The entries were so good this month that two winners were announced for the February writing competition! Congratulations to Jim Metcalf and Jacob Wiggins, both of whom have been rewarded with a £50 Marks & Spencers voucher, and both will go into the prize draw to win a short stay in one of our finest properties! Jim enjoyed a stay at the charming Fish Cellars in Portwrinkle, while Jacob and his family explored picturesque Paignton. If you fancy a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply email an article around 500 words long, to ewan@bluechipvacations.com. To read more of Jim’s Portwrinkle adventures, click here, or to read Jacob’s charming account of pretty Paignton, click here.

With summer breaks still available, why not book your summer holiday in Devon or Cornwall today?

 Cornwall’s largest St Piran's Day celebration takes place on 05 March, close to the charming town of Perranporth, where thousands dressed in black, white and gold will march across the dunes to St Piran's Cross.  The colourful flag-bearing pilgrimage culminates in a traditional play on the beach re-enacting the life of St Piran, the Patron Saint of Tinners, starting at 2pm.

 This week, Blue Chip Vacations has three late special offers for properties in Devon and Cornwall that are still available for half-term week, so its not too late to bag a half term bargain and enjoy a fantastic break in the South West!

 North Cornwall surf instructor Nick Tiscoe reports here on the ideal surfing conditions that can be enjoyed during your holiday in the South West. 

Once again we have seen a record number of participants taking to the waves over the New Year desperate to start the year with a bang (or end the previous one in style, depends which way you look at it!).

As always we have surpassed people’s expectations of the temperature, many people come along assuming it will be freezing and all go away saying, and I quote, ‘I can’t believe how warm I was!’. To think all these years that dedicated surfers have been enjoying this fantastic sport year round and most of it crowd free, always under the suspicion from onlookers as total nutters. If people are still not sure then the newest accessory is the heated wetsuit!

 If odd, unusual and entertaining Cornish customs are your thing, the annual Hurling of the Silver Ball held each year in St Ives, could be just the thing for you.

Held on Feast Monday, 08 February, the celebrations start at 10.30am when the silver ball is thrown from the wall of the Parish Church into the thronging crowd below. The ball is then passed from one person to another over the beaches and through the streets of the town, and at noon, the person in possession of the ball receives a traditional reward of five shillings from the Mayor at the Guildhall.

 A great way to get a feel of the true beauty of this wonderful region is by watching the fascinating Great British Railway Journeys. Presented by Michael Portillo, this great series follows a route around the country through the striking scenery that many railway lines traverse.

With just a month to go until Valentines Day, what better way to show a loved one on that you care than a mini break in a luxury home in the beautiful surroundings of the South West? We have a great selection of top quaility properties available to whisk that special someone away for a romantic break.

From the tranquil waters of the English Channel to the raw power of the Atlantic Coast, on a bright December morning a team of hardy explorers set out on a fact finding mission to Newquay.

I was curious to see what Kingsand and Cawsand had to offer when we left Brixham early one Monday morning. We headed to Plymouth in the car, I must admit I had no idea what to expect from the small villages in South Cornwall frequently referred to as ‘The Forgotten Corner of Cornwall'. As a frequent visitor to Plymouth, I am ashamed to say I have never taken the passenger ferry across to Cawsand during the summer months or even the all year round Torpoint ferry across to Cornwall! The Torpoint ferry was our mode of transport today; we drove onto the large modern ferry and took our place for the ten minute crossing from Plymouth to Torpoint. I was surprised at how cheap this was, only £1.00 for a single journey!

If you own a dog then I am sure that you will agree with me when I say that my dog is my top priority both at home and when we go on holiday, which is why it is so important to find the best property and best location in order to accommodate all of his needs and my own of course!