La Dolce Vita

I've never been the best traveller. Too nervous, too worried about doing the wrong thing. Far too English. But this year I was brave and stuck with Woody's idea to go somewhere new. How glad I am.

In darkest January we stumbled across a feature in the paper about cheaper places in Europe for family holidays and saw an amazing picture of these cliff top townhouses and the most amazing beach at Tropea, Calabria in the most southern tip of Italy.

We stayed in a cosy attic apartment just out of town with wonderful views of the sea, the harbour and town itself, and spent our days swimming in crystal waters and our evenings wandering  magical, fairytale streets of hidden squares and alleyway restaurants.

Our money was exceptionally tight so we bought beautiful vegetables, delicious cheeses and fresh fish (squid one day) from the morning markets and had a feast every evening as the sun went down before walking back into town for an ice cream treat.

We met some lovely, lovely people and everywhere, so many friendly faces despite our terrible Italian.

We made precious memories this week the four of us together, laughing, relaxing (some squabbling inevitably!) that will last forever. One day I'm sure we will be back xx

Away For A While

Well, since I moaned and groaned about the weather on that last post, things have sort of moved on a bit!

There has finally been a summer in Britain - the first decent one for years and years and I have been out there enjoying every minute, no time to blog. Sports days, gardening, tea on the patio and long evening bike rides filled every minute I've not been at work.

And then suddenly life sped up here and it was difficult to keep up. We've had some tough family stuff to deal with, Woody's brother is seriously ill and there have been long distance trips to hospital to see him. Luckily it could have been so much worse although his recovery will take many months, but he is with us and coping manfully and we are very grateful. He will be in hospital for many more weeks and we still don't know the outcome so there is still much to worry about.

The whole situation made us re-examine things and our planned holiday to the West Country, that we couldn't logistically make, went by the wayside. But when we knew P was stable and in between surgeries for a while, Woody decided we should grab life while we could and escape to the sun for a few days.

Swimming in the sea, eating good fun and just spending time watching the world go by in one of our most favourite places has been completely wonderful. Tamariu is one of the happiest places I know and we had such a fantastic time there last summer we were really happy to be back for a short while.

Technology brilliantly kept us in touch with everyone and Woody and his big brother have talked more in the past few days and weeks than they have in years, which is a very nice thing. We came home yesterday and Woody is up in Cumbria visiting today to watch the cricket with P on the hospital telly and keep him company.

So these pictures tell a whole extra story of not just getting away, but living life to the full while you can, relishing the summer and being glad that there may be a happy ending out there on the horizon somewhere, whenever it may come.

Between the Mountains and the Sea

My blog is becoming a little like a travelogue, but that's no bad thing. Now our boys are growing a little bigger (and far too quickly) they love an adventure away and we're at that place where you can chuck a few things in the car and take off, stretch the occasional bedtime until dusk and eat whatever takes your fancy.

 

So with the forecast looking stunning for this past weekend we packed our tents and went west to Wales, to the north coast of the lovely Lleyn Peninsula, the very top bit that sticks out like a finger into the Irish Sea, backed by the mountains of Snowdonia.

Quiet paths led us to stunning beaches, past golden gorse and emerald fields, all set against the bluest horizon and a glittering sea. This footpath led from the campsite to their private beach and we sat here for a couple of hours with it all to ourselves, watching the gannets and oyster catchers and three fat seals bobbing in the bay.

We had such a wonderful two days. The sun never went in, the breeze was gentle and I think we've found ourselves a little bit of heaven.

A Brilliant Bank Holiday

Despite the awful weather and a week of the lurgy we made ourselves chuck some things into our battered little caravan and on Saturday trundled North for a long planned stay in the Yorkshire Dales. And blimey it was the best thing we've done for ages!

