An Early Morning and A Very Cornish Adventure

Morning, 

1.50am. It was early and I couldn't sleep. It was dark outside and I had only been asleep for a few hours. But it wasn't because of noisy neighbours or COVID induced insomnia, something I have struggled with since mid-lockdown. No. I was up because I was excited and just couldn't sleep. Within a matter of moment my alarm, along with my sleeping beau next to me would go off, alerting us to the time we need to get up and leave - 2am. 

After a quick stop off for petrol, we were off, a flask full of sugary coffee and Pain Au Chocolat and Blueberry muffin to keep us full, we hit the road. Our dogs safely tucked up in the back started to settle more as we headed down the motorway in the darkness of the night. Several months ago in what can only be described as a wet and uneventful January, I wrote New Year, Newquay, and finally, now we were here at that moment. With Mr Warehouse not wanting a holiday at all and me craving something remotely similar to Malaga (minus the skin cancer-inducing sunburn) I knew he wouldn't be able to resist, one of his favourite places - Newquay.  

Pulling over at a service station just outside Basingstoke I swopped with Mr Warehouse to drive the rest of the way. Two-hours down, only four more to go. Heading into the country lanes from the larger A-roads I knew we would be stopping soon. It was just coming past 5am when we stopped in a little car park in the middle of Dartmoor National Park. A vast moorland in the county of Devon, southwest England, the Dartmoor ponies roam its craggy landscape, defined by forests, rivers, wetlands and rock formations. With its multiple trails that wind through the valleys with Neolithic tombs, Bronze Age stone circles and abandoned medieval farmhouses it is certainly a beautiful landscape. The area is dotted with villages, including Princetown, home to Dartmoor Prison used during the Napoleonic Wars which was where we stopped near for a quick toilet break and walk with the pups. 

The rain soon put a holt to that though and we headed back to the confines of the car. Heading out onto the long and winding roads again we were met with some of the local wildlife including Cows, Ponies and lots of Sheep. After possibly getting lost, and many more hours on the road, much larger than the dirt country lanes and paths we nearly got stuck down, we soon arrived at the Ladyevelyn. Situated at the heart of the Newquay Bay Resort, just two miles from Newquay this peaceful holiday park is set in a peaceful valley, amongst the surrounding countryside, allowing us as guests to enjoy the best of both worlds. Obviously, due to the Coronavirus, the normal facilities including bar, heated indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and steam rooms and excellent entertainment were all out of action. 

That being said though, our holiday chalet, Ladyevelyn, offers accommodation with WiFi, private parking and dogs were welcome. With what was quoted as a "fully equipped kitchen" I would hardly classify it as such. Granted it came with a microwave and Iron as well as a fireplace, seating area with a sofa and a flat-screen TV it was comfortable and modern, however, there were no bowls just large tapas dishes, the cooker didn't work and most of the lights didn't work either. There was a fridge and a kettle however the coffee machine wasn't anywhere to be seen and there seemed to be a lack of any other amenities - I mean it wouldn't hurt to have a welcome pack including some tea, coffee, sugar and maybe a loaf of bread and some milk. A little gesture that wouldn't cost a lot but would honestly make a world of difference. The private bathroom came with a shower however the hand towels were threadbare and the mirror had rust around the edge.

However as we settled in and had a little snooze, we learnt later on that afternoon walking the dogs that the park is less than a mile to Porth Beach, however, this was not really somewhere we could have walked to easily as there were steep hills and narrow lanes everywhere, and the twenty-minute walk would have killed our eldest pooch who turned thirteen next week. It was our youngest pup was annoyed by the wind and kept barking at it into the ocean wind. As the waves came splashing in they both loved it feeling the sand between their toes and watching them both run and play on the shoreline was honestly memory I shall treasure forever. "I promised we would get you here hun, and now look at you," I said to our Golden Oldie, recalling the horrible moment I had to drop her off at the Vet's before her emergency Pyometra operation a few years back. 

Our first night was spent watching telly and chomping down on Chinese from the local. Today we visited Healey's Cyder Farm where Mr Warehouse and I explored the Bottlery, Distillery and Cellars full of apple wine, cider, brandy, whiskey and now gin. On their website, the history describes how Kay and David Healey went from turning the key in their first off-license, to bringing a 150-year-old farm back to life. Buying up a 16th century press, planting orchards and turning the fruit from their trees into world-renowned drinks and produce, this is now an award-winning cider farm. 

