30 June 2018 - Home

It’s good to be back home, although both MLW and I were a little apprehensive about returning when we got near.  The YCM was looking forward to the Sylvanians all meeting the new addition to the family so couldn’t wait to get home.

We slept pretty well at the hotel, despite the YCM partially falling out of bed then sleeping with us in a queen size bed and managing to turn herself 180º during the night, with none of us really noticing.

We had a lovely breakfast, I really don’t know where MLW puts it.  She eats loads more than me.

They then went for a swim as I acted as hotel porter and made several trips to take the bags etc. to the car.  What I may not have explained before is that we have a plug in cool box, so along with the bags, I have to take the cool box as it has the milk, cheese, butter and obviously the tonic water.  It runs whilst in the boot of the car, but during this month of great weather, whenever we’ve stopped the cool box has also come in to be plugged into the mains.  Another thing to carry.

We had a fairly uneventful ride home, until we got to the road works at the end of the A50.  We decided to head up the M1 and come through Nottingham.  As we were in town, we managed to go via Boots and the YCM had a vaccination (handled with her usual

stoicism) and as per usual, we had an ice cream.

We arrived home and the lawns are looking lovely, thanks to Wendy and Christian.  Then comes the great unpacking.

I unpacked the boot, then the front of the car, then the roof box. MLW and the YCM emptied the back seat carnage.  Then we finally got the roof box off my car.  The YCM will miss my car’s ‘hat’. Whilst it’s been really useful, it has done nothing for my street cred!  

My car is now either ready for a full valet, or after having a 4 year old living in the back for a month, I may just get it torched and start again.

Again with the weather, we’ve managed to get a few wash loads done and dried.  Without any food in the house, MLW and the YCM were despatched to hunt and gather fish and chips and milk. The village animals (including the 2 new goats) have been visited and the home play park verified. All’s well with the world. 

We’ve officially ended the holiday by putting up our fridge magnets. 

So what of our trip?

We have travelled 2101 miles in one month.

Covered England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Wales.

Towns, cities, villages, coast, hills, lakes and mountains have all featured.

Of the 29 nights away, we spent 3 in camping pods, 2 in an Air B&B, (I know Faith, they’re just not safe) 4 nights in hotels, 2 in B&Bs and 18 in the tent.  

The YCM has coped remarkably well with sleeping in a different place every few days and keeps pulling out snippets of the trip to tell us about so hopefully she’ll remember the experience. Nursery have the treat of being shown a ‘mermaid’s purse’ on Tuesday! 

Would we do it again?  Like a shot.  We’ve all enjoyed it and you can be content with surprisingly little when you want to be.

29 June 2018 - Whitchurch

The school children were quieter than mice this morning.   We managed a lie in until 7.30.

Breakfast was bacon wraps, however I treated myself to some black pudding too as it was my last time cooking breakfast on the trip.

We took our time packing up and getting ready, managing to pull in a game of twister.  MLW and the YCM walked down to town whilst I took down the tent and picked up our stuff out of the fridge.  We had made the right decision to move today as before I’d left 4 more cars had turned up, 3 of them were in a group so I can’t imagine it would be a quiet weekend.

We met up in town, visited a café and had a walk up the high street.  What had struck us was that tonight we were staying in a fancy hotel but didn’t have any appropriate clothes for a ‘nice’ restaurant. 

We visited some charity shops or exclusive boutiques as MLW calls them. She got a nice Fatface dress for £3.50. I got a Pringle shirt for £2.00.  The YCM did really well getting a summer and a winter outfit for £1.35, and she fed Gloucester the dog a gravy bone! 

We set off for Whitchurch.  The hotel is part of a golf/spa complex.  Very comfortable but very golfy as these places are.

We checked into our room and then went for a swim. The pool was lovely, and had a themed shower. After swimming we got dressed for dinner and headed down to the restaurant.

The meals were excellent and the YCM’s dinner was served in the same style as the adult meals which was fantastic. Although, we’ve decided to ask all places we go to not to pre-heat the plate for the children’s meal. Why would you do that?

After dinner we had a stroll around the golf course, admired the local wildlife (squirrel, rabbit and several birds) and returned to our room to bed. I’ve been gifted some feathers and fluffy tree pollen.

