a little trip to devon + cornwall

23 July 2013


As the thermometer was reaching unknown bounds last week here in the UK. We had to escape London and headed for the west country. We had four days, and we aimed to get as far as Fowey in Cornwall.
We stopped in Devon on the way, in a little village called Branscombe.

We pretty much had a field to ourselves!

The next day we had lunch at an old tiny bakery. It was the best sarnie I have ever eaten.


and inside was just as beautiful, with all the bread tins and huge mixing bowls etc...



Our tot loved crawling about on the smooth old floorboards (although I had to tie her dress up, so excuse the nappy view).



 She got filthy on that floor, so had a quick wash off in the little stream before going to the beach.


Branscombe bay was perfect, crystal clear water, and colourful fishing boat (just the one boat that is!).



her new game is walk round and around the umbrella pole.

after that we went on down to Cornwall. We found a nice campsite near Polperro. The views were amazing and we pitched up our tent beneath a crumbly church tower.



We had a quick look around Polperro...



and then went for a little trip out to sea in this fishing boat...

...which had the most hilarious skipper's dog, who barked at every boat that came within 50 metres.



we also visited Polruan and parked our van at the top of a huge hill. This afforded us lovely views, but we regretted it on the long steep walk back.

We crossed the river ( this is where the river meets the sea so I suppose it is an estuary) in a small ferry and when I saw the water on the other side of the harbour, I had a strong urge to strip off my clothes and dive in.


which I did.

we mooched about Fowey for a while, we found some impressive shops and had a beer over looking the harbour. nice.



Then we caught the ferry back to Polruan and reclaimed our van.


that the ferry below (orange one)...

The next day, we set of early to see if we could make it down to Lantic Bay. Its a vertical path running down the cliff edge.


to this...


and yes we made it.


we bought a kind of cream tea with us (minus the jam and the tea).
A few seconds later, our cream and strawberry topped scones got a neat even dusting of sand. Then kiddo got sand all over her, mixed with strawberry and then got upset and then got sand up her bum. She does NOT like sand, we have discovered.

I love the rock formations in Cornwall, very sculptural.

After that we headed home to the campsite. The next day we had to pack up and head back to Devon, but we wanted to see the Eden Project before we went. I remember this being built when I was studying in Falmouth, and I always wanted to go. That was about 13 years ago, whaaaaaaatt!

We had to cross the river again, on a little car ferry...

as usual, we headed straight to the cafe first.
I love the highchairs there, they have wheels! what an amazing idea. I am thinking to buy the same one for our home.


oh my gosh it was sweltering hot, and not a day for the baby carrier.


There are two Biomes, one is Rainforest climate and the other is Mediterranean. Needless to say, being a Brit, I nearly passed out in the humidity. Nao says this is what Japan is like most of the time. Crikey.




Anyhows, little'un didnt seem to mind, she was too busy looking around for things she could get her mitts on.






The Eden project is a very special place and one that we should all feel immensely proud of in my opinion.

...also, the shop is amazing!

On the way back through Devon, we stayed one night at the same campsite as before, and then had lunch the Hive Beach Cafe on at Burton Bradstock near Bridport. Another lovely place, however me and Tot were pretty shattered by that time and we had a kip in our breezy van out of the heat.
It was along drive back to London, but now we are home, we realised that the west was actually quite a lot cooler!

the end.

52 comments

  1. Hello
    Could you let me know what campsite you went to and where did you get your tent from - i really like it its spacious and looks cool. I could do with a little holiday like that right now
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. we bought our tent from a very crappy company in the UK who I'm not going to mention, as I don't want to give them free advertising. You can find loads of suppliers {the tents all seem to come from the same supplier in Holland anyway} if you google 'canvas bell tent'.

      the campsite in Devon was Coombe View farm.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2.8.13

      please could you share what size bell tent you bought ? I am looking at 5 metre ones, but wonder if they are too big ? And living in North Devon there is no show room around for miles for me to take a sneaky peak ! If I knew what size you had I could guess as to the size I might need :-) Thanks and cheerio, Kirsty xx (The Sometime Seamstress)

      Delete
  2. Just Lovely. Looks like a beautiful trip, this part of the world is so darn lush. Like you I love the Eden project, it's absolutely awesome, and totally inspiring. I love Pehrs hanky hat ! Perfect for a trip to the beach. Xx

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  3. Ahh, I always look forward to your posts about your trips here and there, beautiful photographs every time. You always inspire me to grab the kiddos, throw everything in the car and go exploring! :-)

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  4. Thank you for such a lovey visit. Always love reading your posts. You share the best camping trips.
    Joy

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  5. Your photos reminded me of when we went to Devon years ago; the same cottage tea room where we sat outside for tea in Branscombe, the same Polperro wall where a seagull stood in my old photo, the Fowey we never made it to in the rain on the bikes we hired from Looe... ah happy days...

