REMINISCING ON SUMMER
It's bloody cold and dark outside (here in the UK) and I'm feeling it today... So nothing like a bit of reminiscing on my summer holiday with the girls this year. We went to Bedruthen Steps in North Cornwall, the first time, as a single parent I've gone camping with them on my own, which was hard going, IE, I don't drive, so we had to use public transport to lug not only ourselves but also all our camping gear, a good 250 miles. It was a tough holiday but worth it. That part of the country is just magical...really dramatic and wild, as can be seen from the photo montage above. I've been to this place, this exact spot, 6 times in my life and always have an amazing time. The campsite itself is a bare bones, no frills establishment. Showers and a tap to wash your pots but no electricity hook up, hardly any reception, let alone WiFi and no shops for miles either way, just a campsite on a cliff with a set of 120 steps down to one of the most breathtaking beaches I've ever been to. Not accessible I have to say but am not really sure it could be made so, it's like a relic from the past, the steps were built about 150 years ago and although are maintained nowadays by the National Trust, are a bit worn and battered and in parts look like they are about to collapse. Every time I go, I wonder if I'll ever get to see it again, what with climate change and coastal erosion, this will surely be one of the first spots to go...
They are super strict with the tides on this particular beach. Because it's essentially a cove and because of the way the tide comes in and how high it comes, it is easy to get trapped and from what I gather, many who have not paid due attention in the past have felt the full force of mother nature's strength, IE there have been numerous fatalities on this beach. For some reason, this adds to this beauty spots charm for me. All the most beautiful things in nature are also the most dangerous afterall...and I'm fascinated by the indiscriminate brutality of nature...by her strength. A strength we first worlders are only just starting to pay attention to, now it (climate change) is starting to effect 'us'.
I have been there with my daughters before but my youngest was too young to remember it (she is 7 now but was only 18 months when she came before), my eldest remembered bits from before. I think this holiday will be emblazoned in their memories though and in fact they said they preferred it to the 'posher' holidays we've been on abroad... Note to self; spend less money, make more effort in the future...
