An excellent, and different night out

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Comments Off on An excellent, and different night out

We are not “winos”, (honestly) but we do like wine, especially enjoyed with good food.

Being lucky enough to have family in NZ, we have visited lots of the NZ wineries and they make for the best S7000201lunches, and a very good experience.  One of our most memorable days was a day out cycling around the vineyards in Martinborough on the North Island sampling fantastic wine and food, until we could do no more!

We have had our eye on Knightor Winery for some time and heard great things about it, and it was also recently featured in Coast Magazine.

Feast Night happened to fall on Camp Daddy’s birthday (April fool) and so we booked tickets and off we went.  It was a feast of foraged food mixed in with local meat, fish and Knightor’s wine.  Drinks and lots of wonderful green dishes with homemade wild yeast bread on arrival and a glass of fizz!! Off to a great start.  We met local forager Rachel Lambert and lots of other very interesting people, who all like us enjoy trying different foods and wine.

The meal was absolute fantastic and as I like it from time to time a set menu to get you trying different things.  There were mussels, large clams, mackerel, rabbit, panacotta and lots of other delights. Each course included foraged items and I loved all of them from Alexander, Wild garlic – (my fave), Nettle, Three Corner leek and lots of others.  John and I offered up clean plates and dishes all round.  As it was John’s birthday, John enjoyed the different wines to go with every course.  What was really special was meeting very interesting people and just a generally very good experience.

Knightor Winery – gets The Meadow’s recommendation and we know our guests will enjoy the tours, platters and the pretty courtyard and barn where food is served.  It is open during the day and many evenings, and I understand they do a great Sunday roast.  The winery is close to The Eden Project, Clay Trails and on a National Cycle Route, so you could easily be just passing by.

News from Camp Dog Harvey –  I have been collecting pictures in my album as lots of you are kind enough toDSC_6723 send me snaps when making your bookings, and after your stay.  This picture is still my favourite but I am sure it is beatable.

whippets-tea-partyNow unfortunately I am not going to be able to attend due to a very busy weekend, but the Port Eliot Dog Festival  & Whippet Tea Party is being held on Saturday 7 May 2016.  This will be such great fun and so if you are in the area, or staying with us at that time.  For me, may be next year!

General Meadows News

Our gorgeous meadow when in flower

Neither John, or I can complain that we do not have variation to our work.  We have both been very busy getting all the jobs done.  The girls (our caravans) have got their covers off, and are having an airing. Mabel has been painted out, and Lottie is next. We have been out today to a few nurseries and have got quite a few new plants which will be going in very soon, and we have been mulching and composting, weeding and nurturing.  All the outside painting is complete and there was a lot this year, and the grass is now doing its thing. The wildflower meadow has been topped again, and this years pitches which is very exciting.

We have taken a few deliveries this week too, one of which was some new fire pits.  Well,  there is no chance of us running out of wood this year!

Bookings – we are so pleased with how many campers want to stay with us this year. IMG_7111 Whilst we are happy being on the smaller side, we are sorry that we cannot accommodate all requests.  We do still have some availability, but this may only be for those who can manage without electric I am afraid.  In this regard, we charge phones, freeze ice packs, and we have a complimentary salon style hairdryer in our shower block.  To make an enquiry please contact us here

For those who don’t already know, The Meadows Campsite, just for grown ups (and dogs), campfire friendly, and in walking distance of  Pentewan, Mevagissey, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

 

Counting down to opening for our season number 4…..

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Comments Off on Counting down to opening for our season number 4…..

DSC_0439Spring has most definitely Sprung, and we have put away our working waterproofs for the time being.

We are on countdown to opening now which is fast approaching, but we have everything in hand, or at least we think we have.

It looks like for our opening weekend, we will have a regular group of “wild swimmers” staying with us for a training weekend.  If it is anything like last time it is wild swimming by day, and warming up around a fire pit by night.

IMG_6769

The “girls” like their pink house

The outside jobs, of which there are lots, are underway and the painting has begun.  We like being colourful and so we do this job every year to keep a nice fresh feel to the place.   There are even more things to paint this year.  Our grass which is of course extremely important is being well tended to and is far higher maintenance than I am!!  It has had a hard winter, but with sunshine and showers on the forecast ahead, it will soon start greening back up,  and growing.

The pressure washer has had his Spring outing and the deck is all smartened up, and oiled. We just now need new tablecloths, repotting of our table plants,  and of course the awning.

We have been doing a bird watch whilst working outside.  In one days we spotted great tits, blue tits, long tailed tit, chaffinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard, Nuthatch and an Egret.  There are also Moorhens nesting on the stream bank which is nice.

S7000473

Cornish hedge and wood stacks

The biggest job of the winter was our Cornish hedge being built, and managing all of the conifer wood.  The former took much longer than anticipated, but we are extremely pleased with the end result.  Our entrance looks extremely smart, and with the conifers gone you can better views up the valley. That is it for this year with wood, but our stacks do look very attractive if we say so ourselves.

IMG_7111Bookings – we must be doing something right, as we get busier year on year.  Already almost all of our hook ups are booked out from mid June until mid August, except for the odd few nights here and there. This has caught us by surprise.  There is still quite a lot of room for “proper camping” (none electric), for both tents, camper vans and those caravanners with their solar panels on board.  You can contact us here, or telephone 01726 844383.

We are a campsite close to Mevagissey and Pentewan, just for adults and very dog and campfire friendly. If you like walking, cycling, or just exploring then we are in an ideal location and just a mile from the South Coast.

