- Brown Willy, Rough Tor and Butter Tor on Bodmin Moor a short drive from Darrynane self catering Cottages, North Cornwall
As the tinsel, fairy lights and tree toys are all carefully wrapped and stored away and the last of the Christmas crumbs pepper the cake board we can begin to look forward to 2013. After many mild wet days the garden is littered with spring time abnormalities. Tiny purple geranium flowers spread along the driveway interspersed with delicate lemon primroses. The buds of the Camellia bushes are preparing to open and the magnolia, due in April, looks ready to burst and the morning bird song more reminiscent of Spring and it’s only early January!
Honeysuckle and Roses entwined in the gardens at Darrynane holiday Cottages
North Cornwall
After a hectic year we’ve really enjoyed being able to relax and spend Christmas at home with our family. A first for the Clark’s at Darrynane. We’ve tramped the moors, eaten too much, visited the cinema at Wadebridge and our local pub, The Old Inn, under new management since November. They are looking at changing the menu so we’ll keep you informed. David and I had a night out at the Blisland Inn too, as well as enjoyed the company of friends, so a very pleasant time was had by all.
We are delighted to announce a new look for Darrynane cottages. We have a new logo and website at www.darrynane.co.uk. We feel it reflects our beautiful rural location, our love of wildlife and shows the cottages in their true light. Most of the photographs are ours from Darrynane or the moor, so its been fun taking them. Our new blog, I’m getting to grips with so bare with me and watch this space! Any comments gratefully received.
Both The Stables and Riverside cottage builds went extremely well so now Darrynane Cottages has four detached properties. All the cottages are set in their own unique, fully fenced and gated woodland gardens. The Lodge, over 100 years old, is great for two people and offers features like beams and the original fireplace. It is a good size cottage for a couple. Lakeside cottage, the largest of our cottages for many years, has an open plan kitchen/dining/living room overlooking the oak woods as well as a double and twin bedroom and shower room. The Stables is a very spacious two bedroomed cottage with double and twin/super king option. There is a modern wet room and separate cloakroom. The large kitchen/dining/living room has french windows leading to the patio and back garden. Riverside cottage, the newest of our properties offers a fabulous 3 bedroomed cottage with a double en-suite shower room, a twin and further twin/super king option. There is a further wet room. The lounge/dining area leads in to a modern up to date fitted kitchen overlooking the garden. It also has french windows leading to the terrace overlooking the garden.
We have not changed our tariff for 2013, prices stay the same as 2012.
2012 was a good year for Darrynane perhaps not as hectic as some but still busy with new and returning guests. The weather left its mark. For those who enjoyed a week in March they got a great early summer holiday but for those who came at other times they endured a real mixture but with a warm, cosy cottage to return to it makes a holiday worthwhile whatever the weather.
When the moor is wet we often divert our walks to firmer ground. The camel trail, a designated cycle track, begins at Wenfordbridge, 1 mile from the cottages. It provides a
Autumn colour at Darrynane self catering cottages, St Breward, Cornwall
wonderful trek to Padstow and back, 35 miles door to door, for a long days outing. If you don’t fancy the journey home public transport can be accessed, planning for this is essential. But if you just require a stroll along a fairly level walkway this is a great place to head towards. It darts along side the Camel River, skirts through woodland and past farmland through Wadebridge on its journey along the estuary. It can be picked up at various points along its 17.5 miles. Your walk can take as little or as long as required, just remember you have to walk back too.
We had a good week in August, as the children finished school. Ameisha and I enjoyed a few days at the beach. Parking on the cliff top car park overlooking Polzeath we walked over to St Enodoc Church, resting place of Sir John Betjemen. It’s a lovely walk on a glorious day and just the right length along the cliffs. A wonderful panoramic view of the Atlantic, and the Doom bar, before a short walk over Daymer sands takes you onto the golf course to the church. I had seen a sign for a flower festive unfortunately it was a week later. Ameisha was very understanding and we both agreed the stroll together was worth it! Taking full advantage of the warm sunny weather we slipped off to the beach for an hour or so over the next few days to body board at Polzeath, pure decadence!
We have a diary date to visit Eden Project shortly so we’ll let you know how it’s looking.
Nearly 15 years we have been at Darrynane and we have met a lot of fantastic people. Unfortunately some are no longer with us so we send our heart felt condolences to their partners and loved ones and wish them well for the future.
It just leaves me to offer my thanks for those who visited last year or have booked to visit Darrynane Holiday cottages in 2013. If you are considering a holiday this year and think Darrynane might be the perfect place you can call, email or book on line it’ll be great to welcome you to Darrynane however and whenever you book.
We wish you a very healthy, and prosperous 2013.
Angela, David Clark and family
