Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend - May 2008 - Day 3 pm - St Just-in-Roseland Church & Creek

Sunday evening was absolutely gorgeous. It was very sunny and warm so off we went again in the evening. We walked back down to the pretty church at St Just-in-Roseland (via the main road this time). There was not a sole about. We walked through the churchyard to the boatyard and the creek that looks out towards St Mawes and Falmouth. A perfect end to a lovely Bank Holiday weekend!

Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend - May 2008 - Day 3 am - Portscatho

Got up on Sunday to a damp and misty morning. Not to be beaten we sorted out the wet weather gear and headed for Portscatho, a tiny fishing village on the coast about 2.5 miles from the site. The route that the campsite owner had given us took us via the public footpath, over stiles and through un-cut cornfields. Although it never rained we were soaked from the feet up by the time we arrived in Portscatho! It was still very misty on the coast but was brightening up from inland and by the time we'd found a very doggie friendly pub (The Plume of Feathers), had a lovely Sunday roast, a pint (Cornish Rattler cider - highly recommended!) and a coffee it was sunny and warm for our return trip back to the campsite!

Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend - May 2008 - Day 2 - St Mawes

We arrived in St Mawes mid morning passing the stunning castle sat on the headland overlooking the bay and Falmouth beyond.

We decided to catch the St Mawes ferry (The Queen of Falmouth) across to Falmouth. It was a bit windy for me but Michael and Paddy seemed to cope with it OK! After an hour wandering around a very busy Falmouth we headed back to St Mawes via the ferry for lunch. On arrival in St Mawes there were gigs everywhere - there was a competition with teams competing from all across Cornwall - including the Bude gig!!!!

Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend - May 2008 - Day 2 - St Just-in-Roseland

We were up literally at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning and after wishing a happy journey to Penny, Steve and the girls, decided to walk the 4 or so miles to St Mawes, via St Just-in-Roseland Church and Creek and along the beautiful coastal path of the Roseland Peninsular.

Paddy decided to take a dip in a little creek we found on the way (see video!).

Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend - May 2008 - Day 1 evening - Trethem Mill

Later that evening we walked down to Trethem Creek (the tide was out) before returning to the site to spend the evening with Penny & Steve and enjoying a BBQ and a 'few' drinks alfresco!

Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend - May 2008 - Day 1 - Trethem Mill

We both took the Friday afternoon off work and had booked into Trethem Mill campsite near St Mawes for the weekend.

After a torrential downpour in Bude we headed off down the A39 and arrived on site mid afternoon to glorious blue skies.

We had arranged to meet some friends (for the first time!) from Stafford.......Penny, Steve and their gorgeous Pyrenean mountain dogs, Willow and Millie. Paddy fell in love instantly so first job was to head for the on-site dog walk together........so they could get to know each other (as dogs do!).

I've also attached a video of Paddy & Willow together!

May 2008: Day 8 Looe

We were up at what seemed like the crack of dawn for our last full day. The storm from the previous night had certainly cleared the air and it was a fresh, bright day. We headed off from Bath early to enable us to call into our motorhome dealer so that they could fix a few problems we had encountered earlier in the week. After a 2 hour stop with them, and all the problems sorted, we headed off down the M5 to Looe.

We last visited Looe back in February - see previous blog entry - and although the sky was just as blue the warmth really hit you! It certainly is one of the best places to visit in the sunshine! There were people everywhere and the sounds of summer filled the air! We walked down into Looe from the campsite, had a wander around to Hanafore Point to watch the boats and then met up with some of our family for our evening meal, before heading off back UPHILL to the campsite.

The weather for the whole break was fantastic and I don't think we could've been any luckier in May.....in the UK. Long may our 'luck' with good weather continue.

May 2008: Day 7 Bath (evening on site)

The sun had started to shine early evening so we made the most of the campsite facilities (on site pub/restaurant!) and had a meal sat outside watching the wildlife in/on the stream, after taking Paddy for another wander around the site. During this walk Paddy spotted a stick he wanted - unknown to him it was a root that was still well and truly attached (see video!). We were soon to learn that this lovely weather was the calm before the storm! Later that evening Bath 'enjoyed' a massive electrical storm, which we watched from inside the motorhome through the roof light! It went on for nearly 2 hours and the rain was torrential! Paddy wasn't at all impressed with it and saw his opportunity to hide when Mike opened the bathroom door. The shower cubicle seemed like a good place to get away from it all?! See pic!

May 2008: Day 7 Bath

For the first time in quite a few days we awoke to dull skies (or was it just the hangover from the night before? - maybe that'll teach us not to drink with fellow campers on site??!!). As the weather never deters us we headed off on the 45 minute walk into Bath. By the time we got there, although it was still a bit overcast, the temperature seemed to have shot up! We spent most of the day wandering around the famous sights of the beautiful city including, Bath Abbey, The Circus, The Royal Crescent, The Royal Victoria Gardens, and Pulteney Bridge before heading back along the canal to the campsite.

May 2008: Day 6 Bath

Again, the sun was beaming down on us when we got up on Day 6 - another glorious day. Apparently we were enjoying the hottest start to May for 175 years!!! How lucky did we feel?! After a long walk along the canal towpath early on we again packed up and headed for our next campsite, Newton Mill in Bath. We've stayed on this site before, back in 2006, and had wanted to return due to its gorgeous setting. It's about 1.5 miles outside the gorgeous city of Bath, sits in a valley and has a stream running right through the site. Today was our 'chill out' day, IE no 8/10 mile walk for us!!!! We pitched up and sat outside along the stream having our lunch. After lunch we walked Paddy around the site, along the river so that he could have a paddle to cool off!