There’s another beautiful sunset this evening.

Tomorrow will be the 30th of June and our return home so we’ll post up tomorrow and include some sort of summary and maybe at some point we’ll add some relevant pictures to all of the posts.

28 June 2018 - Bishop’s Castle

More bacon wraps for breakfast after being woken by loads of kids walking backwards and forwards from the toilet block from 5.30. 

On the way to do the washing up I noticed an unusual fellow camper and went over for a chat. 

She was a very interesting lady touring around the borders of England and Wales on a small, vintage Ferguson tractor. She too was coming to the end of a month’s holiday and had had a great time and a few exciting moments along the way. 

We got in the car and went off to Shrewsbury.  It was better than I remember it. We had a walk around the centre then had a walk through the park until we found the play park. 

After a quick play we went off for a boat trip on the River Severn. 

Lunch was purchased whilst the YCM went and played in the splash park in her pants. 

After a lunch break it was back in the water then dried off for some more regular playing. 

Obviously there was ice cream involved. 

We arrived back at the campsite and had dinner. MLW and the YCM had an after dinner stroll whilst I cleared up. 

Tomorrow will be our last day!

27 June 2018 - Bishop’s Castle

Today we had bacon wraps for breakfast after an early rise thanks to the YCM. 

We got our stuff together, took down the tent, packed the car and set off to pastures new. First stop was Llangollen for a little shopping then we stopped at Trevor for lunch. We had lunch down in the valley looking up at the aqueduct. Out voted, I drove up to the Trevor visitors car park so we could walk over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. With an ice cream obviously. 

The YCM waved and received waves from the boats coming over and then spent quite a lot of time feeding the ducks. 

We set off again and after about an hour,  arrived at our new campsite.  

Whilst I put the tent up MLW and the YCM went exploring. They found the very clean and nicely kept toilets and showers, the kitchen area and fridge. They also found some ducks and came back for the left over duck food. Result. The site also has trikes to borrow, so the YCM has been brushing up on her skills.

When they got back I’d got most things sorted and we were ready for a walk into town. Bishops Castle is a bit of an eccentric town. It has two breweries, loads of different shops and painted houses. Not just painted but ones with spots or two zipped or jigsawed together. It’s really quite lovely. However, it was pretty much closed on a Wednesday at 5.00pm. 

We walked around in the shade then went to the Three Tuns for dinner. We had to wait a while as the chef didn’t start cooking until 6.30 but it was worth waiting for. The YCM did a great job working through her puzzle book.

After that it was a slow walk up the hill to the campsite. 

The YCM went off to bed as she was very tired and MLW and I managed to sneak a shower in. 

26 June 2018 - Llanrwst

Hot. Left the front door open last night so we weren’t as hot as we could have been but we were up by 7.30 before we were desiccated.

Today was porridge for the ladies’ breakfast. I passed on breakfast but made up for it later.

Before too long we were out and on our way to Blaenau Ffestiniog.  Got a return ticket to Porthmadog and boarded the train. It’s a steam hauled service. The YCM is interested in trains and had been reading the Talyllyn railway books in the Thomas the Tank engine series.

The journey was longer than I remember from last time we caught the train. They must have extended the line.  Also, the line links up at Porthmadog with another narrow gauge line (the Welsh Highland Railway) which runs to Caernarfon via Beddgelert. (Note to  MF & DT. Could make a circular Snowdon route using the railway).

 The journey was great. You get to see lakes, mountains and waterfalls. Loads of scenery to take in.  It really is worth doing.

We walked through Porthmadog found a café and decided on an early lunch. MLW and I had an all day breakfast and the YCM went for fish fingers.

Did I mention it was hot?  The YCM and I had an ice cream and we walked back via a toy shop (buying a small Sylvanian Family dog with slide for distraction purposes on the hot journey back) to the station. 

We only had 10 minutes to wait until the train departed and the lovely journey was reversed.   I found that my head lolled a lot more on this journey and I don’t remember seeing as much. 

I awoke when someone mentioned ice creams. MLW had a Solero and magnanimously shared it with me and the YCM. It saved our lives. 