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  6. Anonymous23.7.13

    Pehr's little gingham head scarf is sooooo cute! Ruth in Dublin.

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  7. absolutely love the portable tent. So cute!

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  8. Anonymous23.7.13

    Absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous. Seeing this post cheered me up!
    Much love to you and your family. :)

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  9. Anonymous23.7.13

    What brand/model is your baby carrier? It looks lovely and padded. Our little one has outgrown her Baby Bjorn, or rather our backs have, and we are looking for something a little more supportive! Lovely lovely pictures, looks like you had a ball. Love reading ALL of your blog posts but particularly the camping ones. Keep enjoying xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, see here>
      http://www.junkaholique.com/2012/11/things-that-i-have-bought-recently.html

      all the best x

      Delete
  10. Looks like you had a wonderful time! I'm now looking at holiday lets in Polperro :) We've been looking at places to stay in Cornwall and I really love the photos of this town that I hadn't looked into before. We need to get drivers licenses!! Your pictures are more motivation to do that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Leigh! Yes it was lovely down in Cornwall, it get even better if you go right to the end (which we didnt this time).

      Polperro is very touristy, we preferred Polruan and Fowey is beautiful although quite posh!
      x

      Delete
  11. I really love Pehr's outfits, so cute. I really enjoyed the Eden project when I visited a few years ago, especially loved the allotment gardens outside.

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  12. Your blog and your little tot make me smile :-) x

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  13. gorgeous vacation photos! but that perfect little baby really stole the show! that little kerchief is killing me!

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  14. As soon as I read your posts I want to buy a camper and take off, thank you for sharing your trip.

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  15. I know how the dog in the Fowey picture feels, it has been so hot!
    Gorgeous post and I really love the new layout by the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Vicar! Yes I am a typical complaining Brit, moaning about our rubbish summer and then moaning about the heat.

      Im going to write you an email!
      x

      Delete
  16. Wow, gorgeous photos!! Looks like such a lovely family trip :)

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  17. I love your camping posts, so adorable! Always makes me want to rush out with my tent. I love Cornwall, wish we lived closer as it's not really feasible for us to just go for a weekend but it's so beautiful!

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  18. Valerie24.7.13

    Your pics always make me want to travel to South Britain ! You're almost a travel guide ! Thanks.

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  19. We went to a lot of the same places when we were in Cornwall a couple of weeks ago, and crikey isn't the path down to Lantic Bay steep!! such a lovely beach at the end though, it was worth it!

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  20. Donna24.7.13

    Yet another stunning set of photos. Does your camper ever conk out when you are on your travels? Ours can be a temperamental old thing, not sure whether we would make it to Cornwall! Does gorgeous Pehr travel well? Our 3 would be driving us mental within less than an hour, I'm sure...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      Our van is generally reliable as we have it serviced regularly.
      Our kiddo usually sleeps the whole journey! She LOVES camping, but I think most kids do.

      Sorry to hear you have difficulties traveling with you little'uns : (

      Delete
  21. aah - such a lovely diary of a trip, and wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing this - i feel inspired to head south this year

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  22. One of the best place to go for holiday. From where you got inspiration to go for such beautiful place ? Your pics inspires me to be a traveller.

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  23. Great photos. We just got back from two weeks around Cornwall. We stopped by Polpero, but St Ives and Mevagissey did it for us!

    Also, completely random, but we seem to have picked the same blogmilk template. Waiting to purchase mine. Hope you wouldn't think I was copying now (of all the things to worry about, eh?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, yes St.Ives and Mevagissey are lovely too, but I have been there many times before when I lived in cornwall.
      I hope we can get enough time off to go further down cornwall, where husband has never been. x

      Delete
  24. Anonymous25.7.13

    Ahhhhhhhhhhh. So lovely. We're off to Devon to see the sights and introduce our baby to great granny. Can't wait now.
    Lovely posts. x

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  25. If ever there was a perfect blog, it's yours! It's my little English getaway until my next visit across the pond. Thank you for sharing your travels, photos, and lovely family. I look forward to every post!

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  26. I'm impressed you managed the climb down to Lantic Bay with a baby. We went last summer and I was too nervous to climb down with Pip in the baby bjorn at 3 months old.