S7000414News from Camp Dog – this is my favourite time of the year.  Being a little on the nest side, I tend to stay indoors on work days until the weather is good enough for sun bathing on the deck.  The last couple of weeks I have been outside and it has been lovely.

As it is staying lighter later, we have also been out after work down to Caerhays Beach, imageand also the lovely Vault beach.  These are two of my favourite beaches.  We also made it down on a Sunday morning to the Caerhays Beach Cafe.  It is great there for sitting outside, and I hear there are some great evening events planned for the summer season with guest chefs, music, and comedy.

It is so lovely to see in the booking diary so many doggies booked in already, including a lot of Cavs.  I am already booked in to the groomers, and I have one last stay at my “up country” health farm prior to opening.

Other Meadows News

Apologies if you got caught up with the blip in our “contact” enquiry system.  This was a temporary blip of which we were unaware as it was selective with those it did not transmit.

Posh Pasties & Cider – just mentioning this again as we think this is a great new addition to what will be Lazys pichappening here this season.

Well we are counting down to opening, and we hope that those booked in already are counting down too.  We know one of our guests has  even got a holiday countdown app on the go!

Happy Easter

Lynn

If I was holidaying at The Meadows this month……..

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Comments Off on If I was holidaying at The Meadows this month……..

Well high season is over, and the county has started to quieten down just a little, but not that much in view of the current fabulous weather.  However, there might be less people about but there is still so much to see and do in this beautiful part of the Country.

These are some of the ways we would spend our days holidaying at The Meadows, Pentewan, South Cornwall.

1. A walk to Mevagissey, and a nice one, at that starting with a good up.  The walk is on the Pentewan Valley Trail skirting around the edge of the Heligan Estate.  We would then have a wander around the village, and then devour fish and chips sitting on the harbour watching the boat and fishing activity.IMG_0957

The return leg would be on the SWCP taking in the amazing view of Black Head, and around to Fowey, then stopping off for a couple of drinks in our local, The Ship Inn right in the centre of Pentewan Village and then back to camp along the river.

2. Everyone is talking about the “Piglets” at the moment up at Heligan Gardens.  The gardens and wider estate grounds always look fabulous but seeing the two sets of piglets just tops it off.

Throughout September, Knee High Theatre are putting on a show Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs).  The reports are that this is a great performance, and very funny indeed, so good for a laugh.  Heligan Kitchen are serving up a two course pre-theatre meal, and drinks are also being served from the Kneehigh Asylum Bar.

Crantock Beach 2

Crantock Beach

3. Take a ride over to the north coast and visit the fabulous Crantock Beach, walking around on the SWCP to the just as lovely Polly Joke Beach.  You could time this with the Newquay Fish Festival and visit that too, picking up some lovely fishy delights.

4. Travel by ferry taking the Mevagissey to Fowey Ferry.  See dolphins and basking sharks (if it’s your lucky day), but a joyful ferry ride any way.

Whilst in Fowey hop on the ferry to Polruan and walk the famous hall walk returning back to Fowey.  When back in Fowey head to Sams or one of the other many delightful eating places.  Also whilst in Fowey visit the Fowey Fish and Wine Shop, or the pasty shop and purchase some tasty treats to bring back to camp.

DSC_6727

Gorran Haven

5. Spend the day on Gorran Haven, or Caerhays beach with a good book.  You will pass the fabulous Lobbs Farm Ship on the way for picnic goodies.  Walk between the adjoining and gorgeous beaches of Vault and Hemmick.  For the current fabulous weather conditions, of fried eggs, it is definitely beach weather, and we are sure Mabel and Lottie’s deck chairs will be making a few outings.

6. The Meadows team love the Roseland Peninsula, which is great for a day of exploring.  Here you can find secluded coves, pretty creeks and tranquil beaches.  It is an AONB and large parts National Trust and has many dog friendly beaches.

image

St Just in Roseland Church

If you get chance visit the wonderful little church of St Just which is amazing.  St Mawes and the walk around St Anthony’s Head are also highly recommended.

For a good feed, The Roseland Inn at Philleigh (en route to the King Harry Ferry) is a fabulous pub, with a brewery next door.

image

The Pandora Inn

7. On a nice sunny day take a drive out to Mylor Bridge near to Falmouth and walk around the head to Restronguet and have lunch on the pontoon at The Pandora Inn with amazing views and lots of boating activity going on.

Here  is now hoping that you have booked the extra day for another day of fine walking those cornish ups and downs.

8. Walk on the SWCP to Charlestown taking in the beautiful beaches of Hallane, Porthpean and Duporth along the way.  This is a good walk, with lots of big ups, and fabulous views in return.  You will get a lovely crab sandwich and a bowl of chips for lunch.  The walk back along the lanes, and coming back through Kingswood is shorter,  and an even easier route back is on the good old bus.

Don’t miss the photo opportunity on Hallane Beach where there is Hallane Mill with a pretty waterfall and hole in the rock.

General Meadows News

Thank you guys for more of your amazing reviews. This is only our second season running a campsite, and so the feedback is extremely helpful, and we like to see happy campers.  We know we will never please everyone, but we do take negative feedback on board, and this year, we are still green, but a lighter shade of! There here are some things outside of our control, and also to run this site as a couple and still be sane at the end of the season,  we do have to have a few cut off points.  Sorry if this upsets anyone, as it is not intended, but The Meadows Team will not be in fear of trip advisor!!!

