Day 3   We head off to John O'Groats.On arrival the weather has turned and it's blowing a gale with torrential rain.The trip over to the Orkney's was out of the question as the ferries were all cancelled.We took refuge in the cafe until the rain stopped.Building work was well underway on the all new modern looking hotel.We had the obligatory photograph taken,wandered around the few shops that were open,and headed back.

Day 4   We stay local again and complete the Ben Nevis walk which was very pleasant.After tea we head off through the site to the pub, it's a balmy evening here so we choose to sit outdoors.

Day 5   After trawling through the brochures at reception we decide to visit steallfalls.The walk is fairly easy but very picturesque.As we reached the meadow we were dumbstruck it's just so well erm there!! We did the rope crossing and wandered around for some time just taking it all in and capturing the moment on camera's.

Steady

 Stopping on the way back at lower falls.
After a pleasant day we settled down to watch the walkers descend Ben Nevis.What we didn't expect was the gut wrenching sound of search and rescue.I instantly felt shivery and thought I was about to lose my tea.It is the most horrible feeling knowing someone is in distress but not being able to do anything about it.Sleep didn't come easily to me on this night.

Day 6   Just what the doctor ordered a visit to Ben Nevis Distillery. This was a first for us having never done any of the brewery tours before.What an eyeopener,a good couple of hours and a lesson learnt,not to mention the extra bottles now sat in the drinks cabinet.We followed this with some good ole retail therapy,constantly being reminded by hubby of the space required to take these new items home.With lots of daylight left we head off to Aonach Mor .Taking the cable car to the top,we once again have some great views.After a walk over the mountain we head back down and watch the bikers come down,before we head back for a hearty tea.

Day 7  Today is the day we are going to climb Ben,we've sat and admired him all week now it's time to test our nerve.After a good breakfast we pack the rucksack with all the must haves and set off through the site heading to the youth hostel.This is the quickest starting point from where we are pitched.The weather is slightly overcast with a glimmer of sunshine sporadically.
Today there are plenty of other walkers on the path too,we are in no rush and let them by.
Surprising how many were on there way down as it was only just 9am.We were also disturbed by how many were just in regular footwear and no bag in sight.
We took our time and found it easy going,the weather was brightening and we had some great views of the Glen and our TT.What the hubby didn't like was the small bridges,preferring solid rock under his feet.As we approached the summit the weather turned and we were now climbing in a downpour.We didn't hang around at the summit, a quick picture or two a sandwich and a chocolate bar and back down.

Descending Ben Nevis

 If the weather was going to get wild we didn't wish to stay out in it.Halfway down it became slippery underfoot and more care was needed.The weather had began to pick up again so we sat for a while taking in the magnificent views.Still plenty of walkers passing us going up and down.On reaching the bottom we headed for the visitor center and took a steady stroll back to the site.
Noticing the tuck van that operates onsite, was now open we quickly showered and treated ourselves to Haggis and chips.It wasn't long before we were ready to turn in for the night.

yes unfortunately it's time to go home to dreary old England and work.