Mawgan Porth Beach Holiday In Cornwall with Clumberdoodle Archie 2019

Mawgan Porth Beach Holiday In Cornwall with Clumberdoodle Archie 2019

We decided this year to book another holiday with Pets Pyjamas  (great name and I can really recommend them) and opted for North Cornwall.

It turned out to be a much needed break as it had been a very stressful 12 months with my dear Mum being taken poorly and sadly passing away in March.

A few days before we set off for our  Mawgan Porth Beach Holiday In Cornwall with Clumberdoodle Archie 2019 his doggy bag arrived from  “Pets Pyjamas”.

17th May 2019

We packed the car in readiness for our week away and as with previous holidays, the car was full with mainly stuff for Archie, as he seems to have more luggage than we do.

We took Steve’s electric car so if you are an electric car owner you might be interested to read his blog and how we managed here Living with and electric car

We stopped at Landhydrock House, a National Trust (of which are members) property on the way to kill some time as we could not check in to our holiday cottage until 3.00 p.m.   The  weather okay when we arrived and decided to go for a walk first and then eat the picnic that I had prepared afterwards.  Archie managed to find the only muddy puddle in the woods that surround the House, so he was filthy. As dogs cannot go into the House we  took turns to have a look around and it took longer than expected as there were about 50 rooms to explore.

This is a magnificent late Victorian country house which is well worth a visit and give an insight into life in Victorian times.  I have to say it is probably the best National Trust house I have visited. It was very homely and beautiful with around 50 rooms to see. In addition to the family rooms,  separate bedrooms and bathrooms for the man and lady of the house (good idea especially if your other half snores), children’s bedroom and school room, there are servants quarters which actually looked were surprisingly comfortable.

I took loads of photos but have just uploaded a few.

We were intending to have our picnic outside but it started to rain (typical as it had been dry and sunny for weeks but the first day of our holiday it decided to rain), so we sat in the car in the car park and had the homemade cheese and onion pasty I had made.

It then took about 30 mins to arrive at our destination for the week which was The Park at Mawgan Porth .

We were given a very warm welcome at reception when I collected the key to our dog friendly accommodation and Archie received his doggy goody bag which was a ball and thrower, a collapsible dog bowl and some doggie biscuits.

The Park has many different types of accommodation but ours was a dog friendly 2 bedroom bungalow called Ebrenn  (all the properties on the site had Cornish names) and the accommodation was actually far better than we had expected.

We had a quick cup of coffee and then donned our raincoats as the rain was now quite heavy and walked down to Mawgan Porth beach (our first of many) which was just a 5 minute walk from The Park.

This is a beautiful sandy beach that is dog friendly all year round and is huge when the tide is out, but a different story when the tide is in.

Archie went mad running around letting off steam and enjoyed digging in the very deep sand and venturing into the water.  You would think he had never been to a beach before.

It was a good job that included in Archie’s luggage was some doggy towels and his hair dryer as I knew most days he would end up being wet and sandy.  We managed to drag Archie off the beach and walked back to Ebrenn and had a  nice glass of wine before we had tea.

Below is a video of Archie, but be warned as it is advisable to take some sea sickness tablets as my camera skills are non existent, although it does improve as it goes along

Now Steve started playing a game of Uckers with his brother many months ago, and they keep a running record of their scores.  But even though Steve is losing to Mike at the moment we decided to get one for ourselves as it really is a good game.

So we started a competition at home between ourselves and unfortunately for Steve he is losing to me aswell.

We decided to take it on holiday and have a holiday competition (sad I know) so after our first meal we played our first 2 games and I am very pleased to say I won both games, much to Steve’s annoyance – still we had 6 more days to go.  Please keep reading to see who is crowned champion at the end of the week.  Please note that our games quite late in the evenings as we are not really that sad that we have nothing else is to do.

Saturday 18th May

We went to Watergate Bay which just a short drive away where I had seen advertised a family dog show which takes place on the beach, so decided to enter Archie.

Watergate Bay is a huge sandy beach which stretches for 2 miles and is really beautiful.

As always as soon as his paws touched the sand he was off running around like a lunatic.

We had a while to wait before the dog show started so he had great fun digging in the wet so by the time he went into the ring his paws and face were covered with sand and sea water, so definitely not Crufts standard!!!

