11th April 2015 - Wantage, Uffington White Horse, Stonehenge

After last nights poor experience at the campsite, we moved on early. Into Wantage again for some shopping, couldn't resist going back a second day! Market was on today, with some great fresh veg and fruit bargains to be had. Didn't manage to walk up to the White Horse yesterday as it was just too hot for the lads. It's a shame now, as I remember the Ridgeway, it was rutted, and looked like an ancient track. You could imagine the old carts trundling down it, or the Romans cursing the ruts as they marched. Now it's all been flattened in parts, to make it more "user friendly" which in my mind takes away the whole atmosphere, and just makes it another chalk track. 

    Parked up near the Ridgeway, turn opposite road into Compton Beauchamp, takes you right up to the top. Good place for a Wild Camp, although not tried it this time. Lovely walk up to the White Horse, again lovely sunshine, also a real strong breeze to blow the cobwebs away! 

  Uffington Hill Fort, off Ridgeway, near White Horse 

  White Horse looking down over St George's Mount. 

No one is really sure why the White Horse is there. Lots of theories, ceremonial, fertility, offering to the gods, but it can definitely be seen from above better than on the ground! The hill fort has amazing views, and you can see why it was built there. Your enemies would have hard job creeping up on you. St George's mount is said to be where St George slayed the Dragon, but I'm not sure about that myth!! 

    Leaving the White Horse behind, we moved on to another landmark, Stonehenge. Personally I think it's way too commercialised now. I do understand they get hundreds, even thousands of tourists, but all these huge visitor centres, and "experiences' just ruin these places, in my opinion. These were obviously sacred places in their past, and should be treated as such, rather than amusements parks. 

   Wild Camp in a layby, getting used to this now, and lads take it in their stride. Even getting quite attached to the better ones!! 

10th April 2015 - Avebury, Wantage, Uffington, Waylands Smithy, White Horse Hill,

One of the advantages of staying overnight near some Gallops meant I could take some photos of the horses in the morning mist! They'll be uploaded to thevalleyphotographer.co.uk Driving into or through Avebury is always amazing, with standing stones everywhere you look. Found the main car park, but with no choice of visit time, or how much to pay, I did feel £7 was a lot for just some quick photos. So I changed my mind. If you turn left out of car park, then take next road on right, drive down there a short way, there's a layby to park in! Yes, I know the money keeps these places open. If you're spending all day, and there's a car full, £7 is ok, but for 1 person, just have a quick look, use the layby!! 

    Next stop Wantage. Always loved Wantage, and it's not changed a bit. Lots of little local shops. Market at weekends. Free parking for couple of hours, so a stock up of essentials. Well worth a visit, some lovely buildings, and different local shops to spend your money in. 

    Onto an area I know really well, the Vale Of The White Horse, and Waylands Smithy. Played round here as a kid. The fields then were full of poppies, and lapwings, now just full of very bright yellow rape. Parked at the NT car park, decided walk to Waylands Smithy first, really really hot day. Ended up just walking to the Smithy, and leaving the White Horse till tomorrow. Just too hot for walking the lads too far. At the car park Thames Valley Police were driving round when I got there, and when we got back. Seems to be a problem of cars being broken into while people are walking/exploring tourist sites. Easy targets. Don't leave valuables in your car, if you can help it. 

    Instead of Wild Camp tonight, thought I'd use a Campsite, electric would be handy, back up some photos. Big mistake as it happens, one of the worst sites I've stayed at. Britchcombe Farm Campsite, right under the White Horse, and I'm afraid to say that's all it has going for it. With no fresh drinking water to be found anywhere, only via wash up sinks or toilets, not exactly hygienic!! Also electric at £6 a night, ridiculous. I also heard complaints about lack of toilets for the amount of people camping in various fields around, some were "doing it" in the hedges, nice. There is a Wild Camp to be had, next road down opposite Compton Beauchamp, turn left up to top of hill. Park up by Ridgeway, much better alternative!! 

