holiday Archives | Nicola Dunkinson

June 29, 2017 Spain 4 Comments

Kayaking adventures in Menorca…

Menorca is found in the Mediterranean and is the perfect place for getting out on the water, crystal clear, oh so warm and 160 km of coastline; perfect for saltwater adventures. One of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is a Biosphere Reserve, the balance between tourism and nature is very clear to see. This small, calm and charming island is the place to visit not just for a beach holiday but for an active one too.

Water sports are my thing so while in Menorca kayaking sounded like a lot of fun. Leaving from Cala Galdana I clambered into my double kayak for the morning with my paddle buddy and we were off. Following the rocky cliff edges and gullies, we passed some beautiful hidden coves, views of towering cliff tops covered in dense pine forests and sparkling turquoise waters. This wasn’t just any old kayaking trip though, no, no, this was a very adventurous one! As we followed the other kayakers in our group we headed towards Dragons Cave, when you are inside the noise of the water pushing in and out of the entrance sounds like a dragon breathing. Our guide handed out head torches and we paddled in through a narrow opening. The further we paddled in, the darker it got and once in the belly of the cave we turned our lights off. It was pitch black, very eerie and like nothing I have experienced before. The next cave was a bit of a challenge; we paddled through an extremely narrow opening. In fact it was so tight we had to rest our paddles in the kayak and use our hands to pull us through into the next cave. Potentially nerve-wracking but ultimately a lot of fun! Continuing back out in the ocean we paddled further east and through Pont de n’Ali, an incredible tunnel in the cliffs. We ‘parked up’ our kayaks in the final cave and snorkelled out. The water was clear and so refreshing, a beer and crisps perched on a rock was a fabulous pit stop and felt like such a novelty, it’s not everyday you get to cheers on a rock! It was such an awesome experience, if you are looking for something a bit adventurous to do on your trip to Menorca I would definitely recommend kayaking. It’s a completely different way to see the coastline and kayaking into the darkness of a cave or stepping on a secret beach are unique adventures. I’d recommend going with a kayaking company if you don’t have much kayaking experience, especially for exploring the caves. An instructor can teach you the basic techniques and keep you safe on the water. Sea kayaking in Menorca is perfect for all abilities from beginners to pros and families too, so take a break from the pool and go have an adventure!

I visited Menorca on a press trip as part of the #MustSeeMenorca campaign, thanks to Visit Spain and Traverse Events for having me!

July 17, 2014 UK Post a Comment

Five things to do in Jersey…

Jersey is a great place to visit for a family holiday or a short break, with plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. Beautiful beaches, quaint seaside towns, castles, lighthouses and lashings of fudge, Jersey is a little gem. Part of the British Isles and the largest of the Channel Islands, it can be found in the English Channel fourteen miles off the coast of France and 100 miles south of the UK. Jersey is easily reached from the UK in around thirty minutes flying time or by ferry from Portsmouth with a crossing time of around eight hours. Flying is probably the best option if you are only on a short visit. Once on Jersey hire a car or jump on a bus, at only five miles long and nine miles wide it’s easy to navigate around the island. Here are my top five must do’s…

1. Spend the day at the beach

Jersey is full of glorious beaches, St Brelade’s Bay is the perfect spot to relax and catch some rays. This beautiful sheltered bay has calm waters and an extensive stretch of pristine sand. Stroll along the promenade with an ice cream, build sand castles, go for a refreshing dip or relax with a good book. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants lining the promenade and some great walks around the bay too. For an adventure Plemont Bay has a waterfall, caves and rock pools to explore, along with crystal clear waters to swim in. Check the tides before you go though as the beach disappears at high tide. For a little more action head to St Ouen’s for a surf or paddle boarding lesson, this five-mile stretch of beach is backed by windswept sand dunes and has plenty of Atlantic swell. There are surf schools at the beach offering lessons and equipment hire. For a seaside snack visit The Hungry Man, a quirky food kiosk on the harbour at Rozel. Crab sandwiches bacon butties, hot chocolate, and scones are just some of the treats being served up, making it the perfect end to a lovely day at the seaside.

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2. Discover Jersey War Tunnels

The war tunnels are a must visit on holiday in Jersey, they run for over 1km under the island and were built using slave labour during World War II when Jersey became occupied by German forces. Explore the tunnels and learn about their history from nearly five years of German occupation to Liberation Day in 1945. Admission to the tunnels costs £11.50 for adults and £7.50 for children.