Our campsite is looking very green, and there are always new flowers coming up in the wild flower meadow, and the secluded meadow pitches remain popular.  We had a group camping on the stream wing last week who were very lucky to have a few sightings of the kingfisher.

Over the last few weeks, we have seen many guests arrive here under their own steam taking advantage of the reward they receive for this.  Carrying everything on your back, or on bike trailers deserves a 25% reduction on the pitch price.  There are also far less trips for them with the glamorous wheelbarrow for our “park and pitch” scheme, and we have put some benches in the meadow as walkers are usually chair less, but in need of a sit down.

September is a very busy month for us, and so this means Pizza Tuesday will be continuing for now, and is always very well supported by our guests.  The pizzas are delicious and it is great watching them being cooked fresh to order in the wood fired oven.  What will The Meadows team do on a Tuesday when we get to end of season?!  We are missing Mojito Steve since the opening up off Sams on the Bay.

We are getting around to thinking about work for the end of season.  There are unlikely to be any big changes taking places, as we did the major work last winter. This time, the work should be more about continuing to enhance the natural beauty of the site and more planting and adding character to the site. The first job to do is the topping of the meadow field with our little Dexta Tractor.

 

IMG_7106Bookings

It is very encouraging that lots of you are keen to book for next year.  At the moment, we are keeping all your requests in order, and will be in contact around the end of September/early October.  By this time, we will have made the changes we are being forced to make over deposits and balance payments.  Our late cancellation/no show numbers have now reached an unbelievably (to us),  and unacceptable  high number,  This is very unfair to those who have tried to book when we were officially fully booked, and not good for us as a small business, and it makes admin a nightmare.  However, we are sorry for those who are still in the majority who accept that a booking is just that.

News from Camp DogDSC_6686

Apologies on behalf of the team for the recent blip in the weather.  We all tried very hard to chase off the rain, and send it up country, or to stay out to sea.  We failed for a short time, and it was a bit wet and cold.  However, the good weather is back, and we are once again basking in glorious sunshine so all is good for September.

Now is the time to come clean and admit that it was me that insisted Camp Daddy light the wood burning stove in the lounge with the smoke blowing over the site, whilst our campers and their four legged friends tried to stay warm and dry in their tents.  I have taken my punishment and spent time on the naughty seat and will not light the burner again until the gates have been firmly closed.

I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking guests for the many gifts I have received during the season. One can never have enough gravy bones, or prawn crackers, and the big bags of Bakers came in handy when my needs got missed off the weekly shopping list.

DSC_6526Indian Summer

It is at the moment, and fingers crossed the national press have reported it right as extended in to October and beyond.  We have availability for those who don’t mind “proper camping” late season in good weather.  For hook ups, we are quite limited until around 20th September, except for odd days here and there.  After that we have availability for 7 days plus, if you still have your holiday to book.  You can either telephone us, or send details online.

Our Caravans have been extremely popular this season, and they think they need another sister to help with demand.  A Cheltenham Springbok would be nice, if any body knows of one.

There are still dates available for Lottie and Mabel, and so do think about getting cosy in a caravan (both have heaters).

Well, bye for now

Lynn on behalf of The Meadows Team, consisting of John, Camp Dog Harvey and I.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back at our first season at The Meadows

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Comments Off on Looking back at our first season at The Meadows

On 31 January, we will have been at The Meadows Campsite, Pentewan for a year.  It will be really exciting to have that first year under our belts, and be able to say, this time last IMG_7013year………..

Without giving anything away, we recently had an out of the blue phone call which resulted in a day’s film shoot taking place on site by a TV Crew.  This was very exciting indeed, well compared with the days in-between when we were dealing with soil, brambles and ditches!  It was a very welcome distraction, and also gave us a chance to look back with the film crew at some of our pictures taken over our first season. A further up side was a having lunch cooked al fresco by a celebrity chef, and although the morning started with icicles, it was a dry day.

I thought by sharing some pictures with you, they would encourage looking forward to spring and summer camping holidays. For spring, I am already thinking of wild garlic pesto made from the wild garlic growing in abundance on the paths down to Hallane Beach.  I love our log burner in the winter, but I love more seeing the fires and bbqs burning on the campsite when our campers enjoy sitting outside in the evenings.

To book in with us for our second season, for an adults only holiday, you can contact us here, or telephone 01726 844383.  We are in a great spot for exploring this beautiful part of South & Sunny Cornwall. The Meadows remains dog friendly, and is an ideal campsite for the gardens of both Eden, and Heligan and for exploring Mevagissey, Fowey and Charlestown.  If you love walking, then this is an ideal base and we can show you some fabulous walks linking up to the SWCP and direct from camp gates.

These are some of my favourite pictures taken during our first season at The Meadows Campsite, Pentewan

Enjoy wild camping

A colourful pair of Vdubs

Lottie Caravan’s guests

IMG_7102

The Meadows Campsite near to St Austell

A meadow pitch

image

Talking catch of the day

image

Official camp shop opening by Martin Dorey

Camp Dog carrying out his site inspection

IMG_6976

Camp Daddy waiting for breakfast orders

Mrs Robinson enjoying some quiet time

Customising our AA sign

Our customised AA sign

IMG_6820

We love bunting

deb's pictures 024

A streamside meadow pitch

Visting Blue Vintage

Mr Claus with reindeers – SC on holiday?