9th April 2015 - Forest Of Dean, Wollaston, Chipping Sodbury, Avebury

   Went the little back roads from the Picnic Site, rather than up A48. Up through Wollaston, the views across the Severn were awesome. No where to stop, so case of driving slow and looking!! Wanted to spot Deer, and Boar in Forest Of Dean. There are loads of places to pull in and park to go for a walk. It was a ridiculously hot day again, so somewhere shady would be good. Does seem a shame these pull ins are used as rubbish bins, why can't folks just take it home with them, or dispose of in a bin somewhere? How much effort does it take? I often end up with extra rubbish in truck, picking it up as I go, then chucking in a bin further down the road. Doesn't cost me anything to do it!! Only saw Deer in the woods, but did hear snuffling at one point, so maybe a Boar, or a Badger. 

  Forest Of Dean 

     

     A detour from the coast was decided as I want to visit Avebury, and surrounding areas. Always loved it there, grew up nearby. Choosing where I go and when is part of the pleasure of this trip! Have a plan of sorts, but nothing rigid. On A4 before Avebury, spotted a layby right by some Gallops. Great for dogs, who can stretch their legs on the Gallops, and surrounding grasslands. Several footpaths too, with views of the stunning rolling countryside. No dogs on Gallops between 7.30-12.30. Took several images, will upload to thevalleyphotographer.co.uk  

  Gallops Before Avebury 

8th April 2015 - Freshwater West, Cafe Mor, Swansea, Burry Port

    As I travel round UK, I'll be Bartering for food, and campsites. To hopefully make the money go further, and help our Bartering Partners get some coverage, and promotion. At Freshwater West there's a really good Štreet Food Trailer, Cafe Mor. They specialise in local food, Lobster Rolls, Pembrokeshire Crab, Beach Burgers made with local Welsh Beef, and Laverbread. They supplied me with my Breakfast for the day, Beach Burger, really nice, tasty, and set me up for the day. Check them out at beachfood.co.uk, or see their advert on TravelsAndTails.com. 

   Moving on, my next stop was to be the Gower. When I got to the road I needed to take there were huge queues, Police and Ambulance. Decided to give it a miss, as sitting in a traffic jam on a hot day is a definite no, especially the Hairies on board. Going through Swansea was not the greatest experience either, very busy, and everyone else seemed to know where they were going, except me!! Looked at map, Burry Port stuck out, so headed there. Nice beaches. The tide goes out fir miles, great beach for "zoomies" Contemplated Wild Camp, but very open and no loos!! I'll leave it to your imagination why I didn't stay!! 

 

   Burry Port 

      

      Headed towards Forest Of Dean. Came across nice Picnic Site for Wild Camp on A48. Loos and nice views of the Severn. Very long, hot day. 

7th April 2015 - Freshwater West, Castlemartin Range

Freshwater West is a Surfers paradise, great for photographers, and travellers alike! Park right by the beach. Great walks, either on the beach, plenty of Rock Pools to explore. Also footpaths across some stunning scenery, including Castlemartin Range, MOD land, but haven for wildlife. 

    As it's such a great spot, decided to stay over a second night. Spent the day walking, watching Surfers, the waves, and to finish the day off, a stunning sunset. Took several photos of the Surfers, will upload the to thevalleyphotographer.co.uk at some point! This is the one thing I'm struggling with, uploading images, doing websites. I do need electric really for laptop, unlike the iPad that'll charge via Solar, and lasts for hours!! So do need a campsite every now and then, good for showers too! 

6th April 2015 - Pembroke, Angle, Freshwater West

As expected the roads were really busy today, Bank Holiday Monday. What wasn't expected was the weather, hotter than the South Of France. After little while on road decided to park up in some shade in layby on main road into Pembroke. Let roads calm down, and temp cool down! There was a cafe, loos, and best of all shade, so ideal. Spotted the cafe did Fish n Chips, no brainier really!! 

    Managed to get some Super Glue from a garage, tried it on door, result!! Although new handle ordered, this hopefully will do until I can pick it up from Aunties, and install!! Quite a treat opening door from outside!! 

