Reliving a special day from my childhood

Today is going to be a real blast from the past! It isn’t going to be the usual day you would expect someone to want to do to celebrate their 50^th, but for me it is very special.

As I have said before, having a birthday which always fell during our families 2-week summer holiday, meant that most birthdays just blended into the holiday. Don’t get me wrong, my parents made a fuss of me, but you know what it is like as a kid, once you hit the beach the day itself isn’t important. That was until one very special birthday.

We had driven to Ilfracombe and my parents suggested we walk along the harbour. There moored up was a big boat! Well as a kid anything larger than a dinghy is a big boat. Dad thought we should go on board and have a look around! Little did I know was that they had booked it as a surprise trip for me to visit Lundy Island.

Now, this is where the story of that day is told over and over and over again! I have always been a bit of an independent madam! It is no surprise then when offered help to board the ship I declined it, and the inevitable happened. I fell in. To make it worse, I refused help on the way back too and the same thing happened. On the plus side, it has entertained my parents for many years.

When I was thinking about how I wanted to spend my birthday, that birthday surprise always came to the forefront of my memories. I researched it and the boat still went, but not from Ilfracombe on my actual birthday.

I really wanted to spend my birthday with my friends but wasn’t sure either if they would be interested in going to Lundy. If you don’t know about it, it is a little island off the shores of Devon. It is a nature reserve run by the National Trust. Puffins use it for their breeding grounds and seals and dolphins can also be seen there.

There are only 28 people living on the Island, with just a pub, church and shop in the way of facilities. That said, there is something calming and magical about the place. Well for me anyway.

I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t go to the Island on my birthday. I did see though that a boat left from Bideford the next day. Unfortunately, it was due to leave at 8 am due to the tide. Now, not being funny, but having to get up and be on a boat ready to leave by 8 am the morning after your 50^th was not a realistic option!

After further explorations, I found a lovely man – Colin – from Lundy Charters who was based in Clovelly who could take us over to the Island on the Saturday at a more leisurely time of 9.30 am! My amazing friends all agreed to come with me.

So, the morning came, and we all headed off to Clovelly. We were told to park in the Anglers car park. As we get there, we soon realise it is also the same day as a festival so there is absolutely no parking. If you haven’t been to Clovelly, it is built on a very steep hill. The road down to the harbour is a 25% hill! The road is single track so there are wardens at the top, middle and bottom with radios ensuring that traffic is only flowing one way at any given time.

After a lot of worry about where to park, we were advised to park up in the main car park and get the land rover back down which was shuttling people that day. Hubby suggested rather than all 8 of use going back up to come down again, why don’t the drivers just go up and us ladies stay at the bottom. A very good idea.

As I jump out of the car, I ask hubby if he would like me to take his rucksack with me, which he did. I head off to take in the activity of the harbour while hubby takes the car back up the steep road to the main car park.

I’m stood chatting when it hits me! I have the car keys! My car is one that doesn’t need a key to start it, but it does need to be in the car when it is being driven. In a blind panic I find the warden at the bottom. I explain the situation to him. I now have visions of my car broken down halfway up the hill, no-one being able to go up or down! He kindly radios to his colleagues to see if there is a problem. The land rover that went up after him has arrived at the top. Thankfully the car somehow made it without the keys!

I’m now panicking as to how is the car going to be locked? The warden kindly tells me to take the land rover back up, lock the car then come back with the land rover. Roger the driver was so lovely.

The journey back down was with a group of pirates that were performing that day in Clovelly. I hadn’t even boarded the boat and the day had already been memorable!

Finally, I can relax, and I meet up with Colin to board his boat. As I get on, I can’t help but say the most ridiculous thing! ‘Ooh it smells of fish’. This brings roars of laughter from my friends. Why? Well it’s a fishing boat we are on!

The boat sets sail and we are taking longer than I remember the journey to the Island to be. As we sail, I take in the views. I do love the sea so much. So many seabirds hunting for their dinner. A seal passes us just long enough to see him, but not enough for a photo. I am desperate to see dolphins but sadly that isn’t to be.

Gradually the island comes into view just as a puffin flies past.

