Dog friendly holiday house

Our woofa agrees that this is a pretty good view after a busy day!

What a view!

Last minute break

I do love a little last minute break, and with some flexibility about location you never know where you might end up!

We can only stay 2 nights which ruled out many cottage companies who offer little flexibility on standard 3 night breaks, and it has to be said offer very little deduction on 7 night rates....

So, Holiday Lettings came up trumps again...

I am looking forward to a glass of wine on the baclony

and the kids are looking forward to the pool.

 Something for everyone!

Holiday Memories

Holidays are about creating memories that I draw upon at a later date. Let's take today for example. It's a very cold May morning doing an excellent impression of a November morning and I'm sat in land locked Birmingham with the rain tumbling down. I need a little inspiration to keep my spirits up... and remind me above the grey clouds is bright sunshine and a few miles away are blue seas. 

Cowes, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight beach

Isle of Wight sunset

Isle of Wight beach garden

Coastal retreats!

I've been taking a look at YourHotelAlternative website and found a few places that really appeal. All have fab sea views, which can be hard to find.

Beachcomber's is an appealing little place, and it certainly ticks the box for having a perfect sea view! Lovely to see our dog can come on holiday for free too, now that is much appreciated!

Gorwel Manaw would be perfect for a break with the kids. I can just imagine lounging on the sofa listening to the waves on a warm sunny day...

Oh, this one brings the child out in me...The beach Hut. I would so love to try this little place.

This time last week...

I think I may have mentioned, I have a habit (sometimes annoyingly so) of saying " This time last week we were..."

Well, I have said it again today.

"....having a picnic in Yarmouth"

I like Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. A small town and probably not for you if you love shopping, but the shops it does have are right up my street! I found a vintage/ antique shop on the High Street which I really enjoyed, and bought an old map for hubby and some cotton reels for me! There are many other shops too, but I have a hopeless memory and can't recall their names. I have made a note to take pics of places I like in the future.

The Deli in the square provided us with coffee and cake (the best blueberry muffin I have had for sometime!) which we enjoyed while sitting on the pier.

We walked along the waters edge to the east of the town, stopping to take in the view every now and again. It's so tiring being on holiday!

Returning to town and the same deli we bought loads of goodies for a picnic, which we enjoyed on the waters edge.

So, one week later on a cold grey day, miles from the coast, perhaps you can understand why I say "Do you remember, this time last week......"

Clockwise from left: 1.Yarmouth Pier 2. Names of people who made donations to the pier restoration 3. My purchases 4. Sea front at Yarmouth.

A little house by the sea..

While in Gurnard, on the Isle of Wight we walked past this little place several times. It's currently for sale, and has bags of potential to be a beautiful little house by the sea...

Little Sailings, Gurnard, Isle of Wight

For various I had reservations about booking this house. Perhaps it was the article I read about fake listings on holiday home websites, that made me think too much... perhaps seeds of doubt were fueled by the images of Little Sailings on Holiday Letting website which were taken when the owners lived in the house, and not recently. Also there were no reviews, Facebook or Twitter pages or an independent website...

In the end, I risked it and paid by bank transfer.

So, you can imagine my relief when we arrived and everything was as it should be. Relief was soon lost to delight. Arriving to catch the last of the evening sunshine, we realised just how wonderful the house and location were. It was perfect.

The images on the website do not do it justice. The house is an eco house, exceptionally well designed to make the most of the space, light and views. Put very simply, I want to live here.

On arrival we had fresh flowers on the table, milk in the fridge, good quality fresh coffee and a box of Twinning tea. Even some locally made soap and luxury bath items. Little things like that do mean something. It's welcoming and a kind gesture that shows they have considered your needs when you arrive.

Throughout our stay the owners, who live next door, were discreet but helpful when needed. Even though the two properties either side are close by, we still felt we could find peace and quiet and some privacy, in the wonderful garden. With the garden opening straight onto the pebbly beach, we really didn't feel much need to adventure too far, it really was a peaceful haven.

The house was well loved and cared for and provided all we needed. The bed was comfy with fresh white linen, a fantastic deep free standing bath that allowed me to watch boats sail by, a well equipped kitchen and all spotlessly clean...

We will be back!

It's all about the sunshine.

We were so lucky this year; the weather was simply glorious for our anniversary. Early May can throw anything at us, so sunshine felt like a treat! For some reason, I can associate each anniversary with the weather we enjoyed. This year has been the warmest and sunniest so far, by day blue skies (mostly!) and by evening beautiful sunsets. I even got my knees out and popped on a summer dress. I did have to throw on a woolly jumper by late afternoon, but it is only May!

Goodbye Isle of Wight.

Leaving early on Bank Holiday Monday was surprisingly peaceful; it felt like the calm before the storm! This was pay off for not sticking around to make the most of what forecasters promised to be the hottest day of the year. Though hard to believe at 8am with thick fog blanketing the Isle of Wight. The ferry crossing was very atmospheric and the sun greeted us in Southampton... not so bad really!

A surprising find.

Well, as you would expect for a Bank Holiday weekend, we had rain! I consulted my app, that kindly informed me we would have sunshine at 2pm, so we took a leisurely approach to getting up!

We braved the blustery late morning weather in search of lunch. We walked into Cowes looking for a cosy pub or restaurant, though we had little success. Too busy, too quiet, no atmosphere, bad reviews.... until we saw Brawn's, and thought let's see...

Well what a pleasant surprise. Bags of character, we loved the decor, although quiet it felt cosy and romantic. The tapas was superb; tasty with plenty of choice and good size dishes. We had a chocolate pastry pudding and coffee, all well worth every penny! The waitress was on the ball, very friendly and helpful! I have no idea why it was so quiet, but we loved it, and everyone else dinning seemed to feel the same!

Followed by a walk through town dipping in and out of galleries and shops was the perfect way to round off the afternoon. The sunshine had well and truly broken through as promised, so walking back to Gurnard on the beach was perfect.

Oh and we found a lovely artisan bakery. We were so full we couldn't appreciate it fully, but the cakes and scones looked and smelt divine. We bought a loaf, with a promise to return tomorrow...cakes - we are coming!

Finishing the day relaxing at home with bread and wine...

Anniversary!

We ate our way through the day very well. Fresh coffee and porridge in our little house kick started the day, surrounded by cards and roses! (The roses were supplied by the home owner- lovely touch and saved hubby the trouble!)

Strolling along the beach we dropped by the beach cafe in Gurnard for a sandwich in the glorious morning sunshine. Feeling thoroughly refreshed we walked into Cowes along the beach front. It was surprising quiet and peaceful.

Cowes has a fine selection of independent shops, so we enjoyed dipping in and out of those, until more refreshment was needed. Hubby wanted a ice cream. Just like a child at the seaside, he has to have ice cream! The Plaza was a great little find, which served us two splendid ice creams and tea. In my book ice cream and tea go together hand in hand! So it was, at 2.30pm, we celebrated exactly 5 years of marriage with a clink of ice cream cones. Probably sums us up quite well!

The sun was still with us by the time we got back to our house by sea. So it would have been crazy not to; we popped open some bubbly to enjoy the afternoon sunshine and watch life on the Solent pass by.

The day was topped off by a meal at The Little Gloster restaurant, just minutes away from the house. One of the loveliest meals we gave enjoyed for sometime. Made even more enjoyable by the friendly young staff. Exceptional flavours and quality, perfect portion sizes, waterfront table and a lovely sunset over the Solent!

Job done. One anniversary that will be remembered for years to come.