IMG_7085

pitching by the meadow field

image

our stream side pitches are ideal for camper vans

Time to start thinking holidays, and camping in particular

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Comments Off on Time to start thinking holidays, and camping in particular

The Meadows Team spent their Christmas having lots of fun “up country”, with our families and friends.  Camp Dog Harvey got to meet his new cousins, Boris the spanish water spaniel, Barney the Puggle and Malcolm a very handsome and playful Jack Russell cross. We enjoyed some fabulous old walks in the Leicestershire countryside, and lots of scrumptious food, wine and laughter. Christmas day afternoon we sat down with the “Bowler” extended family and watched Carry on Camping – that was never not going to happen at some point over the Christmas Break!!

New hardstanding grass pitches

The grass protecta when first laid last year (2013)

Prior to the big storms of the New Year, we had enjoyed a very dry November and early December, and so had achieved lots before our break.  At least the first stage of our ditching, and the de-silting of the stream has been put to the test as we have had a stormy start to the New Year. The stream has been very high and flowing fast, but luckily the banks did not break.  Unfortunately Fowey, and Mevagissey did not fair very well, but they were extremely well prepared for damage limitation.  It seems the North Coast got the biggest battering.

Our existing customers will be familiar with our “hardstanding grass pitches”.  In just one season the grass protecta became very well established with a full blown lawn grown through it, and the new grass seed was for strong camping site grass which is certainly is.  For a lot of the work we are doing, it has been necessary to take up a lot of the grass protecta which will then be relaid. By the time we took up the final roll last Saturday, we had just about mastered the best technique, but once relaid this year it is not coming up again!  Very tough stuff though, and it is now all in rolls and looking like new, and John and I should be standing up straight again by the time we open :).

IMG_0147

Sam’s on the beach

It has not been just storms, and in between we have had some gorgeous sunny still dry days.  This was one such day, when we enjoyed another helping of mussels and chips at Sams on the Beach in Polkeris which were once again delicious, and the view is as good.

This month is going to be a very busy month starting from today, and so the improving weather picture is just what we need.  Our road (posh track) extension work starts tomorrow.  This and other ground work has been carefully planned from what we have learned about the land during our first year, and about what our guests want from their campsite experience.  12 weeks from purchase to opening last year, did not give us time, though we did do well with what we achieved.  Indeed this is what has given us the confidence about what we can achieve this year before opening, with 5 and a half months on our side.  So far, so good, and we expect to even get in lots of outings in the county.

We are very excited about the work taking place and the changes being made, and we  are already looking forward to the start of our second season.

IMG_0955

Camp Dog’s recovery position

photo-1

Stormy seas at Lizard Point

Yesterday, on stormy Sunday we took a trip out to the Lizard.  It was mainly a driving tour as there was not much let up with the heavy rain, but we did walk down to the point which blew away a few cobwebs. This was Camp Dog in the back of the landy in  his recovery position after his cobwebs were blown away.  We did the trip via Portleven and Cadgwith, and both places looked a little battered with dramatic seas.

Changing to a site “just for grown ups” was for us a big change to make, and so we did wonder what effect this would have on our enquiries.  This time last year, we were still planning our move to Cornwall, and our website was being created, and so we had no other January to compare it to.  We have been very pleasantly surprised and encouraged for both December and January, and our booking numbers are very healthy.  It is lovely to hear from old guests of 2013, and we also look forward to meeting new guests in 2014 visiting us for the first time.  It seems there are lots of grown ups out there who want to be around grown ups, both young and mature and liking a traditional small campsite, in a beautiful area.

We continue to be very dog friendly, and indeed some of you on four legs are also ahead of the game with planning your 2014 camping trips.  Camp Dog Harvey is feeling energised after his Christmas over indulgence, and is getting out and about checking out some new walks, and frequenting his very places.

IMG_0146News from Camp Dog 

IMG_0929

Oh so Royal King Charles

Fighting fit now, but this was me in December being chauffeured around whilst recovering from a minor op on my paw. It would be unfair not to every so often reminder my parents that I am after all a “King”. I have still not got over my name change from HRH to Camp Dog.

Storm watching – most of mine has been done from the back of the settee. However I did assist Camp Daddy with the rescue of a labrador from the River Winnick when the river was at it fiercest, and we were out following a storm.  That was quite a scary sight, and I did not get the labrador’s name, but he or she looked very frightened and very relieved when the humans managed to catch up with it and haul it out from the bank.  Lesson to self – stay away from the raging rivers, and the raging sea, and stick with the settee, and log burner!

photo

Pentewan Sands

IMG_0957

View on the return leg of our walk from Mevagissey on the SWCP

This was the calm before a storm.  A beautiful calm sunny afternoon on Pentewan Sands.  This was also the calm the day after a storm.  My favourite circular walk from camp to Mevagissey on the Pentewan Trail and back on the south west coast path.  Fabulous as always, and with a few plump pheasants to chase along the way.

Camping for dogs – just as a reminder for those thinking of booking a camping trip with us here.  The Meadows Campsite is  a very dog friendly campsite, and welcomes all well behaved dogs, together with their owners.  There are excellent dog friendly walks for you from camp gates, though you can also take the bus, and the ferries as alternative means of transport. There are also some fabulous dog friendly pubs, foodie, and serving great beer.

Beaches – please take time to check out my page and whet your appetite for some fabulous beaches.  My favourites are Caerhays and Hemmick Beach.