I entered him in the best 1 – 7 year olds and there were rosettes down to 5th prize.  Judges just went round to each dog and asked questions and patted the dogs, but no actual showing took place.

Archie is sometimes wary of people he doesn’t  know and is fussy who touches him, which doesn’t really bode well  trying to impress the judges so he wasn’t very sociable. There were about 15 entered in this class but Archie didn’t get anywhere.

I then decided to enter him into the most handsome dog which I thought he had a chance of getting a place, but the judge thought otherwise and he got nothing.

There were a couple of other classes but we were so disappointed that I didn’t bother, but we think he was the “best in show”!!

Whilst we were stood still on the beach a couple walked past with their dog which stopped right by Steve’s leg and promptly weed.  As you can imagine the dog’s owners apologised profusely and it was probably just as well we were doggy people even as I am sure someone else might have taken a different view although it was rather annoying and Steve’s leg was rather wet,  but it did prove lucky.  You I’ll have to read more to see why.

We went back to Ebrenn empty handed of rosettes and after a picnic lunch  we went for a walk down to  Mawgan Porth beach so Archie had another play in the sand and the water.

We then had a drink at the Merrymoor Inn which overlooks the beach and has a lovely large garden so ideal for dogs.

Once refreshed we then walked back to Ebrenn and sat on the patio  in the deckchairs that were provided.  Gosh cannot remember the last time we sat on one of those.

We then decided to have a couple of games of Uckers before tea and much to my annoyance Steve won both.

After dinner we went for an evening walk  following a public footpath signposted to Trenance at the edge of The Park.  However after a short walk up a hill we came to main road and we couldn’t see any more footpath signs to Trenance so we walked a short way down the hill and came across another footpath that took us up on a cliff oath overlooking Mawgan Porth beach.

We sat on a wooden seat overlooking the sea and then walked back along what beach was left as the tide was now right in, but there was plenty of soft sand for Archie to play in.

We watched some television then played 3 more games of Uckers and amazingly Steve won all these games.  He decided to play using his left hand to throw the dice and it seemed to work, but also we put his luck down to the dog peeing on his leg earlier in the day, so perhaps this was a lucky omen!!

Although I think he would rather lose at Uckers than have a wet trouser leg!!

Sunday 19th May – Archie’s holiday romance

After breakfast  we arranged to meet up with an old neighbour who used to live in our road in Ivybridge that we hadn’t’ seen for a number of years who now lives not far away from where we were staying in Cornwall.

She drove to The Park  and Archie met Aggie her dog a bearded collie cross and it was pawsitively love at first sight.

After the initial excitement of meeting each other we then started our walk.  We followed another footpath at the end of the road walking through a tree lined wooded path.

Along the way Archie and Aggie went for a play in a little river that we crossed and then followed the footpath to the village of St Mawgan where we had  lunch in The Falcon Inn.

Again another lovely garden so ideal for the dogs who sat quietly whilst we ate our food.

After a leisurely lunch we walked back and Archie wanted to take Aggie down to Mawgan Porth beach to continue their first date where both dogs went absolutely mad.

They were both chasing the same tennis ball,  quite often careering towards the ball at the same time and almost having head on collisions.  One was a very close near miss but Aggie  jumped quite athletically about 4 feet in the air to avoid Archie.

They had a great time and by the time we got back to Ebrenn they were both absolutely shattered.

We sat in the garden and enjoyed numerous cups of tea, coffee and cake whilst both dogs fell asleep by the side of each other.

It had been a lovely day and clearly the dogs were besotted with each other and a holiday romance started, so they are hoping to see each other again on another date.

We had 3 games of Uckers in the evening and even though Steve did use his left hand to throw the dice I won 2 -1, but then again his leg wasn’t used as a dog weeing post.

Monday 20th May

It was actually our 41st wedding anniversary so after breakfast  decided to go to Padstow which we love and take the ferry across to Rock.

Padstow was extremely busy even though the holiday season hadn’t got underway yet.  The foot ferry was very busy but Archie enjoyed the short ferry ride.

We landed on Rock on yet another huge sandy beautiful beach.

The tide was out so we walked right out to one of the headlands.  It was a beautiful day and naturally Archie was enjoying yet another trip to a beach.