We land on the island and I already feel nostalgic. It is a long steep walk up to the main part of the island where the only public toilets are. We have a stop to look at the shop. We only have a few hours so prioritise what we want to do. One of my friends hasn’t seen puffins up close before so we decided to head off to their nesting site.

After a short while, we find out that they have already left. Gutted and being short of time we head back to the pub for a spot of lunch.

After lunch 6 of us head to the disused lighthouse to explore. 147 steps up give you a 360-degree views of the island. It is very beautiful.

After heading back to meet the rest of the group it is almost time to head back to the boat. We decide to pop onto the beach first and dip our toes in the sea. Well it has been a long time since I got wet here so it would be rude not to. At least this time it is just my feet!

As I look amongst the rocks, I find some amazing sea creatures. A poor crab is rescued by a friend. It really has been another great day.

We walk back up to the jetty where the boat will come and get us. As I look down it dawns on me! When we arrived, the boat was level with the jetty. Now the tide was out it was about 10 feet lower! How on earth were we going to get onto the boat!

Hubby points to a rusty ladder going down to the sea! Is he serious? Sadly, he is. One of my friends is even more in a panic as she is wearing a dress!

As Colin arrives back with the boat, he confirms our fears. We are going to have to climb down that ladder and land on a bobbing boat! Then walk around the edge to get into the main part of the boat! Oh boy.

I am the last to go on. My body is shaking. I am willing myself to stay calm and not to let go of the ladder! I slowly make my way down. Colin is there to steady me. I step off the ladder onto the boat. It was scary but I made it, completely dry! I was so happy!

All safely aboard we head back. The sea is no longer calm. As we hit the waves, we get soaked. Thankfully it is a warm day. I could move to somewhere less in the line of fire (or waves), but suddenly I am that child again. I am having a great time.

After 1.5 hours we arrive back in Clovelly. My friends probably are not as enthusiastic about the day as me, but they don’t show it. They really have proven they are great friends today.

We walk back through Clovelly itself to the car park just as the rain starts.

When back at our apartments it is a quick shower and change before heading down to the seafront for fish and chips. As we call for our friends in their apartment, I realise surprise number 2. Another fabulous birthday cake. This one has red shoes, a handbag and bottle of bubbly on it. So me! More bubbles flow. I really have been spoilt.

The sun is back out, so we sit on a bench eating our chips and taking in the surroundings before heading back to the apartment.

We return to our apartment for more drinks, some of that amazing birthday cake, and a game of Mr & Mrs. If you have never played this, you should. It is hilarious. My hubby and I always lose, as hubby is useless at answering the questions, even after nearly 12 years together!

It is time to draw the day to a close! It was everything I hoped for and more.

Tomorrow we head home. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday weekend. I have my 6 friends and hubby to thank for that.

See the day here on my Youtube Channel: –

If you ever get a chance to visit the island you should.

1969 was a great year!

1969 was a great year for many reasons in particular:

Richard Nixon became the 37^th president of the USA.
The Beatles gave their last public performance.
Boeing 747 became the largest aircraft and made its first commercial flight.
Concorde took its first test flight.
Sir Wally Herbert reaches the North Pole and becomes the first man to cross the frozen surface of the Arctic Ocean.
Judy Garland died.
Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon.
The halfpenny ceased to be legal tender.
Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired on BBC One for the first time.
Lundy Island was given over to the National Trust.

Oh, and not forgetting another important event! At 2.15 pm on 2 August a baby girl weighing in at 8.12lb came into the world! She was longer than the average baby, but then she always like to be different!

Yes of course that girl was me. I cannot believe that I have been around now for 50 years. It feels so old, but time seems to have flown by. It isn’t until you stop and look back on your life that the reality really hits you. If you have read my previous blogs, you will know that I am actually ok about being 50. I’m in a really good place in my life, and even though life throws me curve balls, I know with my hubby, together we will get through it.

I’m celebrating the day with some of my closest friends. We are off to Devon to relive probably one of my only real memories of my birthday as a child. When I say I don’t remember any others, it isn’t because I didn’t have a good childhood. Far from it. I had 2 of the best parents ever.

