Writing this I wish we could be transported back to the put put bliss that was driving around the rolling Devon and Cornwall hills in the awesomeness that was our holiday in Shiny Norman. What an amazing time we had, from picking up the beautiful shining Norm we loved him, our cute and beautiful little portable home for a week! With our luggage in and already tucking into the sparkling rose and cake treats provided we set off from Okehampton to North Devon and Croyde bay. Driving the two hour journey was so much fun, one of the best work outs too with the gear changing and hefty braking needed not to crash into the poor other drivers that were so understanding of my stalling and dodgy steering! We arrived at the farm, blue skies and perfect sunshine and set up the awning, before making our first dinner in Norm and setting out for a midnight walk on the beach…simply perfect. The next few days we pootled around North Devon, visiting Lynmouth and Lynton (the railway is not a railway, not embarrassed to say was bit scared), Woolacombe bay and Lee Bay (a real secret gem, sssh if you go). We were joined by some friends for a few days who were equally impressed by the Norm, spending the day at Puttsborough Sands learning to surf, swimming, making cups of tea and bacon sandwiches looking out the van across the miles of beach and sea in front of us. Moving on to Polzeath we left late and arrived in the early hours, not entirely recommended. We arrived at Polzeath with no plans of where to stay, none of the campsites seemed to be accepting people so late, we drove into Robbie Loves…a caravan park where we were greeted by caravans that had been there the best part of 50 years selling dog food and some girls that wouldn’t have been out of place in the league of gentlemen. Nonetheless we literally huddled up for safety and woke up and drove to the sweet village where we had breakfast overlooking the sea, watching lots of excited budding surfers learning to jump up on their boards and doing star jumps across the sand. Norm then took us to every beach and bay from Polzeath further into Cornwall, the hippies enjoyed rocking up in the posh Rock, looking over to Padstow, stopping off for a swim at Harbour’s cove and Porthcothan beach. After another perfect day of fantastic summer skies we arrived (slightly pink) in the luxury of Watergate Bay. After a well needed shower and use of a hairdryer and straighteners (not on Max’s part) we headed in Norm to watch the sunset with a bottle of champagne on the hill overlooking the bay followed by a gorgeous dinner in the hotel at the bottom. Next morning saw us driving across county to South Devon, via the quaint fishing villages of Fowey and Polperro, into East Prawle. The evening was spent snuggled up in an old smugglers pub, The Pig’s Nose, with the knitting circle, the graffiti decorated snug, local ales in kegs and generous portions of good food. Heading from East Portlemouth across the passenger ferry into Salcombe bay the next morning we bought some obligatory Cornish pasties and Devon clotted cream for the crew at home and spent the afternoon on what turned out to be our own private beach not far from East prawle near Gara Rock. Far too soon it was the morning to take Norman back. We both agreed we could have easily spent another month travelling around in the camper, it was truly an experience neither of us will forget and one of the best most relaxing holidays we’ve ever had. VW Campervans are definitely for us and we are desperate to have another go in the not too distant future! For now though we’d just like to say a big thank you to Sam, Pete and Zoe for all their help with booking the hol, sorting us before we left with everything we might need and for making it such an easy and chilled out week. We will definitely see you next year! Lots of love, Charlotte and Max xxxxx