We walked back along the beach and decided to go to The Mariners Arms (now run by Paul Ainsworth) which overlooked the estuary which Steve found online before our holiday.

It was the intention to celebrate our anniversary with a nice lunch there.

We sat out in the covered terrace and had a glass of wine whilst we looked at the menu which was rather  disappointing.

It was a small card with the heading “small plates” which all looked like starters with a choice of desserts underneath, certainly nothing like was advertised on the Facebook page.

We uhmmed and ahhhhhd whether to order anything, but as we were there we decided to stay.  Steve ordered the duck liver pate and I ordered a fried buttermilk  chicken dish with chipotle and jalepenos.

It consisted of 2 small pieces of this fried chicken and although both our dishes were very tasty and served very nicely they really were just like a starter, so not really the nice full lunch we were looking forward to.

So we decided that we would have a nice meal back in Mawgan Porth in the Merrymoor pub down by the beach later in the evening.

We caught the ferry back to Padstow and Archie enjoyed the return journey.

Back in Padstow we all enjoyed an ice cream and then we drove back to the bungalow and sat out in the garden with a cup of coffee.

In the evening we walked down to the beach and had our meal in the Merrymoor Inn sat in the garden overlooking the beach.

We both chose the steak and although nothing special was very nice.  Archie behaved himself and as he was so good he had a bit of steak.

Of course we had to go and have a walk on the beach before going back.

We sat on a rock  watching the sun go down whilst Archie was digging in the sand and it was hard to believe we were a actually in Cornwall as we could have been on any exotic beach anywhere in the world as it was quite beautiful.

So quite a different anniversary meal the  starter in Rock followed by ice cream in Padstow,  then the  main course about 5 1/2 hours later at Mawgan Porth with coffee and chocolates back at the bungalow. Followed by our  games of Uckers and as it was our anniversary I decided to let Steve win by 2 games to 1.

Tuesday 21st May

We had arranged to meet up with Steve’s sister for lunch as she didn’t live far way, so as it would be later on in the day for Archie to have a proper walk I walked him along the public footpath through the woods at the bottom of the road after breakfast before we went.

We arrived at Steve’s sister’s late morning and then walked over  to the pub across the road form her house and had a very pleasant lunch.

We sat outside and Archie behaved impeccably and sat for a couple of hours under the table whilst we ate our lunch and had a good chat.  After lunch we went back to her house for a cup of tea and homemade cake and then we drove back.

Later in the afternoon, yes you guessed it was back down to Mawgan Porth Beach for his daily walk (well a day hasn’t gone by yet when he hasn’t let his hair down on the beach).

As usual as soon as we turned right out of The Park Archie smelt the sea air so knew where he was going and as soon as his paws touched the sand he was “off”.

We only spent a little time on the beach as we decided to walk up the cliff path which went to Watergate Bay, but stopped when we reached the top and sat down and just took in the breathtaking views.

Steve took this video so enjoy the scenery

It was now way past Archie’s tea time, so we walked back. Our daily Uckers match got underway with Steve winning 2 – 1 yet again.

Wednesday 22nd May

We decided to stay local today and do the same walk that we did on Sunday with our old neighbour.

We decided for Archie to have his “fix” of the beach first which naturally he enjoyed and as it was a very warm day Archie cooled off in the deep pools at the side of the beach at the bottom of the cliffs.

We then went on our walk to St Mawgan and had another lovely lunch in the garden at The Falcon Inn and Archie sat under the table in the shade.

After lunch we made our way back but stopping at a very posh coffee shack  that we came across on our previous walk.

It is in the middle of nowhere right by a farm but is well worth a visit.  It has been beautifully done out complete with an  undercover seating area strung with fairy lights  if the weather isn’t very good.  It is called “Off the Path Coffee Co“.  and does a range of tea and coffee, cakes and light cooked food.

We both had a coffee and Steve had a muffin and it was very peaceful and relaxing looking out over the countryside  (even though the geese in the field next to it came up to the fence to say “hello”).

I could have stayed all afternoon, but it was so hot sat out in the sun that we decided to continue our walk back.  Archie cooled off in the stream that we passed which he enjoyed.

Mawgan Porth Beach Holiday In Cornwall with Clumberdoodle Archie 2019

We sat out in the garden area to have a rest as it was very warm and our feet were aching.  Then much to Archie’s excitement it was back down for a second walk down to the beach.

