Last weekend Viv, Titch, Mollie and I went off to Gooseham Barton to do another review on dog friendly accommodation. Gooseham is a tiny hamlet 10 miles north of Bude, not far from Morwenstow, and Gooseham Barton is a farm with 3 cottages, a farmhouse, all available for holiday lets. It’s set in 50 acres of an area of outstanding natural beauty and Debbie, who runs it, couldn’t have been friendlier, despite having been without sleep due to lambing. She took us to the lambing barn where we cuddled lambs and she sank onto a haybale with relief. 40 ewes had lambed; only another 60 to go.
She also runs a riding centre there with about 16 horses and there are dogs, cats and more sheep, just in case she didn’t have enough to do (she doesn’t have a partner). But it’s a beautiful spot, very off the beaten track with no mobile phone coverage, and The Bush Inn nearby which was another really gorgeous pub. (Why is it that country pubs are so much nicer than town pubs?)
We did a couple of walks for Cornwall Today – at Morwenstow on Friday and Bude Canal on Sunday – both utterly different. Morwenstow is very wild and rugged, a place with razor sharp rocks that have eaten many a shipwrecked mariner, and home to the Rev Stephen Hawkins, an eccentric, beloved Cornishman known for amongst other things, penning the Cornish national anthem, Trelawney. And for his support of wreckers and his consumption of opium.
The Bude Canal was quiet, reflective, and flat. It was also full of dog walkers and people with young children, so not that sort of quiet, but very beautiful in a tranquil kind of way.
Having two days away was lovely, albeit tiring break as there was a lot of driving, but it was lovely to have good company but - you know what - it made me realise how much I miss having someone to care for. Viv doesn’t have an easy life at home so it was lovely to be able to take her cups of tea in bed, run her bath and cook together. Her partner, Paul, does all those things I’m sure but for me it was lovely, and she enjoyed it too.
So now I’ve got my head down writing reviews, editing pictures and writing up the next walks for Cornwall Today. Next week is my birthday (I’m very nearly a leap year girl but not quite) so I’m going to a (Beautiful) South gig on Saturday which I’m very much looking forward to and a few other meetings. Can't get in the mood right now but maybe a bit of inspiration will hit.
17 comments:
That farm sounds lovely. I so wish I had someone to go on holiday with and I'd be there like a shot! That black and white lamb looks so cute too. Happy Birthday in advance!
That farm sounds lovely. I so wish I had someone to go on holiday with and I'd be there like a shot! That black and white lamb looks so cute too. Happy Birthday in advance!
It was lovely, Addy and yes I'm fortunate in having several friends who are keen to go on holiday!
You sound like you had a wonderful time.
Debs - yes it was grand!
That sounds like an absolutely lovely break. :)
Going on a holiday with someone else is half the fun. Of course, what you actually do there counts too. It sounds like you had a good time. Have fun on your next trip.
Nora - I think i depends who yuo go with - I've been away with friends and it hasnt worked out as well! But Viv and I get on very well.
Ak - it was. Roll on the next one!
I think you've hit on a marvelous job, Fp. What a great life a critic/reviewer has - weekends away and all in the name of work. Sounds great to me. Glad you enjoyed it. I wonder what a wine critic's life is like?
I hope you'll look at all the posts to see if you pop by my place - I tend to splurge a few at a time which is not good practice I know but I just write what's happening and if nothing happens thre's nothing to write! :-/
Phil - yes a wine reviewer would be great wouldn't it! Coming over to your place now.....
That day out at Gooseham Barton sounds just like my cup of tea!
So good catching up on your posts and to hear you sounding so positive and full of life.
Take care lovely lady.
xx
Blue stocking - I have to say I didnt feel very positive when I wrote that, but thanks for your endorsements. You take care, too xx
What a lovely picture, it's amazing how lambs bring out the smiles on our faces. Ours starts at the end of March so we're getting lots of rest now, lol.
CJ x
CJ - yes, get that sleep while you can!
Happy birthday! :) And wow, that sounds fantastic. I'd love to cuddle lambs.
I didnt actually get to cuddle the lambs as I was taking the pictures but I did stroke one!
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