Rhayader and Corwen

What a find - the museum at Rhayader was excellent, with talking tapes from people who lived there, describing various aspects of their lives. Displays of all aspects of the village life, including the WI! Downstairs there was a craft gallery with striking fabrics, which were very tempting and so I gave in.






On to Llanidloes, with more museums, including this one which was all about timber-framed buildings. This looked like an up-coming place, verging on trendy I would say. I got a lovely cake and brie/cranberry sarnie for my lunch.










I stopped in a lay-by on the Dolgellau road, and annoyingly when I drove on a mile there was a glorious picnic site overlooking the reservoir. Next time...







Another stop - this time at Dolgellau, another spruce town. I have really been pleasantly surprised on this trip at how smart and prosperous a lot of Welsh towns look in comparison to my memories of the '70s. Here I bought some juicy fruit and a pair of cropped walking trousers - no more wet ankles on campsites!

I drove through Bala, and it looked splended, the lake was covered in sails, and the sign at the edge of the town had been amended to say 'Welcome to Bale'! The country has gone footie mad.

Called in at a glass shop, called Glassblobbery, which is worth popping in to if you are in the area.

Last night, on Corwen CC affiliated site, and pretty jammed in in comparison to all the smaller places I have stayed.

Final stop - a visit to Wrexham to see the wrinklies (Hi Mum!)

Elan Valley

Working my way up through to the Elan Valley, on the day Wales played England in Euro 2016 (football). Lots of flags and 'happy' people tottering between bars.

On the way I stopped at Talley Abbey, just north of Llandeilo. Very picturesque and quiet, with old fishponds and a chapel nearby. It is described as being 'an abbey of the the Premonstratensians' so no wonder they died out.

I saw some fabulous little sights driving through the wooded lanes - a sign saying 'rocks for sale - various sizes' and Bowlio Dan Do which would make a great band name, but sadly just means indoor bowling alley.

Drove through Llanddewi-Brefi before I realised where I had heard the name before (Little Britain fans will know straight away).

Pootling around aimlessly I found a brilliant road - from Tregaron to Beulah, you have to drive it. Very steep, narrow, twisty and endless but fantastic. Watch out for enormous timber wagons though.

Look at my picnic site -->








Arrived at the campsite in the Elan valley, good facilities and nice site with a stream at the bottom - slept like a log.

Unfortunately the next day the warden started mowing at 9.15am! After a few hours, couldn't stand it any longer and went for a walk up to the dams. Had a good lunch at the cafe and got a weird water bottle that never spills but you can drink out of.





The mowing continued until 5.30! Making it the worst stay I have ever had on a campsite. The man was insane, driving round the vans on his mower, strimming FIELDS for God's sake.

The Gower

Headed off for the Gower peninsular, calling in at the National Botanical Garden of Wales on the way.

The garden had interesting features like a geological walk, meadows and of course the great glasshouse. Some areas need a couple more years yet, but worth another visit.





The drive to the Gower was interesting, with ponies grazing on the roadside.


The roads got narrower and steeper, and eventually I arrived at Oxwich Bay. I stayed at a campsite at a small village called Slade, just me, a family in a transit and a fisherman in a tiny tent. Lovely views, and you could walk down to the beach - although you needed to use a rope to get on to the sands!

Driving through Slade I went past a builder, who's radio was playing - 'Cum on feel the Noize'! What are the chances? No sign of Lennie Godber though sadly.

Oxwich Bay

The next day I went for a nice walk down to Oxwich and had a sunbathe on the beach, followed by a coffee at a beach shack. Got a soaking on the hill back up to the campsite though, a torrential downpour - and I'd been paddling in the sea only 15 mins previously.

Cardiff

On to sunny Bridgend, where Lou and I drank wine and burnt some chicken. The next day we got the train in to Cardiff and spent the day shopping! I know! Freaky huh?

I got an outfit for David's graduation, including new makeup and a lesson from the lady in John Lewis. Excellent lunch at Giovanni's, including pudding.

Lickhill Manor rally

First stop was a SMFC rally near Stourport. Terrible journey - no more long journeys on a Friday night, it is not worth it. Arrived at 9pm, in the rain.

This was the 10th Anniversary of the SMFC and so over 40 vans, cakes, BBQ etc, Met up with Angela.




On Saturday I walked 3 miles along the river to a lovely town called Bewdley.

Had a coffee and then a trip around the small museum, 

The museum covered all the trades of the area, and included a pretty garden.














While I was there, the town carnival went past, very traditional with local firms and clubs making their floats.

After a quick look round the church and a chat to the warder, I caught the bus back to the site. Unfortunately there was group eating plus communal singing, so I retreated to my van.