North Devon

I love being by the coast in Autumn. Wrapped up snug and warm, enjoying hot drinks and homemade cake in little teashops...

We knew the weather wasn't going to be good, the 'big' storm (worst for years?) was due to hit mid holiday. In fact, it wasn't so bad. We booked a lovely large family house with an indoor swimming pool, so there was room for us all to chill and have fun, adults, kids and the dog together.

We haven't really explored North Devon, but we did manage to dodge the rain to see some of the best bits.

Croyde bay was great to give the dog a good run.  Watching the crazy surfers when we could barely walk on the beach for the wind was fascinating too! We experience every weather condition in the space of 5 minutes!

Clovelly was lovely. Very pretty and the sun came out too! We enjoyed ice creams on the way down, tea and cake in the harbour and a hearty ploughman's mid way back up. That's a good day out for us.

Barnstaple was a pleasant surprise too. A busy bustling high street with some nice independent shops too. The dog was a bit bored though!

We dropped by Appledore to get some nice things for tea and discovered a great Londis shop, selling local quality food... that was an unexpected delight.  We had another tea and cake stop.. well it did start to rain again!

Most of all, we had a really good family break, where everyone relaxed and had a giggle. I think we were all in bed by 9pm and up at 7am to swim and walk the dog. We cooked hearty breakfasts, and warming evening meals so we didn't have to brave the wintery nights. Stormy weather does have it's benefits!

Newtown, Isle of Wight

This place is a special one. Just visit!

Just another day of tea, cake and walking!

We never go far without a stop for cake, and this is my perfect spot.

We might just say here one day, it reminds me of Maine, New England rather than Steephill Cove, England.

Add caption

One very happy dog!

Day three on the Isle of Wight

We popped into Newport into the morning for hubby to sort bike things, and realized it must be all of a few hours since we went to the beach!  A few of our favorite beaches which we had researched and found to be dog friendly, had signs up saying otherwise, but eventually we found the one end of Freshwater beach to be kind to us.

Looks tropical

Freshwater beach ( the dog friendly end)

That's a storm brewing, but it missed us completely.

Evening walk to Monks Bay to give the dog her evening swim

Add caption

A kiss at the end of another good day.

Steephill Cove and coast path walk, Isle of Wight

Taking the coastal path from Steephill Cove westwards

A isolated beach reached by a precarious path down the cliffs

Just me and the woofa on a lovely beach; that is perfection. Hubby would have made it perfect, but he opted for a long cycle route instead!

Welcome refreshment at the Beach Hut in Steephill Cove. The dog got a treat and her own bowl of water delivered to the table.

Steephill Cove (I love it out of season, but be prepared for completely different place in the summer holidays!)

It's unique charm!

Tea and scone with hubby at out meeting point in Ventnor.

Isle of Wight

We needed a holiday. Not a far flung jetting off affair, just a simple one; put the woofa in the back of the car, flip flops and waterproofs on the back seat and drive south. We did take a ferry, so it could technically be classed as leaving the mainland. I hope they never build a bridge to the Isle of Wight, because for me, the 40 minute ferry is like turning a key to relax mode... we are on holiday!

I love the Isle of Wight, it is all about simple pleasures. Great local food, fantastic coastline and beaches, very friendly locals and all very welcoming to dogs. Also for the first time, hubby, who is a keen cyclist is taking his bike, and the Isle of Wight is all geared up for cyclists... so plenty of walking and cycling for us!

We have arrived!

A good view for lunch

What did I say about fantastic local food!

We loved this place!

Cold beer and a lovely sunset!

and that's just the first day.

Birthday present

What to give my hubby on his birthday? This year it was quite easy, he told me! A night away at Llety Bodfor in Aberdyfi. Simple! I booked it online a week before and we looked forward to a little escape by the sea.

Aberdyfi was a very pleasant surprise! We know Wales well, and know some towns are what they are...and so we went with an open mind. The town was pretty, well kept, had good vibes and a lovely mix of people. The beach was clean long and sandy backed by beautiful dunes. All this and a little pier to go crabbing seemed to make this place a little secret gem! 

The hotel lived up to the website and reviews too. We got upgraded to a suite which was a very nice touch, giving us tons of space, a little kitchen, a superb bathroom and best of all cracking sea views. We relaxed on the sofa reading and gazing out to sea, and later enjoyed a G&T courtesy of a very reasonably priced mini bar taking in more of the view! Breakfast was served a couple of doors down in a very nice restaurant. It was the best breakfast I've had in a hotel! Can't put my finger on why, it just was! 

Arriving mid afternoon we stumbled on a good little deli, with just a few tables we snapped up a window seat, and wholehearted enjoyed our meal. Woozy from an afternoon glass of birthday bubbly, we walked and paddled for several miles along an almost deserted beach. 

Perfect!

A day at the beach

Nearly a 6 hour round trip just to see the sea. But what a drive! Straight across mid Wales, enjoying fantastic scenery, and no traffic, just a tractor or two. 

Stop off on route to paddle in the Wye

And we get to the beach

Perfect!

Woofa loves it

Kids love it! 

We find a message in a bottle! 

Heading home, we stop of at the Élan Valley. It felt magical and peaceful. An oasis of calm. 

Ready for a snooze in the car on the way home.