Just back from 4 wonderful nights in Cheddar Gorge with Featherdown. My two kids had a cracking time which meant me and Mrs did too.
A beautiful hen 🙂
Yes indeed. The poor hens certainly had plenty of attention from my two who seemed to be off checking for eggs at least once an hour! The farm had a whole load of them in a pen but you could also "rent" your own for the time there which were put in a pen next to your tent for your own enjoyment.
Bar the shite traffic back, had a cracking week on the very underrated Suffolk coast. Weather obviously a massive help, but did 4 beaches from Walberswick to Lowerstoft and loved the area.
pubs and restaurants very busy, been eating and drinking inside and out and for a few great days, bar some minimal mask wearing and a couple of app check ins, it really felt as if Covid just wasn’t a thing. So nice to get away from the house and treat the kids to fun days again.
We massive lucked out with the weather. It’s such a shame we don’t get a bit more guarantee of summer sun / dry days as the UK coastline is fantastic.
Northern Ireland publishes new green list countries
We're still waiting for the update from the Department for Transport on the traffic light system but in the meantime it looks like the Northern Ireland government have gone ahead and published their list.
From 04:00 BST on Wednesday 30 June these countries will be put on the green list for NI:
We want, need, to get to Kerry. Our house their has been abandoned since covid and is probably in dire need of tlc. But the quarantine rules are stopping us. 🥺
We want, need, to get to Kerry. Our house their has been abandoned since covid and is probably in dire need of tlc. But the quarantine rules are stopping us. 🥺
It obviously depends how desperate you are but you can fly or get a ferry to Belfast then drive from there, long ass drive (like 7 hours) but if it's an emergency it can be done. You might be stopped by the Garda on your way through the Republic but they won't turn you around or kick you out or anything, you could just say you have a house in Kerry and are on a break, there's no rules against it and I know people who have done it (I live in NI currently)
Northern Ireland publishes new green list countries
We're still waiting for the update from the Department for Transport on the traffic light system but in the meantime it looks like the Northern Ireland government have gone ahead and published their list.
From 04:00 BST on Wednesday 30 June these countries will be put on the green list for NI:
Anguila
Antigua and Barbuda
Balearic islands
Barbados
Bermuda
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Grenada
Madeira
Malta
Montserrat
Pitcairn Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
Anyone know if there are any decent pubs in the British Antarctic Territory?
Enjoying a lovey week in Jersey. Found a great pub on Monday so went back there for last night's game; a beautiful 25 minute walk across St Brelade Bay - great to be able to do such a lovely walk there and back
Back in the New Forest again, loved it so much last time. Brought my England flag with me, might need a few shandies first before I get up the brave Juice to fly it outside the window, Engerlaaand!
In Skidby at the moment with the family for my dad's 90. A detached barn £800+ for 4 nights. The weather is about 12 degrees and intermittent rain. Popped into the local with the brother in law for a couple of pints this afternoon and I think smiling has been banned in the place. It also shuts at 10pm. Needs must at the moment but if this is the last holiday I ever have in this country I will be ecstatic.
onplanners
My wife and I have arranged a few days with my brother in law in Scotland early September. We have decided to take the train, fantastic price, two of us return London to Perth (Scotland not Australia before I get a smart arsed response) and back £217 first class with a rail card. If available, my challenge we be to eat and drink my ticket value in complementary food and refreshments 😋. On the way back we will spend a night in Edinburgh. So looking forward to it, just need a change of scenery.
Back in the New Forest again, loved it so much last time. Brought my England flag with me, might need a few shandies first before I get up the brave Juice to fly it outside the window, Engerlaaand!
We’re down there at the end of July, haven’t been there for a while, love it there.
In Skidby at the moment with the family for my dad's 90. A detached barn £800+ for 4 nights. The weather is about 12 degrees and intermittent rain. Popped into the local with the brother in law for a couple of pints this afternoon and I think smiling has been banned in the place. It also shuts at 10pm. Needs must at the moment but if this is the last holiday I ever have in this country I will be ecstatic.
I had to google Skidby to make sure it wasn't an underpants joke.
So Easyjet cancelled my outbound flight to Kefalonia. So I rearranged everything for a week later. They've just cancelled the revised inbound flight. Not going to happen, is it...
Back in the New Forest again, loved it so much last time. Brought my England flag with me, might need a few shandies first before I get up the brave Juice to fly it outside the window, Engerlaaand!
Just returned after a week down there in glorious weather. Not quite Skiathos but it's the first time I've ever been to the New Forest area itself and was mightily impressed, it's stunning.
