HAPPY CAMPERS!

In a study, 93% of campers said camping can make you happier.

 

There’s growing evidence that simply spending time outdoors surrounded by nature is linked to improved psychological wellbeing. But there is a theory that the beneficial effects of camping go deeper than if we just go for a walk, a bike ride or a day trip.

 

In fact, research suggests that something more transformational happens when we camp.

 

According to Dr Kaye Richards, from Liverpool John Moores University, camping allows us to get away from the routines – and relative comforts – of our daily lives. And even though camping and caravanning today is a much more comfortable experience thanks to modern equipment and facilities, the simple fact that we have taken ourselves out of our normal environment and into a different one, surrounded by nature, means we act, think and even communicate differently with each other.

 

The Top Five statements that campers agree with are:

 

• Camping generates happy memories
• Camping recharges your batteries
• Camping makes you appreciate nature more
• Camping expands your horizons
• Camping is fun for all the family

A review of over 60 academic studies looking into the benefits of camping, supplemented by research, shows that camping has a wealth of riches to offer:

 

• It promotes family cohesion, satisfaction, togetherness and fulfillment
• It encourages rest, relaxation and restoration
• It facilitates children’s learning and has a positive effect on behaviour
• It improves social interaction
• It makes us feel better – mentally and physically
• It creates memories, traditions and special places that stay with you for life
• It really does make us happier!

"Wake up in a tent or caravan with the wrap-around freedom of the great outdoors. Discover what makes the great outdoors tick in harmony with all that you have dreamed of." (David Bellamy)

 

 

 

What are you waiting for...get camping! Get happy!

 

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PIRATES V TAFFS - 1 May 2011

Beat the Taffs...through to the final...beat Wuss twice in the two leg final and we're in the premiership!

Simples...apart from the fact we haven't got a stadium to play in!

http://stadiumforcornwall.com/

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LATEST 'WHAT'S ON' IN CORNWALL FOR 2011

What’s On Round-Up

24th – 26th March
Porthleven Theatre Festival
http://www.ista.co.uk/

25th – 27th March

Oyster Gathering & Seafood Harvest, Falmouth
http://www.cornishnativeoysters.co.uk/

25th March – 3rd April

Falmouth Spring Festival - Falmouth's newest festival!
http://www.falmouth.co.uk/

26th – 27th March

Falmouth Spring Flower Show

http://www.carrickleisureservices.org.uk/

2nd – 3rd April

Cornwall Spring Flower Show, Lostwithiel

http://www.cornwallflowershow.co.uk/

4th – 8th April

Boscastle Walking Week

http://www.visitboscastle.co.uk/

9th April

Porthleven Food & Music Festival

http://www.porthlevenfoodfestival.co.uk/

10th – 17th April
St Endellion Easter Music Festival
http://www.endellion.org.uk/

18th April – 2nd May

Art in the City Festival, Truro

http://tourism.truro.gov.uk/

27th April – 2nd May

Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival, Truro

http://www.cimvcf.org.uk/

30th April

Trevithick Day, Camborne

http://www.trevithick-day.org.uk/

2nd May
Padstow May Day
www.padstow.com/obby_oss/obby_oss.php

7th May
Helston Flora Day
http://www.helstonfloraday.org.uk/

12th – 21st May
Daphne du Maurier Festival, Fowey
http://www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk/

27th May – 5th June
Fal River Festival, Falmouth, Truro, Roseland
http://www.kingharryscornwall.co.uk/

27th – 30th May
Run to the Sun Festival, Newquay
http://www.runtothesun.co.uk/

3rd – 5th June
Looe Lugger Festival
http://www.visit-southeastcornwall.co.uk/

9th – 11th June
Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge
http://www.royalcornwallshow.org/

17th – 19th June
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
www.falmouthshout.com/festival.html

17th – 19th June
Rock Oyster Festival, St Minver, Wadebridge
http://www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk/