Overseen by their sons Sam and Joe, the Healeys are a family that’s long been in love with Cornish cyder and their's is the first Cornish distillery in 300 years. For more than 30 years the family’s been living and breathing apples every day which is why it made such a good day out ... and I suppose the free samples helped. Tomorrow's activities are sea fishing for mackerel and Wednesday we are taking a trip out with the dog's to Lands End. It's a shame to think next time I write I will be home!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More Nostalgia!

Hello Dear's, 

So after last week, sunning it up in the not-so-party-town of Kavos on the Greek island of Corfu I am glad to be back in the swing of things here at home in England. I have settled back into reality nicely and with the build up to Christmas well on its way I am excited more than ever for what the coming weeks are going to be bringing me in terms of socialising and fun-times. 

Although last week was a chance for me to indulge myself in music with friends, Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss Tweedle-Dumb. A chance to escape back to the days of school, exams and secret rendezvous with class mates after the bell had rung! Back to the days before rent was due and my desk was seeing more of me than my little flat. Back then the walls of my bedroom were plastered with posters of Indie boy bands and "Emo" musicians. I was a fully fledged "Emo" with long hair, blacked eyes and a taste for the dark side. One band that adorned my bedroom and many a front cover of school text books was a band called Fall Out Boy. Now you have been warned, this is me going into full blown fan-girl mode, so watch out!

So ... Super hot cutie, Patrick Stump, heads up the band and has been playing the role commonly known as Fat-Pat (or at least in my friend circle) since before I became obsessed with them in 2007/2008. Also in the band is Penis-show-off, Pete Wentz (Penis Picture can be seen here for those that did not get enough of it last time). Other Fall Out Boy members also include that awesome drummer, Andy Hurley, who looks strangely like my first boyfriend Mr. Ginge and not to forget Tim Burton Wanna-Be, Guitarist Joe Trohman (the resemblance is uncanny). They were formed back in America somewhere probably when I was still running around with my hair in pigtails and singing something by Aqua. 

Several years later I find myself singing the lyrics to songs I just knew were written for me and my teenage angsty love affairs with boys who never noticed me. Those albums and songs bonded me and my father in a united passion of rock and punk as he also had a love of the dark side, and with bands such as Green Day and ACDC playing a role in my Dad's life growing up, they also formed a part of mine. But were a misunderstood bunch us Emo, Scene-Kid, Goth, and many other variants are all seen in the same line as freaks and outcasts from society, at least that's how I saw and felt it back in school. My friend circle back then was a mixture of all sorts of young people that didn't fit into the normal stereotypes of school - The Geeks, The Jocks, The Preps, The Populars. I and my friends were none of those. So we took ahold of a small bit of land near the library and called ourselves The Unwanted. 

Nevertheless I grew up from those days with a clear outline of what I wanted from life but more importantly who I was and who I am inside. I am a rock chick through and through and when faced with any opportunity of going out on the town, even to this very day, I don a thick black smokey eye. So I suppose music did in a way shape my future as well as my past and the band called Fall Out Boy was a massive part of it. So of course I was over the moon and back with joy when I found out that my girlie's, Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss Tweedle-Dumb had not only bought me tickets to go and see Dreamboys (this coming Friday and to be widely discussed next week) but also tickets to see my beloved Fall Out Boy. 

Belting out the lyrics to Sugar Were Going Down and Dance Dance, standing in an extremely hot and sweaty Wembley Arena next to my best-est friends in the whole wide world I knew that I had grown up a lot since the last time I saw Fall Out Boy live. Much had happened since the last time I had seen there face as again part of special birthday outing. But this time I felt much older than some of the other teeny-bops there. Which got me wondering ... Should I hang up the fingerless leather gloves and throw dinner parties instead of heading out out? Naah!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Easter Exploits

Bloggers Note: I have recently decided to start a thing going whereby if you yourself have a 'Trial or Tribulation' that I can help with then feel free to drop me a free and fully confidential message by popping it on a mini form in the right-hand sidebar or email me at: Abbbey4@gmail.com :) xx

Hello there,

Hope you all are doing well and have had a lovely Easter and an excellent Bank Holiday weekend. I m currently writing to you from the comfort of a cream love seat of Grandma Cheese's bungalow near Southend, Essex. I have come down with Mr. Cheese to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying what wonderful weather we have. Currently I have the boyfriend well trained and making dinner. Duck is on the menu tonight!