As my birthday falls in August, we were always on holiday, so the day tended to blend into the holiday more. Mum always got me a cake with candles on and they made a fuss of me, but could I tell you what else I did, then no. That was except for 1 very particular birthday.

We were in Devon and out to Ilfracombe for the day. There was a boat in the harbour, so Dad suggested we go have a look around it. What I didn’t know was that mum and dad had booked a trip to Lundy Island as a surprise for my birthday. That day has stayed with me forever. Not least because my parents won’t let me forget it! Not because of the Island, or the treat. Oh no! It is because as a very confident child, I wouldn’t allow anyone to help me board the boat! Splash – I was in the water! Yep that was me. Miss accident prone! As we didn’t have any spare clothes with me, I just had to dry off. Thankfully it was a warm day.

On the way back, when offered help, I declined again. I wasn’t going to fall in twice was I? Oh no of course I wasn’t!! Splash – yes in I went again!! My parents love retelling that story to whoever will hear it! Along with a few more incidents such as my zip line experience, which I won’t go into today, but still have the scars!

Despite that, I have such happy memories of that day. The excitement of being on a boat for the first time. Seeing the birds and looking around the Island was so special. It seemed only right then that for my 50^th I should go back and revisit the Island. Plus with it being 50 years under National Trust it seemed meant to be. I refuse this time though to fall in, so if help is offered, I intend to take it.

Sadly, I couldn’t get a boat actually on my birthday, so we are going the next day. I don’t mind because the whole weekend is my birthday. Well it isn’t everyday you turn 50 is it! I’m going to be milking it.

We have our own boat. Not the normal ferry. I have been liaising with Colin from Lundy Charters. We are going from Clovelly this time, which is apparently closer than from Ilfracombe. I am hoping to see Puffins, seals and dolphins, so will have my camera at the ready. I’m just hoping the sea is calm after the night before! We have a Thai Restaurant booked and no doubt there will be lots of bubbles involved!

We are starting the celebrations off tonight with a meal out. Just me and hubby. The question is, do I open his present and card tonight or take it with me? I’ve said I don’t know. I will have to decide later, I think.

We then head to Westward Ho for 3 nights with friends. My babies are staying at home as they don’t allow dogs on Lundy Island. I will miss them dearly, but they will be well looked after.

I don’t know what else we will be doing over the next few days. That is what makes it fun. Maybe fish and chips on the seafront. Our apartment overlooks the sea, so I’m excited to be able to wake up on my birthday looking at the ocean. Hubby doesn’t know it yet, but I will be expecting a cup of tea made of course by him, while I sit on the balcony admiring the view.

There are 8 of us in total, so whatever we do, I know it will be a good laugh.

Over the 50 years, I have learnt that if you have good family and friends, everything else isn’t as important. I’m the happiest I have ever been. I don’t know what the future will bring. I’m living for today. What I do know is that I have some amazing people around me. I feel the luckiest person alive to have my hubby, my fabulous parents and family. I have some great friends. Every one of them is different, but that is what makes them special.

I’m actually really excited about the weekend. I’m sad my parents won’t be there to spend it with me, but I will call them on the day. I never miss speaking to them on my birthday. They are amazing parents and love them dearly. No doubt I will be calling them a few times of the weekend. I know they will be waiting to hear if I made it on the boat and back without falling in!

So, I am embracing 50. I am thankfully for the memories I have already made, and looking forward to the new ones I will make in the future.

My advice is, don’t worry about the little things. Treasure those that are close to you and live life to the full. I’ve made mistakes over the last 50 years, but I don’t regret them. If I hadn’t lived the life I had, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

When you see your name in print!

Oh wow, how excited was I on 21st August , when I opened my emails? There, in black and white, was an email from Countryfile Magazine, telling me a photo I had sent in of one of my dogs, was selected as the winning entry, for the September edition of their magazine. The competition was being sponsored by Halti, so I was also to receive a selection of their products!

I have been a fan of Countryfile ever since it started! Thankfully, my husband really enjoyed it too. It has become a religion in our house now. Every Sunday evening, we would have a roast dinner, then curl up on the sofa, to watch that weeks episode.

