All we need now is our camping guests…………

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Comments Off on All we need now is our camping guests…………

The sunshine is booked, for opening, bank holiday weekend, and beyond.Come on in campers

Thanks to having friends who enjoy a ‘working holiday’ we have got so much done the last week, and the facilities have been tested and given the thumbs up. In particular the hot push button showers have gone down a treat, as has the stove on the newly erected deck. The deck gets the sun until it sets, and Camp Dog has soon found the best spot for sun sitting. Whilst christening the deck and stove in very late evening, we have seen two deer strolling through the site.  We have also been listening to both barn and tawny owls, though it was too dark to actually see them, but they were most definitely there. imageShower cubicle/wet room

The shower block is looking fabulous if I say so myself, and finished off with some ‘quirky’ signs, and nice bits in the cubicles.  This was done late as I did lots of research as to what made a good shower facility, so you should not be missing anything – boys or girls.

 

imageBeing new campsite owners, we are a little nervous that one of our first guests is The Campervan Cookbook man Martin Dorey off the TV. Martin picked the site to visit and do an article for a camping magazine.  For anyone coming and pitching near his red van, you can expect some good camping food smells. I took one of his books on our campervan trip in NZ so I am hoping to get this signed. Camp Dog is hoping Beardie Bob, the camper van dog will give him some info on a camping dog’s life. In return Harvey will tell BB about life as Camp  Dog, and also his favourite walks, and dog friendly beaches.

It is not only the site that is looking great the Pentewan Valley itself is looking very colourful. Walking by the Little Winnick River you will still see lots of primroses, and we now also have blue bells. Although quite late everything is really greening up now, and the weather is also warming up a treat.

If you are still undecided about what to do for May bank holiday, you still have time to organise a trip to The Meadows our small touring park, three miles from St Austell. We are right on the Pentewan Valley trail close to Mevagissey, Charlestown, and the lost gardens of Heligan.  The Eden Project is also only a short drive away. We have lovely pitches next to the stream, and are dog friendly.  You can enquire here, or telephone 01726 844383.

If you cannot make it this weekend, then you might want to consider booking for the fabulous Mevagissey Feast week which is not that far away. Check out what is going on for this www.mevagisseyfeastweek.org.uk

Sitting around a camp burner……….

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Comments Off on Sitting around a camp burner……….

Whilst it may not have felt like it on 31 January when we turned up with our two 7.5 lorries, to find the owner still very much ‘here’ ,there are ups to buying the site from a collector (and in lot of cases burying) of everything.

If you have been a visitor here before, or have had the time to read all of my blogs you will imagehave some idea of what we took on.  Although at that time, you had to see it to believe it. If not, in summary, before the ‘nice’ work to the site, we had 13 skips, and the same tonnage  amount of scrap metal go off site.  We also ‘passed on’ an old bristol crawler, and other machinery and hope these will in time restored to their former glory.

John and I like ‘old’ things, in particular me being a farmer’s daughter ‘old’ farming machinery related. Unfortunately the landrover and horsebox were beyond saving, tho we did rescue the feral cat who had made the landrover his home. I have mentioned before our ‘treasures’ and with some hard work, tlc, and help with the shot blasting (Andrew) and painting (mum and dad Bowler)these are now looking superb and being put out around the site to share with our guests.

 imageimageThe Meadows Team are very much in to ‘up cycling’ and so for our landscaping everything used is from what we have found, for the paths, sleeper & stone walls, granite roller & trough and old tyres used for the sign and for planters. Old harbour railings were also used on our new steps.

Due to over enthusiasm for ‘getting on with everything’ & a phone going through the washing machine we do not have all of the before pictures. Here are some of our treasures that our guests will spot on site.

Before

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As for the heading, the stove is to be placed on our brand new deck.  It comes with hot plate, and we are now on the lookout for an old black kettle.  We intend in the evenings to have the kettle on constant boil so our guests come with their mug & tea bag and fill up.