17th – 26th June
Polperro Festival
http://www.polperrofestivalsandlights.co.uk/

18th – 26th June
Golowan Festival, Penzance
http://www.golowan.org/

26th June – 2nd July

Mevagissey Feast Week

http://www.mevagisseyfeastweek.org.uk/

1st – 16th July

Lafrowda Festival, St Just

http://www.lafrowda-festival.co.uk/

9th July

Liskeard Agricultural Show

http://www.liskeardshow.org/

11th July

Stithians Show

http://www.stithiansshow.org.uk/

20th July

RNAS Culdrose Air Day, Helston

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/

21st – 24th July

Port Eliot Festival, Port Eliot, St Germans
http://www.porteliotfestival.com/

22nd – 24th July

Boconnoc Steam Fair, Lostwithiel
http://www.lsvc.org/

26th July – 5th August
St Endellion Summer Music Festival

http://www.endellion.org.uk/

30th July – 5th August

Charlestown Regatta Week

http://www.charlestownregatta.co.uk/

1st – 6th August

Padstow Carnival Week

http://www.padstowlive.com/

6th – 14th August

Henri-Lloyd Falmouth Week

http://www.falmouthweek.co.uk/

10th – 14th August

The Relentless Boardmasters, Newquay

http://www.relentlessboardmasters.com/

14th – 20th August

Fowey Regatta and Carnival

http://www.foweyroyalregatta.co.uk/

19th – 21st August

West of England Steam Rally, Stithians

http://www.weses.co.uk/

20th – 26th August

2011 Mirror Dinghy National Championships, Mylor, Falmouth

http://www.mysailingclub.org/

27th August – 2nd September

Bude Jazz Festival

http://www.budejazzfestival.co.uk/

29th August

Newlyn Fish Festival

http://www.newlynfishfestival.org.uk/

9th – 11th September

Newquay Fish Festival

http://www.newquayfishfestival.co.uk/

10th – 24th September

St Ives September Festival

http://www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk/

11th – 17th September

Music Truro

http://www.enjoytruro.co.uk/

23rd – 25th September

Cornwall Food and Drink Festival, Truro

http://www.cornwallfoodanddrinkfestival.com/

1st – 2nd October

Boscastle Food, Arts & Crafts Festival

http://www.boscastlefestival.co.uk/

13th – 16th October

Falmouth Oyster Festival

http://www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk/

19th – 23rd October

Lowender Peran Festival

http://www.lowenderperan.co.uk/

21st – 22nd October

Falmouth Beer Festival

http://www.camra.org.uk/

For further events visit http://www.visitcornwall.com/

ENJOY!

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CoaST EVENT CHANGE FOR GOOD 2011

One event. Two days. One hundred plus delegates. And yards and yards of energy and positive deviance. Bedruthan Steps Hotel was the venue for the CoaST Change for Good Event 2011, with speakers and delegates from London, Norfolk, Lancashire, Cumbria and Wales – and what a result. The three themes were leadership and going against the grain, communication and inspiration, and making sure we’re counting the right stuff – beyond GDP, and heading towards environmental growth, and all out well-being. Presentations, delegate details, photos and films will be made available on the CoaST website within the next few days – we’ll keep you posted!

CoaST

'Mr Chamberlain shows delegates a paper (Government Tourism Policy) and advises that there will be peace in our time!'

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In the news....Cornwall Trade Association Wins National Award

The Cornwall Branch of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) recently won national recognition with an award for membership services at the Association’s Annual Conference in Warwickshire.

The award was presented by environmentalist and TV celebrity Professor David Bellamy to Branch Chairman Norman Bliss during a packed two-day programme which included presentations from Tourism Minister John Penrose MP and the President of The Woodland Trust, comedian Clive Anderson.

‘In these financially and environmentally challenging times it makes sense for us to work more collaboratively’ commented Mr Bliss, ‘and the great thing about the Association is that it allows information, advice and best practice to flow between business. The parks in Cornwall generate 24 percent of the £1.3 billlion annual visitor spend in the Cornish economy. Lodges, chalets and caravan holiday homes have a significant part to play in addressing the ‘second homes’ issue and residential parks make a welcome contribution to the affordable housing market, particularly for senior residents. This is an important sector to the life and work of Cornwall and the BH&HPA reflects that.’

The Association represents some 140 Touring, Holiday and Home Parks in Cornwall and over 2,000 parks across the UK.

http://www.bhhpa.org.uk/

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NEW KIDD ON THE DOCK!

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Thank you!

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What do they do in the winter Daddy?

We're often asked what happens down here at Lower Treave when we close up for the winter.

Well, contrary to popular misconception, we don't head off to the Caribbean for a life of sun, sea and cetaceans. We get plenty of that here in Cornwall all year round!

