A few weeks ago we spent a blissful four days in Devon. It was perfect. Getting off my backside and booking it was largely down to you folks and your very helpful advice. If I forget to tell you later – thanks again for all of your recommendations, I now have a long list of amazing places to visit that I never would have discovered otherwise.

After much consideration we decided that we would stay in the UK, the prospect of attempting to travel abroad with such a small baby just seemed like too much of an effort, I was frazzled just thinking about it and our getaway was supposed to be just that, an opportunity to disappear and relax, not become even more stressed out.

[ezcol_2third id=”” class=”” style=””]

The major stumbling block was the fact we had left booking somewhere until the last minute and it was peak summer season. I know, not ideal. There was not a single self-catering cottage left for the dates we wanted, or at least that’s what it seemed like. After much disappointment we decided to have a butchers at some boutique hotels, after all, sometimes you just want to put your feet up and be waited on. I just wasn’t entirely convinced we’d find a place that was genuinely small person friendly.

If you read Rock My Wedding you’ll know we often work with Mr & Mrs Smith hotels so I had a look at what was on offer. As you can imagine being the busiest time of year there wasn’t a huge amount available but The Magdalen Chapter just outside Exeter looked amazing, and they appeared to have everything you could want in terms of facilities and then some. It was very much a case of “Quick, press the confirm button before they sell out!!!”.

As I said, it was bliss. The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating with regards Mabel and that made our experience so relaxing, we didn’t for one minute worry about being awkward or demanding or worse still, causing any kind of commotion for other guests. We booked a suite so there was enough room for the little lady and all of her paraphernalia, plus they had three nights for the price of two at the time so we thought we’d treat ourselves.

The rooms were lush (please do click through the slider to see more details – our room was the one with the blue walls) and there was lots of cupboard space and surface areas to store all of the stuff we took with us. Regarding that, bloody hell there was so much, and I can’t really say we took loads of extra bumpf that we didn’t need. We pretty much used everything. More on that later.

The hotel had two eating areas, a lounge and a main restaurant. The menus in both were amazing and included quite a few healthy options as well as naughty treats and delicious cocktails. Breakfast was included and the choice was so wide you really didn’t need lunch. Although we had lunch too – obviously. As well as cake. And hot chocolate by the gallon.

We approached the holiday much like any other weekend day we have with Mabel, we endeavour to be as prepared as possible but essentially, she just has to come along with us for the ride. We’ve always tried really hard not to completely change the way we live our lives to work around a new arrival so whilst in Devon I guess you could say we did what we would have done should we have gone just the two of us…except maybe we would have had longer lie ins.

Evening meals and activities were the only question marks really but we thought we would make the most of Mabel’s 7/8pm sleep time and simply take her to the hotel restaurant with us. Two out of three nights she slept through the whole thing and on the one she didn’t she was quite happy being entertained at the table and we went up to the room earlier than perhaps we would have normally.

Back to the mountains of extra luggage, the car was full to bursting with well…I don’t know what altogether. It’s not as if we had a travel cot in the boot – the hotel supplied one. But we did have all of the feeding and sterilising equipment, the buggy, extra large changing bag, muslins, clothes, bibs…etc etc and we approached packing like a military operation. I didn’t want to forget anything. Which in hindsight was a bit over the top, we were in bloody Exeter not Outer Mongolia, the Boots down the road would have supplied anything we may have left behind I’m sure.

All in all the trip installed confidence in us both that it was a lot easier than we expected. And we wouldn’t hesitate at attempting a plane journey to warmer climes next year. If anything it was one of the funniest and enjoyable holidays we’ve ever had. For all of our concerns and belief it wouldn’t be that much of a break we had a thoroughly great time. We are new parents, and without wanting to sound like a cliche or a numpty, everything we do with Mabel brings us joy and happiness even if we feel like we don’t know what we are doing half the time, or that we are so tired sometimes we forget which day of the week it is.

How have your holidays been folks? Have you taken the littles? In other news, James and I have booked a long weekend away in the Dordogne for mid September, just the two of us. I’m looking forward to spending time together just us but I won’t pretend I’m not anxious about leaving Mabel behind. I’ve got this patch of eczema on my left hand that I keep itching every time I think about it.

I’m sure it will be just fine.

Right?

[/ezcol_2third]

[ezcol_1third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]

{What We Did}
  • We visited Sidmouth which is quite touristy as you would imagine but the view out to sea is spectacular. Plus there are quite a few little cafes for cream teas.
  • Topsham was well worth the trip, a lovely village about 10 minutes drive outside of Exeter. They had the most fantastic huge antiques and second hand furniture store that I could have spent hours in (I bought some victorian bottles to use as vases – I have vases coming out of my ears.)
  • Exeter is a pretty city and has some super shops and restaurants, I may have spent a small fortune in GAP baby….
  • It was nice to actually spend time “getting ready” to go out. James looked after Mabel whilst I spent a leisurely hour in the bathroom having a hot shower and applying umpteen coats of mascara and whatnot.

    • [/ezcol_1third_end]