Dear Diary - Cycling the Camel Trail to Padstow 22nd May 2011

A favourite summer time day out for all our family is cycling the Camel trail to Padstow. You can join the trail anywhere from the start, just a mile from Coombe Mill, to just 2 miles out of Padstow and then cycle write to the heart of the town. We took the bikes with us to Wadebridge and cycled from there. That sounds straight forward but with all 8 of us just getting to Wadebridge with the bikes is quite an achievement. This is definitely a family day for us as Nick fills the trailer with all the bikes and I worry about jumpers, water and sun cream! I don't think reversing with a large trailer on the back in small lanes will ever make its way up my 'must learn to do list'!! As for the children, they spend much time dancing around and finding their bikes from the last hedge or field they dumped them in on the farm and not much more!

The trail is ideal for children as it is all off road and flat using the old railway line. The faster ones are quite safe rushing on ahead while I wait back with the slower ones to make sure they all make it. Pasties, chips and ice cream are a great bribe for anyone struggling!
 http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=13412 ( more details on the trail itself)




Setting off from Wadebridge

 You can hire bikes, buggies, chariots, follow on bikes and more at Wadebridge http://www.bridgebikehire.co.uk/home/
or Bodmin along trail or if you bring them from home we have safe lock ups in the back of our log store or you can keep them on your veranda or in your garden if you prefer.






Dad and Clio en route



"Where are Guy and Jed?"





"There they are.....raced ahead to the
beach searching for treasure!"

There are plenty of bike lock up places in Padstow and lots to do when you arrive. We were running quite late by the time we had finished the feed run and arrived so headed straight for lunch.  I reckon the best Cornish pasties are to be found at the Chough bakery in Padstow, worth the cycle ride just to justify one of these, http://www.thechoughbakery.co.uk/ or if you are looking for fish and chips Rick Stein takes some beating! http://www.rickstein.com/Steins-Fish-and-Chips.html Armed with our purchases (a mix of all of the above!) we headed straight for our secret picnic location, a sheltered fully enclosed area with stunning views out over the estuary.



All hungry for a late lunch

 

Safely walled and fenced with
all the views










 We found this spot years ago when the children were very young and the lack of railings around the harbour with 6 children under 6 made Padstow far from relaxing. Just let me know if you are staying and heading off there and I will let you into our secret, it makes for a much more relaxing picnic lunch!




All involved!

 After lunch I skipped of into town for a brisk browse round the shops, all the lovely surfing and sailing brands can be found here, meanwhile Nick set the children up fishing and crabbing off the slipway. So often we watch others catching crabs while our lines remain empty but not today. The children were thrilled with their bucket of crabs and Felix caught a fish so big it took the silver bate, line and all with it whist being reeled in - or so he and Dad had me believe!




Proof of the catch!



Off duty?

It was such a lovely afternoon when I came back from my quick gallop round the shops Nick was fast asleep on the slipway in the sun while the boys and Clio were still engrossed in their crabbing. I joined them and took in the holiday atmosphere as the Padstow brass band played just behind us...

We headed back after this but if you are making a full day of it then the ferry over to Rock is very regular, the speed boats round the harbour great fun for age 5 and over and the Jubilee Queen is a lovely hour long leisurely cruise out to sea for all ages (we take the grandparents) and you can often spot seals off the side of the boat - we have before! Fishing boat trips are also fun and run from the quay side in the summer months.
http://www.padstowboattrips.com/page9.htm

Cycling back to Wadebridge the wind was in our favour and we made excellent time. Felix and I decided to help load the others up and cycle the whole way home!

This was the 1st long ride ever for Felix and the 1st time this year for me. We both had a magical time telling stories and I taught Felix to ride no handed too, I am now regarded as a 'cool Mum'! I was just delighted that with a bit of practice I could still do it myself. More than anything else we both savoured the 1 on 1 time together, these times are precious and so important in a large family. It is a day we will both remember for a long time to come....22 miles on a bike age 11 will be one for 'big writing' at school tomorrow!

Me Time, do you get enough?

Juggling parenthood, career, housewife and more as today's modern, do it all Mummy can be tough and leave you frazzled, torn in many directions and constantly feeling like you are not giving any one area of your life the attention it deserves. If this sounds familiar then you will also know that it can be even harder to justify adding in time for yourself! The guilty thought of time for the things you want to do when everyone and everything is pulling at your every moment can make it all feel too much. I have found over the years that being selfish about time for me actually makes me much better at all the other aspects of my life! I am now quite unashamedly selfish in finding time each day (well most days) for the things that are for me!
What you take time out for is up to you, that you do it is important. For me it is exercise, I don't run marathons or swim the English Channel but I do enjoy a gentle jog in the morning to sort out my plans for the day or a few lengths of the local pool. It makes me feel good, makes me thankful of all that is truly wonderful in my life and helps me approach all other areas of my life in a positive manner. I don't resent working late at night if I know I can take time out for me in the morning. It doesn't have to be exercise, that's just what works for me, a walk in the park, or relax in the garden with a magazine could be what works for you, just think about what you would really like to do if only you had 1/2 hour and DO IT! Where there is a will there's a way. If you are a stay at home Mum, try an hour of baby sharing with your friends children so you each get an hour of 'me time'.