But there is always a job to do during the short days of the site's down-time. This year we will be carrying out a refurbishment of the toilet and shower blocks to include new suspended ceilings and lighting. Whilst the ceiling is down, the plumbing will be reworked to give better insulation of the pipework so that we loose less heat from the solar thermal system. An additional mixing valve is being included to improve flow rates and some new lights are being installed in the laundry. A lick of paint all round and we're ready for the spring.

We have just bought a powered scarifier to tow behind the tractor and that will refresh the grass pitches each spring and autumn, lifting out the dead material from the turf and allowing the grasses and other wild flowers to grow back stronger. Paul has also been clearing back the undergrowth from around the new planting to give that a chance to get away when the warmer weather arrives.

There's always meetings, conferences and tourism industry events to attend...and most of these take place during the winter when business is a little quieter. The BH&HPA (our trade association) Conference is in Kenilworth this year, and our guest speaker is Clive Anderson ...talking back no doubt.

And what do we do for entertainment...?

...haven't missed a home match in 3 seasons and seen a few 'aways' too! Why not find out when the Pirates are raiding in your area and go along for a taste of winter Cornwall...great sport, excellent company, dubious songs and might even be the chance of a pasty!

 http://www.cornish-pirates.com/

See you all when the rugby's over and the season kicks off!

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...and a Happy New Year To All Our Readers!

...whether you're an old friend, a regular visitor or just passing by....a very Happy New Year to you all!

Three things I will try to avoid in 2011...

1. ...saying 'absolutely' when I really mean 'yes'.

2. ...describing minor travel inconvenience at a station, on a motorway or in an airport as 'third world conditions' or a 'war zone'....it really isn't.

3. ...news reports where the journalists think they are the news!

Three things I will try to do in 2011....

1. ...say 'absolutely' when I would really rather say 'no'.

2. ...travel uncomplainingly.

3. ...not be in the news!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Ashes to Ashes ...2010

(Do you see what I did there...?)

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BALTIC...! Sennen Cove Christmas Swim 2010

Sennen Cove Christmas Swim 2010





Prizes...

Most travelled....Nic Cook...Melbourne, Australia

Most Blue....Nic Bliss,Chipppenham, England

Most White....Norman, Lower Treave

Oldest Swimmer on the Beach (and of which we are most proud)....Ken Cook, Coventry

Team Treave Swim 2010, Christmas, Sennen Cove

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PALIN INTO INSIGNIFICANCE





'Hi. This is Sarah Palin. Is Senator Lieberman in?'

'No, Governor. He is in the synagogue. This is Yom Kippur.'

'Well, hello, Yom. Can I leave a message with you?'

Meanwhile....back in the UK we have a slightly less benign approach to our elected representatives... 

'It wasn't quite the same. M.P.s were a lot slower than foxes, but at least no-one complained!'

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DOLPHINS TEST WATER TEMPERATURE FOR SENNEN CHRISTMAS SWIM

These pictures were taken by Paul in the cove earlier this week...whilst taking a break from mowing!

Latest readings from the Seven Stones Light Vessel gives a sea temperature of 9.9 deg C.

Forecast for Christmas Day....bright and cold! 

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This looks like a jolly day out....

...train up from Penzance to Looe...a day riding up and down the branch line visiting various excellent hostelries along the way ...home in time for tea and medals....Perfick!

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WEATHER WISE!

Here's a great programme with our local weather presenter David Braine. Superb photograhy and a really good explanation of the local weather.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/tyrt8/

David examines extreme weather. The South West enjoys milder, wilder and more varied weather than the rest of England. Parts of the region enjoy ideal growing conditions for subtropical plants, but the South West has also seen some of the country's worst weather disasters like the Boscastle and Lynmouth floods and the Fastnet Race tragedy.

South West people are keen weather watchers. The farming, fishing and tourist economies depend upon it. But which part of the nation's favourite holiday destination gets the best weather of all?

Available until 1:19PM Sun, 19 Dec 2010

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SENNEN DRIFTING NOTES

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LIGHTING UP TIME!

The Christmas Lights at Mousehole.

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SPOT THE DIFFERENCE!

This week's 'Spot The Difference' competition is provided by Mr S Mills of Stourbridge, Staffordshire.

If you want to make sure you're here at the right time of year, book on-line now on our on-line booking page

(Answer: There are 22 degrees of difference between the two pictures....all of them measured in centigrade!)

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UNEXPECTED EXTRA FIXTURE!

Apparently it's snowing in Scotland...so the fixture has been reversed and they are coming to the tropical climes of Penzance....!