Bookings

We are opening the gates at Easter, in time for wild garlic pesto, Easter eggs laid by our girls, and Easter Sunshine.  If you want to book in with us for 2014 for either a caravan, campervan, motorhome, or tent pitch please contact us here, or give us a call.  Lottie and Mabel Caravans are also available to rent should you wish to enjoy a more hassle free camping experience. The Meadows is a great site for visiting the gardens of Cornwall, in particular Heligan, and the Eden Project, and for a Mevagissey camping holiday.

FinallyIMG_7102

Happy New Year from me Lynn, (Camp Mother), John (Camp Daddy), and Camp Dog Harvey – The Meadows Team.  We hope to see you during our second season here at The Meadows Campsite, Pentewan, Cornwall

 

 

 

Busy bees – work & play time at The Meadows

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Comments Off on Busy bees – work & play time at The Meadows

Well the campsite gates are closed, and the bunting has been taken down and washed and ironed 😉 ready for next year. Lotttie and Mabel Caravans have been dressed up for photos, and now dressed down for winter, and our small  campsite seems very quiet indeed.image

To mark closing and surviving our first season I was treated to a new outfit – a green Boilersuit! It takes me back to when I was about 10 and my mum and dad bought me a Massey Fergi Boilersuit for Christmas. The new one has had lots of use already as we have been working very hard “down field”. It is now possible to see all the way down stream to our small wooded area. The view from what will be our new stream side pitches, is gorgeous over the hills with the sheep and cows grazing. The view is worth every one of the extra few paces to the showerblock in my opinion. We are certainly loving taking in the views working “down field”.

image

Not quite an “amazing space” 

image

For making hay when the sun shines

Before the “big storm” lots of the trees over the stream had already received a drastic haircut. The mass of brambles have also been attacked with some vigour, which is what they needed. Unsurprisingly, our finds have included a haymaker, 15 old aliminum windows, 2 old trailers, and an “amazing spaces” horse box.  These are in addition to our other recent finds, and our dumper truck has made life easier getting our finds up  field.

The wood we have taken down, has been logged, and is now seasoning, for all next years campfires so we have wood a plenty. Our wood piles are huge, and there is no danger of us running out.

We have almost finished the clearing stage of the work, and the bank area is to be raised from what we take out when extending the road, and creating our wildlife pond.

Our next task which we start on Monday is to de-silt the stream, and we have already made our sandbags. We expect it is years since it has been done, and another task that is new to us, and for which our digger will make easier. Once done the stream will have a much better flow, the water table on site should be lowered and it will look a much nicer feature. For 2014 we will have some new perches for guests to sit by the stream, made by Camp Daddy out of some of our biggest logs.

News from Camp Dog HarveyHarvey's day off

Boot-camp is well under way, and is great fun. We have been checking out lots of new dog friendly walks, beaches, and a few dog friendly pubs along the way.

The new SWCP walking book is getting lots of use, although the walks are never followed to the letter, and usually involve an extension or two.

What is amazing is how many fabulous walks there are so close to my home at The Meadows Campsite and which I can share with my guests. The beaches round here are all so lovely, and at the moment, Caerhays is my current joint favourite with Hemmick Beach.

image

Mevagissey harbour in November

My favourite walk from Camp Gates is the Mevagissey circular walk, especially on a Sunday morning.  The walk there is on the Pentewan Trail skirting the edge of Heligan, stopping off at a nice little cafe in Mevagissey for coffee. There is usually a couple of old boys in there who enjoy a gossip! As the “pooch ban” is off now for Pentewan Sands, we return on the coast path, scrambling down to the cove that joins up with Pentewan Sands and finish the last section with a stroll on the beach, and a bath in the sea. We all like this walk, and I am off my lead for almost all of it, and the scenery and sniffs are just fab.

I was sent out on a mission to check out a few beaches close to Camp, and how good they are for those on four legs.  We all like Duporth, and we parked in Charlestown and had a very lovely walk to both Duporth and Porthpean along the coastal path.  The two beaches are very similar, and both very lovely indeed. The walk and views are lovely too, looking out to the Gribbin Head daymarker and around St Austell Bay.

carlyon

Carylon Bay from its best side

Carlyon Bay, is a little bit odd.  It could be fantastic, and if you look ahead out to sea and ignore the unfinished work it is.  This is a great big beach, so great for a fun.  Parking is also free, but there are a few steps to climb down.  We walked the whole length, scrambled up at the end and walked back on the coast path dodging golf balls along the way.

One afternoon, we knocked off early, and took a lovely walk from the gorgeous Gorran Haven, along the SWCP to Vault Beach.  I like this beach, and there were lots of sniffs, feathers, and best of all we had the beach to ourselves.  There are lots of lovely walks to be done taking in this beach, and also my favourite Hemmick Beach.

Note to my four legged guests – Carlyon Bay, Duporth & Vault Beach are all year roundpaw

image

St Just in Roseland Church

image

Gorgeous Towan Beach

image

St Mawes

image

St Just in Roseland

Just a little bay along the way

In view of our busy time ahead, we took this weekend off to recharge our batteries.  We have enjoyed two long, but fabulous walks around the St Mawes area.  We visited Towan Beach, Porthscatho, Gerrans Bay, St Mawes itself, St Just in Roseland and Froe Creek.  Here are just a few little pictures of our days out.  St Mawes is gorgeous, The Royal Standard at Gerrans Bay made a lovely lunch stop, and the whole area which is really very close to Camp is fantastic.

My girls (our chucks) are laying very well indeed at the moment so must be happy hens.  Its a good job we all like eggs, in one form or another and my favourite is softly boiled on top of a bit of Bakers.  Keep up the good work girls.

Other Meadows news

The parts of the website, best left to the experts are currently being updated to reflect our 2014 changes.  If this is not complete by the time you read this, then it will be so in the next few days.  We are amazed how much thinking ahead everyone is doing, though the 2013 heatwave has no doubt helped everyone is doing for 2014.  Great though to have a camping or caravanning trip already planned for 2014 to look forward to.

Mabel Caravan – has been treated to some gorgeous bits and bobs ready for her 2014 guests.  Being on the classy side, I treated her to some gorgeous pearl fairy lights.  I have also made some nice liners for her cupboards, and lots of other bits and bobs.  One sunny day, I set up the table and took some pics for the website.  Mabel Caravan’s garden will get completed in early Spring.

Mabel and Lottie Caravan are both lovely for a special stay away as rather “quirky accommodation”.  If you want to book a stay in one of our vintage caravans, then please contact us by telephone or email.

Bookings – if you want to book in early at The Meadows Campsite, Pentewan, and have a holiday to look forward to, we of course are happy to book you in.  Please either contact us here, or telephone 01726 844383 to make your booking.  We are a small quirky campsite, close to Mevagissey, and great for Heligan Gardens and Eden.  We are also dog friendly, a park for adults only, and cater for campervans, caravans, tents (all shapes and sizes), and motorhomes. The Meadows is ideal for a walking, or cycling holiday in South Cornwall.

 

 

We want you to hear it from us first…………………………

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Comments Off on We want you to hear it from us first…………………………

IMG_7102Usually I am very upbeat when I am blogging, but this is a difficult one.

For those who have been following our adventure, you will be aware that this has been our first season.  We took a very big personal gamble buying “The Meadows”, and we have learnt so much from day one.  We are so committed to the Campsite, and indeed people often comment that it has the feel of staying in an extension of our home!  However, business is business, and can be tough at times especially for new ventures, and we want to be around for a long time yet.

Firstly, we want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to every one who has stayed with us this season, and made our time so enjoyable.  The weather on the whole has been kind, and we have learnt so much, along the way.  We did only have 12 weeks between purchase, and opening and so we always had our work cut out just to get open.  Running a campsite, is a full on job, but a very enjoyable and rewarding one, and we have, by working very hard managed to run it as a small team of three (including Camp Dog Harvey). All feedback, that our guests have been kind enough to share with us, has been very much appreciated, as you are the experts.

The Pentewan Valley is a beautiful place to be, and the area is a wonderful one with lots going on.  The two neighbouring parks have also changed hands this year, and most people are also familiar with Pentewan Sands holiday park in the village, so there is a lot of choice.  All of these parks, are very geared up for “families”, and are run by a much bigger team.

Being a small site, run as a couple, we cannot compete, nor do we want to with our neighbours.  We want to continue running the campsite, as a small, natural site further enhancing the natural features of the stream, and wooded area.  With four “family friendly” parks, within a few paces of our site, and two more within just a mile or so, we  feel we have to stand out and be different to survive!!

We have made a decision, partly with our “business heads” on, as we have really enjoyed families staying with us on the site. As from next season we will be a campsite/touring park for “grown ups” and “dog friendly”. This means we can offer something different in the Valley/wider area, and also continue running the site as a couple ( and Camp Dog, of course) . The latter is also very important to us , in leading a simpler life which is what we wanted to do.

We hope that our guests will try and understand our decision.  Feedback was invited this season, and we had lots of requests for a “children’s play park”, and all options open to us have been considered.

I am in the process of updating our website, but need some assistance, on the technical aspects, so it may be another week or so.  This is the major change, and there are a few other small changes.  For this winter, there will be a lot of further improvement work carried out on site, and plans are already in place. There will be no “resting on our laurels”, but lots of walking of the South West Coastal Path is also planned.

News from Camp Dog Harvey

Site Foreman

Back to being Site Foreman on 1 November.

My theory is that the above decision has been taken in the interests of my waistline only. Who will feed me all of my treats now?! Boot-camp starts on November 1st, and I am shaking under the desk at the thought.

For all of my past and present guests on four legs, I can personally reassure you that there are no real changes for you.

And so………..

If, we have not upset you, with the above news, and any grown ups (between 18 & 105), would like to book for 2014, then we are now taking bookings.  You can either contact us here, or telephone Lynn, or John on 01726 844383. For any parents wishing to throw tomatoes, or similar at us then please try and see this as a positive.  We know now that grandparents take a far more active role, and you now have a Campsite you can escape when the opportunity arises for a romantic weekend away.  For those those families who stayed with us, and who fell in love with the area, which we do understand, our neighbours are much better experienced at running “family friendly” sites, and have special facilities for little people, and more people to look after them.

 

Camping and caravanning in Autumn is ideal for………………….

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Comments Off on Camping and caravanning in Autumn is ideal for………………….

IMG_6785Driving in to Mevagissey today, I heard on the radio that we are in for a fabulous October!  The Indian Summer was apparently delayed due to the good old jet stream, but is now en route to Cornwall.

Today’s weather news got me thinking, that really Autumn is such a good time to get away, and set yourselves up for the winter months.  With all the mod cons now in the caravans, motorhomes and tents for keeping warm on chilly evenings, our hot showers  & breakfast delivered to your unit, there really is no excuse not to take time out and visit us here at The Meadows Campsite near to Mevagissey.

I am going to try and encourage and tempt you now to get away, by highlighting some of the simple pleasures of holidaying in Autumn, close to Mevagissey, Charlestown, Fowey and St Austell, South Cornwall.

Long walks on the nearly deserted Cornish Beaches.  

These walks are best enjoyed with your pooch, and a good way of blowing away the cob webs, and enjoying the sun lying low in the sky.carlyon

Check out Camp Dog Harvey’s page for some suggestions, or if you are without a pooch then Pentewan Sands beach is a good beach to start with.  A must for me is to take your coffee from the Gorran Haven Cafe in a “proper” mug and sit and drink it on the beach, watching the waves.  This would then be followed by a good walk over the cliffs to the very deserted long sandy Vault Beach.

At the end of the returning leg of the Gorran – Vault walk, you could stop off and enjoy lunch in the lovely Barleysheaf Pub just up the road at Gorran Church Town.

For some more suggestions for walks in the area check out the South West Coast Path website, and in particular the Autumn Ambles for South East Cornwall.

For some fabulous pictures of the walk from The Meadows to Charlestown, and for just some fab pictures generally, check out www.skoobyblue.blogspot.com.  Skooby Blue and Simon stayed with us here for a few nights this month.  Prior and post Simon’s visit, we had been enjoying the pictures of his trip around Cornwall, on twitter, as he is a fantastic photographer. We felt honoured when Simon did a photo blog on The Meadows, so please take a look and see if you agree.

A cosy pub lunch

With an “r” in the month, Autumn is the best time to feast on a lunch of mussels and chips.

polgoothinnWe can show you the route to walk from The Meadows to the lovely Polgooth Inn along bridleways and foothpaths with gorgeous views of the bays. So far on our mussel test, the Polgooth’s come out top. If the day is an autumnal one, then you can cosy up in front of the log fire. However, with the promise of an Indian summer , you could be sitting in the Polgooth’s garden basking in the midday sunshine.

For Sunday lunch, the best we have had so far is at The Crown Inn, St Ewe.  This is a traditional inn, and the Sunday lunch is just like your mum would cook, and the pub is dog friendly.

Visiting the Lost Gardens of  Heligan or Eden

Due to Cornwall’s milder climate, the gardens are fabulous to visit in the Autumn months.  You can expect to see lots of the more exotic plants, and lots of spectacular autumn colours.  Heligan also have foraging events, and Eden have a beer festival taking place in October.  Gardens and beer, surely go together!

Whilst at Heligan Gardens, take a mooch around Lobbs Farm Shop and pick up some delicious treats for dinner, or supper.

Whilst being completely biased of course, all of the above, are best finished off with a night at The Meadows.  You can snuggle up in your tent or caravan, or indeed our Vintage Caravan Lottie.  Here you can watch the night drawing in, and listen to the owls tooting, whilst playing a game of cards or scrabble. Electric hook up is a near must, or for the very hardy pack your crocheted blankets to keep out the evening chill.  Our favourite autumn warming drink is the South Devon Chilli Farm’s Chilli Hot Chocolate drink.   

If you are more than a little bit tempted, hold off putting your tent away for the year, or caravan in to storage.  You don’t need to book in advance, but you can if you want to.  We are happy for you to arrive just as the Indian Summer makes the promised appearance and pick your sunny spot on site.  Should you wish to book, or let us know you are on your way you can do so here, or by calling 01726 844383/07712599745.

News from Camp Dog

37 days left until I am off official duties, and can enjoy all of the above, and more!!  Yes, I am now on countdown :), but will continue working very hard until the end of season to keep my guests happy, and  well looked after.

Mabel  – our new, but old caravan is still in Leicestershire, where my granny and grandpa are enjoying sitting in her having their afternoon pot of tea. Mabel will be arriving on site in October and we are all really excited.

For all your new four legged visitors planning on making your first visit to The Meadows, I can show you dog friendly pubs where they let you sit by the fire and the best dog friendly beaches.  Here at The Meadows we are a very dog friendly, and generally friendly and relaxed campsite, in a walkers and cyclists haven.

 

 

Lottie Caravan is getting a sister…………….

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Comments Off on Lottie Caravan is getting a sister…………….

LottieLottie, our gorgeous vintage caravan has been so popular this summer.  We have been saying Lottie Caravan was on the lookout for a sister, and we have now found her one.  No pictures available just yet, but watch this space……. Lottie and her sister will both be available to rent for vintage caravan holidays in 2014. Lottie can still be rented this season for a cosy autumn stay, as she comes with a heater.  Her beach hut lights also now look lovely with the nights starting to draw in.

The Meadows Team were very quick to christen our new caravan, and she is called “Mabel”.  At the moment Mabel is still in Leicestershire, gettingIMG_7013 ready for her journey down to Cornwall to meet her sister Lottie.  Mabel is another Castleton Vintage Caravan, but a different model to Lottie, and has her own personality. Castleton Caravans are quality caravans, (the Rolls Royce of their time) and it is unfortunate that their members’ club closed down in August this year. We had hoped for a members trip to The Meadows, and a line up of different Castleton Caravans. Mabel is going to be sited next to the stream, looking down the meadow field, and is a good sized two berth caravan.  My head is full of ideas, for making Mabel beautiful and fun, and so I cannot wait for her to arrive on site, so that I can get stuck in. This is one of many autumn/winter projects for The Team, and Camp Daddy will be in charge of Mabel’s outdoor space.

