The purpose of our trip? To discover a part of Spain totally new to us and to see if travelling there on a ferry is a less stressful way to journey than by plane.

We’re taking the Plymouth to Santander route, on Brittany Ferries’ flagship ferry, the Pont-Aven. They call it a “cruise ferry” and, to be honest, I’m just as excited about this element of the trip as the rest. I’m looking forward to sampling the food and wine, while my daughter is counting down the minutes until she jumps in the on-board swimming pool. 

When we arrive in Spain, we’ll be heading to the little seaside town of Noja, in the Cantabria region. I’ve never been to this part of Spain before but my research tells me it’s popular with Spanish holidaymakers and is still relatively unspoilt. This pleases me.

The guidebook talks about “cottage crafts” in a “rural region” where “ancient towns and churches” sit alongside “pretty fishing ports”. It sounds like the perfect kind of place for a multi-generational family holiday, with plenty to keep everyone happy. I’m looking forward to finding out if this is, indeed, the case.

We’re in Spain for three nights and then have two nights on the ferry – one getting there and one coming back. In total, it’s a five night break, just long enough to feel refreshed and decide if it’s somewhere we might return to.

Five nights on holiday with my daughter and parents… what could go wrong?!

***

Disclosure: We will be guests of Brittany Ferries, for the purpose of the review. This includes our travel and accommodation costs.

The post Spain with kids… and grandparents appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

The purpose of our trip? To discover a part of Spain totally new to us and to see if travelling there on a ferry is a less stressful way to journey than by plane.

We’re taking the Plymouth to Santander route, on Brittany Ferries’ flagship ferry, the Pont-Aven. They call it a “cruise ferry” and, to be honest, I’m just as excited about this element of the trip as the rest. I’m looking forward to sampling the food and wine, while my daughter is counting down the minutes until she jumps in the on-board swimming pool. 

When we arrive in Spain, we’ll be heading to the little seaside town of Noja, in the Cantabria region. I’ve never been to this part of Spain before but my research tells me it’s popular with Spanish holidaymakers and is still relatively unspoilt. This pleases me.

The guidebook talks about “cottage crafts” in a “rural region” where “ancient towns and churches” sit alongside “pretty fishing ports”. It sounds like the perfect kind of place for a multi-generational family holiday, with plenty to keep everyone happy. I’m looking forward to finding out if this is, indeed, the case.

We’re in Spain for three nights and then have two nights on the ferry – one getting there and one coming back. In total, it’s a five night break, just long enough to feel refreshed and decide if it’s somewhere we might return to.

Five nights on holiday with my daughter and parents… what could go wrong?!

***

Disclosure: We will be guests of Brittany Ferries, for the purpose of the review. This includes our travel and accommodation costs.

The post Spain with kids… and grandparents appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

Being raised my two teacher parents, I used to spend long summer holidays under canvas in France. It was one of the rare times of year I wouldn’t hear my mum and dad moaning about OFSTED or marking and (apart from the odd occasion) I would get along with my little sister really rather well.

One of my favourite things about camping is that you are totally free to look utterly horrendous in public without so much as a raised eyebrow or judgemental frown. Let’s face it, when you’re trudging through a field to brush your teeth and have an emergency wee, matching your shoes with your jumper is not a top priority. 

More than that though, I love the freedom that camping brings. There’s nothing like the pleasure of watching your kid run around in a field, making friends with other children, while still wearing her pyjamas. You can do what you want, eat when you want, go to bed when you want and live according to the rhythms of nature.

Despite my love of canvas, I’m no Ray Mears. I’m very much a “mild” camper over the “wild” sort (in fact, I discussed this very subject recently on Woman’s Hour *cheeky plug*). I like to be comfortable, with cushions and duvets and a tent that I can stand up in.

Enter, the Coleman Galileo 4.

We set off on a mini camping break earlier this week, to test out the Coleman Galileo 4. I was looking for comfort, ease of use and – very importantly – a tent that fit back into the bag it came from once it was time to put away. I’m pleased to say, the Galileo 4 was all of those things and more.

It’s a big tent, sleeping four people in two compartments, with a separate living area at the front. When we arrived it was a hot day, so I zipped open the front “door” along with the side “door”, and opened the back “window”. It was airy, without any hint of sweaty canvas.

If you want to keep the flies out you also have the option of zipping up the door but unzipping one layer to reveal a fly-proof mesh that also features on the inner bedroom compartments.

There are only three poles to the tent, so it’s easy to put up. In fact, the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and I managed it without an argument, which is a first. The inner compartment simply hooks to the clips on the inside of the main tent and was up in about two minutes. All in all, the whole tent was erected (*snort*) within half an hour. It took us twenty minutes to take it all down and packed away. Easy peasy.