3. Explore St Helier

St Helier is the capital of Jersey and has a huge variety of activities to entertain the whole family. Elizabeth Castle was constructed in the late 1500s this magnificent fortification sits on a rocky outcrop in St Aubin’s Bay. Accessible on foot at low tide or by the amphibious castle ferries, which operate throughout the day at low and high tide. Built to protect Jersey and St Helier harbour the castle has an exciting history. While at the castle watch the Mid-day Parade and cannon firing, climb the battlements for incredible views, discover bunkers and take a look at the various interesting exhibitions detailing the history of the castle. Entry costs £13.05 for adults and £9.70 for children and includes the ferry ride.

Back on dry land, hire a bike and cycle along the three-mile stretch of seafront promenade to the lovely fishing village of St Aubin. Stop for a well deserved break at one of the many kiosks and cafes along the way, I recommend an ice cream made with Jersey milk, delicious! If you fancy something a little less taxing then catch Le Petit Train from Liberation Square in the town centre. There are three different trains, Terence, Lillie, and Major Pierson. A commentary of all things Jersey can be heard on the journey to St Aubin.

4. La Corbière Lighthouse

Don’t forget your camera on a visit to the lighthouse at La Corbière, the dramatic coastline is picture perfect and has some great spots to watch the sunset. An important part of Jersey’s maritime history the light can be seen on a clear day from 18 miles out at sea and has saved many a vessel from the rocks along the coast. Check the tide times, as the lighthouse is only accessible at low tide. Book onto a tour and climb the staircase to the lantern room.

5. La Mare Wine Estate

For something a bit different take a trip to the La Mare vineyards. Although this is predominantly one for the adults, there are also activities for children such as a play area and the opportunity to meet the estate’s miniature ponies Bubbles and Fizz. Join a guided tour of the winery and sample Jersey wines. Explore the orchards, vineyards, visit the chocolate factory and purchase some tasty souvenirs as a memory of your time on Jersey.

April 11, 2014 Surfing, UK Post a Comment

Surfing, cider and bacon sarnies in the UK…

Now that spring is on its way in the UK the days are getting longer and the sun is starting to shine, which means that it’s time to come out of hibernation and head to the coast. I for one cannot wait to pack up my surfboard and wetsuit in the campervan and embrace the chilly British waters. This time of year is perfect for hitting the surf especially as the days are getting brighter and right now the beaches aren’t so crowded. This can mean only one thing: you have those waves all to yourself! Plus with all the crazy weather the UK has been experiencing there has been some great swell pushing in. So much so that during the storms in February top surfers from all over the world headed to the UK to catch some monster waves on the Cornish coast.

Being able to surf in just a bikini in warmer climates is great, nothing can beat it and I am lucky that I get my fix by surfing in Barbados every couple of months. But there’s something I love about warming up in a campervan with a post surf hot chocolate and bacon butty on a crisp spring morning in England. My top tip for warming up after a chilly surf is to wrap a hot water bottle in your towel; perfect after you’ve peeled off your cold wetsuit! Throw on your hoody, jeans and uggs and hey presto you can start to feel your toes again.

Make sure you’ve got the right gear for colder waters; a winter wetsuit, booties, gloves and hood should keep you nice and toasty in the water. My wetsuit is a 5mm and came with a hood, my gloves are 3mm and my boots are 6.5mm, they keep my feet so warm and the split toe design means there are really comfortable and easy to surf in.

If you have never surfed before, I thoroughly recommend giving it a try. It is a great way to keep fit and have fun at the same time. It may take a while to get the hang of it and can involve a lot of falling in and getting rolled around in the waves, but this is all part of the fun and is confidence building! It is also a great way to make new friends. After you’ve had a few lessons hire or buy your own board and just keep practising. It’s addictive!