To see everything in situ and what we pave done on site,  please do come and stay with us at The Meadows touring park in the Pentewan Valley, Cornwall this year.  If you have been before, we hope you like the changes we have made without having taken away the ‘natural’ look.  We cater for motor homes, caravans and tents of all shapes and sizes, and we are near to Heligan Gardens, the Eden Project and great Cornish beaches.  We have ehu and hardstanding grass pitches.Please enquire here, or telephone 01726 844383/07712599745

Countdown to opening has begun……………….

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Comments Off on Countdown to opening has begun……………….

Here at The Meadows, we (John, Camp Dog Harvey & me) are all really pulling all the stops out for opening to welcome guests on 1 May.

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Ready for laying……..

Well firstly we laid 800 square metres of ‘grass protecta’ finishing last Friday evening.  It took the  two of us almost three days to lay, with camp dog supervising.

Hardstanding grass pitch waiting for a mow

Hardstanding grass pitch ready for mowing

It is green in colour and so blended in straight away. After day one the grass was already coming through the first ones laid.  Now after a week a lot of it is barely visible which is just amazing. Good job I was quick off the mark getting an initial picture.  We cannot wait for our guests to try out our new pitches which are ‘hardstanding green grass pitches’. We are so pleased as the natural look of our small touring park has been retained.

The old harbour railings found on site have now been sanded, painted and finish off our new shower block steps lovely with a big thick rope though them.

There has been a lot of digging going on, and my dad got stuck in with this on a recent visit.     Having not been tended for many years there were some humongous weeds that came out of the ground. We are ready to plant up now our new beds which John has edged with old sleepers and stone found on the site. We are thinking of lavender and hydrangeas, and we also have an old granite trough to plant up too.

This weekend the shower block is being painted and there will be some more landscaping. going on. Erecting our shop will be last before opening.  I could name and shame the company who have let us down with delivery, as the first delivery was cancelled because we live in Cornwall!!!! We are at least getting on with the base and the deck where our guests can enjoy their breakfast baguette, or coffee and cake. John’s sister Jayne from Devon came to visit last weekend with a sticky date and ginger cake. It was the nicest cake I have ever eaten and so that is one ‘we’ will definitely be making.

Everything here is really greening up, and the birds seem to be having a great time. We seem to have our own resident kingfisher which has been spotted now a few times fishing in the stream.  We think this is really special and hope it stays.  We also have a large buzzard’s nest at the top of a tree which may get used this year.

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Quality control

Camp Dog has been keeping the pigeons at bay who have been trying to feast on grass seed. This has been in between fiinding all the best places to snooze in the sun, on site, whilst still managing to keep one eye open for his supervisory/security role ;). CD has also been testing the quality of the stream water for drinking. It has got the ‘paws up’ and indeed CD says he prefers it to his usual Evian.

Thank you to everyone who has already booked to stay at our lovely small & dog friendly touring park on the edge of Pentewan, St Austell, and close to Mevagissey.  We look forward to welcoming you with sunshine. If you have not already booked, then please do give The Meadows touring park a try.  The Pentewan Valley really is a beautiful spot, in Cornwall and so close to the likes of Heligan Gardens and Mevagissey.  John is also all geared up for cooking his breakfast baguettes, and we will both be baking.  You can enquire here, or telephone 01726 844383/07712599745. We welcome motor homes, caravans, and tents of all shapes and sizes.

 

 

You are never too busy for a walk…………..

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Comments Off on You are never too busy for a walk…………..
CD in boots

CD in boots

It is very full on at the moment here at The Meadows with our site renovation work.  However, life is never too busy to put your boots on (even me) and get out for a walk. Just set the alarm clock an hour earlier. It is now light until at least seven in the evening, so two walks minimum a day is a good starting point, and then I work at my best ;).

PLEASE – no laughing at my boots!! These are not a fashion statement.  As you may all know, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the vet’s best friends, and hopefully although I have been better in this warmer climate these will help my sensitive pads.  These boots come highly recommended by dogs, who are proper working dogs, huskies, and mountain dogs and the like, so they must be good for Camp Dog.

We are so lucky here being situate in the Pentewan Valley, as we have so many walks on the doorstep.  So whilst no long jaunts as The Meadows Team (that is me Camp Dog, John & Lynn) have been very busy preparing for opening our gates on 1 May, I have done lots of short local ones.

