four go to smuggler's cove

We've all had a wonderful, fun-filled bucket and spade experience on our Devon camping holiday. We went to Hope Cove once before for a holiday when Flora was about Pearl's age and found it to be equally as magical this time around, with a real feel of a Famous Five smugglers' village.

The little sandy beach was packed with adventure- rock pools to dip in, boulders to clamber over, treasures of shells and feathers to be hunted for and streams to be dammed.


There were also plenty of places to fish for crabs- a rather famous family activity for my husband's family, who keep a running score of record catch.


The nearby town of Totnes was packed with little vintage boutiques and well-stocked charity shops where Flora picked up a couple of seaside themed Ladybird books to add to her collection.


I absolutely love the freedom that camping affords, but one of the draw-backs are the light evenings create a challenge in getting the children off to sleep at a decent time. Steve and I did manage a couple of well-deserved evenings of West Country cider-drinking and torch-light scrabble though.


Now we're 'home sweet home' with comfy beds and running water and have returned to our first crop of ripe tomatoes. I think I will be finding sand in every nook and cranny for weeks to come!