Tag: motorhome blog

Posted in Camp Sites

Hele Valley Holiday Park – Ilfracombe, Devon

Posted on by Sam Bennett

15 – 17 April 2022

Having left Porth Beach Holiday Park in the morning we arrived at Hele Valley Holiday Park late that afternoon. We had a fully serviced pitch so it was a case of park up, hook up and relax.

The site itself is well maintained and has an interesting layout. The facilities were clean, modern and within easy reach. There were BBQ brick points dotted around which was a nice touch and also helps them maintain the high standards of the site.

Close to the site is The Hele Bay Pub, situated on the entrance road to Hele Beach. We didn’t eat there but it looked packed when we walked past and looking online at the menu, it had a lot of delicious dishes to offer.

Also local to the site is cafe/bistro that offers takeaway meals. Again we didn’t try it but they have a great menu and it looked busy. We actually ordered an Indian takeaway on just eat! Something we have only managed to do at our previous site in Newquay and maybe a good sign of things to come. I do like cooking good healthy meals whilst were away but not every night. It’s not easy cooking in motorhome kitchen but slow cookers and BBQ’s help a lot!

The nearest beach is Hele Beach which is a 10 minute walk back through the site and across the main road. There’s a nature trail from the site almost to the main road which has some lovely features, sculptures and flowers.

With plenty of opportunity for macro photography.

We intended to walk into Ilfracombe but decided on a more relaxed walk around Hele Valley whilst also capturing the about macro images.

Next to the site is Chambercombe Manor an estate steeped rich history, once owned by The Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane Greys father and is now rife with paranormal activity. We walked to the manor but it was closed which is a shame because it looks like such an interesting place to visit.

Hele Beach, although not the prettiest, is popular with wild swimmers, divers and anglers. It was a dull afternoon when we visited so it probably looks a lot nicer with the sun shining down.

That completes our Easter 2022 Tour. We’re not sure where our next destination will be but we’ll get something booked soon!

Posted in Camp Sites

Porth Beach Holiday Park – Newquay

Posted on by Sam Bennett

11 – 15 April 2022

We had a nice easy drive from Combe Martin to Newquay, stopping at Widemouth Bay for lunch on the way.

The sun came out and lit up the beach in all its sandy glory which made our detour so worth while. We stayed in Widemouth Bay in Summer 2020 and thoroughly enjoyed it, such a lovely part of the world. You will find our Widemouth Bay blog here:

Widemouth Bay Blog Summer 2020

After our gorgeous lunch stop off we arrived at Porth Beach Holiday Park in Newquay, Cornwall to a friendly welcome from the site staff.

The site wasn’t too busy so our pitch was in a quiet location.

The next day we had a walk into Newquay even though rain was forecast.

Coming out of the campsite and across the road to Porth Beach, we took the coast path into Newquay town. We walked past Lusty Glaze Beach and Tolcarne Beach, both idilic with steps down for access.

Unfortunately the heavens opened up and we were ducking in and out of doorways the rest of the journey so we didn’t manage to get any more photos.

Newquay has a Blue Reef Aquarium that we visited the next day.

Newquay has a lot to offer but we mainly stuck to the campsite and Porth Beach.

Porth Beach is vast and ideal for watersports, especially when the tide is in as its quite shallow so boarding is popular.

Back at the site we had a lovely sunny day and relaxed in the sunshine whilst playing some games.

Buddy needed a relax after all the ball chasing (even though he wasn’t part of the game!)

An added bonus of staying near to a major town is the ability to order dinner on deliveroo and Just Eat so we made the most of it and only had to cook for one night which fell to Mr B…

Buddy there waiting for his sausages to cook!

On that same evening we had lovely sunset.

Newquay has a lot to offer but what we found most enjoyable was the ability to either fully relax or immerse yourself in the town and its surroundings.

Next to Porth Beach is Porth Island which offers stunning views of Newquay. Its has a dedicated path up to the island point but the cliffs are high and without barriers, Buddy had to be put on his lead at certain points.

We now realise that Duggie is rapidly becoming Buddy’s van. He’s at his most relaxed when we’re travelling and despite his many anxieties he’s incredibly chilled when he’s having a beer with his dad.

We had a great time in Newquay and each day was different to the other. It’s off to Ilfracombe next so we’ll see you there.

