Beautiful South Devon

We haven't been to Devon for a few years so were giddy about a return trip, this time with children.

It made it very different (G Kisby noted that he only had one pint of Otters Ale and no lobster, ah how we used to spend our days) but just as fun in other ways (who doesn't enjoy holding a piglet at Pennywell Farm - just me then? Admittedly even Mabel wasn't that interested and I'm sure Wilf only perked up at the sight of bacon).

On the way down there we stopped off for the night at Hunstile B&B which was really lovely. They had a trampoline in the garden which Mabel then talked about all holiday. She was in her element.

Once in Devon we stayed in a gorgeous cottage (Carwell Cottages) which looked over amazing countryside. It had a wildflower meadow with some lovely wooden play equipment and a fully enclosed garden which they both loved. Mabel literally ran up and down it all day, thrilled with the freedom.

Talking of freedom she loved nothing more than being allowed to run on a deserted beach. We were kind of lucky with the weather in that we did get a weekend of sun. However the rest of the week ranged from cloudy and chilly to rainy. Didn't stop us going to the sea though to what Mabel believed were 'muddy puddles'. Think it was up there as her favourite day. As we stood wishing for another layer of clothes and the sight of some sun she threw herself into jumping and exploiting the freedom of getting soaked (including falling in face first - surprisingly not bothered by a mouthful of sand and sea water or the wind chill).

I think her pure unadulterated laughter from running into the waves was one of the highlights of my holiday. She was past herself with giddiness. 

The travel tent came in really handy for the hot days on the beach, naturally we were completely unprepared and watched as more thought out families whipped out wind breaks and the like. 

Wilf wasn't quite as keen as Mabel on the cold sea. I think dangling his straight in was an error and gave him a fright. He did however like his feet on the sand. We took tea down to beach on this day - I love that time in the evening of a hot day...

We ate well (naturally) including lots of fresh local food - hidden under these moules was a Salcombe smokey (haddock?) which took it to a whole new level!

We also visited the Winking Prawn in Salcombe for some seafood, though in hindsight having time to dissect a crab was ambitious and Wilf's highchair was far too close, his greedy little fist kept grabbing prawns so it wasn't the most relaxing meal. Mabel tried mussels and crab, admittedly she spat the former out but credit for trying I thought.

We made yoghurt ice lollies which they both thought were fab. And managed to get the paddling pool out while the weather was good...

(Check out those moobs)

We visited a couple of places we hadn't been to before like Haldon Forest Park which had a great family adventure walk full of hidden things. Definitely somewhere to return to when they are slightly bigger.

And found Kingsbridge swimming pool to be a good distraction for a very rainy day.

Overall it was just great to have some quality time together as a family. And ace to sit outside watching the sun go down enjoying a cold glass of wine. We are very lucky!

7 months and a late May round up...

I haven't been good at keeping my blog up to date recently. I don't have an issue with finding things to say (as if) but do have an issue with the time. Which really isn't an excuse. The time is definitely there, I just need to use it better. And aside from enjoying writing and finding it cathartic, I also keep my blog as our diary, particularly for Mabel and Wilf type events. 

So I have decided to do a monthly round up of our lives at the end of each month, including the ongoing picture of Wilf with his Pierre duck and Mabes, well, being Mabes.

Then any other moments I feel I want to write about I can do so in-between times as and when.

In May we visited the Great Grandparents for a stay over. Although trixy at times ("don't touch" overload as she played catch with yet another small ornament, "what you saying Granny Bean?" quite regularly as Granny Bean clearly couldn't hear a thing she was saying so their conversation was really stilted, and a small meltdown at being confined inside too long) it was lovely to see them. They hadn't met Wilf yet so it was nice to show off our little man and Mabel and Granny Bean found a shared love of tea..

Granny Bean is also notorious for very over cooked veg and lots of it. Mabel was in her element, she couldn't get enough. Granny Mag fed us home made plum crumble with custard AND a scoop of ice cream in the middle. If you haven't tried it then you need to. Sounds wrong. Tastes very right.

Other going ons include reducing our house by 10k and changing estate agents to try and get it sold (I hate not being able to plan around when this is going to happen. We are trying not to look at anywhere until it does and remain flexible but knowing there is nothing we can do to make it happen is frustrating). 

Wilf at seven months is getting frustrated too. Still no where near crawling he is desperate to move and chase his sister (who has taken to 'parenting him' regularly much to his dismay. Just as he reaches the controller she whips it away, "no Wilfie, that's not for you")

He continually launches himself from sitting onto his tummy then can't move or get back so screams. Anything (or body) near him will do as a launch pad / utensil for pulling himself on.

He claps his hands now (though forgets how and then relearns it every few days) and continues to eat really well. Now on only 3 milk feeds a day (I am about to give up the breastfeeding, he has had longer than Mabel and those teeth are just becoming an issue. I know the blurb says they shouldn't bite and generally he doesn't but when Mabel charges over towards his head with a wooden toy he swings back with a slight clench of his jaw. Owwww).

Bath times have become ridiculous due to his incessant splashing. Seriously he goes crazy, laughing and splashing so that we are literally soaked. When we took him swimming last week to try and harness his energy in the water he threw himself around the pool like a little dolphin. Separately two people commented on his technique. 

Hoping we have a mini Phelps on our hands - that would be fun!

And so onto June, we have just got back from a fab week in Devon. More to follow...