Sunday 1 June 2008

Off on our hols - well sort of

(This scene makes my heart sing even on yet another wet, dreary day)

To Centre Parcs - for free! My genius husband has organised us a four night stay as a press trip which means we get to try out lots of fabulous treats including dinner in the evening, a visit and treatment at the spa and what looks like some great activities for the boys too. Not our usual sort of holiday but we've heard pretty good reports and as it's not costing us a penny, I'm all for it!

We've been having a bit of a holiday wrestle with oursleves all day today about another press trip, to my favourite place in the world - Port Isaac. We'd been offered a week in a lovely cottage, a stone's throw from the harbour and really close to where we stayed last year but you've guessed it - yes, all this sounds far too good to be true. The week we were offered was the first in September, just when B goes back to school and moves up into a new class for the first time.

(Little A's first ever afternoon on the beach last year, two minutes later he was eating it!)

As much as we've tried to convince oursleves that we'd all get so much out of it, you know when you something's just wrong don't you. B comes first and he's a sensitive litte chap. Neither of us could bear the idea of him going back to school a week late and missing out on that important getting back together time, starting a new year and learning a whole new routine. Our school is very understanding about holidays, the expense and the importance of family time and another week in the year we might really have considered going but the timing is all wrong.

Part of me's wondering if I'm over analysing the whole thing but if I truly thought it was right we'd have booked it without a second thought so, decision made - but I'm a bit miserable. Oh it'll always be there won't it and now I'm back on a mission, having a crafty think of how we can still wangle a bargain week at the seaside, rock-pooling, jumping waves and cooking mackerel on the beach.


Back to our exciting trip tomorrow though. Various things are being chucked into bags as we speak, I still haven't cleared out the car and my Cath Kidston washbag is looking a bit empty but instead of finish the packing I thought I'd do some proper prioritising and share a couple of pictures of my finds this week It's been a week for pictures and this is my favourite.

Oh yes the Cornwall obsession continues! I spied this Vernon Ward print from the other side of the Collector's Market and knew I just had to have it. It's of Newlyn harbour and the light is just wonderful.

This little vintage cross-stitch was in the bottom of a box of junk and even though the frame isn't quite right for 45p I'm sure I can live with it for while.

Have a lovely week, I'll catch-up with everyone's news just as soon as I've banged the last water from the splash pools out of my ears next weekend!

26 comments:

dragonfly said...

have fun! Lucky you to get a go in the spa, in all the years we've been to CP's, I've never managed it...

Just Original said...

Great freebie! If you are going to the Sherwood forest Centre Parcs the spa is fantastic. If you fancy a nice walk pop over the road to Rufford Parc. The cafe sells nice food too!

Have great break!

Vanessa x

Pam said...

Just popped over from Ragged Roses and love your photos. What wonderful views you have. Not to say weather - it was lovely here yesterday but it's been pouring today.

Anonymous said...

I hope you have a lovely time at Centre Parcs - my son went a few years ago with friends and had a great time. I think you have made the right decision about the Sept hol. Lovely photos.
Jane

alice c said...

Have a wonderful time in Centre Parcs - what a treat!

Don't worry about Port Isaac - you are quite right to give priority to school. Those first days are so important. Cornwall will be there next year when you can plan a holiday at a convenient time and really look forward to it.

tess said...

hope you have a lovely time!
we had a similar dilemma about school, as we have a family wedding to go to in Scotland, but as it's the 2nd week in September we've decided to go, they can have one week of school, miss a week and go back, we'd have to take them out for 2 days anyway, so we just have to convince school we can have a week.....

Pipany said...

Oh waht a dilemma! I think you did the right thing though as it is such an important time for kids isn't it? Port Isaac is lovely, though of course I am biased as a Cornish girl and think all our villages are pretty much wonderful! xx

Ragged Roses said...

Oh have a wonderful time Steph (if you can hear me through all that water!). I know what you mean about the children missing the start of a new school year, it's such a big thing for them, I would do the same. Love the print and the photos
Kimx

Anonymous said...

You made the right decision about Port Isacc - you don't enjoy things when you are worried about the children do you? By the way I was reading some of your older posts and came across one about a village called Hartington - many thanks - we spent the last week in Derbyshire and wouldn't have known about it if it hadn't been for you. It's a lovely village. Enjoy your break.