Posted in Camp Sites

Newberry Valley – Combe Martin

Posted on by Sam Bennett

9 – 11 April 2022

A record breaking THIRD visit to the same site! I think that’s a good indication of how much we like this site. It’s great stopping place if you’re heading from North so South which we do quite often. From Shropshire it’s around 4 hours taking into consideration a lunch stop and travelling in a motorhome is slower than a car. Despite it being the start of the Easter holidays there weren’t any holdups or heavy traffic so we were lucky in that respect.

As we’ve already written two other blogs on Newberry Valley and Coombe Martin there will be lots more information in them:

Newberry Valley – Blog 1

Newberry Valley – Blog 2

This blog is more of an update to the previous blogs although nothing has changed really. Buddy is well and truly settled in, has us wrapped around his little claw and loves life on the road.

He always finds a new butt to sniff wherever we go and now that he’s trained off the lead life is so much easier for us too. It’s an absolute joy to watch him enjoying his life with us after such a traumatic start.

Spoilt? Moi?!

When I said update, I merely meant a few more photos of the beautiful Coombe Martin Beach where the sea is a stunning aqua blue. It was the warmest of weather and we had drizzles of rain to start of the holiday but it was still a place to be enjoyed.

The sun came out long enough for some macro photography of which Newberry valley offers plenty of opportunity around it’s secluded lake.

On a final note, I managed to capture the food demon stalking his favourite prey for scraps. What I like about this photo is it shows ‘real’ motor homing with damp towels drying off in the cabin and mess everywhere after a busy day. We tend to take photos of how nice our motorhomes look but the reality is, it’s a small space with everything you need in it and sometimes it’s not as organised as you’d like it to be. It’s all part of motor homing, especially with a teenager and over privileged hound in tow!

I’m sure we’ll be back at Newberry Valley on our next trip down South…next stop is Newquay, Cornwall.

Posted in Camp Sites

Elan Valley – Elan Oaks Caravan and Camping

Posted on by Sam Bennett

13 – 15 August 2021

This was our second visit to Elan Oaks in Duggie but our first with Buddy, our Cypriot rescue hound who thinks the motorhome belongs to him. He’s a timid kind of guy although whenever the motorhome is on the drive being prepared for a trip he jumps in and refuses to leave!

Elan Valley is a short hour and half journey for us so after work on Friday it’s jump in the van and off we go (repacking was completed the day before!).

At Elan Oaks once through the barrier you head to the motorhome field where all the pitches are fully serviced. It’s a ‘choose your own’ pitch site so we chose the pitch we had stayed in previously for no other reason than it was available.

We arrived to rain and it continued through the night which wasn’t great for the cycling we’d planned. We decided to go for a walk to the Elan Vally visitors centre in the rain and try cycling in the dry later.

It’s just beautiful and so much scenery everywhere you look. We got rained off so didn’t make it to the other side of Caban Coch Dam but our first blog has more photos and information:

Elan Valley First Visit

Graham managed to get out on his bike in the evening but the rest of us decided to relax in Duggie and read in beautiful surroundings.

Buddy seemed to think that he called shotgun for the journey home…

Posted in Camp Sites

Lake Bala – Glenllyn Caravan and Camping Park

Posted on by Sam Bennett

31 July – 2 August 2021

Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) is a large freshwater glacial lake in Gwynedd, Wales. The River Dee, which has its source on the slopes of Dduallt in the mountains of Snowdonia, feeds the 3.7 miles long by 0.5 miles wide lake.

We stayed a Glanllyn Caravan and Camping Park which is situated next to the Lake and perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding.

The site itself was well run with all the main facilities and services to the pitch.

We had a walk around the site as aside from the lake and its exciting activities, it boasts stunning scenery.

The next day our eldest son Toby and his girlfriend Nicole joined us for the day. Day visitors are charged at £10 per car which isn’t bad as it was a nice day out for them.

As soon as we walked down to the lake with the kayak, Toby and Nicole were straight out…

Then it was our turn…

The two brothers Toby and Tristan…

Then Tristan went solo…

We had had amazing day on the lake which makes our motorhome adventures so much more exciting!

Time to chill and enjoy the rest of our day with Toby and Nicole.

Bala lake has a lot to offer, especially if you enjoy watersports although its equally ideal for relaxing and watching the world go by.

Graham did some drone shots for you to enjoy…

Posted in Camp Sites

Combe Martin, North Devon – Newberry Valley Park

Posted on by Sam Bennett

12 – 17 April 2021

This is a good time to introduce our new addition to the family. Buddy, rescued from Cyprus, joined us in February (2021) as a nervous and timid dog (not the impression you get from the photo right!), around the age of 10 months.