We hadn’t seen the steam engine on the way back as the train carriages were getting busy, so we hung around to watch the engine change ends. It also filled up with water. There were two highlights to this for the YCM. Firstly, the coupling mechanism was a lot simpler than the Oxenhope railway. Secondly, she waved to the whole train, from driver through to last carriage and was very pleased with her achievement.

We then popped to the Co-op for stuff for tea and breakfast, cold drinks and the YCM had a Calypso. Turns out we’d done this at school pick up time, and after 5 minutes of peace, calm and cool the place was rammed!

Then we came back to the campsite. MLW sorted drinks for all and I checked with the campsite reception as to whether they took card payments. They didn’t.  So, whilst the YCM and MLW had tea I drove into Llanrwst to visit the Post Office talking cash point. It seems I may have been distracted by the New Inn and a pint of Marston’s Saddle Tank. 

I returned back, paid our camp fees and found the YCM and MLW ready to go for a shower.  It was gin o’clock so I indulged with a few ‘tea’ type items and listened to the football in the car whilst the YCM was put to bed. 

Who knows what we’ll do with the rest of the evening. 

25 June 2018 - Llanrwst

We woke up in what felt like an oven. The tent gets so hot in the morning with direct sunlight all morning. And this is at 7.00am when we got the ‘is it morning?’ question.

I got up before they stirred too much, and had a shower.  The YCM had an appointment to help let the animals out at the farm (ducks, chickens and sheep were let out and fed).  She was also able to collect some of the eggs that we bought for breakfast. 

Breakfast was eggs then,  scrambled for me and MLW and a Bobby Bear (boiled) egg for the YCM.

I did the washing up and MLW prepared lunch and we set off for the seaside. 

First, Colwyn Bay, bit stoney, then Abergele, bit rubbish so we ended up in Rhyl, which was a bit chavvy really.   Still, the YCM and MLW managed to enjoy a paddle before we had lunch.

We then drove to Llanrwst and MLW found a play park for the YCM.  They also had a fresh water paddle in the river.  Much better than the sea had been. I went for a haircut.

We met up and had another play in the park and then another paddle in the river.

We returned to the campsite for showers, gin (only 1 of us) and dinner, a game of frisbee and football and then to bed.

Tomorrow we’re going to play on trains ...

24 June 2018 - Llanrwst

I was awoken by a lot of baas. Shortly after by a small person asking me if it was morning yet. Technically yes, waking up terms, no!

The YCM was taken to the toilet whilst I tried to slumber but it sounded like the farmer next door needed to rotate some rocks in a cement mixer as he hadn’t quite finished the job last night. I got up and put the kettle on. 

The baas had come from all of the sheep being rounded up for shearing.   No idea about the rock in the cement mixer.

We decided to go to the Ffestiniog Railway. We drove to Blaenau Ffestiniog and noticed that we could park quite easily,which made us think. A quick look at the timetable told us that Sunday was a rubbish day to go on the railway and that, funnily enough, Tuesdays were good. We amended our plan. 

I decided to pick a lunch venue. A café I’d visited a few years ago on a motorcycle trip. A café with a rabbit village. We lunched and watched rabbits, despite it being nap time for rabbits. A guinea pig was also spotted. The café also had a variety of lever-pulling, button pushing, handle turning activities to do.

Then we headed for Llangollen. The YCM was in need of a play park fix. I managed double ice creamage whilst the YCM had one which was finished off by MLW. 

We walked along the river (literally in the case of MLW and the YCM, who hopped along the exposed rocks) and watched some white water rafts.  The canal was calling us so we went up to the  canal and watched the horse drawn boat for a while and then had a stroll along the canal. 

We walked back through the town, obtaining our lunch items for tomorrow’s day out and a box of lovely fudge. The YCM has declared the vanilla variety edible.

We returned to the campsite without any sheep incidents.  Dinner was served. Tonight we’re trying Rhubarb and Ginger gin. Even MLW had one!!! Well, half a one in any case.

After this the usual evening routine of teeth cleaning and washing up. 

We’ve had a nice relaxing day and someone is particularly shattered. Perhaps no one will wake up before 6.30 tomorrow!

