Can you believe it, Daisy is two years old and she’s never been to the beach? (Unless you count a cold wintry day in Brighton). She’s watched the changing of the guard, played in the garden at the Science Museum and seen the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, but never seen the sea. I guess that’s the reality of growing up in central London.
Because I work as a freelancer, maternity leave doesn’t really exist. Not that I’m complaining, I love the flexibility my job affords. Also that I get to spend so much time with my little lady, a luxury I know many of my friends don’t have. So my parents, in an act of extreme kindness, offered to take Daisy and I away for a week to Devon. With three adults to one child it was an ideal ratio, and a great opportunity for me to relax.
No. 1 on my list to do list was to get Daisy to the beach. We spent a wonderfully sunny day at Bude. A huge sandcastle was built (and then destroyed) we paddled in the sea, ate Cornish ice cream and had a slightly sand induced picnic lunch. Though I struggled to enforce the hat-wearing rule, sun cream was a huge favourite. In fact we were each treated to a sun cream massage and exfoliation from the little lady herself.
The cottage we were staying in, had it’s own indoor swimming pool. Bliss. Every day, post mid day nap (for Daisy and me!) we’d go for a swim. I love swimming as it’s the one place I feel utterly weightless. It also had the desired effect of exhausting Daisy, giving us all a good night’s sleep.
We were staying on a working farm, which provided endless entertainment for Daisy. Twice daily we’d visit the horses, or the “click, clock” in her language, and then there were the endless opportunities to sit in tractors and stroke the guinea pigs. The family who owned the cottage had several children, one a similar age to Daisy, and it was so nice for her to have a playmate.
If you’re interested, the company we used were called Helpful Holidays, as they make it really easy to find a place that’s suitable for children. On their website there’s a section where you can tick exactly what you need, high chair, cot, stair gate etc. It’ll then filter the cottages based on that criteria.
For our previous holiday (also using Helpful Holidays), please click here.
The Edit
Factor 40 Swim all in one | Mothercare* (similar)
Jelly Shoes | Pisamonas*
Maternity Swimming Costume | Topshop
With thanks to my parents for a wonderful break.