Buddy was used to roaming the streets of Cyprus which has its freedom but also its dangers hence the nervousness. He didn’t know how to walk through a doorway, it took us ages to get him in the house first time. He hadn’t actually ever been in a house. The stairs freaked him out. Glass doors were very confussing. Toilet time was whenever and wherever…that had to stop!

Then we introduced Buddy to Duggie.

It was love at first sight.

Duggie is now known as Buddy’s van.

It’s been a long time since our last trip due to covid lockdown and winter so we’ve been really looking forward to this one. We were lucky to find a pitch anywhere as motorhome sales are through the roof and so are campsite bookings. I think this site had a cancellation and we called at the right time so it was meant to be.

This is his Buddy’s first trip away from the drive. Our first visit to Newberry Valley Park, in fact our first visit to Combe Martin.

This is what we found.

A fully serviced pitch with lots of space around us and a wooden bench which was so incredibly useful, we can’t understand why all pitches don’t have them. We were opposite a beautiful lake and had full view. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

The lake is such a great addition to this site. It’s very tranquil in the morning for early dog walks and by afternoon populated with fishermen who are so friendly and love a good natter. The lake has a lot of natural wild flowers which gave me (Sam) the perfect opportunity to do some macro photography.

The lake is beautiful.

The site itself has some wonderful facilities.

  • Toilet and shower block with laundry and washing up
  • Handy shop with essentials
  • Local bakers and butchers orders (collect from reception)
  • Pizza nights
  • Beautiful Lake
  • Woodland Walks
  • Meadow
  • Dog field
  • Play park for children

In additional to all these added extras the staff are really friendly and always helpful if in need.

Combe Martin itself is beautiful little coastal village that boasts the longest high street in England which is over two miles long (we walked most it, its long!)

There are two separate beaches, one is sandy and the other pebbly. During summer months dogs aren’t allowed on the bigger sandy beach but its April so Buddy’s first sea experience (with us anyway) was here at Combe Martin.

Now I know I said he was shy, nervous and timid when he came to us but Duggie has helped him overcome his nerves and gain a bit of confidence to just let go…

On the sandy beach is an interesting coastline with hidden caves, rock pools and nook and crannys.

The village has an array of independent shops including a convenience store, gift shop, postoffice, fish and chip shop, cafes, bistros, pet supplies etc… and also some rather nice looking pubs. As we’re in covid times, we avoided what we could but it seems like there’s everything you need.

Back at the site there’s a dog walking field although you need to be quite fit to scale its great incline.

Yes that is a rope to help you back down after the dogs done a runner to the top!

Further on from the dog field is a lovely woodland walk with some interesting sights along the way.

It really is a beautiful site and a gorgeous coastal village. I suspect you’re wondering what Buddy is like inside the motorhome?!

We think he’s settled in…don’t you?!

Of course we couldn’t end this blog without a beachcombing report…

and a few aerial shots…

Posted in Camp Sites

Otterton, Devon – Ladram Bay Holiday Park

Posted on by Sam Bennett

29 – 31 October 2020

We love a site where there’s a bit of everything and Ladram Bay has it all! The weather wasn’t great, it rained quite a lot, but there was so much to see and do in its own locality that it didn’t entirely matter.

Ladram Bay has its own beach, coastal path, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Crazy Golf, large entertainment centre, fish and chip shop and a large well stocked convenience store and gift shop. Everything you could possibly need is one place.

The drive up to the pitch was a bit precarious but once there our pitch was fully serviced, level and had plenty of room.

We couldn’t wait to have a walk around and our first stop was the beach.

The site is quite big and its a lovely short walk down to the beach with plenty to see along the way.

The beach at Ladram Bay is pebbly with quite murky water and lots of hidden caves and rock pools that appear when the tide is out.

As always, Tristan and Sam love a little beachcomber and there was plenty of seagrass to be found.

We were at Ladram Bay for two nights and I was so happy not to cook at all both nights. As we were under lockdown restrictions, Ladram Bay have their own app for ordering food which was so clear and efficient. A specific time was selected so we simply had a walk down to the fish and chip shop around that time where our order was ready for us. It was really nice food too…so nice we had the same the following night!

On our second day, despite the rain we had a walk on either side of the coastal path. Dotted along the path are signs with information about the local wildlife which is really informative. The coast path gives the best views of the bay.

We will return to Ladram Bay during the summer one year and I think we’ll see a very different beach. The beach is lovely in Autumn but in summer we’d be able to get the kayak on the sea. All in all we really enjoyed this one!