Cornish Charm

We had big plans for our summer holiday of 2021 - after not going abroad in 2020 we really wanted to go all out, and then Covid had other plans and again we had to give going abroad a miss. To say I was devastated is an understatement - anyone who knows me knows how much I love to travel! I was trying to think and I think it was the first year ever that I haven't gone abroad...sad times...so I wasn't super enthused about a British summer holiday!!! especially considering the week before we left, the forecast for Cornwall was showing rain almost every day! and the day we arrived was torrential rain...and I was like this is why we go abroad!!! but actually, after that intial first day every single day turned out better than what was forecast - we got some good beach days in, and it ended up being everything we needed.  Some time away to just be together as a family, make special memories, disconnect from screens (our little cabin didn't really get signal) and soak up the sun! 

We didn't let the rain put us off and of course got into the pool straight away! These girls hadn't had a chance to swim through the whole of lockdown so having their own pool to go to every evening after we got home was definitely their highlight of the trip!

A game of Headbandz while the rain raged outside had us all in giggles - Addi kept giving the game away, and telling what the other person was wearing (on their head)!

We set off for the Lost Gardens of Heligan on our first day.  

This place has such a reputation, so I was expecting big things!

and there were certainly plenty of cool things to see

not quite as many flowers as I was expecting, but definitely a lot of greenery!

'Ooh I get by with a little help, from my sis!'

and a very cool playpark!

The sun came out, and the girls had a blast burning off some energy!

The jungle was probably my fave bit! 

So lush, and it didn't feel like we were in Cornwall at all! 

So many fun pathways to discover!

and this giant bridge was really cool too!

Cooling down with an ice cream on what was meant to be an overcast rainy day!!

We hadn't planned on hitting the beach on our first day but the weather was too good not to! So Pentewan was where we ended up.

The girls loved this little inlet of water and spent ages playing by it, they were even sliding down it like a slide with the current pulling them along!

This was where I wanted to eat that night...

because milkshakes and burgers are always a win!

Even Addi agreed! 

The next day they hit the streets of St.Ives with all their pocket money to souvenir shop! which somehow ended up being lots of lollipops, sweets and cuddly toys!!

We loved this beach of Porthcurno

There were rocks to scramble on...

and the water was just so clear!

Can you believe the colours?!

Even though it was overcast it was still warm enough to have a swim, and By did a little mission on the paddleboard to scout out a little hidden beach!

I just love the water on my toes! That's as far as I like to go in English waters!!

and then the sun came out and the day just got even better

These water babies could just spend their whole lives at the beach

Gotta make those obligatory sandcastles!

and this was the hidden beach we paddleboarded to...

A little self timer pic of the 4 of us to remember this magic find!

I had researched this ice cream spot...

and the flowers were just a bonus! but this was definitely my best ice cream of the trip! at Moomaid of Zennor

It was really in the middle of nowhere but worth the drive! 

Chilling out back at the little resort where our cabin was at.

Daddy rigged up the hammock!

and there were some lovely woods to explore

and s'mores are always a good idea!

ohhh yeah! Nutella marshmallows + dairy milk + coconut Nice biscuits - my ideal combo!

We headed to Hayle the next day to meet up with our good friends, The Smiths, who happened to be in Cornwall at the same time as us! 

The girls had a great time playing away the day together

We almost called off to a different location the night before due to a windy/chillier predicted forecast, but look at how the day turned out!

We couldn't have asked for better, and even all got a little sunburnt! 

Sand sledging!

and always on the paddleboard!

Wave jumping!

What a view, as we headed back to the car.

I was most excited about eating at Lula and it didn't disappoint!

It was such a cool little spot, with awesome vibes and delish food!

These brisket fries were everything!

We could have stayed here all evening, just watching the sun go down and listening to Ben Howard beats!

Another day, another beach! this time we headed to a National Trust one called Kynance Coves.  This was probably my fave beach day of the whole trip.

The morning had started off overcast but again it made way to this beaut of a day! The sun was beating, the water was super turquoise!

The girls were sunbathing!

There was a little cafe selling ice creams, thankfully, because we were in the middle of nowhere

and I climbed a hill to find this epic view! wildflowers and all!

Earlier in the day these little channels through the rocks had been full of water, but as the tide went further out suddenly they became the perfect little play spots for Addi - she had so much fun here!

Following those little paths in the sand that were almost like tracks out to the sea

I think Ella and By had gone for a paddleboard sesh at this point, so Addi and I were soaking up the sun

When the tide receded enough we could even go around to a whole other little beach!

and we found some caves too.

It was a long walk back to the car, but worth it, after all the fun we had!

Cornwall was full of hydrangeas, but I loved finding these at where we were staying! 

Another evening of s'mores!

and cards outside once the girls were asleep!

Early morning paddleboarding at St.Michael's Mount on our penultimate day.

What a view!

In the afternoon we headed in to St.Ives - on an open air bus, which the girls loved!

We tried some crabbing but sadly we were unsuccessful!

So we consoled ourselves with pasties and treats from St.Ives Bakery

St.Ives is full of such charm! I was in love with these turquoise shutters and doors!

This was a jam and custard croiss-nut! 

and of course the girls had to squeeze in some more shopping! stocking up on shells!

and a pina colada on the beach among the hydrangeas to finish off the day!

and ice creams for the girls.

which were enjoyed all round!

and of course back to the pool! They loved this water slide.  Addi would literally just go round and round and round! 

On our final day we hit Newquay which I was expecting to have cool surfer vibes and be quite trendy, but it was actually kind of a dump! which we were surprised about! We did get some good shopping in though!

A cafe with a view!

We had a really tasty lunch here

and headed down to the beach

These little beach huts were the cutest

and we loved this bridge across the sea!

The girls enjoyed watching fudge be made, the real Cornish way!

and we stopped at an ice cream farm on the way back to where we were staying.

It had a cute little playpark too so was a perfect pit stop! plus if you're not having daily ice creams - is it even a holiday?!

We checked out some animals at a little cafe,

and picked some fresh strawberries for a healthier snack option!

One more pic by the hydrangeas with their souvenir t-shirts on before we hit the road for the long-long drive home!!

It was so good that the girls were asking to go back this year! Fortunately we are allowed to travel now and we are heading to Europe on a French/Swiss adventure which is what we love best! but I was touched that they had so much fun on our Brit trip that they wanted to recreate it again! It just goes to show that actually it doesn't matter where you go, just as long as you are together, making the most of where you are, with the ones you love!