    When it had cooled down a bit, and there seemed less traffic, we moved onto Pembroke. Now this has to be one of my favourite towns. Lots of little quirky shops, and one window caught my eye, full of driftwood, made into all sorts, just ace. The locals were friendly, and the Castle is great!! Stocked up here with food etc. 

   Went further down the coast, stopping at Angle. To be honest, not that impressed. Lots of people, lots of dogs off lead, which is fine, if they're under control, but they were messing everywhere, and pestering kids, and other dogs, not good!! We didn't stay long. 

    It gets to the point during the day that you start thinking about where to stay overnight. Try to Wild Camp, as I don't think you can beat it, with the occasional Campsite top up!! Showers, and Battery charging. Couldn't believe my luck when just along the road came across Freshwater West. This is one of the best places to Wild Camp I've found so far. Loos, Street Food, Surfers, and loads of room to choose your spot. Awesome!! 

5th April 2015 - Whitesands

The last week just whizzed by. Feel we're all getting into the swing of it now! Hairies just treat it as the norm. All they have to worry about is "any food ready yet?" and "when's the next walk?" They've had some awesome walks, sandy beaches, rocky coasts, and endless cliff tops. They sleep when I'm driving, so it's a dogs life!! 

    Felt so chilled and relaxed at Whitesands, decided stay over. Try to move on each day, but sometimes places just say "stay a while!!" With amazing weather, and stunning views, it was hard to find a reason not to stay!! Also being Easter Sunday, did think the roads may be manic, so stay we did. Lads crashed on the grass, with me taking in the views. Need to sort my painting/sketching stuff out so I can make the most of days like today. 

4th April 2015 - Cielbwr Bay, Abercastle, Whitesands

    Thought the roads would be busy on Saturday, being Easter weekend. Hoped to avoid most of the people, and the traffic! Took some little roads round the Pembrokeshire Coast. Came across Abercastle. Stunning little bay, parking a bit scary on a tiny quayside, but well worth a visit. Really beautiful little bay.  My next stop was Ceilwbr Bay, down some vey narrow and step roads. Part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Not much parking available, but there are several different spots to try find somewhere. The cliffs have awesome rock formations, really nice walking area including Coast Path, and a walk by the river down to a Cafe. 

        I ventured further round the coast. The day ended by watching the sunset at Whitesands. Surfers Paradise. The sound, and sight of the waves rolling in was just amazing. Took several photos here, they will be uploaded to our Retail Site via thevalleyphotographer.co.uk Stopped at nice little quiet campsite, just up the road. Towyn Campsite, only £7 per tent. Basic with just a loo, and sink, but lovely views, and short walk to Whitesands. 

    The first week passed extremely quickly, with several highs, couple of lows, but thoroughly enjoyed it.... 

Sunset At Whitesands 

Great for Hairies too! 

3rd April 2015 - Pen Y Fan - Wee Crafty Folk, Dolbryn Newcastle Emlyn

     Lovely walk first thing, and being Good Friday there were walkers aplenty by 8am. A Burger Van pulled up, huge generator, this didn't really add anything to the picnic site I felt. Surely there's something better!! Went into Brecon to visit "Wee Crafty Folk" at Bishop Bevan Hall. Always a quirky, fun and brill Craft Fair. Not been? Check them out, dates to be found on FB. Thanks to Charlotte, who rushed off her feet still tried mending my broken door handle, but unfortunately didn't work, so back to climbing in, and out of the front!!! Wanted to make my way up to Cardigan, weather was horrendous, gales, heavy rain, and what a time for my radiator hose to decide to split!! What with this and the handle, I do feel that because I'm using the Trùsty Truck 24/7 that anything slightly weak is showing up. But if I get them all out the way first couple of weeks I'll be happy. Had to call out AA, I couldn't see a way to fix it with what I had. They arrived within 40 mins, and the guy was great, trying all sorts to finally get a solution. The day was to finish well though, finding Dolbryn Campsite, near Newcastle Emlyn. Happy to be one of our Bartering Partners. Ace site for dogs, kids, and adults. Nice little bar to spend your evenings in, reasonable prices too. Clean and hot showers. Toilet block excellent. If you have kids they even put on activities. Well worth checking out, see their advert on TravelsAndTails.com 

