We have been in full swing, very early this season

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Comments Off on We have been in full swing, very early this season
S7000309

Happy Campers

Hi di Hi from The Meadows Campsite

The season is continuing as it started, nicely busy, jolly campers, and a few cocktails and pizzas being enjoyed along the way.

Thank goodness we worked so hard with stock piling wood ready for the season.  We have piles, and piles of wood all nicely arranged in our wood towers, and the first tower is down to the bucket we used to ensure our tower was circular and would not topple over.  The evenings have been a little on the chilly side, and those without fire pits must have had fire pit envy, as night on nights the numbers increase.  During the bank holiday, John upgraded the usual delivery mode of the wheelbarrow for our old tractor to make lighter work.

imageLots of our guests have been avoiding the crowds of the St Austell Supermarket and instead enjoying a walk and a stock up of goodies from the fabulous Lobbs Farm Shop, a must for foodies, especially those liking a good bit of steak on their bbq. If you prefer fish to meat, or surf and turf Mevagissey has a fresh fish stall right on the harbour front.

This week has been beach weather, and swimming in the sea, not in a wetsuit weather. Our guests are particularly enjoying Caerhays, aka Porthluney Cove. The revamped Cafe, has new very enthusiastic owners making a big effort, with music and events happening regularly, and a Shepherd Hut Ice Cream kiosk.

image

Caerhays Beach

Our guests have also been enjoying Duporth Beach walking out to it from Charlestown and, of course walking between Gorran Haven and Vault Beach.  Some of our recent guests have seen all of the beaches around here as they are walking the full extent of the SWCP coast path. Our last walkers had a full on evening here with a fire pit and a take away delivered to them from the fabulous Gurkha Restaurant in St Austell.  They even had left over samosas to enjoy for their lunch on Hallane Beach the next day. We highly recommend this restaurant eating in, or take away style, and all guests who have eaten their food have given very positive feedback.

Now we are not ones to blow our own trumpets, as that is just not our thing.  However, we would like to share a couple of things with you, as we always like our guests to hear what others think of our campsite.

Firstly, we were featured in last Saturday’s Travel Section of  The Guardian Newspaper.  This was as a complete surprise to us, but did explain why email and telephone enquiries, were coming through faster than they have ever done previously!! Not being Guardian Readers ourselves on the Sunday we were hoping to find a copy in our recycling bin, but unfortunately not, although we do now have a copy.  Thank you Cool Camping for including us in this feature.

Here is the link if you want to have a look, at us and also some other great independent campsites

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/may/23/uk-cool-campsites-camping-glamping-yurts-britain

Secondly, here is a link to a new blog set up by one of our recent camper vanners who stayed here bank holiday weekend.  There are some good pictures and we were pleased to have made a camper banner happy.

http://campervanner.com/2015/05/25/the-meadows-pentewan-saint-austell-south-cornwall/

Bookings – following our feature in the paper, I have as chief booking administrator been working just about at the speed I used IMG_7111to in my previous life as a lawyer, and that is saying something!!  We are just about fully booked now until around 22 August, except for the odd few days here and there, and a few spaces in June.  For “proper camping” we have plenty of spaces, but limited parking.  This means for those arriving under their own steam (including bus, train and taxi) we will always have a space for you.  For short stays, we are always worth a try, but for main holiday, please bear us in mind for next year.

News from Camp Dog Harvey

It is my birthday today, but apparently that does not warrant the day off duty!! Instead I got taken to the vets to have a needle stuck in my backside.  Some birthday present that was.

I have been very busy looking after all my four legged guests, and sharing my knowledge of walks, and dog friendly pubs that hand out dog treats.   I have seen lots of sandy bottoms returning back to camp, and very tired legs.  This week I was very impressed  with the dog who did the circular Mevagissey walk and made it up and down the 200 steps to run around on the very dog friendly Polstreath beach.  I bet that dog had the beach almost to himself as a reward.  Just to remind you, The Meadows is a dog friendly campsite, with great walks straight from the campsite gates.

Finally, upcoming Diary Dates

1 June – first visit by The Atlantic Fryer cooking up Cornish fish and chips on the campsite, and then every Monday, just missing the odd one or two.

6 & 9 June – visit by Kernow Forno cooking up wood fired pizzas, and then visiting every Tuesday evening.

