Summer Vacation, Day 13: Penzance
We moved on from Heligan to Penzance today, we are staying at Ponsandane Farm Campsite close to the beach. Only 70 km. We made a short stop at Mounts Bay to see St Michael’s Mount.
Summer Vacation, Day 12: Heligan
We spent the day at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. It was abandoned after World War I as many of the gardeners never returned from their deployment. The gardens were rediscovered in 1990 and are continuously restored. Local artists donate sculptures and next to the gardens various themed areas for kids have been introduced.
Summer Vacation, Day 11: Heligan
We transferred from Whitsand Bay to the campsite next to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. But only after we had an obscenely large all-vegan breakfast at the Cliff Top Cafe: English breakfast, banana milkshakes, baked potato, avocado and sausage sandwiches. If you ever get there to see the beach, this is a non-negotiable stop on the way down the cliffs. Driving, even the short distance to the new campsite, was difficult being stuffed with all the nice food. Once we arrived and set up everything, we explored the area and stopped by the Lobbs Farm Shop next to the gardens. The latter we are saving for tomorrow.
Summer Vacation, Day 10: Whitsand Bay
We stayed another night at Whitsand Bay and spent the day at the beach. The pools during low tide are a magnet for the boys, we carved our own rivers to have the pools stay filled up longer before eventually drying out. Nadine and Tilian played board games at dusk. Right before she first heard and then spotted a young dunnock. I finished The Last Day of Creation, the ending was too abrupt and I am mad about how open ended it was and quick it was done.
Summer Vacation, Day 9: Whitsand Bay
From Ladram Bay we moved on to Whitsand Bay in Cornwall, around 120 km, through Plymouth and over the Tamar Bridge. The campsite is on top of an old fort but pretty run down.
Summer Vacation, Day 8: Ladram Bay
We stayed at Ladram Bay for the day before moving on to the next destination tomorrow. The kids spent most of the day at the beach, Nadine and I took turns around lunchtime as Aika had to stay off the beach, while I was with the boys, she went for a long hike with Aika towards the east. She spotted firecrest, goldcrest, coal tit, wren, blackcap and treecreeper. The Canon R5 has been doing a great job during our journey but the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens stopped working reliably, after each picture the Canon errors out with a sync error between lens and body. It’s time for a service at Calumet in Leipzig.
Summer Vacation, Day 7: Ladram Bay
From Poole we moved on to Ladram Bay in Devon, around 150 km, with stops at the Spyway Dinosaur Footprints and Durdle Door. For the night we are staying at Ladram Bay Holiday Park.
Summer Vacation, Day 6: Poole
From Brighton we moved on to Poole, around 180 km. For the night we are staying at South Lytchett Manor in Lytchett Minster, a village a few kilometers west of Poole.
Summer Vacation, Day 5: Brighton
We packed up at Norman’s Bay and went once more to the beach for a swim. Kellin lasted for 30 seconds and Tilian could have gone on for hours. We went 50 km to the east to finally meet up with Jasper and Charlotte. For the night we are staying at the Brighton Club Campsite.
Summer Vacation, Day 4: Norman's Bay
From New Romney we moved on to Norman’s Bay. A short 55 km drive through narrow roads. Knock on wood, no misbehaving on the road today from my side - it feels like the drivers in the UK are very careful if they see someone with a foreign license plate.