I actually paddled in the water, and it was surprisingly warm.  We then sat on some rocks whilst Archie played with his tennis ball climbing up on the rocks and then dropping it and then chasing it down the rocks.

He was looking like a real beach bum with the salt water and sand in his coat, so he had to have a hair dry and a good brush and comb when he came back.

We have had a robin coming to take crumbs from the wooden table in the garden for the last few days even when we are sat there and had no fear whatsoever.

It would eat some crumbs itself and then obviously was taking some back to the baby.

Well this evening the baby came too and mum came down for some crumbs and then fed her baby – sweet.

After watching a bit of television it was time for our daily Uckers competition and it was my night tonight winning  3-0.

Thursday 23rd May – (European elections)

We would not normally bother to vote in these elections but we wanted to make our feelings felt over the Brexit debacle so applied for postal votes as we knew we would be away.

Decided to take a trip to  Trellisick Gardens owned by the National Trust.

I packed up a picnic and after breakfast we set off.  The grounds were beautiful with stunning scenery.

There were many different walking routes but we chose the  woodland walk which took you along the Fal Estuary which was very pretty.

There was a little stony beach (not the lovely sandy beach Archie had got used to) at the edge of the river and needless to say Archie went in for a swim so got soaking wet.

Mawgan Porth Beach Holiday In Cornwall with Clumberdoodle Archie 2019

Then walking through the paths in the wood the mud and dust stuck to the water so he was filthy – again!!!

We had our picnic sat in the parkland which  was full of buttercups and looking down to the river and was a superb location for a picnic.

It suddenly turned really warm and the only shaded bit for Archie was under the blanket we draped over the park bench.

We both took it turns to look around the house but it was a little disappointing and nothing like Lanhydrock which is the best National Trust house we have visited.

We got back to Ebrenn and after a cup of coffee and a biscuit we then took Archie for one last walk down to Mawgan Porth beach before we headed home tomorrow.

I decided to take his frisbee down for the first time and threw it a couple of times on the sand which he enjoyed, and as the tide was out there was plenty of empty space.  I then decided to throw it out in the shallow water and  Archie chased it so far then saw another dog on the beach and thought that looked like more fun so left it.

I waded out but lost sight of it as it appeared to be being buried in the sand.  Then it surfaced  and was rolling over but as I nearly got to it, it vanished and saw it being washed out to sea, so gone forever.

So if a red Kong frisbee eventually washes up on Mawgan Porth beach or indeed anywhere on the North Cornwall coast you know who lost it. We stayed on the beach for a little longer before we walked back to The Park for the last time.   Gosh Archie is going to miss his daily visits to the beach when we go home.

We decided to try The Kitchen restaurant on site as our last meal but chose to have a takeaway from there to eat back at Ebrenn. Dogs are allowed in the rustic restaurant but thought it would be more relaxing without worrying about Archie, even though he has behaved himself when we have eaten out in pubs over the last week.

Then it was time for our last game of holiday Uckers and I came out on top with a win of 2-1.  I know if you have been reading my blog you will want to know who won the competition!!!

I totalled up all the games for the week and found that it was a draw with us both winning 11 games each.  With us both being competitive we naturally had to have a final game to decide the winner and I am pleased to say that I won, although it was a very close game. So the grand total was 12 games to me and 11 to Steve.

Friday 24th May 2019.

Had breakfast and then packed the rest of the stuff and we were on way.

We stopped at Cardinham Woods on the way home and went for a very pleasant walk on one of the many different routes through the woods. We then had a picnic and then onwards to home.

Safely home and the first load of washing in the washing machine – great to be home!

However our holiday wasn’t quite over as we had arranged to go out for a meal with friends, so it was nice  to enjoy another meal I hadn’t had to cook.

We (especially Archie) enjoyed this holiday.

The beaches were fantastic, and in this particular area dogs are very welcome all year round.  They are also welcome in the pubs as well .

The weather was brilliant all week (except for the very first day).

The Park was excellent and I would thoroughly recommend it, so all in all we had a very relaxing week and came back with batteries fully charged.

Archie however got beach withdrawal symptoms very quickly!!!

Mawgan Porth Beach Holiday In Cornwall with Clumberdoodle Archie 2019

You can read some of my other holiday experiences here