new forest | A Crafty Chai

Tag: new forest

21
Jan
2016

Holiday Ideas 2016

categories: On Tour

There’s nothing like a ever growing to-do list to make you dream of your holiday. Last year, we were a bit slap dash about holidays and didn’t have an overall plan of where we wanted to go so everything was last minute and we didn’t plan them well, with the exception of my birthday holiday to the New Forest. We didn’t spend long enough in Copenhagen and we didn’t go away during the summer holidays, which meant I spent most of them watching Netflix!

This year, I’m torn between going to new places and revisiting a few favorites. I know I should probably explore new places, but we’re lucky in that we’ve been to some fabulous places that almost feel like home. Here are the top three places I’d like to visit again:

Cornwall

Poldhu

It’s been over a year since we last visited Cornwall and I miss it immensely. The Lizard, which is my favourite part, is like no where else I’ve ever been and I could happily spend days walking along the coast, rain or shine, heading back to a cosy cottage for a cheeky Cornish cider and chips.

The New Forest

New Forest I was well and truly spoilt with my glamping birthday present last year. We spent a lovely few days walking along the coast and through the forest before heading back to our little hut. I’ve never walked so far in my life but I enjoyed every single moment of it, even if I needed to climb down a ladder for a wee in the night! Even though we walked a lot, there are still plenty of lovely places that I’d like to explore.

Iceland

Iceland Iceland is PCC – Pre Crafty Chai! We booked our holiday about 24 hours before their economy collapsed, just under 10 years ago, but that didn’t deter us one little bit. We visited over Christmas and spent a wonderful few days in Reykjavik. The highlight for me was visiting the Blue Lagoon and experiencing hail while floating in warm and cosy water. There’s a lot of Iceland that we didn’t explore and I would love to go back to see more of the island.

Having said that, visiting new places is always such fun so on my travel wish list are:

Berlin – the best place to be a vegan Europe
The Lake District – so many great dog walks to be had here
Sweden – We were so close to here when we were in Copenhagen and I do regret not popping over to Malmo while we there.

I still can’t make up my mind about where to go, though I do need to see what the budget will stretch to. Doubt it’ll stretch to all those places, eh?!

16
Jun
2015

Tuesday Treat – Glamping

categories: Tuesday Treat

Confession time folks: I have never been camping. With my huge dislike of spiders and body temperature always verging on the side of frostbite, sleeping outside has never taken my fancy. So when Phil got me a glamping holiday for my birthday a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a lovely little cabin/hut on the edge of the New Forest, which had a toilet and a shower. (Phil earned major plus points for that!) It was gorgeous and in the most breathtaking locations.

Lake Reflections Hengistbury Head Glamping

The Beech Hut was the perfect little hideaway. We were there for three nights and spent the days walking and exploring the local area. As we were only there to sleep, it didn’t matter too much that there wasn’t much room. Water was limited so showers were quick, but after a day spent walking, all we wanted was to sleep when we got home so that wasn’t an issue. The hut was in woodland on a farm. In the middle of the woodland was a gorgeous lake, which was a great location for an evening dog walk.

We walked all the miles during our glamping holiday. Check out my FitBit stats below:

Glamping FitBit

Pretty impressive huh?! Though, somewhere during that week, I managed to shave off some cartilage in my knee, so there are no massive walks in my future. It was worth it though. I would definitely go glamping again and would love to go back to Beech Hut, as it’s a great place to explore the surrounding area.

04
Oct
2012

Holiday

categories: On Tour

There is nothing like a break from the norm is there? During my week off, my OH took me to the New Forest for a few days. I’d never been before & couldn’t believe how lovely it all was. I loved seeing the horses & cows roam freely – so much so they wouldn’t move off the pavement & created a standoff with some pedestrians – mega lol’s!

We drove down to Avon beach & spent our first day walking along the coast & eating humongous 99’s. We then headed for our hotel, The Master Builder’s Hotel at Buckler’s Hard. It was lovely. The area was outstanding & beautiful and the hotel had some amazing charm. Our hotel room was fantastic and best of all the bed was massive and comfy. I slept so well! While our breakfast, which was included, was fab & massive, our dinner, (not included) was not good value. I paid £12.50 for a cassoulet & received about a handful of beans. It was the only veggie option. They had créme brulee on the pudding menu, which I obviously had but it was at least double the size of my main! Crazy! So if you do stay there, go elsewhere to eat or pay for very expensive tiny portions.

Having said that, the hotel is lovely & the customer service was outstanding. And it was lovely – I wish I could’ve stayed longer.

On the second day, we walked to Beaulieu, which is a lovely little village. It’s about a 4 mile round trip between there & Buckler’s Hard and it is well worth it. The sun shone & the walk was great & totally justified me stuffing my face at breakfast! When we got back we decided to go on the Oliver B boat ride down the estuary. It was pretty reasonable at £4.50 per adult & a lovely way to finish off our little break. Though, the best bit of the boat ride was another passenger – can you spot him in the picture below? He was quite a character & had the attention of everyone on board!

Then it was time to head home. It was such a lovely break & if you’ve never been, then it’s well worth the trip. I didn’t want to leave! I had a lovely time – if only I could do that every week!

02
Oct
2012

Tuesday Treat

categories: On Tour, Tuesday Treat

I am just getting back into work after my first full week off in too long. And it has been lovely! So lovely in fact that I’m going to rethink the way I work & try and have more time off – isn’t that the benefit of working for yourself? Anyway, I did the usual on my week off – slept in, ate & drank what I wanted, read, knitted, rewatched Harry Potter (Love those films!) & generally had a lovely time. Though the favourite bit of my holiday was the few days we spent in the New Forest. On the first day, we headed to the coast. Being from Pembrokeshire, I miss the coast & the smell of the sea so going to the beach was essential. We spent some time on Avon Beach & came across this little beauty.

The sun wasn’t out for our whole visit to the beach, but it was out for plenty of it. Sadly, we only spent two days away, and while it was bliss when we were there, it certainly wasn’t long enough & I cannot wait until we’re in the New Forest, or anywhere else for that matter, again. How great are holidays?! Even if you don’t go anywhere exotic, they are so good for you! Love a good holiday!