After our first days in Devon and Cornwall featured rain of biblical proportions, combined with a camping ground that could generously be described as “rustic”, a generous offer from cousin Graham and his wife Louise, to stay at their house, proved too alluring to pass up. So we temporarily abandoned #vanlife, and quickly settled into more salubrious surroundings that don’t require us to move eight different things just to access the fridge, or undertake a complex yoga routine to make the bed.
The past week has been spent relaxing…reading books, walking and biking the stunningly beautiful Cornish coast, indulging in pasties, cooling off in rock pools or at the beach, sipping G&Ts, and generally living the life of Riley. A man could get used to this.
The kids were beyond excited (and I have to admit, so was I) when we discovered that not only had the rock pool we were swimming in featured in one of their favourite TV shows, Mallory Towers, but that they were currently filming the next season at the local beach!
But while the house stay has been a chance to reset and recharge, it has also been a time of missing home, with a subtle longing for the community, structure, and familiarity of life in NZ. We’ve been away now for 3 months, which has paradoxically felt like it has flown by but also seems like a lifetime. Having said that, celebrating an English goal and/or win in an English pub may just about be the best thing ever. Pity about the final result, mind. Is football ever, ever coming home?
I impressed Lucy with the Malory Towers photos! Thanks!! :) Rachel
Hullo Y'all, wow I am beyond jealous looking at your beautiful photos and those rock pools - so so picturesque and cool. Very pirate-y there it seems. The weather looks amazing too - sun and warmth!!! we can wish! You are going to appreciate being back in your lovely home with all the room and mod-cons when you get back - that's the half the fun huh? getting to appreciate the luxury of a house with all the stuff you need right there in it and accessible. ha ha! Have fun and take care. Clovie misses the girls :) xox Sarah and the Gagnon Posse
Waouh. Everything looks beautiful😊 enjoy as such a trip is unique in a life (or maybe not😉). Van life can be difficult but it's an amazing way to really appreciate every little thing and use only what is really necessary . In the blink of an eye you will be back and you will surely miss many things about that experience so take advantage of it😊. Elsa says hello to Anna👋👋 and Raúl says sorry for the football😜😜😜😉👋👋👋
Gorgeous photos! You're all doing so well but I can imagine the recharge was definitely needed. Take care.
Fantastic photos! Love the ones of the rock pool - it looks like good fun, if not a little chilly (from Anna's face!) I love the Cornish Coast. I found when I was living in the Uk that is was a tonic for homesickness to be by the sea and there was a familiarity to the beaches in Dunedin that was nice. Football is NEVER coming home - It is amusing that there is always such hope! Love to you all - enjoy Van life when you get back to it.