Sunday 22 July 2012

Getting Ready to Go

Do excuse my hideous toes but holiday fever is beginnng to grip me very tightly. We are actually going abroad! Not for a few more weeks yet but preparations are in full swing here.

Its seven long years since we went continental, preferring to take our babies to the rugged Cornish coast for rock pool pootling where the heat wouldn't trouble them too much. Turns out the heat never bothered them at all, not for seven whole years to be exact apart from the odd occassional day.
So last year we decided that we needed some sunshine and we'd save up and go back to a little Spanish village we went to on our last foreign sojurn. It was such a perfect idyll and I'd always wanted to return.

We did have a little think about Greek Islands or Italian villas but we knew we wanted the sea, a sandy beach and a quiet place to stay and not to take any risks with our hard earned pennies and to know we'd like where we were heading.
Every time I think about going my stomach flips and I feel as excited as I do for Christmas! After this dismal summer all I want is to see our chaps splashing about in the warm water, hear the waves lapping against the boats in the bay and see the sun glint on the surface of a blue, blue sea.

The water here is famous for being crystal clear and is a bit of a centre for snorkelling and diving. Not sure I'll be doing much of that but the idea of being able to swim in the sea everyday is so exciting I can't tell you. I adore sea swimming and don't get to do it often at all, I can't wait.
I've been practice packing. The rules and regulations have changed a lot since we last flew and we're only taking cabin bags which is a bit of a challenge but we're staying in a lovely apartment right on the beach with all mod cons so I don't need to take too much and can wash and dry what we need.
Books have been purchased and some lovely thin Turkish towels, perfect for packing and quick drying.
I've turned back to Miss Read recently for some simple, delightful reading in these hectic, frantic summer days. In Farther Afield she goes to Crete and well, I'm inspired. Not sure I'll cut quite this figure on the beach but will definitely be wearing my hair this way with a silk scarfe.
So frocks have been chosen,bargain faux Birkenstocks purchased, tiny bottles filled with toiletries and day dreams stored.
We will be on this little beach in this blue bay before long and I don't think I've needed a holiday more. Where are you off to this year?

25 comments:

French Knots said...

Oh I am so envious, our last holiday abroad was in that lovely area too! Though since we bought the caravan five years ago we have pootled around this country,which has been often damp but always enjoyable - the thought of glorious sunsine and tempting blue sea, ahh it's no wonder you are excited!

Unknown said...

I am very jealous but so pleased for you. We are off to Ireland this year and although I am really looking forward to it I don't expect to get really hot! My fair skinned Irish boy has promised me some sun next year so expect a heat wave here! As much as the weather I just love the feeling of being somewhere different and it good for children to observe how to behave when you are in someone else's country before they are let loose on their own! That day will come... Hope you have the most wonderful time x

**Anne** said...

That looks like the most perfect holiday destination. Have the most wonderful time and soak up all that good sunshine while you are there.
Anne xx

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Ooh it looks like your going to have a beautiful time!
Victoria xx

Mac n' Janet said...

We're off to Spain to, but not the coast, we're spending time in Toledo which is near where my husband's family is from.
Enjoy the sun and sand.

Lilbitbrit said...

I'm excited for you. I was in UK for my nephews wedding for two weeks this year, in the middle of April and the weather was very changeable but I think I actually had very good weather compared with the rest of the summer. And best of all the day dawned sunny for their wedding.

Stopped off in Spain on a cruise, Cadiz, Malaga and Barcelona. I so want to get back for a visit spending time their.

Enjoy!
Christy
Lil Bit Brit

Anonymous said...

Oooooh Tamariu - how I loved being there way back when my children were little. We stayed in Calella de Palafrugell. Excellent choice of destination. Have now been there a few times.

Justine said...

How exciting for you all! We were in San Felieu at the beginning of June for our first summer holiday overseas, it's a little way along the coast in Catalonia from where you'll be. We paid a visit to Callela de Palafrugell which was lovely, and the beach at San Pol is great too.
We also only travelled with cabin bags, as we were staying at my in-laws apartment, but it all worked out fine - juggling through the x-ray machines was the only slightly tricky bit, but the airport staff were very helpful!
Hope you all have a wonderful time, and a week-deserved break.

bellaboo said...

It looks perfect! I'm sure you are all going to have the most wonderful holiday.
We havn't been abroad for years,mainly because we like to holiday with Bella and my fear of flying..that's my excuse anyway!:0)

busybusybeejay said...

Lucky you going to Tamariu.We have been to Llafranc a couple of times in the past and loved it,so unspoilt.Enjoy.39

Heather said...

It all looks and sounds so wonderful and I do hope it it a magical time for you and your family! Love the shout-out to Miss Read. Who doesn't love her! Love all your pics, please take lots to share with us on your return!

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Hope you have a lovely holiday! We are supposed to be going camping in Norfolk next week, fingers crossed! Ada :)

Emily said...

Have a wonderful time!! And by the way, I'm pretty taken by the floral fabrics of the frocks! Beautiful!

Hazel said...

It looks beautiful. I'm slightly less envious now that the sun's out than I would have been if I'd seen that picture last week!

I'm intrigued by the towels- do they really dry like 'ordinary' towels? We have a couple of travel towels for lightweight camping and hiking, but I always feel as though I'm trying to dry myself with a chamois leather!

We're hoping for more of a beach holiday next year, and I'm thinking they'd make a good Christmas present- one for everybody in a favourite colour.

Unknown said...

I hope you have a lovely time, i'm almost excited for you! I love spain, we had a villa there when I was in my teens it was an old spanish Jail house on the edge of a cliff with steps leading down to a tiny beach, it was so lovely, so your post has bought back happy memories......
we havent been abroad for 5 years either but this year are going to Morroco, I'm very excited too.
Have a super time xx

driftwood said...

looks heavenly, have a lovely time. we're heading for the Yorkshire coast, jeans and trainers instead of pretty frocks for me, but I don't mind xxx

Pipany said...

It is gorgeous here at the moment Steph - two heady days of beaching, swimming in jade seas and loving the Cornish scenery. Just wonderful. Typical eh? Have a great time though lovely xx

Emma Herian said...

Oh how lovely, Im sure you will have a gorgeous time!
Enjoy x

Trudy said...

Lucky you! Your holiday destination looks divine : -) Wishing you a lovely relaxing time away.

Jay said...

How lovely to escape to the sun, and swim in the sea every day. I'm excited for you!

Louise said...

Oh I hope you have an enjoyable holiday it looks idyllic
louise

brookeslay said...

have fun looking forward to hearing all about your adventure.
please can i have information on towels too.

Anonymous said...

Soft sandy beach, clear water, blue skies and Miss Read - sheer bliss! The pictures look so inviting - have a good holiday.

Anonymous said...

I hope you and all your boys have a wonderful holiday! The photo looks wonderful! I live in Scotland where we have rather missed out on summer sunshine so far! I was in Australia, meeting our new granddaughter, for a couple of months and got home a month ago, so I also missed all of May and most of June but your lovely buttercup photo at the top of your blog is very beautiful! I have just been chatting a bit about wild flowers on my blog - couldn't imagine life without them! Happy hols Amanda

Sophia Merrill said...

Gorgeous! Hope you all have much relaxation and fun! -Sophia