    Next time you're nearby Fowey/Polruan, I highly recommend Botelet for camping. We've stayed in both yurts (once on our honeymoon) and they also do traditional camping as well.

    Did you go to the open garden in Polruan, part way up the hill? you can walk down to a beautiful little private beach. so so lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the campsite tip, I see they only have 2 pitches so may have to book three years in advance ; ) it must be very good!

      The walk down to lantic bay is not actually that bad, as there is a longer, less steep route. But as i am so unfit, it felt pretty steep to me! My husband carried the tot, I could barely carry myself!!

      Id recommend you try do it next time, your kiddo will love it down there Im sure x

      Delete
  27. Anonymous26.7.13

    I love reading your blog. You have such a lovely little family and Pehr is a lucky girl. After a morning full of hearing that my husband accidentally put the cat in the dryer for two minutes I'm very safety conscious.
    I just noticed you building a campfire right next to the blankets, and I had a sudden concern wash over me - does she have a fire extinguisher for camping? You probably do, so I'll go back to berating my husband and cuddling my cat, who is luckily ok. No signs of overheating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh that's terrible!! Poor cat must have been terrified.

      I think you should concentrate on yourselves after such a scary event.
      Our blankets are made of wool.

      Delete
    2. oops! my phone cut off my message!
      ...we have a few fire extinguishers, but I'd probably grab a wooly blanket to put out a small wood fire if that ever happened to be honest, as an extinguisher is a bit ott, and we keep them for engine fire (fingers crossed we will never need them)!

      I think camping is a lot safer than driving to work or crossing the road, unless you are really stupid with gas/flammables and nylon tents! So relax about us, and take your cat to the vets asap!

      Delete
  28. Nice job on taking so many photos of the whole trip! You really do a great job and telling a story through photos! So often I only take the camera out for one moment and then have all of my photos in one spot. I really love the variety you have. REALLY makes me want to recreate your trip! :)

    OH, and it must be said....LOVE those chubby cheeks. Your little one is so precious. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Henna (lovely name btw),
      Yes we make a point of taking lots of pics, especially as I have only ever seen 2 photos of me as a baby, I really want our daughter to see lots of what she did before her memories kick in!

      Cornwall is perfect for adventuring so go go!
      x

      Delete
  29. wow wow wow! so happy to see so many nice photos of your trip! Glad you had a good time with your family. Love Pehr's outfit and the little 'dutch lady' hat :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ha ha! Yes I really want to get her some clogs to go with her head scarf thingy. x

      Delete
  30. For babies on the beach take talc. It's great for getting sand off when you want to eat or if you have to deal with sandy bottoms. We discovered it last year and now never go to the beach without it!
    Sounds like a very good and busy break you had!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Alexis, thats such a great tip!

      Delete
  31. Greetings from the U.S.! I just found your beautiful blog. My husband and I love to go camping and adventuring and we just had our first baby. My question is: where did you find that zip-up baby bed/playard?

    I look forward to delving into your blog more, especially to be inspired by what can be done with a little one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the travel cot thing, we bought from amazon. x

      Delete
  32. What beautiful photos, and what a precious little one! We have taken our 6-month old on her first camping trip, and she loved it. I am curious about the little "pod" baby tent that is inside of your tent - can you tell me where you got it or what brand? Many thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. not sure of the brand, Koo-di ?? I got if from amazon.
      But i have mentioned on Facebook, its not very good as she can tip it over easily. You will need to firmly wedge it up with something or only put babe in it when hey are fast asleep. x

      Delete
    2. thanks so much! I just discovered your blog and am so happy I did - so lovely.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous30.7.13

    I absolutely adore your camping posts - your photos are so beautiful! And I'm so envious of your lovely tent. I'm heading down to Cornwall this weekend for a friends wedding, I hope the sun comes out for us, it's such a gorgeous part of the world :)

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  34. Lovely photos. We live in Devon and get to visit Cornwall often too, but never in such a romantic way as you. Actually I've been thinking of offering you our field to camp in if you're ever down this way, it's very beautiful and next to the river teign. No facilities but you're welcome to use our downstairs loo, get water from the outside tap and have a fire. We're half way between Exeter and Okehampton, 10 minutes off the A30. Email me if you're interested books at ninafenner.co.uk x

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  35. Linda6.8.13

    Thank you! Exquisite photos - what a holiday! Sweet babe as always.

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  36. We enjoyed your visit. Surprised at how much we did on one day!Look forward to your next visit and maybe will come too.

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