28 June – 5 July Mevagissey Feast Week

There will be far more happening than that, and I will get myself finding out, but in the meantime do check out Visit Cornwall so you don’t miss anything.

June – start of Eden Sessions, and worth having a look who is performing as it looks like there are returned tickets still available for some events.

Right time, to open my little blue shed/reception office/tourist information board and shop.

Lynn on behalf of The Meadows Team (Lynn, John & Camp Dog Harvey)- The Meadows, Campsite, South Cornwall, Dog friendly, adult only campsite………………….

 

 

 

 

 

Local delights………

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Comments Off on Local delights………

2013 - the meadows no22As lots of you are asking, this is just to give you an idea of local delights on offer here for the season.  Nothing is set in stone, and of course people have other long standing commitments so will miss the odd night or two.  We are very sorry if it is bad timing, for you. If you don’t get to sample everything, we hope you get to try at least one!!

Anna’s cocktail & cider van – Saturday was the trial run for Anna. Whilst expecting just to be serving cocktails to John & I, andS7000290 her hubby, instead Anna did a roaring trade.  There was a fab atmosphere with lots of campers chilling on the bean bags which were so comfy.  The Mojitos, Tom Collins, Sea Breezes, and Dark and Stormy cocktails went down a treat.  Anna will be here for bank holiday on the Saturday and on many more nights throughout the season.

Kernow Forno Subject to them getting the staff, we hope to see pizzas being cooked up on this bank holiday Saturday evening to accompany the cocktails.  This will be confirmed as soon as possible and I will update the blog. Tuesday will once again be our regular pizza evening, and Kernow Forno will be cooking up between about 5.30pm and 8pm.  Start date to be confirmed, but it should be June.

KERNOW FORNO – pizzas now confirmed for this Bank holiday Saturday and serving between 5.30pm & 7.30pm. 

The Atlantic Fryer  new for 2015, and we expect to be very popular Fish and Chips on a Monday.  The reviews are fabulous for Ross and his team, and just like wood fired pizzas who does not like fish and chips.  Beef dripping, local fish…………… ooh my mouth is watering already. First night is 1 June.

and for dessert……………….. 

Our freezer is very well stocked up with the scrumptious and very Cornish Roskillys Ice Cream

Other Meadows News

Well, we cannot say we have had a slow start to the season, and for the majority we have been fully booked, even with mixed weather.  Our returning guests are enjoying seeing the changes we have made and the general development of the campsite, with the new flowers & plants, pitch signs and our new camper van pitches.S7000293

One of our returning guests even turned up with a gift for us of a new hand made and hand painted reception sign, which we love.

Well, we are all ready for a busy bank holiday weekend, and fingers crossed for lots of sunshine.  We are sure whatever the weather it will be lots of fun and our campers will be happy ones.

Bookings

For late availability (the 14 days ahead) you are best to give us a call to see what we have.  Also if you are now looking for June, July or  August, give us a call and we can get the diary up and look what gaps we have here and there, as there are not many. For those who don’t know we are an adults only campsite close to Pentewan and Mevagissey, South Cornwall. We are very well placed for visiting The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Eden and for walking the SWCP and cycling the Coast to Clay Trail.  We are also a dog friendly, and indeed generally friendly campsite, with a nice relaxed atmosphere on site.

Our Caravans Lottie and Mabel – they have their own calendar, and so if you are thinking of a stay check our their page and debs pictures lottie etc 114then get in touch.  The girls are very popular and their first guests of the season have all had a great time, bbqing on the deck and then getting cosy.

Lynn

 

 

It is all in the planning………….

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Comments Off on It is all in the planning………….
DSC_6544

The Meadows – for camping close to Mevagissey

Most of our visitors for the 2015 season are now booked in, and counting down to their holiday.  With a bit of good planning and thinking ahead, you are sure to get the most out of your jolly.

Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your Cornish camping trip, especially for all those Cornish virgins out there:-

1.  First and foremost, buy a map of the local area.  The ordnance survey explorer maps are great for “exploring”, and also a great tool for planning walks, cycle rides and scenic drives.  For us, covering Mevaggisey, Truro, Falmouth and the Roseland, Map 105 is the best one.  We do sell here the little yellow maps which are very popular and may be enough if you are just on foot/bicycle.