23 June 2018 - Llanrwst

Another busy day today. It was the YCM’s turn to wake up early this morning, some time before 6.30. 

She went off for a supervised early bath whilst I had a bit longer in bed. 

Breakfast was great. We have been lucky with most of the places we’ve stayed at. 

Whilst they went to say goodbye to the ponies down the road I packed the car and settled up. 

We found a campsite just outside Llanrwst and turned up on spec. The lady was brilliant with the YCM and showed us where we could pitch the tent and also provided us with a cable for our electricity. 

They went for a look around whilst I put up the tent. We had a bit of lunch then they put the bedding out. We seem to have hit on a routine that works. 

That all done we took a drive to Betws y Coed. One of us fell asleep in the car. Funny how that happens when you get up early!  We walked up the high street. Nipped into Cotswolds for some post cards and some more tent pegs. Can’t have too many as I managed to break or bend 5 more today. 

We did a touch of shopping and sat on a bench for our obligatory ice creams. 

Afterwards we walked over the river and the YCM had a climb on the rocks. 

It was approaching tea time so we went to the bakers and bought something for tea which we ate in the park near the railway station. 

As one of us had had a sleep earlier, a play park was required to use up some energy and burn off some carrot cake pudding. 

A play park was located a short drive away. 

On the way back to the campsite we found a lamb in the road so stopped to do some sheep rescue. Fortunately some other people stopped to help and one bloke was very keen to grab the lamb and return it to the field.

Back at the campsite it was time for bed for the YCM and laundry time for me. I spent one hour thirteen minutes waiting for a wash to finish. That’s now in the drier. Since then I’ve found a 20 minute speed wash. Oh well, another load in. . . .

Doesn’t drying clothes take a long time. 

22 June 2018 - Rhosgoch, Anglesey

Today’s breakfast was porridge. This was great as it was instant porridge and so meant minimal washing up. We were greeted by blue skies and a chilly northerly breeze. And crows.

MLW and the YCM packed the bedding whilst I packed the car.  They then went to play on the sun drenched, soft, sandy beach for the last time leaving me (in peace) to take the tent down and finish the packing. 

I met the at them at the main entrance after converting my remaining unused shower tokens for a coke and a soap dish and we set off via Tesco for Dublin Port.

The highlight of this journey was the Dublin Tunnel. Why isn’t everyone shouting about this?  It’s huge and brilliant and only €3 off peak.

At the port we waited for our ferry.  We’d chosen one of the smaller quick ones (Dublin Swift) which do the trip in 2 hours, half the time of the big ferries.  A pretty uneventful crossing and we arrived in Holyhead. No play area on this ferry, it’s designed for speed.

I’d booked a B&B for tonight.  We eventually found it as it’s in the middle of nowhere however, it is a real gem of a place.  Never been anywhere that provides toothbrushes in the bathroom just in case.  We were welcomed with a pot of tea and lots of biscuits while we sorted ourselves out and went for a walk to the pub for dinner.

On the way we met some friendly calves but they could not get close through the hedge.  We then came across some ponies who all except one wanted their noses rubbing. 

We hadn’t expected the quality of pub in a village of this size, the food was excellent and the staff were friendly and welcoming.

We went home, saying goodnight to the ponies and calves.

I watched then football in the guest lounge whilst MLW put the YCM to bed.

A busy day but it’s nice to be back on the mainland so to speak. 

21 June 2018 - Wicklow

We had a lovely night’s sleep in the tent. The YCM was refreshed and ready for action at 6.30. When we released her from her gag and strait jacket we had breakfast and decided what we’d do for the day. 

MLW has expressed some element of despair at the wake up time, hoping to sleep in at some point beyond her work alarm time. So far me and the YCM are taking turns at the early morning wake up.

MLW and the YCM went down to our private beach whilst I washed up and made a work phone call. 

Then I got my stuff together and joined them on the beach. 

We had a lovely time. Despite the cold northerly wind and the sea being on the chilly side, we all managed a quick swim. It was breathtaking. It really was that cold. Funny that after I’d been in I knew MLW would have to but it was great that the YCM didn’t want to miss out and insisted that she was going in too. 