One day, I was sitting in a waiting room waiting for my medical. On the table was a Countryfile magazine. I had never seen it before, but was so absorbed in it, I was gutted when I had to go in for my appointment.

I immediately went out and subscribed to the magazine. That was June 2012. And I’m still subscribing to it!

Every month, I have read the articles, looked at the walks and the competitions. I have mentioned to my hubby many times that he should enter the competitions. Both hubby and I love photography. I have seen his photos, and I firmly believe he has some award winning pictures of his own.

I have never really thought any of mine would be good enough. Then in July, after a trip to Isle of Skye, I saw the competition regarding pets on holiday.

I love taking photos of Fido and Lola, and had been pleased with how they had come out. My hubby actually was the one who thought I should enter one of them into the competition.

I thought – why not! What have I got to lose? So on 16th July, I send off my photo.

When I received the email telling me I had won, I was absolutely shocked. I didn’t care about the prize! It was the fact that someone had thought my photo was good! I couldn’t stop smiling. Immediately, I started spreading the news! I was now an award winning photographer! Ok, it isn’t like I’m on TV or anything, but I was having my photo published in September’s edition of Countryfile Magazine. I mean, Countryfile!

I have been waiting in excitement to see it in print.

Last night a friend received her copy of the magazine. Mine hadn’t arrived, but she sent me a photo. I was again in ‘smile’ mode! She promised to bring me the magazine into work the next day.

When I saw it in print, it was like I had won the lottery! Ok, most people won’t know me, but everyone who buys the magazine, will see the picture I took of Fido!

I was always into photography and competitions, just not both together! This has given me a new motivation, to get out there and take more photos. Learn more about my camera and explore the countryside.

Sometimes, you just have to have confidence in your own ability. If I hadn’t won, I wouldn’t have been disappointed, however now I have, I feel 10 feet tall. I am very proud of myself, but more importantly, I am proud of my husbands word. I know he takes some amazing photos too. I will be pushing him more to get his work out there now!

Don’t ever doubt yourself. Push yourself out there! Sometimes, it turns into nothing, but other times, it fulfills your dreams and more! I certainly will be doing more photographic competitions. You never know, once day it may even get me on the TV with my photo in the Countryfile calendar!

You have to have a dream and ambition!

I have now started uploading some of my photos to YouTube. If you are interested, subscribe to my channel.

Yew Tree Tarn From Coniston – Lake District

Well today started a lot better than the last few days! The dogs next door didn’t start barking until 6.30 am! What was even better, Lola and Fido must have been so tired as Lola gave out a little quick bark, but that was it!

I came down anyway just to check on them. Lola was fast asleep on the sofa! Yes the sofa! She isn’t allowed on it, but had got herself comfortable with her head on the cushions! Fido was in his bed. I took them both out for a walk anyway, so they could do their business.

They both must have been very tired, as I hadn’t even put the leads away when Lola was back on the sofa asleep!

I went back to bed for a bit. The dogs next door had quietened down very quickly today and we didn’t hear from them until 7.30 am. I got up and made a drink to take back to bed. I was so so tired. I was so relieved when hubby told me to go back to sleep, and he would go down with the dogs! Lola was quiet but Fido was crying for attention so we couldn’t really leave them on their own.

I slept right through to just after 9 am! Heaven!

Today we decided on a 10 km walk from Coniston to Yew Tree Tarn. It was absolutely pouring with rain when we arrived, but as we started to walk it eased off!

Just before we went around the Tarn we spotted an ice cream van. Hubby can never resist an ice cream so while I had a diet coke, my hubby and my stepdaughter both went for a 99! Just what the doctor ordered!

The walk round the tarn was beautiful. With the rain there was a lot of mist, but you could still see the beauty of the place! We were doing so well up to this point, but then we just couldn’t work out the correct route. We use a book called ’50 walks in The Lake District’ by AA. Most times it’s easy to follow, but today it certainly wasn’t clear! We had to change our route a couple of times and were still not convinced if we were right.