Some of my favourite surfing beaches in the UK are:

Putsborough – This beach in Devon is a real treat! There are fab views of the water from the car park making it perfect for checking the surf and for picnics. There is a small campsite here too and you can hire surfboards and wetsuits if you don’t have your own. The nearby village of Georgeham has a lovely pub called the Kings Arms, it’s a good place to stop for a pint or two after a surf. You can also walk along the beach to Woolacombe from Putsborough. Which leads me onto my next beach…

Woolacombe – Great beach for beginners and long boarders. There are plenty of surf schools in the area, so do a web search before you go. If the surfs not so great the small town is a nice place to grab a pasty and do some shopping. SaltRock, and a few other surf shops will keep you busy on a flat day along with some nice arty and jewellery shops. Failing that, the Red Barn is a great stop for a cider.

Saunton Sands – Six miles down the road from Woolacombe this beautiful beach has around three miles of uninterrupted shoreline so you can spread out. Surf wise if the conditions are right there can be lots of nice long, clean sets; perfect for beginners. There is a good surf school and hire shop on the beach too.

Fistral – Cornwall’s answer to Byron Bay, this beach is split in to North and South. Fistral is world famous for its surf and holds lots of big surf competitions and festivals such as Boardmasters and the English National Surfing Championships. North Fistral has mostly right hand breaks and is usually slightly bigger than South. Fistral Beach Surf School is found right on the beach and provides lessons and board rental.

Rhossili – This beautiful beach in Wales has recently been awarded the number one spot on the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2014 – top 25 UK beaches. I can understand why this 5km stretch of beach was voted as one of the best, it really shows off Britain’s beauty and its consistent beach breaks make it a great place to surf.

Closer to home I am pretty spoilt with some half decent beaches to surf at; these include the Witterings, Highcliffe and Bournemouth. East Wittering, West Wittering and Bracklesham Bay are all nearby one another, if the surfs no good at one you can head to one of the others. There are two great surf shops in East Wittering: Shore and Witterings Surf Shop. Drift In coffee shop is part of Witterings Surf Shop and is a nice place to head to after a surf or beach walk. Both Shore and Witterings surf shop provide board, wetsuit hire and lessons.

I am so lucky to live near the sea but I definitely do not make the most of it! My plan this summer is to surf closer to home and use these lovely beaches nearby, aswell as the odd trip to Barbados for some bikini surfing!

February 23, 2014 UK 6 Comments

Port Isaac, the ultimate Cornish retreat…

Beautiful views of Port Isaac from White House Cottage. This is one of my favourites in my blog on unique places to stay in the UK

There has been so many storms and flooding in Britain lately I was worried that it might affect our winter break away. The drive down to Cornwall was quite unpleasant with a lot of water on the roads, trees down and very high winds. But once we arrived the weather was glorious. We only had one day of rain, which lent itself well to lounging by our log burner and scoffing afternoon tea! Staying in the quaint fishing village of Port Isaac found on the North Cornish coast it was the perfect escape from everyday life. With no phone signal in most areas of the village you have no choice but to relax and forget about all your daily worries. (I cheated slightly when I started this blog as the cottage I was staying in had wi-fi, but I did limit my daily usage!)

If you stay down in the village a lot of cottages don’t have parking. The roads in the village are also extremely narrow and can be a bit nerve-racking to drive along especially if you meet another car! The closest place to park is the car park at the top of the hill. A ten-minute stroll will take you down into the village centre. Pasty shops, cafes serving cream teas, the Golden Lion pub, a few restaurants, (The Moat is my favourite) and some lovely shabby chic shops await. Exploring the village doesn’t take long follow the narrow streets as they wind past quaint white washed cottages. Look out for Squeeze – ee -Belly Alley, as the name describes it is a very narrow walkway built-in between the cottages. How very Cornish! The harbour is good for an adventure when the tide is out, rock pools and caves appear and you can climb up onto the harbour wall. For a scrummy dinner after all that activity head to the fishmongers right on the Platt.

For such a small village with a population of only about 700 people, Port Isaac is quite famous. Home to the TV series ‘Doc Martin’ many tourists are attracted to this quaint part of the UK. On that note one of the reasons why I prefer visiting in the winter months is that there is hardly anyone around, compared to the summertime. ‘Keeping Mum’ starring Maggie Smith and Rowan Atkinson was also filmed in the community. The sea shanty group Fisherman’s Friends have all lived and worked in Port Isaac, many are fishermen, and members of the lifeboat and coastguard. They can be heard performing to huge crowds on the Platt every Friday night throughout the summer. I would love to see them live, their powerful a cappella tones send shivers up my spine!

