You know I mentioned last week that part of our staycation was in a luxury self-catered apartment in Westward Ho!? Well, what I forgot to mention was that it was on a caravan park but every time I mentioned this fact to anyone, Dave told me to stop mentioning it so the movie I had created in my head was of a secluded penthouse overlooking the crashing ocean with all the caravans at the other end of the ginormous park. I’m thinking VIP area with no entry signs, electronic gates and a key pad to get in.
Oh boy, how wrong can you be on a wet, grey, rainy Monday evening in July as we drove through the narrow holiday park crammed full with static caravans. It’s true that we weren’t on the ground floor but we were above the reception and launderette plus just outside the apartment were 6 rather large recycling bins for the world and his wife to use. Oh, joy unconfined.
I was doing my best to put a brave face on it but having just left the most amazing champagne infused mini break at the “step back into the luxurious 1920s experience” that is the Burgh Island hotel where I was spoiled rotten by Dave, anything was going to be a tough act to follow.
It reached laughable proportions when I opened up the spacious triple wardrobes only to discover that I couldn’t reach as the coat hanger bar was set about 7 feet high. Who on earth could reach those and what were they thinking? There were other signs in the apartment to suggest they were built by giants for giants – the food cupboards were about the same level, the mirrors were set so I could only look in them on tip-toes and the patio doors were as heavy as concrete.
Anyway, the apartment was spotless and once I’d got over my initial grumpiness, realised that the views were amazing, the apartment was gorgeous and the wine had started to flow.
Our week was full of gorgeous trips out with picnics and the weather was half sunshine and half cloud but no rain, hail or snow so, good result. Most of the places we visited were doing their best to keep to their normal experiences but all of the actual homes were closed. We went to the fabulous Broomhill sculpture park and even had socially distanced coffee & cake. It was a bit disappointing that the Gnome Reserve was not open but we’ve added that to the list for next time. We also popped to see the amazing rock formation at the Hartland Peninsula and saw Lundy from afar.
It may have only been a few days at the British seaside but it was magical to be away from home and by the time we got back after 6 nights away, we were as relaxed as if we’d been away for 2 weeks.
On the way home, we stopped at some friends for a socially distanced lunch in their garden. It was just lovely to see them and it has been 12 months since we were together in person. How quickly time flies.
It was announced this week that from 24th July, wearing masks will be legally required in shops. I’m not a big fan of wearing masks but I’m a huge fan of the positive impact they have on stopping the spread. The other big thing for m is they act as a constant reminder that we are not over this and this awful virus is still here. It has not gone away. That’s the hardest thing as we try to get back to this new normal as it can just feel like normal and we have to somehow remember to keep our distance.
I’ve been quite dismayed at the number of people I know who have broken the rules with people they know on the basis that it is ok as it is “only” whatever.
My list: One of the big pluses of our home-from-home apartment was Netflix so we started watching Osark. The general plot is about money laundering and a drug cartel but there are twists and turns galore. It was so gripping that we binge watched all 10 episodes of season 1 this week. Now that we have rediscovered Netflix, I think there will be more binge watching.
I’m enjoying my book (The Girl in the Ice) and Detective Erica Foster seems to be a top but intense chick but she may thaw.
My lowlight: I found out that my friend Sarah who has Down’s Syndrome has been a bit sad over the last few weeks. Although she doesn’t really understand what is going on, she seems to know when we ought to have been going out. We had a quick chat on Facetime and that seemed to have perked her up a bit. If we get a good day, it would be good to have a chat with her in her garden but I’m not sure I could resist hugging her. I suppose I will have to.
My highlight: Thursday was a bloody brilliant day as the sun was shining, we sat on the beach, I had a couple of interviews, ate fish & chips for the first time in months, had a delicious ice cream, drank lashings of vodka & tonic plus had a lovely chat to mum & dad.
