Tuesday, September 11, 2007

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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14 comments:

Trac said...

Awwww... I can't believe how much she has grown! Still so lovely!!!

I can see by her footwear, that she will be a doctor when she grows up!

Great photos. Sounds like a fab summer!
x

grumpy old woman said...

Hey, Sweetie, it's so great to see you back :o)

Last night I followed a badger all along your lane - he was so cute, with his ample bottom swaying from side to side.

Thanks for sharing all the photos - they bring back lovely memories.

So, with a bit of luck I'll see you in London next?

Love and hugs xxxx
~(:o})=

Anonymous said...

what a lovely read and great pics. the kids look gorgeous. Is that your daughters boyfriend? That camper van full of vintage goods looks like a little piece of heaven. I am sure I have seen that seller before, maybe at Shepton? anyway, so glad you had a good summer. wish we were nearer to the beach!

lettuce said...

lovely pics donna, i'm glad you had a good break from life (and good weather!)

lizzie in crocs, she's so sweet

Anonymous said...

The last photo of jazz looks so like you.. I too am glad you had a great summer, nice to see you back..

Gretel said...

Good to have you back! I wish we had fetes like that in our village.

sugarcreekstuff said...

That camper van stall would be my favorite too if I lived across the pond. I love your accent, it comes across in your writing. I'd love to visit your part of the globe someday.

pinkgreen said...

What a lovely place to go for a holiday . My in laws live in Cornwall, and if it wasn't for them I'd move there too LOL. What a fab stall too - you showed great restraint! Everyone looks so happy in your photos.

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Donna,
Looks like a perfect summer to me - glad you had fun with your little (and not so little) ones. The sky sure looked blue down in Devon!

I was sorry to have missed you at Ashburton - I could quite happily live in Ros's lovely shop.

I also saw Amanda at Totnes market and bought some lovelies from her. (I know her from the Shepton fairs - such a sweetheart!)

I managed to get a copy of Period Living magazine - it was such a great article, Donna, with yummy photos - you must be so pleased.

Love Niki xx

Woo Gilchrist said...

Looks like you had a fab time - that cottage is gorgeous. I can see you living somewhere like that. Hope all is OK - sounds like everything is going really well - I am so pleased.

Woo.
xxx

This blogger thing is all in German now!!! What's going on???

Anonymous said...

Good to see you back here! Looks like you had a very refreshing & happy vacation. :)

Victoria May Plum said...

We were in Port Isaac a couple of weeks ago too. It is such a lovely place, we go whenever we can.

We missed the fair though, it looks like it was great. I can't believe I missed out on all of those beautiful things.

Your little holiday cottage looks very cute.

p.s Love 'Charmed', the LLB's are so stylish, I can also spend a fortune in there. I should send them some candle info, you never know!

Victoria x

Gina said...

What incredible photos! Sounds like an absolute wonderful time.

Sarah said...

oh you are back, lovely looking holidays, I miss Cornwall! Saw you mentioned in someone elses article in CL mag that a visiter brought over...fame.
Hope all is well. xxx