Family Staycation at West Nymph Holiday Cottages, Dartmoor.

Between the mad busy-ness of September and the mad busy-ness of October this year, I had a week away with my parents, my sister, her husband and their daughter, along with my Husband and our dog. 

Firstly, I have to say that I've had such a busy year which has been ridiculously busy at times. It's been such a great year with my business but a week physically away from home was something I desperately needed.

Secondly, we stayed at the nicest possible place I could have hoped for in order for this well  needed break. If you are looking for a staycation in Dartmoor or Devon in general, somewhere that's just out of the way enough to feel in the middle of no where, but somewhere were you're still able to go to the shops for essentials, have a trip to a nice local pub or two, or just somewhere for a great long walk, I could not recommend West Nymph Holiday Cottages highly enough. 

The converted barn we stayed in "Holly Hock Cottage" (total coincidence with the matching name) could not have been more beautiful, cosy and clean. The main bathroom had a humungous shower that I enjoyed dancing like this in whenever I had a shower in it. Something that makes my heart happy as well is a curved free standing bath, so you better believe I was grinning like a fool when I was having a soak in that beast! ​

We got a little welcome spread of treats on our arrival which we really loved and appreciated, and Scampi even got a large jar of dog treats too, which I'm pretty sure she really loved and appreciated. Those scones where bloody delicious by the way...

Isn't it funny how when you're younger, older people often feel the need to tell you how fast life goes. You really just can't get your head around it though until it starts happening. You might intellectually understand the concept, but until you start getting older yourself it just doesn't hit home. Also when you see other young'uns growing up around you, it hits home even more, and my niece is growing up so quickly. 

She is such a beautiful intelligent sweet little person, and I wish I spent more time with her, but unfortunately life too often gets in the way, and maybe it's one of those things where it would never feel like I spent enough time with her.

If you've seen me lately you'll probably have seen me wearing these. These are my new New Balance trainers and I swear to the shoe gods that they are they comfiest pair of trainers I have EVER HAD. I got them for an absolute steal at TKMaxx (I haven't seen any NB's cheaper elsewhere else), I don't understand how people hate shopping there, yes it's can be a chore but you find some great golden nuggets in there.

When all the cakes at a cafe look good and everyone is hungry, BUY ALL THE CAKE.

After my niece would have her afternoon nap, we would take a trip around the farm we were staying, say holla to the animals and also take a daily promised trip to the park where the giant trampoline was. It was great to have somewhere to go for a walk and be outside like this literally just outside the front door. ​

We made a friend when eating our lunch at The Tors one afternoon. His name was George, some other dog from his group had given him some beef and he'd clearly decided our table was better. I think if his owners had abandoned him, Pete would have insisted we bring him home to live with us!

There is also the opportunity to go and collect the eggs on the farm where we stayed, which was so lovely to do and the little basket they give you so kids can collect and carry them is so sweet. If I remember right, it was 85p for half a dozen...

It's not just two years olds that need naps, apparently grandads need them too...

One night I let the dog out for a wizzle before we all went to bed, and I came across this little chap. I'd only bought one lens with me on our trip, and it wasn't a macro one obviously but I'm glad I managed to get a shot of him in focus and I'm grateful he stayed still for me, although he was probably just terrified.

The guy who owned the farm was called Jeff, and he was such a lovely chap, the sort of bloke you could never imagine being unhappy or rude. He took us up to one of his fields one morning and showed us the baby calf that was in there along with some other cows.

All week we saw roadside signs showing the way to "Tom Cobley's". I'm a sucker for a great name and even though I had no idea initially what Tom Cobley's was I really wanted to go. Turns out it's a really cute Tavern that dates back to the 16th century and that there might have been a bloke called Tom Cobley once.

All hail Uncle Tom Cobley...

Before I went I gave myself a rule that I was to only take my camera out that week if I really wanted to. Over six-hundred photos later I think it's safe to say my passion for Photography is still alive! 

Holly
xo.