At this point the heavens opened! And it stayed heavy for the rest of our walk! We really wasn’t sure our path was the right one and with the rain, our book was getting soaked and so it was hard to turn the pages!

In the end, we saw a path for Coniston. Even though it wasn’t the books route, we knew we would be going in the right direction for the car. We had been walking for 4.45 hours at this point, we were soaking wet, and hungry. I think all of us just wanted to head back to the car!

According to the signposts we were 1.5 miles from Coniston.

We start to see the village in the distance and my spirits lifted! By this point, my shorts were so wet they were dripping! I had a waterproof on, but I don’t think they are designed for this type of rain.

We finally reach the carpark. When we arrived, I spotted a shop that sold lolly pops. When I say lolly pops, I don’t just mean your ordinary ones. Oh no, this one had probably about 30 different flavours if not more! I just had to stop and get some for my stepdaughter. I wish now I also got a couple for me too! They smelt delicious. I just didn’t think at the time! Doh! I have never seen a shop with so many. Next time I’m definitely stocking up!

We got into the car and I think we could all agree that we were starving. We were only 45 mins from home, but after walking what was actually nearly 16 km in 5.5 hours, we just needed fuel! I’d done my usual picnic so we all sat in the car tucking in!

On the way home I had the heating on to try and dry us all out!

The hot shower when we got home was so so welcome!

The fire was put on to dry the book out and our bags. Even though we were wet I think we all had a good day. Even the dogs.

Sadly the app on my phone didn’t pick up all the walk, but my fit bit recorded 25,000 steps! I think we will all have a few aches in the morning!

A quiet night in front of TV is definitely in order tonight!

Date Weekend – Day 2

So I can officially call it a ‘date weekend’ as hubby’s birthday is now officially over!

It was due to be raining this morning, but I am pleased to say that even at 7 am the sun was out. Yesterday we ran out of time to visit Hardwick Hall, which wasn’t a bad thing as it also started raining around that time. The plan today was to do a 10 km walk however we decided to put this off to a time when we had the dogs with us. Instead, we will get up, have breakfast and head off to Hardwick Hall. If we have time later and the weather holds, we will go for a walk.

Breakfast at the hotel is buffet style. I always say you can tell the quality of the hotel by the breakfast especially the fruit salad. If it’s tinned its lower quality, up to all fresh – top of the class! Today its a bit of both which is about right for this hotel. The hot buffet is full of variety including the usual suspects of bacon, sausages, beans and fried eggs, along with black pudding, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and hash browns. Great for my hubby but not for me though. I was impressed to see gluten free bread. This is not always readily available for anyone who needs this. There is also a good mix of cereals with full fat and semi skimmed milk and even soya milk. My friend Heather would be very happy with this breakfast selection.

I opt for the healthiest option of the fresh fruit salad with weetabix and semi skimmed milk, followed by baked beans, the better of the fried eggs, grilled tomatoes and a few mushrooms. I don’t have any toast or bread as I had already had my HEB for a my weetabix.

We check out and head to Hardwick Hall.

Before I tell you about our day, let me give you my thoughts about the hotel.

Eastwood Hall Hotel

The above is the photo you see on all the brochures. It looks absolutely lovely doesn’t it, however this isn’t the part of the hotel you see! The smaller building next to it is some ambulance depot or something, then you come to the main reception building.

The hotel is very large with 150 bedrooms and 36 meeting rooms that can cater for anything from conferences to weddings. Being a Saturday, there was a wedding on so the hotel and carpark was quite full. There also seemed to be some rugby tournament for young boys on as there were hundreds of lads running around in their team rugby kits. Because we had passed this ambulance buildings when we parked around the back of the hotel, my husband thought it looked like the back of a hospital so we were a little confused!

We checked in at reception and the staff were lovely and friendly. Due to the shape of the building it was a long walk to our room. This actually turned out to be a blessing as the room was very quiet. It was clean and tidy and not a bad size. The only negative was the bathroom. I always request a bath when we stay in a hotel and yes we did get one. The only problem was you had to be about 4 foot tall to actually be able to relax in it. The shower though was wonderful. Very powerful.