Whilst all this fun was happening a bunch of crows poked holes in MLW’s carrier bag and ate a third of an apple and started a crispy bar. Nasty business. 

We climbed the steps back up to the campsite and had lunch. It was decided that we’d go in search of an ice cream. 

We went to Brittas Bay. Found an ice cream shop then continued down the road until I found somewhere to park. 

There was a path through the dunes on to a massive sand and pebble beach. We spent a couple of hours looking at stones and shells and burying treasure and drawing around each other.  The YCM didn’t want to leave. 

We came back to the tent and I cooked tea whilst the ladies played frisbee and scared off the crows. Half way through cooking we ran out of gas. Fortunately the shop at the campsite was well stocked and after being relieved of €25 we were back in business. 

After dinner there was the familiar routine of me doing the washing up and the others going to look at the beach. This time was different. They also went to speak to some sheep.

She must have counted them as she’s now fast asleep. 

20 June 2018 - Wicklow

We woke up in a hotel!  I woke up about 6.30 so I had an early bath. 

MLW had one after me then we went out to find something for breakfast.   We found another hotel on the promenade selling breakfast which worked out cheaper than our hotel. 

A quick trip back to our hotel for teeth cleaning and coats and MLW and the YCM went off in the direction of the play park and beach. 

I had a relax until it was time to shuttle our bags to the car and check out. 

The ladies arrived back and we headed out of Bray. Just on the way out when the YCM asked where the church was where ‘my Mark’ (a friend of mine) got married. I had said yesterday that I’d show her, so after a U turn and a church drive-by we left Bray for the campsite just south of Wicklow. 

The campsite is lovely. I put the tent up whilst MLW and the YCM went to find our private beach. 

They came back for a lunchtime sandwich watched by 5 big black crows.   Even after the food had gone the crows wouldn’t go away until I started throwing tent pegs near them. 

We then went for a trip to Wicklow. The YCM identified an ice cream shop, so I kept her company.  She’s an ice cream seeking professional.

We had a walk around and walked down to the river where we watched a lady catching crabs in a crab net. There were loads of them just asking to be caught.   After the big net was filled, about 10 or so big crabs, she emptied it and re-baited it and threw it in again. We were fascinated. 

Back to the campsite and I started cooking. Ladies - beach again. 

I was expecting interest from the crows again but they weren’t about. Instead there were thousands of small flies all trying to land on black things. They dived at the stove and the car roof box. I think we may have eaten a few. 

We had a family trip to the beach after dinner. The tide had gone out just enough for us to nip into the bay. When the tide is out it’s going to be great place to spend some time. 

We returned via the toilet block. The YCM got ready for bed and I did the washing up. 

It looks like from now on it’s going to be nothing but good weather, but I have a lot of spare pegs just in case. 

19 June 2018 - Bray

We’re basking in 24 degree sunshine at 7.30 whilst the YCM plays at a seaside play park. This is not where we thought we’d be!

Our plan was to head for a lovely back to nature farm stay in Galway. Composting loos, a field to camp in, fresh air and lots of animals.

We’d heard back from the farmer, All good. Meet at 3.30pm.

So we packed up and said goodbye to Sligo. 

Having cracked through most of the distance by lunch we did a supermarket shop. Then we had a tea break. All this time it’s raining and struggling to reach 15 degrees.

As the appointed meeting time approached the rain worsened. The wind got up. We drove to the farm. We rang the farmer and apologised for wasting his time. Neither of us fancied pitching the tent in the rain on a muddy field to pack it up again wet, muddy and squishy tomorrow. What sounded romantically lovely was infinitely less lovely in the cold and sheeting rain. He was lovely about it. Thank you.

We drove on to Bray. That’s where we are now. Nearly a 10 degree temperature difference and sunshine a mere 2 hours further on.

Tea has been fish and chips on the front. 

We might even have a paddle tomorrow morning. 

The weather for the rest of our trip is set to be fine and sunny! After nearly a week of rain showers, storms and cold winds I can’t wait. 

18 June 2018 - Ballintogher

We had a leisurely start this morning. Sausages for breakfast, one of the YCM’s favourites. We also got a wash on too and MLW pegged out last night’s until it was time to go out, the intermittent sun and steady breeze dried everything quickly.