I love heading down to the south-west of the UK for surfing in the summer but there’s nothing like braving the elements and staying in a cosy cottage, log burner roaring, watching the winter swell roll in through the harbour. Staying with our friends at White House Cottage this is exactly what we did. Situated on Roscarrock Hill with magnificent three doors down from Doc Martin’s surgery and a stones throw from the village centre, harbour and the South West Coast Path at the top of Roscarrock hill. There is a great viewpoint at the top by the way; from here you can look back down to Port Isaac and the surrounding rugged coastline, it is breathtaking and great for photos. Don’t try walking up the hill with a hangover though, believe me it’s not fun! The cottage itself had uninterrupted views across the harbour and village. In fact you could see the beautiful view from every room, including the bathroom. The novelty of brushing your teeth while watching the gulls soaring, waves crashing and fisherman in the harbour never got boring! I loved lying in bed with the window open in the morning listening to the waves rolling softly into the harbour, utter bliss! White House cottage also came with not one but two gardens. One in front of the building and an upper garden, almost like a secret garden, set higher up above the cottage. It was the perfect place to have the view all to yourself.

While House Cottage, Port Isaac, top left corner

Blogging by the log burner in Whie House Cottage, Port Isaac

The nearby fishing village of Padstow is well worth a visit. Colourful fishing boats are lined up in the harbour and the cobbled streets are filled with gift shops and pasty stops. There is a lovely walk along the beach; you can also jump on a passenger ferry just over the water to Rock. Padstow is home to the National Lobster Hatchery which I would thoroughly recommend visiting. This charitable organisation focuses on marine conservation. The work and aim of the hatchery is to protect and support local fishing communities by rearing and releasing these beautiful crustaceans into the wild. The lobster population has declined over the years due to over fishing and poor survival rates. An interesting fact that I learnt via the hatchery website is that a female lobster can hold up to 20,000 eggs, with only one of those expected to survive in the wild! The hatchery has lots of information and you can see the laboratories and baby lobsters at different stages before release.

While in Cornwall there are a few must dos on the food and drink front. First and foremost you must have a pasty. This very traditional Cornish delight is a savoury pastry typically filled with beef, potato, suede and onion, seasoned with salt and pepper and crimped on the edge to hold it all together. There are some tasty alternatives such as steak and Stilton and you can even get sweet pasties. Be careful if you are eating your pasty in a seaside town such as Padstow though as the cheeky seagulls have become wise to tourists and will dive bomb you for your lunch, keep that pasty protected! A cream tea is another west country treat, scones accompanied with jam, cream and a pot of tea. There is much debate around which way you should put the jam and cream on the scone. Jam before cream is apparently the Cornish way, cream before jam is the Devon way. I prefer spreading the jam first and then putting the cream on top. Our favourite Cornish beverages include, Rattler, cloudy cyder and Doom Bar, an ale brewed in the small village of Rock close to Port Isaac. Back in Port Isaac The Golden Lion is the perfect place to warm up with a local beverage; the tiny public house is the centre of village life, has a lovely open fire and a friendly atmosphere.

It always amazes how time passes so quickly when you are on holiday, our days centred on lovely walks, food, drink, afternoon naps and cups of tea by the log burner. Port Isaac is my ultimate Cornish retreat and I can’t wait to visit again soon…

January 7, 2014 Australia, Camping and Glamping 2 Comments

On the road to Mission Beach in northeastern Australia, a lot of signs appeared indicating that cassowaries lived in the area. I really wanted to see one of these curious creatures but being so timid I knew it might be highly unlikely. Still, I kept my eyes peeled and waited eagerly in anticipation on the drive through the Queensland rainforest just in case I spotted one appearing out of the jungle. Further into the journey more signs popped up stating that there had been a recent sighting in the area, this made me even more excited! The cassowary is a flightless bird, although timid and rarely spotted they can be potentially dangerous. Found in northeastern Australia they can grow up to 1.8 metres in height, have brightly coloured heads with a casque on top and large clawed feet. The only one I saw was at the West Pennant Hills Koala Park in Sydney, I would have loved to have spotted one in the wild. Arriving at my campsite in Mission Beach for the night I explored the beautiful sweeping shoreline, paddled in the warm water and watched the sunset; always on the look out for this rarely seen bird. Retiring to the campsite for dinner and a beer I did a bit of research and discovered that cassowaries had been sighted on the beach at Etty Bay about 40 minutes drive from Mission Beach. So the next day I decided to get up early and move further up the coast. Etty Bay, reached by a small winding road is a beautiful secluded beach surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. With nothing but a small campsite and a café on the foreshore it proved to be a peaceful, idyllic spot for breakfast. I am glad I visited, but there was not a cassowary in sight! I did come across some information on the beach indicating what to do if you come face to face with a cassowary though. The main tip was to get something solid between you and this very large bird, such as a tree! The illustrations on the sign made me laugh; although I was not so sure after reading it how excited I still was about coming across this potentially dangerous prehistoric looking creature. It was time for me to move on to the next stop on my road trip, which was Cairns. Even though I didn’t spot a cassowary I have a lot of respect for this endangered bird; and don’t forget if you ever spot one yourself, find a tree!

