Holiday memories

When we were little we didn't really "do" holidays. If we were lucky we might go to a caravan in Wales for a few days. Due to my parents being in the farming trade, the summer harvest was the busiest few weeks of the year, so, either we went when it was raining or my Dad didn't come.  Neither particularly good options! 

I do remember one occasion when I was 5/6 ish. We were due to go on holiday after I had finished school on Friday; I was very excited. It was sunny and I was wearing my favourite red flowery dress with "Ted" under my arm. All packed and ready to go. I remember following my Dad around the dirty yard asking "Can we go yet?" while he was repairing a tractor, clearly no intention of leaving any time soon! I have no other memories, so perhaps we didn't get there, or we did and it rained! 

Later on in my early teens I remember reading the Holiday Supplement in the centre of The Radio Times. I spent hours looking at these little adverts promising sandy beaches, houses and hotels you could STAY in! This was so mind blowing, how on earth do you ever get to holiday in amazing places like this! 

"Wish You Were Here" fuelled these thoughts even more. Judith Charmers going to far flung places where it was sunny and people spoke different languages - I so wanted to go. When I was 10 ish my best friend, Gina, from school went to Ibiza. I'd never heard of the place before but it sounded so exotic, you even had to get on an aeroplane! I wished so much that I could fit into her suitcase, really believing if I wished hard enough it would come true. It didn't! 

But, it did eventually, okay, not to Ibiza, but some beautiful places and I've never looked back! 

P.s The years I mention here are the 1980's and I grew up very rurally in the "back of beyond" which may help to explain my naivety.  

What are your childhood holiday memories? I'd love to hear....

Oceana, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

With the promise of a sunny weekend on the horizon and the end of the kids half term looming we decided to head to the coast. I did some quick searchs online and soon released I wasn't going to find any success with holiday cottage companies, as very few are keen on two night bookings. A quick search on Holiday Lettings provided several options, and Oceana popped up.

I was impressed with dealing with Rob, the owner. He was swift replying to my emails and happy to answer all my questions, giving instant confidence. So within hours, it was booked and we were off 3 days later.

We arrived to a lovely clean bright sunny space, that did have a "wow" factor, due to the space and view. The living room was a great space, who needs a T.V when you have a cracking view. I felt like a bird in it's nest, high up in the trees!

For the kids the indoor swimming pool was the biggest attraction. I have to say, it was very nice. Spotlessly clean and warm, very warm! The room was filled with light and surrounded by decking and trees so it did feel quite tropical. The kids enjoyed every second, and we, the adults who normally complain about pools being "freezing" cold, didn't have one complaint!

I have to give a big thank you to Oceana for allowing dogs into their home, without any additional charges. This is refreshing, and I am incredibly grateful. I wish more places would be so accommodating. Woofa loved the view too.

This house provided plenty of space for a family of eight including 3 kids.It was clean and fresh and covered all the basics very well.  A good comfy bed with crisp bedlinen, and provided towels (why on earth people don't supply these I never understand, even worse charge for them is beyond me) so another thumbs up for Oceana. Plenty of hot water, some milk, and a well equipped kitchen was appreciated.

The location is pretty good, we walked into town without any problem. Though, my mother refused the walk, daunted by the steep up hill climb, so we had to drive her, which turned out to be a bonus because the kids were flaked out after a day on the beach and wouldn't have enjoyed the climb home.

So, this house was perfect for our family escape. If I'm being very picky the house lacked some personality, it was a blank canvas, but perhaps that's a good things. After all, our own home has all the character we like, so lets have a change!

Oceana, Saundersfoot

Sunday morning in Tenby.

After leaving our holiday house and before heading home we dropped into Tenby. My mum loves to shop and the kids get to have a little treat from the toy shop, so everyone was happy, and us? We just wanted a quiet cup of tea, an ice cream and a good view. Tenby ticked all the boxes quite nicely.

We left with the sun shining and a feeling that we'll be back soon. Plus, I'm well overdue a visit to my favourite beach, Broad Haven South...

Woofa enjoying the view of Tenby Harbour.

Saundersfoot

How much can you cram into one day at the seaside? Well, when woofa wakes us at 6.10am there is no chance of a lie in.

Coffee and cake at Shoreline Cafe kick started the morning before we took the coastal path for a few hours enjoying a peaceful walk with woofa. We returned to dog friendly Coppet Hall beach to meet up with the rest of the family. It was a proper family bucket and spade beach without the tacky seaside shops. The kids loved it, doing everything children should on a summers afternoon at the seaside, paddling, building sandcastles, rolling in the sand, chasing inflatables, and eating ice cream. All the excitement takes its toll on the little ones, so late afternoon we headed back to our house on foot through Saundersfoot. We dropped into an art gallery that really captured the imagination of my 8 year old nephew. A lovely oasis of calm in a bustling town that targets a seaside tourist.

Later we headed back into town for supper at The Mermaid. What a treat! We had the best quality fish and chips since Rick Steins take away in Padstow! We rounded the evening off by taking a dip in our very own indoor swimming pool with the kids!

We certainly slept well, I remember drifting off to sleep listening to woofa snoring.

1. Saundersfoot beach. 2. Amroth coastal path. 3. Cast path. 4. Woofa on the beach.