My real 'Me Time' treat is a girly spa break! A group of us set this one up a couple years ago for the first time and are now planning our 3rd trip! We come back from one planning the next, the feel good factor of having another trip on the horizon is great for positive thoughts on life! Our secret paradise get a way is The Bay Spa Hotel at Fistral beach Newquay
 http://www.newquay-hotels.co.uk/the-bay.html

 

This close to the beach!



Perfect for us surfer dude Mums, we can watch the waves from our bedrooms and check out the best time to grab our boards! OK. so you are thinking, "jammy mummy, how does she do that one with kids to look after and wow expensive!" Actually they do an amazing Sunday night deal for around £80 per person to include dinner, b&b and wonderful full body massage. Just can't fault it! As we are staying we get full use of the amazing gym, lovely pool with twinkling lights and water fall and relaxing sauna, steam room and jacuzzi....beam me there now!



the lovely spa pool  




Us girls lost in a cloudy haze of the jacuzzi!











All gym, spa & surfed out &
 enjoying a pre dinner drink
 watching the waves!



For just one night and 2 days our partners manage the kids - we give them plenty of warning and come back so happy and chilled they are almost asking when we are off again!! The Bay Spa cater for families too and have different offers on other nights of the week. Why not treat the family to a night on the end or start of a holiday to Coombe Mill, (just under 1/2 hour from us) then suggest what a good idea it would be to do something similar with your friends!!


I would love to hear your 'me time' treats, the little or big things that make you feel really good about life, appreciate your family more and make you a more tolerant person all round .

Cloth nappies or disposables - its YOUR choice!

Times change and ideas change, so like with all advise and suggestions, read mine, steal with pride the ideas you like and use them, then ignore anything you don't! The important thing is to consider the options, learn from those who have been there, then do what feels right for you and your child!

I was effectively an only child growing up, babies never entered my world before my own and I was clueless in the extreme. It took at least 3 nappy changes in hospital with guidance from the midwife before I was even ready to try on my own! 5 children later I look back and laugh, but we all have to start somewhere!

 13 years ago when Alistair was born real nappies were only for the seriously ethical right on 'weirdo' types. Consequently, labeling myself as more muddling mainstream, I went straight for disposables. After mastering the technique they really are easy. I wouldn't blame anyone for taking the 'easy' route in motherhood (I did) as there is so much new stuff to get to grips with.



Nick and I with our 6 children 



The 6 hiding under our
 home made changing unit!

In our modern age of environmental awareness where the 'weirdo' types are invading the mainstream, I would definitely recommend at least considering cloth nappies. My last 3 children all came as one in the form of triplets just as real nappies were taking off, I 'poo pooed' (excuse the pun!) the idea of trying cloth nappies with triplets and now wish I had given the idea a bit more consideration. They have come on so far from the old terry towelling days and are now very competitive on price (saving around £500 per child), much less hassle than you might imagine and much better for our planet! The biggest downside is the initial outlay, but if you can find friends to let you have a try then do give it a go, or if you are coming to Coombe Mill we offer free cloth nappies on trial from lollipop http://www.teamlollipop.co.uk/  to take away the expense of trialing. If you do fancy trying them with us on holiday do remember to pack larger trousers for boys and some dresses for girls as they are more bulky than disposables!



Modern cloth nappy



It's real nappy week from the 16th May and Green Mums are keen to promote real nappies - Tracy at Green Mums has used cloth nappies on both her children and is happy to give advise. We have teamed up Green Mums to offer a holiday here at Coombe Mill, cloth nappy trials and a wonderful baby and toddler holiday all in one! Visit their site for more details of the competition at http://www.greenmums.co.uk/

Hope to see you at Coombe Mill on holiday soon! 

Royal Wedding Garden Party at Coombe Mill



A relaxing happy day had by all

 Thank you everyone who came to our Garden BBQ party today. A chance to watch the happy couple then party on down at Coombe Mill. It was wonderful to watch the children play and the adults chatting in the April sunshine - rain what rain, thankfully it missed us!




Take a peep at our video clip from You Tube of some of the highlights caught on camera and visit our facebook site at Coombe Mill farm and fishing holidays for the full picture gallery.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msvyW2HrX0E&feature=bf_next&list=ULRUrIhOsaKkk&index=5

Dear diary 18th April 2011

I have finally beaten my fear of the unknown and tried you tube. It is so easy, just a few server problems and I have my first Coombe Mill video, I hope this will be the first of many! I hope you enjoy it.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjXUMkOUItI

Dear Diary - The Easter Holidays, family and friends.

