Wednesday 29 August 2012

Start Bay 12th to 15th August

We do not usually do this in the UK but on this occasion we moved from one Caravan site to another. I have written lots about Start Bay Caravan Club site in the past in the past.
We arrived and set up quickly, as Zoe and Joe were on their way down from home by train, and had to be collected from Totnes station. They were very lucky to do this as I have wanted to do this rail journey but have not had the chance yet.
We watched the closing ceremony of the Olympic games.

Monday was a lovely day, so after a Full English Breakfast, we drove to Salcombe for coffee, and to check on the crabbing conditions.

We returned and all went Sea Fishing from Slapton beach!  Only Zoe caught anything, a Mackerel.  Then back to the caravan where I cooked a roast Turkey dinner .

We spent Tuesday morning at Bee Sands before going into Salcombe in the evening for some crabbing followed by dinner at the Fort.




It was so wet on Wednesday morning as we cleared up. The rain finally stopped as I took the awning down.  We got home in three and a half hours, which is a really good time.

Menehay Farm CL, Falmouth. 5th/12th August

As usual this summer we set off down the M5 in horrific wet conditions. However as we trundled over Bodmin Moor the sun came out. We arrived in Falmouth to be told that the rest of the family, Jade, James and Jack, along with Andy and Val (James's parents), oh and of course Amy, James's sister had been on the beach all day. We set up and James and Jade came up to collect the steak that we had transported down for them.



The next day dawned bright and sunny, so we popped into Falmouth for morning coffee and then it started to rain. I do not think that I have been to Falmouth for about forty years!




 We drove on to Glendurgan Gardens (NT)for lunch.




Low cloud marked the start of Tuesday. Fog horn had been going off over night. We had arranged to drive down to the Lizard with the rest of the family. Not much of a view, and of all things parking was free! We came back and stopped at the viewing area by RAF Culdrose but did not see any activity. Then a pleasant drive back through some very narrow lanes!
Jade Lizzie and Jack
Jade, Jack and James

I could not resist popping this one in here showing Andy's and my Land Rovers


Wednesdays weather was much improved, with clear blue skies. We popped out to for coffee and to read the papers.  We stopped for coffee at the 'Cove@ on Maenporth beach. Here we were able to park for free again. Then we sat on the verandah, enjoying several coffees and teas whilst we read the papers an watched the stunning views over the crowded beach.

The only way to describe Thursday was hot!  We went shopping at our favourite store, Lidl, to get the supplies for an evening barbecue. We prepared and then sat reading.  They all arrived at about 7.30, and it was an almost perfect summers evening.

As a few bottles had been consumed the previous night, Andy had left his Discovery 4 with us, so I popped down into Falmouth to collect him. The flat they were staying in was huge, with stunning views over the sea, and a myriad of boats, large and small.  Lizzie and I spent the rest of the day reading until we got a taxi into town.
We spent the evening at Rick Steins Restaurant.  I have to say it was exceptional, both the food and the cost. It was £19.99 each, for a starter, main and dessert, all chosen from the menu.

On Saturday, the rest of the family were departing.  i got the papers early, and then we had a proper cooked breakfast. Yet again the great yellow globe in the sky looked down graciously over us. We again went to the 'Cove' at Maenporth beach for coffee, before driving some very narrow roads as we followed the coast to Coverack.


Unbelievably we parked just like that. We found a nice pub where we had a beer, before wending our way back to camp, where it was warm but becoming cloudy.

Time to leave this lovely site.  Two other caravans were leaving as well. We all left at about 11.45.  They were moving to North Cornwall, whilst we we were heading to Start Bay.