Heidi said...

Have a wonderful time with your family, Steph!....Can't wait to see photos & hear about it when you get back!....Heidi :)

pinkgreen said...

Lucky you - hope you have a really wonderful relaxing time.
Love your pictures too - great finds!
Cathy X

This Vintage Life... said...

What a treat, I'm sure you'll have a lovely time. I've never visited Center Parcs despite living very near the Sherwood Forest one for many years. And what great pics - I have the same VW one of Newlyn Harbour (I tried to leave you a message for your anniversary but blogger was having none of it so a belated Happy Anniversary. We got married exactly one month apart!)
Deborah x

prettyshabby said...

Oh have fun..thats a great freebie! I've only ever heard good reports about Centre parks..pity about Port Isaac, its so hard when you have school terms to fit in, especially when they move up a class as it's all about buddies and bonding for that first week when they are little.
Never mind, maybe it wasn't meant to be..maybe you would have had miserable weather or a tornado or something!! (I'm trying to make you feel better here Steph!)

Love your Vernon Ward picture, I have a few prints of his and I love the light and colours too.
Have a good week x

Claire said...

How lucky are you, hope you have a wonderful time. how do you get free hols??
I'm sure you've made the right decision and you will probably get an even more fantastic offer next time....Claire x

Rowan said...

That is such a beautiful photograph at the beginning of your post. I love the cross-stitch of the strawberry plant too. Hope you enjoy your holiday.

jessica daisy said...

You lucky thing, a free holiday! I hope you all have a wonderful time, I haven't been to centre parcs since I was a girl, but I remember having a great time, i'm sure the boys will love it.
What a tough decision to make about Port Isaac, but I think you made the right one, the start of the term is such an important time, and it would be shame if he missed out on that initial bonding.
Jessx

Miss sew n sew said...

Have a great time at CP I've never been should plenty there for the kids! I think you've made the right decision about the Sept hol - I'd be torn both ways with that one too - you keep coming up with fantastic finds at this collectors market I'm going to have to check it out one day I really love Newlyn picture!
Sarahx

Twiggy said...

Oh have fun, I've been to the Sherwood Forest Centre Parcs and was lots of fun, love your new pics
Twiggy x

Emma Herian said...

I know exactly how you feel. We have just had the same dilema. My eldest and Dad have been offered a free holiday at Centre Parc but in the last week of the final term. The week he says goodbye to friends that will not be going on to the same Juniors. The teacher assured me that it would be better for him to go as they will be doing really boring stuff, so we have agreed.He knows nothing about it yet, I need to pick the right moment as he is quite sensative too. I am sure it will all work out. Anyway, have a lovely time, enjoy and let me know what its like to let the boys know!

mollycupcakes said...

Have a fab time hun, enjoy those little ones and don't worry yourself about missing out on the other freebie, I'm sure another one will come up again at the time.
And little one will remember the love and devotion his Mummy and Daddy gave him on his first day back to school, bless him.

Hugs.

Catherine x

Anonymous said...

Centre Parcs is great, especially for kids, we've been to Penrith lots of times/ Maybe, just maybe when you get back you might not miss Port Isaac so much. It must have been a very hard choice for you to make.
Lisa x

Garden Girl said...

Hope you have had a wonderful time- I went to Centre Parcs years ago and made the fatal error of zooming about on a bike for the first time since school- I couldn't walk for days! Port Isaac isn't going anywhere-you'll appreciate it all the more when you do get back there again. I am craving St Ives myself (off season!)x

Deb said...

Have a wonderful time on your holidays! Lovely photos.

Summer by the sea said...

looking forward to reading all about your trip - Natalie x

JuicyFig said...

enjoy! family time is EVERYTHING!

I had the same quandries with regards to holidays with my daughter when she was at primary school, I gave in a couple of times and took the holliday option - kids are very resilient, and she certainly didn't suffer for it, infact the family time always wins these days - take it while you can because one day, they will be off doing there own thing!

Kath
x

Krafty Keely said...

Love the picture of little A on the beach what a wonderful age full of wonder and exciting new things.