Bude for the Craft and Gift Fair

This weekend we were in Bude, North Cornwall. A chance for us to stay at one of our favourite sites Wooda Farm Holiday Park. We have stayed at this site many times, in good weather and bad and have never been disappointed.

It has to be said that this site is quite open and can be a bit exposed and windy. On one of our stays we actually saw someone chasing a tent down the field. But all the facilities are kept really clean, there is a park for the children, a small shop, woodland walk, golf and of course the Courtyard Bar.

Empty pitches at Wooda with Bodmin Moor in the background

This was a relaxing weekend with a meal at the Courtyard Bar and a walk along one of the local cliff paths.

Well worth the climb, fantastic views from the top!!

Rock and Padstow

Last weekend 31/5/2013 we finally took the Caravan out again. It was just for a short trip out to Padstow in Cornwall for a couple of nights.

This time we stayed at The Padstow Touring Park, our first time at this site. It has to be said that we were very impressed. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the site itself was well kept and cared for. And all the facilities were clean. There was a small play area that my daughter spent some time on, and a small shop. The site is not far away from Padstow, or the nearest Tesco.

While we were in the area we visited Rock, Padstow and a favourite beach of ours Porthcothan. A few years ago we rented a house in the area with friends for Christmas. On Christmas day we walked on the beach at Porthcothan, it was magical.

Porthcothan

We also visited Rock during our brief stay. I always find it too busy and too difficult to park. However there are fantastic views across the Camel Estuary to Padstow.

Looking across the Estuary towards Padstow from Rock







Lyme Hall and Lyme Park in Cheshire

I visit Cheshire where I was born at least 3 or 4 times per year. Unfortunately I do not manage to visit Lyme Park on each occasion. Which is a shame because I spent so many happy hours there when I was growing up.

We used to walk across the fields and through the local farms to get there. Always with a picnic and a bottle of lemonade. We used to sit near the stream at the bottom of the drive, there we could chill our lemonade in the stream, and paddle our toes in the water. The perfect way to enjoy the long hot summer days.

Lyme Hall



Lyme Hall and it's 1300 acre estate was the home of the Legh family until 1946. The Hall is the largest in Cheshire and a Grade 1 listed building. The estate boasts herds of Red and Fallow deer.

Some might recognise the Hall, as it was used by the BBC in the 1995 adaptation of  Jane Austen's  'Pride and Prejudice' starring Colin Firth. Lyme Hall was used to depict Mr Darcy's home 'Pemberley'.  Although I believe from the book The Making of Pride and Prejudice (BBC) that the scene where Colin Firth emerges from the lake was not filmed at the lake in front of the Hall. But at another one close by.

As you travel up the driveway from the main gates on the A6 you will pass on your left, on top of a hill - Lyme Cage. It has been used as a hunting lodge, and as a lock-up for Prisoners.

Lyme Cage

On a good day it is worth taking a walk up to the Cage, as there are far reaching views. And quite often the Deer can be seen in the valley behind the Cage. When they are not visible elsewhere in the Park.