Summer Lovin'

Summer was fun, it was over far too quickly. The children had less than 6 weeks this year and we filled every day with activities. Although the weather was less than perfect when we did get a good day we could pop to the beach, which is a mere 10 minutes away. Even if it wasn't hot we found the loveliest new surfy cafe right down on the beach for cream teas or a hot chocolate. I booked Alfie into some boysie activity days so that the girls and I could do what girls do best, go shopping! I had lots of thrifty finds in the summer holidays and got to make a trip to Ashburton to visit The Snug, a gorgeous shop, where I missed Niki by minutes as, coincidentally, she was there on holiday with her family. We both bought vintage chocolate boxes too!

Our holiday to Port Isaac was wonderful. I go with mum and the children for the last week of August. We rented the same gorgeous cottage that we stayed in last year and it really felt like coming home. It is a stone's throw from the harbour and all the gorgeous little shops, cafes and pubs. I could quite happily live there full-time, sewing and selling my fabrics. I might just end up there one day! There are always great things going on and the weather was brilliant which was a bonus.







I spent a lot of time and money in this lovely shop, Charmed, owned by Jackie Lewellyn-Bowen.



We went to the Big Cornish Day out which followed on from the success of the party they had last year to celebrate the centenary of John Betjeman. This was like a village fete really with stalls selling Cornish goods, old fashioned fairground rides and musical happenings in the arena, like this band who, although traditional in look, were playing 'Let me entertain you' by Robbie Williams as I took the photo.





My favourite stall was one that was there last year and I looked out for it. It was there. A gorgeous little camper van selling the most delicious vintage goodies. The stall was run by Shabby Chick, a lady called Amanda, who recognised me from my blog and confessed that she is a bit of a lurker, so hello Amanda :-). She has a stall in Totnes market so I shall have to make a trip down soon. It's amazing the power of blogging eh? I stocked up on some pretty vintage tins, a basket, patchwork and crocheted blankets. My friend, also called Amanda, bought a pretty deck chair made of vintage floral fabric.






My friend Amanda and her son Elliot came down and stayed in Port Isaac with us for a few days which was so nice. Alfie and Elliot are great pals and always love spending time together. Amanda and I never stop talking once we get together, we are such close friends and have been for some 16 years now. We have been through a lot together. She, like most of my closest friends, lives far away so I miss her terribly. We had a great few days on the beach, visiting Padstow, going on a speedboat ride, which I remembered halfway round that I hated last year but had forgotten, much to the amusement of all on board!





We had cream teas galore, well it would be rude not to, shopped 'til we dropped, went for fab meals and talked and talked and talked. When she left she made me sit down and handed me a large, flat, heavy thing in a bag. She started to tell me that this was something she had chosen for me for my new home and my new life but couldn't finish what she was saying and just flung herself at me sobbing. I didn't even know what she had given me but started crying too which then set mum off! She had bought me a beautiful painting by Katie Childs. The cottage we stay in is full of her gorgeous art work which I always admired. Amanda knew that Port Isaac was a special place to me so she knew I would love it, and I absolutely do!


So summer was great and I really enjoyed the laid back relaxed time I spent with my children, I really enjoy their company (most of the time). I leave you with a few photos of my little, and not so little, pickles.





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