In terms of comfort, it’s roomy enough for the three of us and all our luggage (we don’t travel light). Even my lanky husband could stand up, which is no mean feat when you’re 6ft 5” tall.

Our camp breakfasts were cooked on this little number, a one burner stove from Camping Gaz. It’s the perfect size for a short camping break and cooked our sausages quickly. Delicious.

With a tent up and breakfast consumed, it left us plenty of time to enjoy the surrounding beaches and countryside. We picked a campsite just half an hour from my parents’ place on the other side of Devon, on the Cornish side of the border near Bude.

Cornish Coasts campsite near Widemouth Bay was the perfect size for a couple of nights, with exceptionally clean toilets and shower facilities (complete with pretty bunting and funky toilet seats), a play area and a lovely intimate setting spread over a couple of fields.

We had a brilliant time and have already vowed to return before long. I love camping, and I’m pleased to say my formerly camping-phobic husband is starting to love it too. That’s what I call a result.

***

I received a Coleman Galileo 4 and Camping Gaz stove for the purpose of this review. 

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I love the school holidays. LOVE them. But I’ve been guilty this week of looking forward to my teacher husband being back at work so I can crack on and get some work done myself. In peace and quiet. Without a nagging husband or three year old hassling me for things. Today I made a decision to stop attempting the juggle and get out of the house. 

Work deadlines are knocking at my door. Forms need to be filled in for important things. Phone calls need to be made. Washing needs to be done. Carpets need to be hoovered. But today, after another hour of grumpiness and raised voices, anger from a three year old who is bored, a husband who wants to be left to sleep or potter about on his own and me – torn, frazzled and in the middle of it all – I threw my hands in the air and said enough is enough.

We were going out. Together. As a family. With smiles on our faces and a positive attitude, even if it bloody well killed us.

Turned out to be the best decision I’ve made all week.

We paddled in the sea, jumped tiny waves and drew letters in the sand. Frog and the NLM went searching for shells and I resisted the urge to check my phone, instead wasting a good five minutes making a beach garden in the sand.

We returned home calmer and less shouty.

My new-found serenity couldn’t even be shattered by my three year old putting my favourite candle down the toilet, “cleaning the germs” off the toilet seat with my posh soap, or drawing in biro on my brand new tablecloth.

The beach really does do wonders.

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Our recent trip to Cornwall saw us cram as much as physically possible into the three days we were there. With so many places to see and sights to explore, it seemed rude not to make the most of what was on offer.

As well as kayaking, swimming and checking out the kids who were crabbing on the private foreshore at the hotel we were staying out, we also managed a trip to a castle, eating pasties on the harbourside, playing at the beach and a day at The Eden Project. We certainly weren’t bored. 

The Eden Project is the gem on Cornwall’s crown, set amongst the pearls of stunning coastline, chocolate box villages and pretty harbours. It’s almost unbelievable that, despite living in Cornwall for a year and holidaying there a few times before, I’ve never actually visited this beacon of tourism.

The thing is, until now, I’d always had this preconception that the place was nothing more than a glorified garden centre. I imagined old ladies wandering around sniffing roses and chatting about mulch. I didn’t see the place as a family attraction, with activities and sights that could occupy a restless three year old all day.

Oh how wrong I was.

In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been more wrong about anything in my life. Ever. And that’s some statement to make. From its breastfeeding rooms to its baby-changing rooms, and its storytellers to its facepainting artists, there is absolutely no doubt that The Eden Project can cater for families with young kids.

Frog was in awe of the place as soon as we walked through the double doors and were confronted with the giant space-like biomes that she thought were massive igloos. Tiny touches, like hidden cut-throughs for kids on the walkways, or peep-holes for little eyes to peek through and check out the view, make The Eden Project a real treasure trove of experiences for little ones.

The food was outstanding too (you know me!). We dined on fresh paella and pizza in The Mediterranean Terrace restaurant in the Mediterranean Biome. It was incredible and actually felt like we were on holiday!

Another food tip is to check out the Eden Ice-cream. The hazelnut flavour was the best ice-cream I’ve ever tasted, and I’ve tasted A LOT of ice-cream.

Food aside, we spent an amazing day at The Eden Project and I’m kicking myself for not trying it out sooner. We would have needed a full week to experience everything the place has to offer – we didn’t even get to sample the den building or costume making – so I’d advise getting there nice and early to get your money’s worth. (Also, if you walk, cycle or take public transport, you’ll pay a smaller entrance fee.)

Set high on the cliffs, overlooking Falmouth Bay, you’ll find Pendennis Castle looming. Originally built by Henry VIII to defend the country against invasion, it’s the kind of place that transports you right back in time.

