The rain has gone and there are patches of blue sky, the caravan site is very quiet all the kids are worn out from the playground and swimming yesterday or it is a Sunday sleep in. We have noticed on our travels a lot of English smoke even round their young children they don't think much of their health.

Earlier start today seeing it is Sunday might beat the rush of tourist at Newquay three miles down the road. Bit of a hiccup trying to find free parking a local suggested up by the point near Fistral Beach but that is packed with surfers plus it was a bit far from Newquay and a hilly walk. Managed to find a long stay park up the hill from the Harbour.

Tides out lovely view across the crystal clear waters of the Harbour to the golden sandy beaches with Newquay in the background. Walked down the cliff steps to the shore of the Harbour where people were enjoying an early morning coffee. For a town that is meant to be a world class surfing destination with a selection of sandy beaches all within easy reach of the town these is no surf today probably other water sports activities or swimming

  The town is a mixture of very old and new buildings, lots of surf outdoor shops, a real tourist town and now very crowded not our cup of tea. Reminds us of the Gold Coast strip. Fistral Beach was a bit of a walk from the motorhome, followed all the surfers and crowd down the track between the Golf Course lovely view of the old Headland Hotel on the point. Finally reached the sand hill for a view of Fistral Beach well the surf is better at our local beaches what a disappointment. Should have taken everyone’s advice and missed Newquay only a place for young people a bit like Bali.

Anyway we had a nice drive to Padstow and we are used to looking at the English countryside so much greenery it is too much for the system. Padstow is nestled in a narrow gulley on the western side of the River Camel estuary, the town is sheltered from the prevailing winds and the air is generally soft and balmy but a bit cool today.

Thankfully there was a Park and Ride (£4.00 for the day) on the outskirts of Padstow, which made life very easy and the double-decker bus drops you off at the Harbour. Padstow is where you will find the famous Stein’s Fisheries & Seafood Bar it is packed with tourists to say they have had fish and chips at the Michellein’s star chefs restaurant.

Moving on the architectural mixed designed buildings huddle closer together until they crowd around the harbour and you will see a great mixture of houses, quays, boat slips, inns, cafes and restaurants, gift and boutique shops, holiday cottages, food shops and so on. To us it is another seaside estuary fishing village and very crowded with tourists, at least the kids are enjoying themselves catching and releasing the little crabs from the wharf.

Looking across the River Camel from the harbour you can catch a ferry to the town of Rock best known for its sailing due to the sheltered waters and other water sports activities. Another tourist attraction you can see people walking along the beach (its low tide) from the Rock all the way around to Daymer Bay. The mile long fine sand beach is fringed with dunes and a coastal path takes you all the way to Port Isaac where we will be driving next not walking.

Just past the harbour is a nice walking path with views over the estuary and round the point is Harbour Cove another stretch of sandy beach and unfortunately when we walk back to Padstow the rain sets in spoiling the day and it is a quick exit to the double-decker bus and our warm motorhome.

Due to the Bank Holiday weekend the Padstow Touring Park Jeremy recommended is full but the ladies in Reception were very helpful and found us a site near St Minver and we were lucky enough to get a powered pitch at Gunvenna Holiday Park, which is not far from Port Isaac. Had to be careful driving in the rain on the small winding hedged roads difficult seeing the oncoming traffic all in a hurry. Feel a lot safer when we are on the A39 to Wadebridge then the B3314 a smaller version to Port Isaac. Nice family orientated Holiday Park with lots of entertainment for the kids, which happens to be behind the hedge where we are pitched. Noise level dies after 8.30pm when everyone returns to their tents, which the English seem to love and caravans.