2. Have a look at the What’s On guide for Cornwall, and check out what is happening in the county during your stay.  It is so easy to get around the county from base camp, The Meadows, and so worth the drive for something special.  There are some great country fairs and vintage rallies, such as The St Ewe Country Fair and the Bocconnoc Steam Rally.

For the month of May, I have done this research for you, and here are just a few of events happening, and most of these are near by.

May –

Helston Flora Day – today, and so one to think about for next May!

Fowey Festival of Words and Music 9-16 May

Port Elliot Dog Festival – 9/5.  This has to be lots of fun.

Eden Classic Cycle Ride  – 10 May.  A chance to cycle around the whole of the Eden Project.

Lostfest – a one day Festival, with lots packed in with stalls, foodie, cider/cornish ale, music and just generally lots of things happening to make for a full day of fun. This is in Lostwithiel.

Not an event, but always a wonderful place, Heligan Gardens and the fabulous little piglets.

My understanding is that the film set at Portholland will be in place until around the end of this month.  Good idea to park at Caerhays and walk around to it on the SWCP.

3. Check out any offers for the Gardens of Cornwall, in particular those local to us, Eden and The Lost Gardens of 

Heligan. Last year Gardeners World did a great offer, and the gardens themselves had a great offer for those visiting both.  You should also look at arriving at the gardens under their own steam as there is often a reward for doing so.

4. Whilst away on holiday, this is a time to check out the lovely Country pubs that a stay cation is so great for. One of our favourite books, for ensuring you are heading for a great pub is to check out those in the area in Aistair Sawday’s Special Pub Book, or the Sawday website.  For those bringing their four legged friend, doggie pubs is also a great app to have on your phone, although Cornish Landlords and Landlies are far more accepting of dogs than other areas of the country, and it is unusual for a dog not to be welcome.

5. Check out your camping gear before you get here.  This will avoid spending the first day of your holiday visiting the camping shops to replace, buy things you have forgotten, or that you broke last time, and intended to replace, but never got around to it.

image

Catch mackerel with Chris from Aquila

6. This high season we hope to be offering food on two evenings of the week, but we know our campers like to cook up their own delights.  Holidays are a great time to try out new dishes, and being a fishy area Paella is a good one, and of course freshly caught (by you) mackerel on the bbq.  Bring some recipes with you, and have on board all your essential ingredients.  For campervanners we like the list The Campervan Cook Martin Dorey did in his book, and we have tasted his cooking, and it is good!!

 

Other Meadows News

We had a great turn out for May day bank holiday weekend, even though the weather was not the kindest.  However, early campers are we find a hardy bunch, and they all had their bbqs and fire pits going and did not let a bit of the wet stuff spoil their first camping trip of the season.  We had dogs in coats and hoodies, adults in hats and scarves one minute and tee shirts and shorts the next.

Cosy up in Mabel

Lottie and Mabel Caravans both were blessed with guests for the weekend who cozied up in them as they both have heaters, and thick duvets and so guests keep toasty warm.

The meadow flower is growing nicely, and at bank holiday a lot of the secluded pitches were occupied, and once again, those furthest in were the most popular.

Poldark – nearly all our visitors so far have made a visit to Charlestown to check out the harbour that featured in Poldark.  We even had guests walk there on the SWCP on one of the blustery days, which was very well done indeed.

Buses 

Following the sudden ending of the Western Greyhound busy company, we are now getting used to the new local bus services.  This service First Service 24 is proving very popular and reliable  John has even made a new bus stop sign as before it was a very Cornish bus stop and nobody wants to upset the bus driver by standing in the wrong spot.

It is great news that we now have a bus going to Gorran Haven, and also to Polgooth, handy for the Polgooth Inn.

Checking everything out from the bank of bluebells

News from Camp Dog Harvey –

Bank holiday was great for me, not too hot for working, and lots going on for me to look at. I also managed to fit in some nice walks along the river to the village checking out the bluebells, campion, a dipper, yellow wagtails  and some swifts along the way.

My girls’ eggs were very popular over the bank holiday weekend and sold out quickly.  At present I am trying to increase productively, but so far this is not going well.