From its towering turrets to winding stone staircases, the castle has everything you’d expect from a Tudor building. But beyond the castle itself, there are also shelters used by soldiers during both World Wars, as well as ancient canons and a field that often holds medieval jousting re-enactments.

It’s well worth a visit – although for younger kids there’s not enough to occupy them for more than a couple of hours really.

And did I mention a spot at the top of the castle provides some of the best views over Falmouth?

With its position on the edge of Falmouth, Pendennis Castle makes for a handy place to visit in the morning, before a lunch of pasties on the harbourside as you watch the boats bobbing up and down in the water.

If you do decide to brave the busy streets of Falmouth in the summer, don’t expect to get a parking space right next to the centre. There are plenty of carparks but, equally, there are lots of side roads away from the centre where you can park for free if you’re happy to walk to your destination.

And if you do opt for a pasty (you’re in Falmouth – why wouldn’t you?!) I recommend the King’s Pipe pasty shop on a little side street at the end of town by the harbour. Best. Pasties. Ever.

Washed down with this view, you certainly can’t complain.

Another word of caution though – Falmouth’s busy pavements are heaving in high season, so if you take a buggy then expect long delays as you negotiate the hoards of shoppers and pasty-lovers. Once you get past the sheer number of people though, Falmouth is definitely worthy of a visit to look at the shops, sample the pasties and – of course – check out the various beaches.

Other places not on the list: 

Unfortunately we didn’t make it to Trebah Gardens, just up the lane from The Budock Vean Hotel where we were staying. We just didn’t have enough time but, having visited before, I can recommend it as a place to escape the crowds and lose yourself amongst beautiful gardens.

I was also disappointed not to make it to my favourite pub in Cornwall – The Ferryboat Inn. When I was last there the food was brilliant and the setting, on the North Helford Passage waterfront, was unrivalled.

I could wax lyrical about this area of Cornwall for a thousand more words but I’m aware I’ve already gone on for a while. I could have told you about the Pitch and Putt at Swanpool, the watersports on various beaches, the rockpooling opportunities at Castle Beach… thing is, there’s just too many places to talk about.

You’ll have to go and see if for yourself.

***

Entry to The Eden Project costs £23.50 per adult on the door and £10.50 on the door for kids aged 5 to 16 years old. You’ll save 15% if you book online and even more money if you walk, cycle or take public transport. To find out more about ticket prices check out the website. 

Entry to Pendennis Castle costs £6.70 per adult and £4 for kids aged 5 to 15 years old. For more details head to the website. 

(Our trip covered entry to Pendennis Castle and The Eden Project, for the purpose of this review.) 

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That word will either conjure up nostalgic memories of being at one with nature, free in the open countryside, with the fresh smell of morning dew in your nostrils as you wake at dawn. Or it will conjure up pure, unadulterated panic.

It’s a fact of life – just as there are dog people and cat people – there are campers and non-campers.

I am very much a camper. Unfortunately, however, I married a non-camper. I know, how on earth will this marriage work?

For me, camping is exciting. It’s childhood holidays playing in the outdoors, freed from the shackles of city life and negotiating pavements on a bike. It’s barbecues and swimming and sleeping bags and night trips to the loo with a torch.

But my husband is a camping virgin. He doesn’t “do” camping. The idea of a week in a tent is one that makes him visibily shake. He winces at the thought of sleeping under canvas, where wolves could get to him at any moment and bears are less than a whisker away. (I’ve explained that camping in the UK is different to camping in Canada, but he remains unconvinced.)

So it was perhaps a risky move to accept an offer of a holiday to Cornwall this summer, where we will be… camping.

It’s not just any holiday, you see. It’s a review holiday, meaning we get to test the facilities at the swanky and really rather beautiful Trevella Holiday Park in Crantock, Newquay.

At first my husband was excited at the thought of a “free” holiday (as in, he won’t actually have to do any work for it, and won’t have to fork out any cash either). But when the “C” word was mentioned, his face fell.

So I explained that, in fact, it’s not really camping at all. Not in the sense that he knows anyway. It’s Glamping. We arrive at the site, to find the tent already erected. There’s not even a tent peg in view. And when I say tent, I actually mean canvas house.

This is a Safari Tent. With proper beds, duvets, bedrooms and a kitchen. There’s even a wooden deck with table and chairs outside so we can enjoy the sunset while Frog sleeps soundly in her bed “indoors”. (Who am I kidding, this child is going to be far too excited to sleep.)