For more information on cassowaries take a look at the Cassowary Recovery Team website. It has a lot of information on where to potentially see them, reporting a sighting and what to do if you come across an injured one.

For more ideas on what to do in Australia check out my other posts:

Planning a road trip on the east coast of Australia

Cool campsites on the east coast of Australia

Looking out for cassowaries in Queensland, Australia

December 4, 2013 France Post a Comment

24 hours in the South of France….

With only 24 hours to spend in Nice, in the south of France I wanted to make the most of it. This doesn’t sound like a lot of time but you can definitely cram a lot of exploring in! Arriving in the evening meant checking in at the hotel and heading straight out to explore the nightlife. With the airport located conveniently close to the town it didn’t take too long to find ourselves in the old town in a very cool bar with a beer in hand. Wayne’s bar was rammed with locals, and with live music playing it was definitely the right choice of venue. Although, we enjoyed it a little too much and ended up staying out slightly longer than planned. This meant sore heads all round in the morning and slightly more money spent than had been intended! None the less we dragged ourselves up early, ravenous for a typical French breakfast. Coffee and croissants in a lovely café was the perfect antidote. All perked up and ready for the day ahead we strolled to the train station, the plan was to spend the day in Monte Carlo. I was really looking forward to the train journey along the coastline, but once at the station we discovered there had been a landslide and no trains were running! Feeling a little disappointed we went back to the town centre and decided having only explored Nice’s nightlife that the rest of this lovely Mediterranean area was waiting to be uncovered. Strolling along the bustling Promenade des Anglais, with the sea shimmering and the sun shining we headed towards the cliffs near the harbour. Climbing the steps up to the clifftop revealed fantastic views over the coastline, old town and the port on the opposite side. You could even see snow-capped mountains further inland. Known as Parc du Château this cliff top park has a man-made waterfall called Cascade Donjon and lovely gardens, perfect for a picnic with beautiful views of the ocean. Next stop was a visit to the food and flower market in the old town. It’s a great place to pick up fresh bread, meats and cheeses. The Corsican cheese I bought was a particular favourite. There were also lots of lavender products, soaps and oils to purchase. After checking out the market, it was time to get lost in the tiny side streets. This is one of my favourite things to do in European cities; the buildings and beautiful architecture were a real highlight of the trip for me. Continuing further we stumbled across a wonderful bakery and bought some scrummy fresh pastries. With a huge variety of restaurants to choose from for lunch and being in France I felt it was only right to go for Moules – frites with a glass of white wine. After lunch it was time for a bike ride, Velo Bleu rental bicycles can be found all over the town and from €1 a day you can help yourself to one of these beauties. We cycled along the promenade stopping for ice cream along the way. A quick coffee outside in the sun along with a bit of people watching ended our glorious day in France. Back at the airport I bought a bottle of red wine as a souvenir of a perfect 24 hours on the French Riviera. Cheers!

November 30, 2013 Australia, Camping and Glamping 4 Comments

Three weeks in three and a half minutes…

Matt and I have put together a short video documenting our adventures in Australia. We spent three weeks travelling from Sydney to Cairns and covered 1633 miles. To view the video click here. Hope you like it…

Here’s some of my blog posts all about our Australian adventures:

Planning a Road Trip on the East Coast of Australia

Cool Campsites on the East Coast of Australia

Whale Watching in Australia

In Search of the Cassowary

Five Things to do in Sydney