Our great little trip round Wales.

Well, we’ve just returned from our trip around Wales and what a great time we had! Our main reason for going was to walk some of the Wales coast footpath – it’s quite difficult for us at the moment; we have to plan our walks carefully as one of our dogs is well into his 14^th year and won’t go far whilst the other one seems impossible to exhaust. So we plan walks to end somewhere picturesque. One of us takes the youngster, Harry on a walk whilst the other takes a good book and goes to the end of the walk with George, possibly persuading him to go for a gentle stroll there. Then in the afternoon we swap roles. It works quite well and means we don’t have to leave either of them unattended. I’ve written reviews of all the club sites we stayed at in their respective entries, so will concentrate here more on what we saw and did.

Day 1 & 2 – Gowerton CC site – we got held up by an accident on the M4 shortly after leaving home so arrived at Gowerton later than expected. It’s not in the best of locations on the Gower peninsula, but is convenient for the motorway and saves towing through some narrow and busy roads to the more attractive southern coast. And we found the facilities are better and cheaper than some of the commercial sites in the Horton and Rhossili areas, although admittedly the site at Three Cliffs bay wins hands down for views. Got set up, had a quick lunch and then off to Caswell bay to walk from there to Mumbles pier on a very well made path with some fine views along the way. Next day, down to Rhossili with its spectacular beach and views of Worm’s Head and the weather made it almost like a summer’s day, so it was very busy there. Have eaten in the hotel there before and it’s very good but didn’t stop on this occasion. Mrs M took Harry for a long walk along the beach and back over Rhossili Down and then I took him around the Worm’s Head section in the afternoon.

Days 3,4 & 5 – Hillcroft CL, Kilgetty – a fantastic CL and we were so lucky to be able to get a pitch as it’s nearly always booked up. A walk from Saundersfoot along the coat to Amroth in the afternoon and then Fish & Chips down in the car park at Saundersfoot harbour in the evening, very relaxing! Next day was rather wet, but I walked the coast from Tenby back to Saundersfoot, unfortunately with hardly any views. The afternoon was spent in reading to avoid the pong of two wet dogs in the van! Next day the weather had changed completely. We went back to Tenby, which I had always thought was just a tourist trap, but in fact is a very attractive walled town and the view from north beach up to the church with all its painted houses nestled around is great. Mrs M walked in the morning to Lystep Point and then we had lunch at a little spot called Skrinkle Haven with a spectacular view over to Caldey Island. I walked in the afternoon to Manorbier with its ancient castle. Drove on round to have a look at Freshwater East CC site and got chatting to a nice couple who lived just down the road from where we were staying in Kilgetty.

Days 6&7 – Shawsmead CC site – a perfect spot at this time of year for a bit of peace and quiet and to re-charge the batteries! A couple of gentle strolls along the coast from Aberaeron to New Quay and a meal out at the Harbourmaster restaurant, as recommended in last month’s club magazine. Spent some time watching a pair of red kites circling over the site, luckily they didn’t disturb the nuthatch which found its way to our feeder.

Days 8,9&10 – Bryn Gloch commercial site Snowdonia – a difficult journey (lots of road works on the way) and a disappointing site considering we’d paid up front almost double what we were paying on the club sites! Still, we’d chosen it for its location right next to Snowdon. No time to do much on the first day but did manage to walk most of the way up the miners’ path with Harry on the next morning, followed by a visit to Beddgellert in the afternoon. Caught a glimpse of the little steam train on the Welsh Highland railway on the way back.Just up the road from the site is a pub called the tavern snowdonia which has its own micro brewery, so we thought a visit was justified and can recommend it.  Last day there was very wet so we just drove down to Caernarvon to look at the castle.

Days 11,12 & 13 – Penrhos CC site Anglesey – we’d never visited Anglesey before and loved every minute of it. There are some great coastal walks – every bit as good as the north Cornish coast. We visited the RSPB site up near Holyhead and the walk over Holyhead mountain was exhilarating with spectacular views of the cliffs at South and North Stack and down into Holyhead harbour. In the distance we could see a yellow search and rescue helicopter hovering on some sort of practice and speculated about who he pilot might be (it couldn’t be him, could it?). Next day we had two walks on the north coast around the Cemaes Bay and Bull Bay areas, a really spectacular stretch of coastline. We wished we’d spent more time on Anglesey and are planning to return later in the year.

Days 14 & 15 – Oswestry C&CC site – really just a stop off on our way home, but we were very impressed by the local area.Ironically, given that it was an “other club” site, we discovered that we’d got pitched up right next door to fllow CTer The Admiral and Mrs Admiral – small world, eh?  Had a long walk along the Shropshire Union canal (or was it the Montgomery canal? – couldn’t make that out!). Final day was a bit dull, weather wise but we did manage a walk along the old Oswestry racecourse. If you’re ever in the area and you’re looking for a meal out you must try the Navigation Inn, right by the canal side in nearby Maesbury Marsh where we had probably one of the best pub meals we’ve ever experienced. Brilliant 2 or 3 course set menus with really interesting dishes for each course and a honey & sultana rice pudding to die for! A great way to end the trip!

Day 16 – and so back home – we’ve been lucky with the weather, seen some great sites and met some fantastic wardens and fellow campers along the way. And the great thing is, we know there’s so much more to see and can’t wait to go back. (But that will have to wait until after planned trips to Cornwall, Devon and the Peak District – it’s great being retired isn’t it?)

PS - sorry but still haven't worked out how to put the photos in, but if I ever do, you'll be amongst the first to know!