Have a safe journey Currie. From one end of the country to the other...the ultimate take-away!

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LOWER TREAVE 2010 - A Year In Pictures

Can't quite find what you're looking for? Try here...

http://www.ukcampsitefinder.co.uk/campsitesearch.php?county=Cornwall%20(West)

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SOMETHING WARMING FROM DOWN UNDER!

245 all out (85.5)

620 for 5 (152.0)

304 all out (99.1)

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THIS MORNING'S CORNWALL SUNRISE

The tower just to the left of the sun is St Buryan Church. Taken at 8a(Em) this morning.

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SNOLAR PANELS!

Lower Treave's bid to hold the Winter Olympics in 2086 receives a welcome boost!

11cm of snow fell today...not much compared with what the rest of the country has had to put up with ...but quite unusual here. The strange thing is, go just a little east of Penzance and there is nothing!

We will be open for the spring..when these images will be a distant memory. So if you're stuck indoors waiting for the snowploughs to get through, why not sort out your holiday booking..you can do it all on-line here http://www.lowertreave.co.uk/prices.html

Anyway, chin up...only 22 training days to go before the Sennen Cove Christmas Day Swim...here's a reminder from last year...

Pete, Nicky, Julie, Norman, Nic - Sennen, Xmas 2009

...just looking at it sends a shiver up the spine. This year I will be training mostly with Lamb's Navy!

Wrap up warm!

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CORNWALL OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

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ART OF CORNWALL - BBC - 2 DEC 10

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WE'RE STILL STANDING!

Thanks to all those who have rung this morning to enquire if the Ark was completed on time. Cornwall did get a bit of a lashing last night, but I am looking out of the window on a beautiful sunny morning, the grass is drying out nicely and there may be the chance of a bit of mowing later this afternoon.

However, we did have one 'incident' last week when a little wind blew through and took out one of the big trees in our own garden.

The casualty managed to land just between the deck and the pond so no major damage was done.

And look on the bright side...we've got enough fuel to keep the chiminea going for several centuries and we now do a rather nice line in Jamie Oliver 'stylee' wooden platters!

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Cornwall Named Top UK Holiday Destination!

Cornwall has once again fought off competition from across the country to be crowned ‘Best UK Holiday County or Region’ in the British Travel Awards (on Thursday 4th November) for the second year running.

The county attracted the lion’s share of the public vote outshining neighbour, Devon, which along with Cumbria in the Lake District, was announced as a runner-up. This marked an impressive double award win for Cornwall as St Ives was also named ‘Best UK Seaside Town’.

Over 220,000 people voted in this years British Travel Awards which boast over seventy categories and span every type of holiday experience, making them the largest awards programme in the UK. They are widely referred to as the “Oscars” of the travel industry and are the most recognisable and sought-after accolades in the sector.

Malcom Bell, Head of Tourism at VisitCornwall, the Cornwall Development Company tourism service for the county, collected the Awards on behalf of Cornwall and St Ives at the glittering ceremony which was held at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, South West London: 'I am immensely proud to accept these Awards for Cornwall and St Ives. To win at both county and town level is a huge achievement and the fact that the Awards are based on public opinion make them even more significant.'

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SPOTTED!

Well Green actually....

Guests throughout the summer have been reporting sitings of the Green Woodpecker....but until yesterday, I hadn't seen it. However, I was just sitting in the office, glanced out of the window and there it was, perched on a palm. Unfortunately, a mad scramble for the camera just produced a picture of the curtains...so you'll have to make do with an 'artists impression'....but that is my mission for the winter...a picture of 'Woody'.

If you have any interesting pictures of the wildlife at Lower Treave that you'd like to see on the blog then email them in.

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PAUL'S GAME!

Similar to the 'spy training' that Rudyard Kipling described in his novel 'Kim' and beloved of Cub Scouts everywhere.

'The Scoutmaster should collect on a tray a number of articles - knives, spoons, pencil, pen, stones, book and so on - not more than about fifteen for the first few games, and cover the whole over with a cloth. He then makes the others sit round, where they can see the tray, and uncovers it for one minute. Then each of them must make a list on a piece of paper of all the articles he can remember… The one who remembers most wins the game.'

Scouting Games - Robert Baden-Powell

PS These 'articles' were all collected by Paul from out of the Lower Treave hedgerows last Saturday...and the picture is of B-P...not PM in Director Estates and Wildlife full dress uniform!

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