The hotel itself is set in beautiful grounds and if the weather had been better we might have seen more of them.

The restaurant was good with a good selection of food. The service was excellent.

So how would I rate it? Well lets break it down and score it out of 10!

Customer Service – 10

Cleanliness – 10

Bedroom – 8 – the bath let it down!

Restaurant – 9 – Fishcakes a bit dry!

Location – 9 – only 1.5 hours from home, good grounds

Value for money – 10 – I paid £110 for Dinner, bed and breakfast and a free bottle of wine with Great Little Break.

Overall – 9.3

So not a bad score. Would we stay again – probably yes, especially if I can get the same deal again.

Hardwick Hall’s

This is 2 houses in 1 visit. The first house is derelict and owned by English Heritage, while the other one just a few yards away is fully furnished and owned by the National Trust. Both having amazing histories. The sun is currently out so a fabulous day to start exploring the derelict one first!

Hardwick Old Hall

This sadly is now a ruin but was originally the birth place of an Elizabethan lady called Bess of Hardwick. One of the things I love about English Heritage sites is that you can choose to do a guided tour or an audio tour. We always go for the latter as it allows us to wander at our own pace and take lots of photos.

Even though this home is now a ruin, you can still some of its original features. As you listen to the history on the house and of Bess, you really start to feel like you know her. By all accounts she really was a formidable women! She had been married 4 times. Her first husband died when she was only 16. Her other marriages meant that she rose to the highest levels of English nobility and became extremely wealthy. She was a shrewd business women with assets such as mines and glass making factories. In fact she was the richest women in England after Queen Elizabeth I!

Her fourth husband George Talbot really didn’t seem to like his wife very much and actually thought prison would have been a better sentence than being married to her!

It would seem that for Bess, showing off her wealth to everyone was important and that shows in both the halls.

Both homes have amazing views over the Derbyshire countyside. It is strange then to wonder why Bess built the new Hardwick Hall a stones throw from her birth place. I mean it wasn’t exactly small! It was all about wealth I believe. She didn’t abandon the old house when the new one was built as you would expect, she continued to live in both. Unfortunately she didn’t continue to keep the old hall in good repair so it eventually became inhabitable and in the 18th century was opened to the pubic to visit it. You can see though from the photos below what a stunning place it must have been in its time.

New Hardwick Hall

Bess started building her new home in 1590 and moved in in 1957. It remained in her family until the mid twentieth century. The house was designed for her by Robert Smythson. To show off her wealth, she filled it with the most beautiful of tapestries. Many of which are still on show today.

The house apparently has more glass than walls! It was the first English house to have the great hall built on an axis through the centre of the house rather than at a right angle to the entrance.

The gardens too are stunning. They are filled with herbaceous borders, vegetable and herb gardens and an orchard. We were there in spring so most plants were not out but the daffodils and tulips were beautiful. I also had a little friend visit me in the garden, who brushed past my knees when I was bending down to take a picture. He stopped for a while to make sure he got into the shot too!

If you want a day out I would certainly recommend both of these houses. Each has its own character and charm. The audio tour of the old house gives you a real insight into who Bess was. I could talk more about her but then it would lose the surprise when you go and visit the house yourself.

After touring the gardens and houses, the plan was to take a walk around the extensive grounds. Unfortunately just as we headed off the heavens opened, so we had to abandon that idea and headed home.

As we were driving out of the estate we noticed a carpark which had amazing views back across the houses. The rain had eased off so we parked up to take some more photos. We were down by the estate lakes so decided to have a quick walk around them before continuing home. We are so glad we did as it gave us even more understanding of the vast land that Bess had owned in her day.

Getting out and exploring places like this is a wonderful way to get some exercise as well as to see some stunning landscapes and historical buildings.

We are members of both National Trust and English Heritage. They cost around £80 each a year for a family ticket, however they are well worth it. If you have children especially it is a great way to entertain them in the school holidays, teach them some history and also get a bit of exercise. In the last 2 days we have done over 35,000 steps which isn’t half bad!

To see more photos of our walk go to my YouTube channel https://youtu.be/JFgJ74hwPwg