We've been having the time of our lives this week in Coombe Mill. It is one of the most magical place I've ever been to. One of my happy places; all of us have it as our happy place. The photos and the words of those who write about it can never do the farm or grounds justice. Coombe Mill is more than just a farm holiday, it's about re-engaging with each other and enjoying time as a family, re-engaging with nature and the wonders of the world that we live in, and re-engaging with our lost selves during the chaos of everyday life.
Until you've experienced it, it's hard to understand Coombe Mill's magic.
That's why I was really eager to have the motley crew from Mummy Mishaps down for a day during our stay, and the fabulous Fiona was only too happy to agree and welcome them with open arms.
And we've had the best day of our holiday so far because we have stayed on site and done nothing but play. That goes for the 'grown-ups' as well as the children, even Fiona said herself that she had done nothing all day but "rediscover my own farm through the eyes of others!"
We started with the 9am feed run where the deer behaved themselves wonderfully and showed up out from the forest, and then progressed onto one of the adventure play parks having refreshed on cake and drinks at Fiona's house.
Once the zipwire was exhausted from the boys' efforts, we enjoyed a picnic on the green in front of our lodge next to the River Camel, before taking our scraps up to Dotty and Piglet. The poor things were fast asleep in their sty until I clanged the bucket at them and the promise of orange peel, bread rolls and egg shells was too great for them to stay dozing.
Following our own mini feed run, it was time to indulge in a spot of wood craft where we made our own stick rafts to sail down the river, and forest faces to adorn the trees of Coombe Mill before heading into the river to sail our rafts in a competition between Jenny and Mr. TBaM.
Once we'd retrieved the rafts from the river, it was time to explore the more shallow parts of the river and Coombe Mill's very own little island (in the stream). Both The Boy and Burton had a go on the rope swing hung from the tree, while we all enjoyed throwing pebbles and seeing how far they could go in the rapids!
A quick snack and shower saw all the boys dressed in clean and dry clothes with one more treat of a train ride before the Mummy Mishaps bunch had to head home. It was a marvellous day, thanks to our wonderful friends and the idyllic setting.
Jenny won by the way!
awwww i LOVE this but not as much as i LOVED my day. i was smiling the whole time i read your words and looked at your photos because they day was just as you summed it up. it was a magical day indeed and my post is very similar believe it or not!! the boys all had so much fun and thank you to you and Fiona for welcoming us and enabling us to have one of the best days we have had for ages x
ps yaaaay i won 🙂 – not that it was a competition or anything x
What fabulous pictures. Coombemill is high on my "to do" list. Good old fashioned fun like this is hard to beat x
Ah thank you for such a beautiful post. How could I not adore this? It was a very special day if I say so myself and lovely for me to spend time with you all. Everyone was so relaxed from children to adults and it is a day I will remember for a long time too. Amazing to reflect on how easy it is to while away a whole day at Coombe Mill and feel like you have been really busy. This really is Country Kids comes home!
What a lovely post and gorgeous pictures. I'm so jealous of your time at Coombe Mill, it really is a little far for us to come at the moment, but I would so love to visit! Simple outdoor fun – nothing better 🙂
aw i knew your post this week was going to make me so jealous. I so want to go there!! Fab pics. So happy you have a camera combo to die for now, even though it was sad for you to see the old girl go into semi-retirement!! I think you are going to love the new one!!
Gorgeous photos. I love that Burton and The Boy are such good friends. Coombe Mill really does look like a fantastic place for a holiday.
I can see that you enjoyed the day. Glad you all managed to go and have such a lovely day out.
Nothing fancy, but magical. Sounds like my sort of place. Every time someone writes a review about Coombe Mill, there seems to be more to it than I thought. Perfect!
The more I read about Coombe Mill, the more I think we'd love to visit one day.
It looks amazing. I think my kids (and me!) would love it there too 🙂
These are my favourite kind of days, i need to look into going more than ever now!!
It always looks so amazing there but your photos have really made me jealous, looks like so much fun! Especially getting to meet up with friends too.
Looks like you have had an amazing time – so many gorgeous photos
It just looks like such a wonderful place to visit, must try to get there one day #CountryKids
Am I jealous…yes. I will experience the magic one day! All sounds so amazing and even better you got to spend it with friends!
What a gorgeous post – every time I read about Coombemill it seems more and more magical. Sooooo lovely that Jenny and family got to come down – and that sun shone.
I have to say your photos are stunning.
Aaahhh It's lovely seeing the boy and Burton playing. So lovely they got to share a day with you x
and we agree…magical!
Wow it looks like you had an AMAZING time – we really want to visit sometime soon and that mini train looks like so much fun, I am sure my little man would not want to come home 🙂
Laura x
It does look like an amazing place, I spent ages recently looking at the website and would love to go. It would never have appealed to me years ago but it would be the perfect place for a holiday, especially now – could never have given up 2 weeks in the sun before but I'd love to now!
OMG that sounds amazing the adventures you can have away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially when friends are involved. I can't wait for our turn it seems like miles away. Glad Fiona saw her farm from a different view helps appreciate what you've got more.
What an absolutely gorgeous day and a read that left me a little emotional. I love the photo behind Burton and The Boy. They look so relaxed and comfortable in each other's company and it's wonderful that yours and Jenny's friendship has passed on to your boys.
Looks like you all had a blast. Do come and join in with #freerangesummer too http://www.muminthemadhouse.com/2013/08/10/freerangesumme-the-next-installment/
What a wonderful day, I'm still such a big kid whenever I see a stream I want to get in and play too! xx
Gorgeous photos. Looks like you had lots of fun. I hope C and I get to take M there one day.
This looks amazing, hope we can go one year!