Mawgan Porth Holiday 2020 with Clumberdoodle Archie

Mawgan Porth Holiday 2020 with Clumberdoodle Archie

We had enjoyed a lovely holiday in 2019 staying at The Park in Mawgan Porth in Cornwall so much that we decided to go back again in 2020 (we must have enjoyed it, as we never go back to the same place).  Although our holidays are a bit different since Archie came into our lives, as they have to have to be dog friendly, and as he loved it the first time, we went again.

We also enjoyed it as the whole area is very dog friendly, the accommodation is great and it has an electric car charging point which is a plus as we have an electric car.  Photo below of our car charging.

We booked a year ago for April 2020.  However Covid 19 hit the World and we had the choice of cancelling for a refund (I have to say at this point, that The Park were excellent with regards to this) or re-booking at a later date.  We decided to help  The Park out, as businesses were suffering and re-booked for September 2020, hoping that things would have got back to some sort of normality.

So we booked for 4 days from the 14th – 18th September which included a breakfast for each morning of our stay and one evening meal.  We chose the 2 bedroom cottage Ebrenn as we liked it the first time we stayed there.

It turned out we made the right decision by re-booking whilst there was still availability as the majority of people decided a staycation was the safest holiday to take, so everywhere filled up very quickly.

14/9/2020

It was a lovely warm day as we packed up the car for the journey down to Mawgan Porth.  The car had to be packed up very carefully as I made a chocolate and orange cake to take the day before, so it had to be put in last with a towel over it to keep the sun out -probably this was not a good idea!!! as we had to nurse it all the way –  The car was filled up mainly with Archie’s stuff as his luggage took about  3/4 of the back seat. 

We stopped at Cardinham Woods for a walk.  It was very busy but found a good place to park the car in the shade to look after the cake!!  After the walk we had a picnic and then drove to Truro to meet up with one of Steve’s sisters. Whilst waiting for her we walked around Boscawen Park in Truro which is beside the Truro River and was very pretty.

We met up at Trennick Mill right by by the park for a coffee and chat.  

We then travelled the rest of the way to Mawgan Porth. 

We checked into Ebrenn (click to see photos of accommodation and other holiday photos from 2019 from previous blog) .  On the table was a little welcome pack for Archie containing a couple of biscuits, a frisbee and a collapsible water bowl. We unpacked and as Archie knew exactly where we were and could smell the sea, the first thing we had to do was take the short stroll down to the beach which was quite busy.

Archie floated in some rock pools and then played with every dog he came across as we walked along the beach.

The whole area was a lot busier than it normally would be at this time of year, which was only to be expected due to the unprecedented times.  We noticed that the pub right by the beach, the restaurant and the fish and chip takeaway a little further along were all very busy, inside and out.  

It was lucky that we had booked a table at The Park’s onsite restaurant The Kitchen by the Beach.  We enjoyed a nice glass of wine  and Steve had the fish and chips and I had the lemon and herb chicken skewer which was very tasty.

We then enjoyed our first piece of my chocolate cake back in Ebrenn.

As we are hooked on the game of Uckers we started our holiday competition which I lost 2 – 0 – not a good start.  It was then to bed after a tiring day.

15/9/2020

We woke up to a thick sea must so a bit of a change from yesterday, although it was still warm. We went down to The Kitchen  for our first breakfast, and chose the full Cornish, which I have to say is probably one of the best cooked breakfasts we have had anywhere.  They use all local produce, and you can taste the quality.  They use Cornish St Ewe eggs which have a bright orange yolk and are very tasty.  They were poached so until you actually cut into them it was only then the bright orange yolks spilled out. 

Even though we live in Devon our local Tesco actually stock these eggs, and now I have tasted them I will certainly buy these in the future as I have been converted. UPDATE  I did purchase a box of original eggs which were the only St Ewe eggs that Tesco sell and although very tasty and a rich yellow colour yolk they were not the bright orange as we had experienced at The Park.  On looking at the St Ewe website the orange coloured yolks are in fact called “Rich Yolk” eggs which unfortunately Tesco do not sell, but I see that  Ocado do (unfortunately we are not in the area where Ocado deliver) and also some other home delivery Companies.

We decided that we were going to walk along the cliff path from Mawgan Porth to Watergate Bay.  I was quite pleased that there was a sea mist, as I do not like heights and it was certainly a long way up (about 200 – 300ft) so you could not see the  sheer drops to the sea below. It was a bit scary particularly where the path narrowed due to the cliff erosion. Archie had to be kept on the lead all the way along the cliff path as it was too dangerous for him to be let off.  With the thick sea must and the smell of the sea he would have only realised we were so high up as he was falling hundreds of feet over the cliff.  

Watergate Bay is a huge sandy beach especially when the tide is out, which it was when we got there.  Once we got to the beach and Archie was let off his lead he went mad and found the first deep rock pool to have a float and a cool off as the sea was too far away. 

