September 2012 | Coombe Mill New

Sunday snap not from the farm!

Fun at Padstow

Padstow or PadStein as it has become known locally is one of our favourite family towns to visit. Many are resentful of the Rick Stein take over of Padstow, he now has 4 restaurants, a fish shop and a delicatessent in the pretty harbour town. Hoewever, they have all brought in tourism, employment and made Padstow stand out on the Cornish map from its humble fishing habour past. Trendy surfing and sailing clothes stores have moved in and the quay side is brimming with activity. It is about a 25 minute drive from Coombemill, often we cycle from Wadebridge along the Camel Trail, a beautiful off road track along the esturary, but last Sunday we decided to drive down, park along the trail, walk in for an early supper at Rick Steins Fish and Chip restaurant.

A walk is never just a walk with children

When you mention a walk to children they all huff and puff and if I am honest I know it was the lure of the fish and chips that had them all running for their shoes and into the car! Having said that once out the children, big and small, all found plenty to amuse themselves on the way in:

There are ample bicycle lock up points at the end of the Camel Trial. Now that the August peak tourist season has passed, and the weather pretty indifferent, they stood empty. The children soon decided they made fun climbing apparatus!

There is always the temptation to clamber down to the sea, whereby I spend my time worrying they will be soaking wet before they reach the reastaurant and they delight in posing ever closer to the water!

Surely benches are for jumping off not sitting on and who could resist hiding in some old harbour boats or climbing the tracks of a digger?

Dinner Feast

We had all worked up an appitite by the time we arrived and were ready to tuck in, thank fully we didn’t have to queue for very long, though seating 8 of us together is always a challenge!

Joining in With Country Kids

Even though the weather is turning to autumn, I do hope you are still finding ways to enjoy a little fresh air with the kids. Please share your adventures here, I find so many creative and inspiring ideas from seeing your links each week.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill

A holiday for sharing

When families come to Coombe Mill they come for more than just a Self Catering Holiday in Cornwall. Yes we are technically listed on a few directories as this, but to think that is all we offer is to miss the point of Coombe Mill. Our specialism is young families and we aim to create an environment where parents feel relaxed, in the knowledge their children can safely enjoy all Coombe has to offer from walks and play areas to farm learning and confidence with the animals. We have found increasingly that the social spin off of the morning tractor rides helps not only the children but is also a platform for friendships and sharing for parents too. Every week as I join the tractor rides armed with my camera, I eves drop and join in on sharing of information between families. Those who have stayed before offer advice new visitors on places to visit, while general parenting exchanges, based children of similar ages, are informative, sociable and essentially ice breakers which can lead to some real friendships.

Farewell BBQ

Last week was one of those weeks where all the guests had similar aged preschool toddlers. The children played happily together, striking up friendships readily as “like Mamma like daughter” shows, while the adults too found common ground for a chat. The families just gelled and towards the end of the week, one family suggested a BBQ get together on the front lawn to which several families joined in. We were all invited too which I was really touched by, especially as my children are now so much older. Sadly it was one of our manic after school club days where I fly from one activity to another with our six children, however between ballet and cubs I did grab my camera, follow my nose and discover a wonderful September scene:

Picnic rugs and tables were full, ample food and drink for all and the BBQ in full swing as families shared their week’s events.

The children soon had their fill and dashed off to play on Farmer Nick’s newly replaced trampoline, all within view of their parents. Communal parenting naturally formed with one parent on trampoline duty for several youngsters; team work and friendships in making from the young upwards.