As we are dog friendly here, and hope to see lots of you four legged friends this season, I want to tempt you with  what is waiting for you here and what a beautiful part of Cornwall this is. Camping and caravanning on the edge of Pentewan village, and close to Mevaggisey is great for everyone, and there is so much to see and do.

Turning directly right out of our gate, you are straight on to the Pentewan Valley Trail and heading off I will call it a gentle climb up out of the valley with woodland, and lovely views over the countryside.  After about 20 minutes, you will reach a sign, and you can either take a left and head off to Mevagissey for a stroll about this gorgeous harbour town with lovely shops, and eating places, a lot being dog friendly.  Alternatively you can carry straight on to The Lost Gardens of Heligan.  Dogs are welcome here, and there is also Lobbs Farm Shop and cafe where you can just enjoy coffee and cake, though I do think as it is a shop dogs must sit outside, and catch the crumbs.

At the moment for my morning walk, I join the Pentewan Valley Trail on the other side of the road.  Crossing the bridge, I decide depending on my mood of the day, whether to take a left or a right.  Both directions take you by the pretty Little Winnick River.  There are lots of opportunities and marked tracks to divert off in to the woods which I often do, and going round in a big circle back on to the trail crossing lots of bridges made out of tree trunks on the way.  The Kings Woods are also very good for mountain bikes, though I prefer exploring them on four legs.image

The walks above, are my normal day to day walks, and I do appreciate how lucky I am to have such fabulous walks right on the doorstep.

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Pentewan Sands

At the weekend, we often walk down in to the Pentewan Village down the trail, and to the Pentewan Sands beach.  Pentewan is a very pretty village, and the walks out of the village on to the coastal path make great walks though be prepared for some ups and downs, as of course you are in Cornwall.  Indeed without the climbs, you would not have the fabulous views.

I hope the above has made you want to call up my owners and book a stay this season at The Meadows Touring small and dog friendly park, and you can try these walks for yourselves. You can also be “green” by leaving the car on the park, and also your owners will not have to worry about getting a parking space!!!! You can enquire here, or telephone my owners Lynn & John 01726 844383/07712599745.  We all look forward to seeing you this season so you can explore this part of Cornwall in the UK, and you can may be find some doorstep walks that you can share with me, and that I have not yet discovered.

 

 

The best Sunday lunch out so far……..

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Comments Off on The best Sunday lunch out so far……..

Unfortunately, or fortunately for the cook, our oven has been delayed.  We have managed very well so far, but cooking a roast dinner on a camping stove is a bit tricky.

Crown Inn

Crown Inn, St Ewe

Having heard excellent reports, and after seeing how full the car park was at The Polgooth Inn we ventured out to The Crown at St Ewe. Camp Dog came as well as the pub is dog friendly.

John and I did not really need to look at a menu as we both craving a proper Sunday lunch just like we would have at home.  This is what we got, in front of a roaring fire, and with all the trimmings to go with our roast beef :).  Lunch got full marks from both of us, our plates were clean, and we could not manage dessert!!  The people there were all very welcoming and the service was as good as the food.  We understand why this pub is so popular and is has a lovely cosy atmosphere and is full of character.

That was to be our last Sunday roast out for a while as our long awaited oven will be with us tomorrow.  John is somewhat of a chef, even starring on tv, and so has missed ‘proper’ food at home.

Cooking Twins

Cooking Twins

We also need to get some practice in with our new oven ready for the start of our season as we will be cooking for our guests. Cooking is part of our improved facilities as new owners of The Meadows.  There should will even be some outdoor summer cheffing by the cooking twins, likely to be in the form of grand Paellas or similar delights. We will be hoping for some foodie guests coming to stay with us this season.

Summer is fast approaching and we would love to see you here at The Meadows in the Pentewan Valley, St Austell with your tent, caravan, or motor home/campervan.  We are a small dog friendly touring park in a beautiful part of South Cornwall in the Uk.  Please contact us here, or telephone Lynn or John on 01726 844383/07712599745. You will be spoilt for choice as to what to do during your stay as we are located close to the Eden Project, Heligan Gardens, Mevagissey and lots of lovely Cornish beaches.