I have been up to a lot since we last spoke and thanks to all my hard work looking for work itself I have finally got a new job. After attending an interview at a carpet cleaning company last Friday and impressing the staff so much invited me back for a second stage interview.  So less than seventy-two hours after my initial contact with the company and I knew I had it pretty much in the bag. With a salary larger than what I was on at my last place of employment and a commute that isn't nearly as expensive or time-consuming I know I shall be much happier here. It also means that Miss Tweedle-Dee, Miss Tweedle-Dumb and I can have another hilarious holiday this summer. And so this time next week I shall be writing about my first day in my new job.

Other than having a horrendous case of influenza and being very poorly for the most part of the week I can now feel myself slowly getting better and better which is just as well given my love for a long weekend. Friday was spent entertaining my auntie and nanna from my mother's side of the family whilst desperately trying to keep my nine-year-old cousin preoccupied so he wouldn't spy all the goodies I have in my cupboards.  It was nice to have them over and even nicer that I could host them in what I still call my new flat despite being in my fourth month of residence there. I like how gobsmacked and astonished people are when they see it and all the wonderful gushing comments they make too, especially when its the side of the family that I have least contact with. After they had left with promises to catch up again soon I called the girls to invite them over disregarding the major flu I had. As night fell and Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss Tweedle-Dumb got into their pyjamas I decided to take a turn for the worst. Joining Miss Tweedle-Dumb outside whilst she puffed away on a cigarette I could feel I wasn't right. My legs were woozy and my head was heavy. Before I knew it I had my head sandwiched between my two wheelie-bins throwing up the prawn crackers Miss Tweedle-Dee had just fed me. After that I was swiftly escorted back upstairs to my flat and tucked in bed only to spend the rest of the night in a cold sweat with a sore back and being serenaded by my two best friends with the soundtrack to Disneys Frozen.

Saturday I plodded round Bedford town centre with Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss Tweedle-Dumb smelling candles we couldn't smell due to our cold's and trying desperately not to look too ill. Later that evening I went to visit Mr. Cheese and his family at their large house in the countryside surrounding Bedfordshire. I attempted food but struggled to handle a few mouthful's before calling it a day. Slipping into some less than attractive pyjamas back at my flat Saturday night I was sure that Mr. Cheese would not want to have sex with me and although the following morning he admitted to being up for it he had decided not to try it on as I was feeling poorly. Safe to say though that sex the following morning woke me up and has left my head with two large lumps just the right width matching the width between the spokes on my black, iron-framed bed.
I lacked appreciation for the slow Sunday that followed mine and Mr. Cheese's rampant morning cuddled between the sheets watching property programmes but nevertheless was a nice afternoon spent in the company of his family including Mr. Cheese's warm mother, entertaining father and boisterous younger brother's. Football yet again was on the box which in turn meant I was slightly neglected on the affection front but boyfriend soon made up for it when I was presented with my Easter bunny - A Reeses Peanut Butter Bunny no less! Not only was this but I was also gifted a large Yankee Candle that smelt of laundry and some very bright summery flowers all packaged in a colourful gift bag that I will no doubt use at a later date. I was spoilt by the family too with a huge white chocolate egg the size of my head. I have yet to bring these home to my flat as Mr. Cheese and I headed to Southend from the family home after dinner leaving my humongous egg and flowers behind. As a result I have taken the brave step of inviting Momma Cheese round to the flat to drop off my gifts and for coffee so I can gloat about my abode a little more this week.

Today though I have felt a lot better in terms of my influenza but maybe that has been helped by the fact that nostalgia aside, sex in a single bed is still as good as it was when I was eighteen! And yes that is the age when I lost my virginity! After a morning of nearly beating Mr. Cheese at golf in my first ever encounter with the sport we headed to the sea front for a wander and some much anticipated sea food delight's. I also met an old friend of Mr. Cheese's from his teenage years and so the three of us wasted our afternoon drinking Pimm's by the waters edge in a pub beer garden. Of course ice cream was consumed and a lovely sunny evening followed to where I am now on in the warmth of a cosy, old-fashioned lounge and as the rain gently patters on the windows I can sense that my lovingly prepared duck dinner is nearly ready.

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx