We (extended family) are now back from 8 nights under canvas on a rural camp site at the Cornish village of St Buryan near Lands End and the fishing village of Sennen Cove. We have been going back there every year for about 15 years. The formula has been much the same and we love it - but can grumble a bit too about the highly changeable weather - ha!.
Cornwall as most of you will know is South West England and Lands End the end of the SW peninsula is the most westerly point of the UK - a famous landmark as a destination. (See John-O-Groats to Lands End). (note - the immediate area at Lands End is very commercialised and spoilt by bused in tourism - but walk away a couple of hundred metres and you are back to the wild nature)In my view the deeper you get down into Cornwall the more special it gets. There is a special light that has attracted artists for centuries but for me it is the coastal ruggedness, the evident power of the sea and the pristine air gathered unhindered over 3000 miles of wild Atlantic that sets it apart. Consequently Sennen is a surf beach - it is why we go - we go for body boarding (but make sure you have a wet suit - the northern Atlantic is far from tropical.)
I have previously written in my blog about Sennen - no need to do it again. I have also written about the dilemma of going back to the same place every year rather than experiencing different places. If our Sennen based holiday would be my only one - I would have difficulty in going back to the same place every year but fortunately that it is not the case. The advantages that accrue from repeat visits are very apparent to us now. We know the area well and we are known by the locals - which adds something positive - "blimey is it that time of year again !? ". We know the best camp site for us - we know where to pitch to avoid the worst winds - ha! We know the walks and the pubs and where to get the best "oggies" (Cornish pasties). We feel like we have made an investment in the area - we have established a tradition - the same family jokes come out around the camp table every year. What is great is my two little grand daughters are well in to it now - so a new generation taking on the baton - ha!
As my family and my brothers families have grown up and are at university, or globe trotting or working it has become increasingly impossible to get everyone down there at the same time although evidently the spirit is willing. This year brother Mike (& Jack) squeezed in a few days between business trips to China and the States, my daughter Victoria came down with her family, set up their tent base for a couple of days and then was called back to work for one day. So a round trip of 200 miles plus to get back down again - but it was worth it - great they were all there when the weather improved. A particular mention to sister in law Kay who downgraded accommodation to a tent without electric (like the rest of us) from previously - more luxury. Anyway a long story - but she loved the simplicity - didn't you Kay - especially yet again - Robs barbecue with grass !!? George and Laura couldn't make it this year - a shame but there is next year - ha! Special mention goes to my youngest son Richard. On the Thursday he had his tonsils removed. By Sunday he couldn't keep away and came down to stay. It is true he was in real pain but had the right pills and consequently got through and he said he was sincerely glad he came. He is now fully recovered it seems (touch wood) which is brilliant.
Anyway - here are a few photographs.
Cornwall as most of you will know is South West England and Lands End the end of the SW peninsula is the most westerly point of the UK - a famous landmark as a destination. (See John-O-Groats to Lands End). (note - the immediate area at Lands End is very commercialised and spoilt by bused in tourism - but walk away a couple of hundred metres and you are back to the wild nature)In my view the deeper you get down into Cornwall the more special it gets. There is a special light that has attracted artists for centuries but for me it is the coastal ruggedness, the evident power of the sea and the pristine air gathered unhindered over 3000 miles of wild Atlantic that sets it apart. Consequently Sennen is a surf beach - it is why we go - we go for body boarding (but make sure you have a wet suit - the northern Atlantic is far from tropical.)
I have previously written in my blog about Sennen - no need to do it again. I have also written about the dilemma of going back to the same place every year rather than experiencing different places. If our Sennen based holiday would be my only one - I would have difficulty in going back to the same place every year but fortunately that it is not the case. The advantages that accrue from repeat visits are very apparent to us now. We know the area well and we are known by the locals - which adds something positive - "blimey is it that time of year again !? ". We know the best camp site for us - we know where to pitch to avoid the worst winds - ha! We know the walks and the pubs and where to get the best "oggies" (Cornish pasties). We feel like we have made an investment in the area - we have established a tradition - the same family jokes come out around the camp table every year. What is great is my two little grand daughters are well in to it now - so a new generation taking on the baton - ha!
As my family and my brothers families have grown up and are at university, or globe trotting or working it has become increasingly impossible to get everyone down there at the same time although evidently the spirit is willing. This year brother Mike (& Jack) squeezed in a few days between business trips to China and the States, my daughter Victoria came down with her family, set up their tent base for a couple of days and then was called back to work for one day. So a round trip of 200 miles plus to get back down again - but it was worth it - great they were all there when the weather improved. A particular mention to sister in law Kay who downgraded accommodation to a tent without electric (like the rest of us) from previously - more luxury. Anyway a long story - but she loved the simplicity - didn't you Kay - especially yet again - Robs barbecue with grass !!? George and Laura couldn't make it this year - a shame but there is next year - ha! Special mention goes to my youngest son Richard. On the Thursday he had his tonsils removed. By Sunday he couldn't keep away and came down to stay. It is true he was in real pain but had the right pills and consequently got through and he said he was sincerely glad he came. He is now fully recovered it seems (touch wood) which is brilliant.
Anyway - here are a few photographs.
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| All set up - awaiting the arrivals |
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| James and his first "oggie". St Buryan Inn on the left - Margaret's shop on the right |
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| Sennen Cove |
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| Annabelle being brave - Mousehole Harbour |
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| Porthcurno |
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| Mum and Ayla |
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| More low cloud than rain! |
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| Beautiful little Porthgwarra |
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| Mike, Jack and James |
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| Pictures from the South West Coastal Footpath - Porthgwarra to Sennen which takes you around Lands End |
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| Longships Light House off Lands End |
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| Jack and Annabelle preparing dinner |
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| Mousehole Harbour |
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| Porthcurno surf on a lovely day |
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| More walking scenes |
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| Not bad with my phone camera! |
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| Around Lands End |
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| Rob fascinated by barbecues - he brings a new type every year. Same problem - Kay's dinner always late and with grass ! |
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| Victoria Phil and the girls love it at Porthcurno |
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| In a beach shelter - a shower. Richard smiling only 5 days after having his tonsils out! |
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Ayla going for it in the park
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