We will spend the days rambling around the beach and the stamping ground of my postgraduate year at Falmouth (or “Falbiza” as we liked to call it). We’ll swim in the gorgeous heated swimming pool on site. Frog’s grandad can fish in one of the plentifully stocked lakes. We may even do a spot of crazy golf. And I don’t doubt Frog will spend much time at one of the hugely exciting play areas.

So why am I so worried? Is this the end of my marriage? Any tips from campers who have managed to convert non-campers would be much appreciated…

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Since I started this blog just over a year ago, Jane has become a very good friend. She is genuinely one of the wittiest, no-nonsense and funny people I know. This is something I’m sure my northern husband would attribute to the fact she’s not from the south. Whatever the reason, I’m thrilled to welcome her over to my place…

***

Hang on, let me adjust a second. There, that’s better.

Sorry it is just Molly’s blog is so much quieter than mine, it caught me off guard momentarily. I am not used to being in a space that is dominated by only one baby, whereas my blog is getting slightly over crowded with my three rather ‘exuberant’ children.

Anyway where are my manners, I am Jane, I normally blog over at Northernmum. I am mother to twin boy, twin girl and baby beautiful. I am also knackered constantly, forming a slight dependence upon gin and most days an appalling parent.

But I try hard so that’s ok.

So Molly is off on her holidays, which cast my mind back to our first family holiday with the twins.

They were 18 weeks old, we were naïve enough to think a four hour flight would be a wise idea. Our ‘hand’ luggage consisted of a double buggy, at least twenty bouncy soft musical toys which had not captured their attention in the UK but were somehow deemed necessary to board a Boeing 747. Fifteen packets of SMA gold, six bottles, two sterilising bags, ten books (for the children who can’t read), ten small bottles of gin (for the grown ups who wouldn’t have time to read). One bottle of Calpol (large), two packets of nurofen (extra strength). Two tupperware pots of frozen puree pear, (because starting weaning as you go on holiday is always a good plan). Three pairs of clothes, twenty nappies, two packets of wipes, six bibs and the twins favourite teddies.

You don’t even want to know what we checked in as baggage…

It pretty much went wrong from the get go. As we checked in we discovered the little known airline rule that two children under a year cannot sit in the same row of seats. Thus the flight involved he who helped create them and I sitting ten rows apart.

I like to think we encouraged in flight camaraderie as we involved the other passengers sitting between us in a game of pass the baby stuff. However I think I heard one passenger declare that this flight “was living hell”. He may have said “what a lovely bell” but to be honest Twin Boy screamed for four hours as the air hostess refused to comply with my wishes and black out the plane to complete darkness. So in return twin boy point blank refused to sleep and the noise erupting from him may have affected my hearing somewhat.

Most of the stuff we bought on board was predominantly useless however the change of clothes was a super plan. A super duper plan would have been to pop in a change for myself as well because when twin boy threw up SMA gold mixed with pear puree halfway through the flight I was left with very little choice but to sit in it and hope the smell wasn’t too over powering.

So to my dear Molly, should you feel guilt at leaving little Frog alone for a week whilst you and the NLM have some time together - just read this post and think of what could have been…

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The post Would you go abroad without your children? appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

Fast forward two hours and we still haven’t found our villa. Between the four adults on this trip, not one of us has remembered to bring the directions.

Another hour in and still no sign of the villa. We’re driving down a deserted dirt track with no idea where we’re heading. I look at my sleeping baby, in her rickety Turkish carseat and feel sick.

And so began our first family holiday to Turkey last Easter.

Despite the rocky start, we had a brilliant time.

Eating…

Drinking…

And swimming…

After a hectic nine months getting used to parenthood, it gave us some time together as a family to relax. It also gave my parents some time with Frog, to get to know the person she was becoming.

A person intent on “helping” with her grandfather’s crossword…

***

This is my post for this week’s Gallery, where the theme is “The letter T”. Head over to Sticky Fingers to see the rest.

The post T is for Turkey appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

Our first family holiday abroad and bank holidays spent in the garden, enjoying our first barbecues of the summer.

This time last year, I looked like this…

I was nervous and excited, with no idea what to expect of the future (well, obviously I realised the future involved a baby, but that was pretty much it).

And now, here we are. Frog’s nearly one and I can’t imagine life without her. We’re finally doing all the things I imagined we’d do together as a family; holidays, day trips, picnics and barbecues. Life’s easier now we’re past the half-hourly feeds and the colicky cries and the adjustment to parenthood. Life’s good.

This picture was taken on our holiday to Turkey a couple of weeks ago. We visited the site of Aspendos, an incredibly preserved amphitheatre. I broke every health and safety law in the book and climbed to the top of the theatre, Frog in tow….

Head over to Sticky Fingers to see the rest of the entries to this week’s Gallery.

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