We walked a long away across the beach and then sat on a rock to enjoy a welcoming flask of tea, water and a jaffa cake that I had packed up.  We didn’t need any lunch as our breakfast was huge but a cup of tea and a drink of water was very welcoming after the long trek there.

After a nice  rest on the beach and Archie digging in the sand it was time to head back.

It was then the long trek back along the undulating steep cliff path back to Mawgan Porth.  In total 6.9 miles.

Mawgan Porth in the background and the final steps down off the path.

Archie was absolutely filthy, sand, sea water and dust from the path so thought it would be a good idea to try out the dog shower situated near to the reception area.  Archie hates our garden hose pipe and as that was really all the dog shower was, as soon as Steve turned it and sprayed a bit on Archie’s leg he managed to squirrel his way out of his collar and was off.  He headed straight through the door to reception and into the back office leaving a trail of muddy wet paw prints all over the floor. 

I managed to catch him by the scruff of his neck totally embarrassed and apologetic to the bemused reception staff with regard to the mess he had made all over their floors.  The girls in the office didn’t mind a bit as they are very dog orientated and thought it quite funny.  They thought he was lovely even in his dirty state but said they would love to see him again when he was all clean and dry. 

We did pack his mud daddy (a portable dog shower which he doesn’t mind) and eventually got him clean and then dry as also included in his packing was his pet blaster which we knew would be needed.  

As you can imagine we were all shattered so it was out in the garden with a cup of coffee and a slice of my chocolate cake.

As we had seen that the pub and other restaurants seem to be busy all day in Mawgan Porth we decided for the rest of the holiday that we would make use of The kitchen as they do a takeaway service the same menu as eat in, so we decided that this would be a perfect option for the rest of our stay in this current climate. 

Tonight Steve chose a pizza and I went for the lamb burger which was quite spicy (which I like) and tasty all  washed down with a glass of wine as I had packed a few bottles to enjoy in the comfort of Ebrenn.  Of course dessert was a slice of chocolate cake.  Followed by a second bout of Uckers which I lost 2-0 again.

Time for bed after another tiring and very exhausting day with all that walking.

16/9/2020

Started the day with another full Cornish breakfast to set us up for the day, so no need for lunch.  Another overcast day with a sea mist but  we had decided that we would visit Trellisick  a National Trust house and grounds again (we did this last time)  and as we drove more inland the mist cleared and if was a lovely sunny and warm day. 

Steve did check their website as during the Coronovirus pandemic some National Trust places still had a booking system in place although lots were now back to normal.  There was no provision to book on the site,  so assumed that all would be well.  We arrived at the main gates to large signs saying  “booked tickets only”.  Perhaps they had forgotten to take them down, but oh no when we got to the proper main entrance there was a chap with a clip board and asked us for our name. Steve said we could not book in advance and the bloke said “sorry” but we would not be allowed in (even though we are National Trust members).  We said we only wanted to walk in the grounds and did not want to go into the house, but that made no difference at all. Steve explained the situation about the website but the chap was having non of it.  Steve said that we had driven a long way but that did not make any difference but he did say that Steve could speak to the Duty Manager if he wanted to which Steve did. 

The Duty Manager was summoned to the car park  and Steve explained that he had tried to book on the website but there was no provision to do so.  The Manager said that there had been others who had experienced the same problem.  He said he had worked for the Trust for years mainly to try and get membership so did not want to turn members away and then not renew.  He was very fair and we were allowed to stay.  The irony was that there were plenty of spaces around the various car parking areas.

We enjoyed a lovely walk including Archie wading into the muddy estuary. 

The tide was out so we had to walk along the  muddy and seaweedy shore so he could reach the cleaner water.  I had packed a flask and some water and we sat on the shore overlooking the Fal estuary and looking back to the grounds of Trelissick.  Archie also enjoyed a swim which helped off wash off the mud.

We continued on the woodland walk around the grounds of Trelissick, stopping to take in the views of one of the tributaries of the River Fal.

We arrived back to the car about 2 hours later. 

We travelled back to The Park and as we got nearer to the coast  the sea must was still around but it wasn’t long before the sun eventually broke through and it was very pleasant. We enjoyed a nice cup of coffee in the patio area with a slice of chocolate cake (yes, still plenty left as it was a big cake, enough for our stay).

Even though Archie had enjoyed a nice woodland walk no day would be complete without his daily walk down to the beach.  It was still quite busy but as the tide was out there was quite a lot of beach.  Archie again met lots of dogs that he wanted to play with, in particular a female spaniel that wanted him to chase her, which naturally he obliged.

We ordered our takeaway from The Kitchen on the way back to be collected a little later on.  I do stress that if anyone is planning a holiday at The Park, I do recommend that you do try The Kitchen  as the food is very good using local produce.  I do particularly recommend the full Cornish breakfast, you won’t be disappointed and a great start to any day.  