We have had some very hardy campers staying with us this week, who have managed to smile through the rather poor weather.  Those who picked this IMG_7085week, have been very unlucky, but they have still had a good time. Our campers still got out and about in their wet weather gear and wellies, enjoying the local walks, and escaping the rain in the many fine pubs, that we are lucky to be near to.  The lucky campers are going to be those joining us this weekend, as next week looks to be lovely and warm, with quite a lot of sunshine.  That will make next week a fabulous week for long walks, pub lunches, and back to camp for a cosy evening in your caravan, campervan, or tent. Looks like great evenings next week for sitting out with a firepit, toasting marshmellows :).

We have hook up pitches available next week, and “proper camping” pitches for the hardy autumn campers out there.  Hardy campers, can visit at least knowing that they have fab hot and powerful showers to warm them up.  Lottie Caravan is also available Friday, to Friday for either a weekly or short break stay.  Lottie has a lovely view right down the meadow field so great for watching camp life, and it looks like deckchairs on the beach weather so they are all there ready to go.

IMG_6785So for all those lucky folk out there, who have either picked this coming week to take their holiday, or those who can just pack up and go we would love to see you.  You can book in advance, or just turn up and choose your spot on arrival. Contact us here, or telephone 01726 844383. Check out my last blog, to see all the events still happening in the area, for those  days off from walking & cycling!

News from Camp Dog Harvey

The ratio of females to males in this Meadows Team is rather worrying!! I now understand we have Mabel arriving on site shortly.  I shall be checking Mabel out, as soon as she arrives on site.  Camp Daddy and I have our own ideas to balance up the numbers.

 

I have had a school boy hair cut recently, and so am looking very smart.  My shorter hairstyle also shows off my neckerchief to a treat.  Unfortunately (for me) the “its all hair” not longer works, so it has to be muscle from all the hard summer work.

The best news of all is that in return for all of my hard work over the season, and ready for “down time” my wish for a log burner for my lazy winter Fat dog slim evenings has been granted.  I do not have any difficulty with communicating that I want the burner lighting, as I had lots of practice in my old home.  There is also no doubt in the house, about who has pole position when the burner is lit.  All my hard work over the summer has been worth it just for that!!!

The deer have been spotted on site again recently, and the owl continue to hoot and toot loudly at night.

Polgooth InnI enjoyed my first night out since Camp Gates opened this month.  The choice as to where to go was mine, and I opted for The Polgooth Inn.  Being seated under, not around the table the carpet is comfy, I get treats, and my owners are very happy as the food is so good.  The Polgooth is very dog friendly, and just as humans like people watching, the Polgooth is good for a bit of dog watching.

 

We hope to see you soon, and before the end of our season if you can make it. If you have not been before, The Meadows is a small dog friendly campsite in Cornwall, on IMG_7102the edge of Pentewan, and close to Mevagissey. We are ideally placed for walking as there are lots of walks on the doorstep including a walk up to Heligan Gardens on the Pentewan Valley Trail.  We are also close to Charlestown, Fowey and the famous Eden Project.  The site directly adjoins the Pentewan Valley Trail, which forms part of National Cycle Route 3, and also links up for walkers to the SW Coast Path. We also have bus stops either side of the road, and so this makes holidaying in a motor home much easier.

 

 

 

Lottie and her guests have been having “Lotts” of fun this season…..

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Comments Off on Lottie and her guests have been having “Lotts” of fun this season…..

debs pictures lottie etc 086The Meadows Team (me Lynn, John and Camp Dog Harvey) are so enjoying having our Lottie Caravan on the campsite.  Lottie’s  guests have been enjoying her too, and have all had so much fun especially with the good weather they have enjoyed.

Lottie has attracted lots of interest from passers by including caravan enthusiasts, and just fans of all things “Vintage”.  Indeed, our neighbours are convinced that the recent increase in knocks to the bollard in the middle of the road, and loss of wheel trims is entirely down to Lottie gazers!

I have had great fun keep adding to Lottie’s already well kitted out  interior.  This week I just could not resist these gorgeous Beach Hut Lights for inside.  The outside  deck area is also lit up at nights with fairy lights hanging from the sail.

For a late addition to The Meadows Campsite, Lottie has had lots of guests over the summer.  As it is starting to feel just a little chilly in the mornings, and evenings, I have just bought Lottie a little heater to keep her guests cosy.

debs pictures lottie etc 114The met office are still saying that September will be fairly dry on the whole, with temperatures above average, so very good for a Lottie Vintage Caravan break.  We have one weekend break in September still available, and availability for the Monday to Friday breaks, starting this coming Monday.

If you would like to come and enjoy The Meadows Campsite, and this beautiful area, and camp in vintage style then Lottie Caravan is highly recommended. Please have a look at Lottie’s page for more information and pictures, and contact us by email here, or telephone 01726 844383 with any questions or should you wish to book. A fabulous place to rest your tired legs  whilst enjoying a walking holiday in Cornwall.

The Meadows Campsite is a small dog friendly site, situate in the Pentewan Valley, close to Mevagissey, IMG_7111Charlestown, Heligan Gardens, and the Eden Project. We cater for campervans, tents (all shapes & sizes), caravans and motorhomes. September and October are great months for walking (south west coast path), cycling and having a good old mooch about.  We are in a great location for exploring the south coast of Cornwall, but you can also be over in Padstow in around 30 minutes.

Note – there is only one Lottie, and we have not yet found her a sister, but we are very much looking.