Luton to Norwich

Today was moving on day as we were heading for Norwich and a week on the Broads. You’ll have to check out my Broadland Holidays blog to follow our travels over the next seven days.

Phill's 30th Birthday

Today was Phill’s unofficial birthday – well it was his party day ...

and his actual 30th birthday is tomorrow! While he popped out this morning three friends turned up to decorate the house with banners, balloons and photos of him.

The house inside was also decked out with banners and ‘30’ decorations.

The food and drink were all ready ...

and the guests began arriving soon after 2.30pm. The weather was fantastic so we all sat outside chatting ...

until it was time to eat and cut the cake.

Phill had three fireworks for his cake but he took them out into the garden before he lit them as it was far safer!

How old?

He was being made to wait until tomorrow for his presents but was allowed just one to open today.

Everyone had a great time and Marie kept us entertained with her chatter – isn’t she just gorgeous?

Off on Hols Again!

After arriving at the Cheddar Camping and Caravanning site yesterday afternoon we set off this morning heading for Weston-super-Mare. On the way we stopped at the reservoir at Axbridge so that Hamish could have a stretch of his legs.


It was lovely and sunny and we had a super walk reaching almost half way before turning back and retracing our steps.

The rest of the footpath was off limits to Hamish as there were sheep grazing and dogs were banned. After a quick coffee in the RV it was time to be back on the road and making for Weston. We had intended to have lunch on the prom but it was £4 to park for a minimum time of 4 hours and so after taking a photo of the burnt out pier ...

we looked at the map and decided to check out Brean which was on the coast as well. We were in luck! We found a car park on the beach for just £2 for as long as we liked.

Hamish loved it and ran himself silly while I made a sandwich. Then after a check on our emails and a read of my book, we set off back to the campsite.

Heron Again!

The heron has been back to Portreath at least a couple of times as we spotted him on the roof of a house on Lighthouse Hill ...

and again last night on a garage roof on Tregea Terrace ...

Apparently it is the pet heron of the chap who caught him when we first saw him!

Curiouser and curiouser - as they say!

St Piran Charity Tour

It was a lovely sunny morning and the Cornwall MX-5's were joining the St Piran Sports Car Club on a charity drive in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care. The 5's met at Wadebridge so that we could drive to Pencarrow House (the start of the run) in convoy. Seven cars turned up and we were parked in front of the House (amongst Morgans, Sunbeams and Jaguars to name a few) which was stunning ...

To the left was an amazing garden ...

complete with a beautiful fountain ...

We all walked through to the Peacock Cafe for a coffee ...

and to see the peacock, hens, doves and guinea fowl which were strutting about the grounds ...

It was then back to the cars and time to set off on the drive ...

We were making for Fraddon but via the narrowest of roads imagineable ...

with fantastic views ...

and causing a bit of chaos here and there ...

as about forty cars made the journey in convoy!

Hamish had come with us and he spent most of the time with his head out and looking where he was going ...

After a half hour break at the Kingsley Village, Fraddon we set off again down more narrow roads and passing wonderful gardens ...

I always have to try one of these photos ...

We finally reached the North Coast road and made our way to Trevose Golf Club where the Sports Car Club members were booked in for lunch ...

Sharon had collected our donations to the Charity and she presented them ...

to the organisers before we drove off to find a picnic spot for the 5's. Not as easy as you'd think!

The first suggestion was to go to Trevose Head along the Toll Road ...

but it was too expensive so we all turned round and headed for a car park at Harlyn Bay which was even more money!

So we carried on along the road until a sign was spotted to Hawkers Cove and a P was next to it. With fingers crossed we all drove down the road until we saw this ...

Well by this time everyone was starving hungry and £2.00 wasn't too bad to pay so we turned down the track only to find this ...

Yay! Free parking and a fab view to boot ...

A great end to a lovely day out.

Visiting Heron

I was just sitting at the PC when there was a shout from downstairs that a heron had landed on a roof opposite. I grabbed my camera, opened the window and there it was landing on the water in the harbour ...

It was obviously being tracked by some chap who was talking to it and telling it to land as it must be exhausted. It landed on the harbour head and he threw some food down for it then made a lunge and caught it ...

Excitement in Portreath!

Last Day in Charge

It was the AGM today for the Cornwall Area of the MX-5 Owners Club and as we were resigning it was our last day as 'leaders'. We met at Wadebridge Sports Centre and drove to Crowdy Reservoir for coffee. It was a bit chilly but it's a lovely place to stop ...

From here we drove to the Rising Sun pub at Altarnun where we were booked in for a roast lunch followed by the AGM. This wasn't mine BTW - it was Paul's - but doesn't it look just yummy?

Mike gave his final Report and then Sharon Luxton was elected as the new Area Co-ordinator. We were presented with flowers and gifts and thanked for all the hard work we'd done for theClub ...

Crocus received two pressies ...

For those of you who are not up to speed on our comings and goings - Crocus is our latest acquisition. She is a 21ft traditional Norfolk Broads gaff-rigged yacht (to be technically correct - she is a River Cruiser) and she has arrived in Cornwall for restoration.

After lunch we set off for the planned tea stop but managed to lose several cars and had to wait for them ...

before joining the busy A30 and making our way to Siblyback Lake ...