Bookings

It is great that we appear to be popular, and we like being on the smaller side, but this does mean we cannot accommodate all who want to stay. For the coming bank holiday, we are fully booked now on our main pitches, so all we have are our casual pitches and “proper camping”  (none electric).  However last bank holiday, we did have a few cancel at the 11th hour so we are always worth a try for cancellations and telephoning is best. For first time visitors, we are an adults only campsite, and dog friendly, close to Mevagissey, South Cornwall.  We make a great base for a walking or cycling holiday in Cornwall.

For the rest of the season, give us a try and let us know if your dates are flexible in any way, as we try to be ourselves.

IMG_7106

Look out for our camper van signs

You can call 01726 844383 or contact us by email .

For those who are booked to stay with us at Bank holiday, we are hoping that there will be fried eggs in the sky this time.  As usual if the weather is not so kind John and I will take full responsibility as Campsite Owners.

 

Happy Friday

Lynn, John & Camp Dog Harvey

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bunting, butterflies and fifty shades of green…….

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Comments Off on Bunting, butterflies and fifty shades of green…….

IMG_6785Well, we are now in to day two of our third season, and the fun has already begun.  For our first evening our guests enjoyed fire pits and bbqs, with campers making the most of the evening sunshine.

Our guests were so keen they were waiting outside the gates before they were open.  At that point, we were still up a ladder doing the most important job that always gets left until the last minute – bunting!

We cannot be more pleased with how the campsite looks.   As guests who have stayed with us previously will know, we have had a lot to do since arriving here three years ago.  The last two winters, we have concentrated on major and mucky site work, and so we have always been disturbing what was already there, to get to where we are now.

This year, we have been concentrating more on general maintenance, and there is always a lot of that, wood, and  general beautifying of the site.

S7000261S7000267S7000252
Here are just a few pictures taken a couple of days before opening – prior to bunting and butterflies!S7000260S7000257

S7000230

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool CampingS7000273S7000272

The new Edition is out, and what a fab book.  There is a lovely new cool campsite in Cornwall featuring in it on page 34.  For anyone who tours this is a great book to have on board.  We keep a copy for our touring guests in our deck reading, and it has been used lots in the past.

News from Camp Dog Harvey

Fat dog slim I love it when we open the gates, as there is always so much going on.  It is just so exciting for the first few weeks, that I give up my position on the back of the settee and am usually found on the deck or in the office.  My first guests are all enjoying themselves, and we have a party of 3 dogs who yesterday enjoyed my favourite circular Mevagissey walk.

Other Meadows news

This weekend does not look like a weekend of sunbathing on the beach, and so here are our spring suggestions for enjoying this part of Cornwall:-

DSC_65441. Time it in between any rain showers and walk in to Mevagissey on the Pentewan Trail for a good old mooch around the harbour, followed by fish and chips at either The Fountain, or The Sharksfin.  Options for the return journey back are on two feet the other way via SWCP, the good old bus, or the quicker walking route of back the way you went!

S70001982. Head out to Caerhays and Portholland and check out the film set, as it won’t be there for too much longer.

3.  The most popular place on a wet day, and so expect to share with lots of others is Eden.  Better in my view to visit on a sunshine and showers day as there is lots inside, and also lots outside too.  The food is great there to.  You might be tempted to purchase tickets for one of the fab Eden Sessions acts and make a return journey to Cornwall in early summer as there are some fab acts lined up.

4. Be prepared in case it should rain, but head off anyway for a stunning spring walk on the SWCP to Charlestown, and if you have been watching Poldark (has any one not) then the harbour will look very familiar.  There are some lovely eating places, little beaches, and caves and there is a shorter route back as this is a good walk. The SWCP is a mass of wild garlic, pink campion, primroses and cow parsley.

This weekend we should see our fair share of sunshine too this bank holiday, and the extended forecast is looking good too.

Bookings

Well they are coming in thick and fast, and we cannot believe how many people are looking for “just for grown ups”. If you have not IMG_7013stayed with us before, then we are an adults only campsite, and dog and other pet friendly. We are a campsite close to Mevagissey and Charlestown, and we love campfires and bunting.  You can book by email or telephone 01726 844383. If you like walking and/or cycling and then we are an ideal site.

Hi di hi and ho di ho from The Meadows Team – Lynn, John and Camp Dog Harvey x