Stayed in a signature lodge on a park called 'Shorefield, near Milford on Sea. Not sure I would stay there again (very nice, mind you), so if anyone has any other recommendations in the area (2 adults, no children) I would appreciate it. Looking at returning for the last week in September.
Off to Cornwall next month, any recommendations of places to visit / eat,gratefully received, thank you.
Ive been to the Eden project before, and the Lost gardens of Heligan (yes I found them) so probably wouldn’t go back to them.
Went a lot to Cornwall as a kid for summer holidays , stayed on a farm , as had family down there, but that was over 40 years ago, and I’m sure things have changed!
Whenever my family have a holiday near Penzance I always take my wife out for a meal at Mackerel Sky in Newlyn. They specialise in amazing tapas style Cornish seafood. It's one of those places that's small and doesn't take bookings so you either need to arrive early or hang around outside waiting your turn.
Off to Cornwall next month, any recommendations of places to visit / eat,gratefully received, thank you.
Ive been to the Eden project before, and the Lost gardens of Heligan (yes I found them) so probably wouldn’t go back to them.
Went a lot to Cornwall as a kid for summer holidays , stayed on a farm , as had family down there, but that was over 40 years ago, and I’m sure things have changed!
Where in Cornwall are you going to? I know quite a lot of nice places between Hayle and Penzance.
Back in the New Forest again, loved it so much last time. Brought my England flag with me, might need a few shandies first before I get up the brave Juice to fly it outside the window, Engerlaaand!
Just returned after a week down there in glorious weather. Not quite Skiathos but it's the first time I've ever been to the New Forest area itself and was mightily impressed, it's stunning.
Stayed in a signature lodge on a park called 'Shorefield, near Milford on Sea. Not sure I would stay there again (very nice, mind you), so if anyone has any other recommendations in the area (2 adults, no children) I would appreciate it. Looking at returning for the last week in September.
We’re off to Shorefield on Monday, in a signature lodge too. Any reason why you wouldn’t stay again?
Did you try any of the restaurants in the town (and is it within walking distance)?
Whenever my family have a holiday near Penzance I always take my wife out for a meal at Mackerel Sky in Newlyn. They specialise in amazing tapas style Cornish seafood. It's one of those places that's small and doesn't take bookings so you either need to arrive early or hang around outside waiting your turn.
Off to Cornwall next month, any recommendations of places to visit / eat,gratefully received, thank you.
Ive been to the Eden project before, and the Lost gardens of Heligan (yes I found them) so probably wouldn’t go back to them.
Went a lot to Cornwall as a kid for summer holidays , stayed on a farm , as had family down there, but that was over 40 years ago, and I’m sure things have changed!
Where in Cornwall are you going to? I know quite a lot of nice places between Hayle and Penzance.
Back in the New Forest again, loved it so much last time. Brought my England flag with me, might need a few shandies first before I get up the brave Juice to fly it outside the window, Engerlaaand!
Just returned after a week down there in glorious weather. Not quite Skiathos but it's the first time I've ever been to the New Forest area itself and was mightily impressed, it's stunning.
Stayed in a signature lodge on a park called 'Shorefield, near Milford on Sea. Not sure I would stay there again (very nice, mind you), so if anyone has any other recommendations in the area (2 adults, no children) I would appreciate it. Looking at returning for the last week in September.
We’re off to Shorefield on Monday, in a signature lodge too. Any reason why you wouldn’t stay again?
Did you try any of the restaurants in the town (and is it within walking distance)?
it's just not very family friendly being a swingers site with a nudist beach.
Back in the New Forest again, loved it so much last time. Brought my England flag with me, might need a few shandies first before I get up the brave Juice to fly it outside the window, Engerlaaand!
Just returned after a week down there in glorious weather. Not quite Skiathos but it's the first time I've ever been to the New Forest area itself and was mightily impressed, it's stunning.
Stayed in a signature lodge on a park called 'Shorefield, near Milford on Sea. Not sure I would stay there again (very nice, mind you), so if anyone has any other recommendations in the area (2 adults, no children) I would appreciate it. Looking at returning for the last week in September.
We’re off to Shorefield on Monday, in a signature lodge too. Any reason why you wouldn’t stay again?
Did you try any of the restaurants in the town (and is it within walking distance)?
