Aberystwyth

Heading home, I called in at where Dad did his M Ed degree. The photos don't do it justice, the weather wasn't that bad! On the front were lots of international flags, mainly from people struggling for independence - very interesting.

I walked to the end, and this photo shows me 'kicking the bar', which is a tradition but no-one seems to agree on why: Kicking The Bar

This is a spot just under 'Consti', otherwise known as Constitution Hill.

The best way up there is the Cliff Railway. Nice brunch in the caff looking at the lovely view.

New Quay

The Good Life campsite was facility-free, but had a sea view (just) and would have been quiet except for the barking dogs locked in the neighbouring tent - some people shouldn't be allowed animals...


I set off from the campsite on a Ceredigion section of the  Coast walk - Cwmtydu to New Quay, and it was fantastic! Very hot, I was glad I had the sun at my back. Lots of up and down over the clifftops to a pretty town in full holiday swing. Sadly I had picked a day when the bus didn't run, so got a taxi back to the site as I was jiggered.

Cwmtydu

Along the route

New Quay

The next day I did a short walk from the site again, through some positively Jurassic Park-style woodlands, ending up at a local landmark called Pea Pod Corner with a cute gift shop.

Marloes

After calling in at the Ferry to see Jackie and Karen (and meet Ethan for the first time!) I headed off to a small village called Marloes, on a small headland jutting out to see.

Foxdale campsite was a large field of mainly tents, luckily for me it was quite quite. I think it was a good choice - an onsite kiosk selling stew for tea and bacon butties in the morning. Lovely couple running it. It was also much more sheltered than the CL I saw later on the trip being battered by the wind.

The next day I took a walk round the headland - through the village past the bell tower, across the old airfield, through a bird reserve (with hides) and along cliffs. I also detoured to Marloes sands, which was a cracking beach, mainly because there is no car access.

On the way up to my next stop, I called in at a pretty town called Newport, right on the estuary. Popped in to stock up on supplies.  

One great stop, down tiny leafy lanes, was Bluestone Brewery. Picked up a few bottles for research purposes.

Next stop was Pentre Ifan neolithic dolmen, a burial chamber with a fabulous outlook. Also made from bluestone, named after the brewery (ha!).

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.