In addition to us being tired, we had tired Archie out as well.   I do brush and comb him every night before he has his tea and he does fidget a bit, but tonight he fell asleep whilst laying down which made it difficult.

We enjoyed our meal in Ebrenn’ with Steve having the local battered haddock chips, peas and tartare sauce and I had the lemon and herb chicken skewer which were the same meals that we had on our first night, as they were very tasty.

Another game of Uckers hoping that I was actually going to win at least one game.  It started well as I won the first game and I  game then I lost the next 2.

So to bed.

17/9/2020

Started the day with our full Cornish breakfast. It was a beautiful day clear sunny and warm.  We decided to stay local and walk from The Park to St Mawgan.  The plan was to stop and have a morning coffee at the Off The Path Coffee Company where we visited on our last visit but it was very busy with people queuing to get a table so we kept on going on our walk into St Mawgan. 

The next plan was to stop at the Falcon Inn for Steve to have a pint of Guinness and a cold drink for me.  The only problem was we were too early as it didn’t open until midday and it was only about  11.15 so another failed plan.  I was busting to go to the toilet (too much info!!)  so there was a little coffee shop that was open so we did have a cup of coffee and I was able to relieve myself.

We walked back along a different route totaling a walk of approx 4 miles so as our feet were aching and it was now very warm  enjoyed a cold can of ready mixed gin and tonic that I had brought with us out in the garden area of Ebrenn.

After a little rest Archie picked up his frisbee and stood at the gate pleading to go down to the beach for the last time as we going home tomorrow.

The beach was still busy but everyone was social distancing and the tide was a long way out, so plenty of room to throw Archie’s frisbee.  We walked down to the waters edge and Archie and I had a little paddle

We found a nice deep rockpool so I threw the frisbee in it, thinking Archie would retrieve it and have a float at the same time.  He did go into and have a float in the rockpool but had lost interest in the frisbee and just left it there.  As the sand was very soft it slowly started to sink and it wasn’t long before it was covered in sand.  As Archie made no attempt to get it,  there was no other option but for me to go in.  Now it was quite deep, so I decided to try and slide it into shallower water with my foot.  However, my foot then started to sink and I lost my footing and almost fell in, but I did get very wet.  I managed to eventually get hold of the frisbee but by this time my shorts were soaking.  

After quite a while down on the beach we sat on the rocks soaking up the glorious September sunshine and taking in the fantastic scenery and  hoping that my shorts would dry off.  But they were still very wet (as you might be able to see in the photo below) so as we walked back up the beach passing  people who were still enjoying the beautiful day, I felt very embarrassed as no doubt some must have thought that I had wet myself!!!

Walking off the beach and towards The Park Archie wasn’t too keen and there was no pulling on the lead like there was walking down to the beach.

A nice cup of coffee and the last piece of chocolate cake so thankfully no need to nurse it on the way home tomorrow.

We ordered  our last meal from The Kitchen, Steve choosing the lemon and herb chicken skewer, and I had a vegan burger. No I am not converting to vegan but it just sounded nice and it was it was very tasty so perhaps I will think about ditching the meat!!! 

I then started to do some packing in readiness for our departure early tomorrow morning as as we had to  vacate the property by 9.00 a.m.  This was very early, but there is extra cleaning to be done after each one is vacated during the pandemic.

We had our last holiday  game of Uckers hoping that I might pull some games back but ended up losing 3-0 tonight.   Therefore Steve wiped the floor with me beating me overall by 9 games to 1.

18/9/2020

Another glorious day.  Our last full Cornish breakfast before we headed home. 

We did stop off at Cardinham Woods again so Archie enjoyed a last holiday walk before we got home.  Those 4 days went quickly but we had a good time and the weather was kind to us apart from the sea mist day, which probably just as well as that was the day we walked miles so it was not a problem.

We had enjoyed another great stay at The Park and if you want peace and quiet as this is possible as there is a very poor phone signal, but wifi is fine.

We arrived home and unpacked. We decided to give Archie a bath as he was looking really scruffy with his salty sea coat which  was still full of sand and had an awful sea dog texture to it.  He was also very smelly.   After his bath he looked a completely different dog and smelt nice too.

NEXT YEAR

A couple of days after we arrived home, with the Coronovirus rearing it’s ugly head again that we would book another week at The Park.  Although we like Ebrenn decided on a similar property.  I looked on their website and saw that the summer months were filling up fast, so decided to go and book whilst there was still availability earlier in the year.

We had already a booked a staycation in a dog friendly cottage in Dorset, but have now tagged on another week in our Archie’s favourite place, although we also like it down there very much too.

Mawgan Porth Holiday 2020 with Clumberdoodle Archie