I do breath a sigh of relief when the holidays arrive. A chance for the children to chill out, stay in their pj’s till late, catch up with friends and family and leave the clubs and homework behind for a while. For us the holidays are about recharging the batteries and having a change of routine. The term time is so dictated by school, homework and a myriad of evening clubs for each of my children that I hardly feel I have any quality time with them. Some nights we have 4 different activities on the go and coordinating them all and dinner whilst running a business is far from easy.



Theo's Riding lessons 



Surf Club: Ally, Felix, Theo



Jed & Guy at Beevers:
A trip to Coombe Mill!



 

Clio tap dancing







 In fact I think evenings are the only time when I would swap living at Coombe Mill for living in the middle of Wadebridge where the children could take themselves to all their different activities. Never mind, only 4 more years till the eldest one can help driving the others around! In fact he could do the school run.......but there goes another parenting dilemma, do I let him  in charge of the bus and his 5 siblings each day or would the worry of his driving be worse than doing it myself? Humm,4 years to think on that one.

Back to the Easter Holidays: now is when living at Coombe Mill is so amazing. Our children are having just the best time picking up old friendships with regular guests and making new ones. Our house is like an open invitation for anyone staying to come in with our children. I love the fact that they are so comfortable bringing others round and that parents staying soon discover one of  the joys of Coombe Mill is not having to know where their children are all the time, but knowing they are safe.



Felix and his new best friend Monica in our house



Dinner times can be frustrating trying to locate everyone, they conveniently forget how to read a watch at such times, but its a small price for their freedom and enjoyment.

While they play inside and out I am able to continue working in the office, restocking the freezer with scrummy meals and cakes and taking the all important bookings.



Banana Cakes





Pork and Honey casserole
cooling for the freezer



I do like to make sure we have some family time out too. This holiday we have been up to Devon for the day visiting our old neighbours.  The 9 children together are great friends and we had a lovely day in the garden and down at their beech.



Lunch in the garden together



Ice cream at the beach shack





Beach fun

They were quite exhausted by the end of the day and half were fast asleep by the time we arrived back at Coombe Mill!

Next week I am taking the children to see their Grandparents in Buckinghamshire for a few days and catching up with more old friends. From there we are off to East Sussex where Nick will fly up and join us to see Yia  Yia (thier Greek Grandma) for a big Greek Easter party with all their cousins, back just in time for the new term to begin.

It’s all go for me but the children are having a ball so I wouldn’t have it any other way!



Happy holidays to all of you and I hope you are enjoying your Easter holidays too where ever you are!















Dusty the disapearing kid goat!

Our new gorgeous kid goat was our pride and joy born just over a week ago. So cute with her beautiful dappled grey, white and black fur and so tiny. We proudly announced her arrival on our Coombe Mill facebook site, showing off lovely pictures of her and the children and her lovely mother Houdini (more on Houdini later!).


Just 1 day Old with Mum




The Children crowing
 round Dusty & Houdini



Dusty, as she has been named by the guests staying this week, gave us quite a scare just 5 days into her early life. She had become the highlight of the feed run for so many children. Houdini was quite at home letting the children cuddle and stroke Dusty and the children would search her out straight away on entering the field. All was well, the sun shone and life was perfect until.......one Wednesday morning last week when Dusty was nowhere to be found. Houdini was doing her pieces bleating for her, the children and Farmer Nick had an extended feed run embarking on a full scale hunt of the field .

Now I did promise to return to Houdini, she is named after her ability to escape from any field. A lovable goat, very gentle with heaps of personality, we had long since ceased worrying of her adventures as she always returned home at night. Needless to say, she didn't give birth in the field but in nearby woodland within the estate, this was no real surprise for Houdini and we simply moved Mother and Baby to the field. Searching for our lovely lost Dusty had therefore entailed combing not only the field but all the surrounding area too, sadly to no avail.

A cloud of doom surrounded us as Dusty was our first kid goat in 2 years and so loved. I was bracing myself as to how to explain on facebook that our lovely new arrival had disappeared without trace and farmer Ted continued to search along with many guests for the next 24 hours. Finally we all agreed that a tragic end probably involving a fox had to be the answer to her disappearance.

Farmer Nick was just explaining his fox theory to the guests on Friday morning when those staying on Pencarrow (our Scandinavian lodge overlooking the river and goat field) said they had seen Dusty the previous evening skipping around with Houdini and just presumed we had found her!

With new renewed hope everyone searched again, a young kid bleating was heard and the sound quickly followed. There was Dusty hiding inside an old Oak Tree. Nick was worrying about the need to call a tree surgeon and what a shame it would be to loose the children's favourite climbing tree, when who should pop out of a tiny hole at the base, you've guessed it... Dusty!




The now famous Oak Tree!

 
Whether she disappeared of her own accord or whether Houdini put her there and then forgot we will never know, but we are all delighted to have her back and know that she was safe and well the whole time!

Farmer Nick and Ted have been retelling the story to this weeks guests. In fact if you listen on the video clip here you can hear Nick explaining the whole saga to this weeks guests while they meet Dusty!