No major reason, Dave, just like variety, that's all. There's a footpath from the site that takes you down into Milford on Sea. It starts quite near to where the signature lodges are located. Sign says that it's half a mile walk, whereas the drive is a good 2 miles. Also a 2 mile walk through the woods down to Milford. Didn't do any of the walks though as we had elderly in-laws with us.
The signature lodges are lovely mate, sauna and a hot tub! The park is big but well laid out and the signature lodges are in a good location, not too far to walk to the indoor pool and entertainments complex.
We had food on one evening in the site restaurant. I must say, we were really impressed. The fish and chips is excellent. They have a good system also where you can download the 'Shorefield Eat' app, go find a table, and then order using the app. It really worked well.
You'll be given a complimentary disposable BBQ (that's all you are allowed to use on the BBQ at the lodge); recommend you take a few more down there with you. The site shop is ok, and there is a Tesco and a Lidl about a 10 minute drive away.
The Royal Oak at the end of Downton Lane is about half a mile away from the site entrance. We ate there one evening and it was excellent. Also highly recommend the Smugglers' Inn down in Milford on Sea village. Ate once in Lyndhurst at the White Rabbit (Chef and Brewer), again, it was decent.
Highly recommend the 'hop on, hop off' tourist bus. The 'blue' route bus stops on site and you can also connect with the 'green' and 'red' route buses using the same ticket:
We also visited Beaulieu and 'Buckler's Hard' (small village that Nelson had built on the River Beaulieu for his ship builders). You can get a short boat trip from here as well.
You'll have a great time.
Edit: The contactless check-in is great as well, Dave. Make sure you provide the site with your reg no(s) before you go and details of all party members. Then, just after 2pm we received a text saying that the lodge was ready! All we then did was drive to the site and straight through the (number plate recognition) barrier. Your key is left in the key safe on the gate at the lodge, they give you the code when they text you. We didn't need to go to reception at all.
Comments
1500 sheep and a load of cows too.
Northern Ireland publishes new green list countries
We're still waiting for the update from the Department for Transport on the traffic light system but in the meantime it looks like the Northern Ireland government have gone ahead and published their list.
From 04:00 BST on Wednesday 30 June these countries will be put on the green list for NI:
European holidays could be off limts to 5m Britons given Indian-made AstraZeneca jab
The jab, quietly authorised in the UK in February, is not yet approved in Europe or recognised under EU’s new vaccine passport scheme
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/eu-vaccine-passport-excludes-5m-britons-given-indian-made-astrazeneca/
Stayed in a signature lodge on a park called 'Shorefield, near Milford on Sea. Not sure I would stay there again (very nice, mind you), so if anyone has any other recommendations in the area (2 adults, no children) I would appreciate it. Looking at returning for the last week in September.
Ive been to the Eden project before, and the Lost gardens of Heligan (yes I found them) so probably wouldn’t go back to them.
Went a lot to Cornwall as a kid for summer holidays , stayed on a farm , as had family down there, but that was over 40 years ago, and I’m sure things have changed!
The signature lodges are lovely mate, sauna and a hot tub! The park is big but well laid out and the signature lodges are in a good location, not too far to walk to the indoor pool and entertainments complex.
We had food on one evening in the site restaurant. I must say, we were really impressed. The fish and chips is excellent. They have a good system also where you can download the 'Shorefield Eat' app, go find a table, and then order using the app. It really worked well.
You'll be given a complimentary disposable BBQ (that's all you are allowed to use on the BBQ at the lodge); recommend you take a few more down there with you. The site shop is ok, and there is a Tesco and a Lidl about a 10 minute drive away.
The Royal Oak at the end of Downton Lane is about half a mile away from the site entrance. We ate there one evening and it was excellent. Also highly recommend the Smugglers' Inn down in Milford on Sea village. Ate once in Lyndhurst at the White Rabbit (Chef and Brewer), again, it was decent.
Highly recommend the 'hop on, hop off' tourist bus. The 'blue' route bus stops on site and you can also connect with the 'green' and 'red' route buses using the same ticket:
https://thenewforesttour.info/
We also visited Beaulieu and 'Buckler's Hard' (small village that Nelson had built on the River Beaulieu for his ship builders). You can get a short boat trip from here as well.
You'll have a great time.
Edit: The contactless check-in is great as well, Dave. Make sure you provide the site with your reg no(s) before you go and details of all party members. Then, just after 2pm we received a text saying that the lodge was ready! All we then did was drive to the site and straight through the (number plate recognition) barrier. Your key is left in the key safe on the gate at the lodge, they give you the code when they text you. We didn't need to go to reception at all.