I pumped up the car tyres as they were a bit low, considering the extra weight we’re travelling with.

We set off to Strandhill.  The sea was wild. Huge rolling waves coming in and a warning on the beach to say no swimming. There are strong under currents etc. It didn’t stop some nutters surfing, though. 

We had a walk along the front and then there were some big rocks to walk on. Initially I turned back.  Last night, in a fit of uncharacteristic paternal instinct, I rushed to the side of the YCM when she cried out in her sleep. I also didn’t swear or shout out loud  when I stubbed my toe on arrival. I had a sore toe. It had swollen up, too. 

So I walked back a few yards then found an easier path to meet up with the other two.  I’m so glad I did.  We entered Shelly Valley.

Shelly Valley is a huge valley in the sand dunes. Obviously being dunes they have their own plants etc.  It was great to walk around and the YCM spotted a weird insect which we later found out was a burnet moth. A glorious black and red daytime flying creature.  It seemed that today was the day that they were coming out of their pupae and we found loads drying their wings before taking flight. Amazing. We also saw and heard skylarks.

We wandered back to the car to eat our packed lunch. A staple of cheese and cucumber sandwiches. The YCM has spotted ice cream on entry to the car park and suggested it might be pudding time. I asked MLW to choose for me and bring it back to the car.  A few minutes later I receive a phone call. ‘I can’t choose, come to the ice cream shop, it’s a sit down ice cream parlour.’

I went.  Wow, the choices were brilliant. The YCM had black cherry, MLW had honeycomb and fudge and I had honeycomb and peanut butter. We both later conceded that we should only have had one scoop (we had eaten two each, and one for the YCM).

On the way back to the car, the YCM decided she wanted to sit on a cannon and ran off to do so.  Something went wrong as she returned to the car in tears with minor skinning to hands and knees. 

We set off, back through Sligo and out to Rosses Point. They both went out for a walk, whilst I caught up on admin. (Twitter). The walk was apparently a good one, with a high-tide only lido effort, and the rock pools thoroughly explored (a crab was spotted, and a snail waving at the YCM). They also found (and photographed) an alternative cannon so all was once again right in the world.

On the way back we stopped off in the village for a minor shop.

We had burgers, broccoli and mash for tea.  The YCM was tired and went to bed whilst I cleared up after dinner and watched the football. 

I also called and left a message at the place we’d like to stay tomorrow. We’ll have to see if we get a call back before we arrive ...

17 June 2018 - Ballintogher

We packed up early this morning. The YCM had a quick play after teeth cleaning. 

We set off heading south to Sligo. 

MLW didn’t want to give the holiday park any more money (she’s still smarting at the cheek to charge £70 a night and then £1 for a 7 minute shower) so we stopped for breakfast at The Lazy Gardener in Campsie, just north of  Londonderry/Derry as it’s now known. 

We had a full Irish. MLW sharing hers with the YCM.   It was a top breakfast and worth the wait. 

We drove down through some wonderful countryside. MLW chose a meandering route on the Wild Atlantic Way as we had plenty of time. 

I nipped out  to do a quick top up shop in Ardara. Guess what?  They also sold gin. What a happy coincidence. 

We stopped for a break in Killybegs.   MLW and the YCM went for a walk. The popped into the tourist information and using the YCM‘s charm and good looks they managed to use the staff toilet.   The YCM also received a sweet and the vital location of a play park. Apparently everyone they met was lovely, so Killybegs gets big ticks!

I had a snooze and was awoken with  the gift of a strawberry jelly pudding, it is Father’s day.

We set off again and went through Sligo and on to our Air B&B booking. 

We have a lovely two bedroomed cottage at the rear of a larger property just outside a little village.   It has lovely views from the lounge window of the local hills. It really is a great find. The family who own it seem really great too, and recommended an evening walk for us.

Once we’d emptied the car I started cooking chicken stew for dinner.   During the cooking I took the opportunity to phone home to speak to my dad on Father’s day and had a quick chat with my mum too. 

After dinner we went for a walk down the road and back. MLW took the YCM up to bed whilst I did the washing up and watched the football. 

Showers in the house are free so we’ve both had one.