The sun came out and we visited Woody's childhood holiday haunts at the amazing Brimham Rocks and the very charming Pateley Bridge (where I reckon we had the most delicious fish & chips ever). I couldn't get over the scale and space the rocks covered, acres and acres of weird and wonderful geological monuments with the most astounding views across Nidderdale and beyond. It was absolutely breathtaking.

The forecast was looking so promising for Sunday we made a break for the coast to Staithes. I've longed to visit here and it was just wonderful, picturesque and peaceful. But even on a beautiful day I could imagine how rough and dramatic it must be when the gales howl.

It was the most perfect day of watching the tide creep in, boys making new friends, eating more fish & chips and feeling the sun warm us right through. Never thought we'd be spending a day on the beach. I feel so lucky that we did.

We spent the Bank Holiday exploring a stunningly green gorge (which was a bit hair raising with an overactive 6 year old if I'm honest) but unforgettable. Later we visited a place I've read and studied  about for years but haven't ever got to visit before.

Fountains Abbey was one of the greatest monastic houses in Britain during the Middle Ages. At university I was completely absorbed by the whole world of the Cistercian monks and how their English houses came to dominate.

 

My dad grew up in the city with a small Cistercian monastery underneath his school with finds and even skeletons being dug up on his estate. His stories sparked my interest in medieval history and I did my first ever bit of archaeology at that tiny site as a volunteer, so seeing its big sister was pretty overwhelming for me.

The boys mostly enjoyed hurtling around and exploring, but that's what got me started too so all good.

We had such an amazing three days. Even the rain came at the right time, just as we were settling down to bed and for our journey home.

 

A brilliant Bank Holiday. Hope yours was too. xxx

Way Down South

We let the train take the strain this Easter and headed south-east to stay with our fantastic, old friends who we don't get to see nearly enough. It was so good to spend time together, the kids hunting for eggs, eating lovely food and having the time to laugh and catch up.

The south-east of England, outside of London, isn't somewhere I know well at all and our friends were brilliant tour guides taking us to lovely Dickensian Rochester and the moody coast at Whitstable.

 

 

 

Even on a grey, freezing Easter Sunday I thought Whitstable was fabulous. I love the sea but I was just as captured by the textures and colours of the shingle, clapboard buildings and mellow brick as we walked along the shoreline and braced the breeze.

I couldn't be tempted by the famous oysters though and we all settled for some delicious fish and chips we ate on the shingle with the sun finally emerging. Four adults, four children, all relaxed and very happy to be beside the sea.

It seemed even colder inland but small children always seem to have the energy to dash about and keep warm. Hot chocolates in the cosy cathedral tea rooms really helped too I think.

Such a great time. Looking forward to seeing more with our lovely friends soon; especially with some sunshine!

Time Away

Its official. I am smitten with Catalonia and the little bays and enormous hills around Tamariu especially. Our week in Spain was everything we hoped for; relaxing, peaceful, restful and lots of fun.

Everyday the turquoise sea glittered, all sorts of boats bobbed about in the bay and we swam and snorkeled in the clearest waters I've ever seen. In the mornings we bought freshly baked croissants and warm baguettes to eat with thin mild cheese, smokey ham and fragrant tomatoes for breakfast.

When the heat of the day faded and night began to fall, we ate in super family run restaurants and feasted on baked squid, grilled sardines and astounding paella. Tamariu was such a bustling but relaxing place to be, full of Spanish families on their holidays, all ages together enjoying company, good food and wine.

If my numbers ever come up on the lottery I'm going to make the owner of this beautiful villa an offer they can't refuse. There's even a pool overlooking the bay.

We stayed somewhere much more modest but perfect and right on the sea front where we watched the word go by, read books, admired the view and played a lot.

We explored the twisty turny coastline and discovered bays and coves perfect for relaxing that made you wish you could sail.

Mostly though we ate ice lollies, lolled around in the shade and dipped into the sea when it all got rather hot. Thankfully there's the most lovely sea breeze that stopped us all from frying.

We definitely re-discovered a little slice of heaven...think we'll be returning very soon.