                                            

2nd April 2015 - Llangattock, Talybont Resevoir, Brecon Mountain Railway, Pen Y Fan

    Thursday 2nd April was my last photo shoot for my Tourism Commission. Probably saving the best to last! Headed for Talybont Resevoir. Again the weather didn't let me down, and there were good conditions for great images. Reflections were excellent. These can be viewed at thevalleyphotographer.co.uk and they'll be used for irresistibleoffa.org.uk . Next stop would be Brecon Mountain Railway. Really nice place, friendly staff, and in need of a boost to their visitors, so go on check them out. Not far from Merthyr. Quick visit to my Sisters, and then to Wild Camp at NT Picnic Site below Pen Y Fan on A470. With loos, awesome views, and splendid walks for the Hairy Lads it was ace. 

1st April 2015 - Park Farm, Llangattoc

     April Fools Day was to be a very strange day!! Took lads for their morning constitutional. Got back to my trusty truck Mitzi (Mitsubishi Delica) went to open the sliding side door, the handle snapped!! "No!!" and other words were said!! Panic set in. How do I get lads in, and out of truck? With lots of advice from the owners of Park Farm campsite, and others staying on site, I had a place to order a new one. It also dawned on me, I could get into the back from the front, and door could be opened that way!! Inconvenient, but not totally impossible!! Looked on Internet also for a part, but nothing cheaper really, only from Australia. So thought I'd keep my money local!! Part ordered, 5-8 week delivery. Decided stay another day at the site, so into town for some local goodies. Coming back with Cider, Olives, Cheese, Ham, and Bread, I ended up having a chill day, and no travelling. 

31st March 2015 - Weir Garden, Park Farm Llangattock

    The Wild Camp site was very close to today's photo shoot, Weir Garden NT. This turned out to be a photographer's dream. The weather was stunning to match the place. With Spring flowers, the river, and a walled garden I could of stayed all day, but wanted to get on to Crickhowell. The images from this shoot will be used by the IrresistibleOffa.org.uk project, will also be on thevalleyphotographer.co.uk to view and purchase. Crickhowell is a lovely town, with many local shops, and as I write this they're trying to keep it that way. Campaigning against a local pub being turned into a Coop. Check out their page on Facebook. 

    Would be staying at Park Farm, Llangattock near Çrickhowell, one of our Bartering Partners. Check out their advert on TravelsAndTails.com. Well worth checking out the site, and the area. I've already done couple of photo shoots in the area. One being Table Mountain. Really cracking walk, accessible from the town. Check out CRIC in town for more info. 

Table Mountain 

30th March 2015 - 365 Steps, Monmouth, Credenhill Park Wood

Visited Monmouth in the morning, parked up by the river, mainly just to get some provisions. Ended up with Curry and Chips. Do have a feeling my diet may suffer on this trip. Not so much as in losing weight, but as in what I'll just grab to eat instead of cooking. Images from Monmouth will be on thevalleyphotographer.co.uk 

     Decided on Tintern Area for photo shoot, on this Monday, as I'd already covered Tintern Old Station, and the Abbey. Images can be viewed, and purchased at thevalleyphotographer.co.uk Had noticed '365 Steps' previously, from Lower Wyndcliffe Car Park, and thought this walk would be ideal. Not a walk for the Hairy Lads, as very steep with lots of steps, including metal staircase. An amazing walk with stunning views, and really old woodland. Really enjoyed the walk, then took the 2 Hairies for theirs!! Images will be used on a project IrresistibleOffa.org.uk On a sad note, saw my first Wild Boar, unfortunately on the side of the road, it was a stunning animal nonetheless. Found a lovely Wild Camp site, Credenhill Park Wood. Definitely worth a visit for the views to be had from the Woodland walk. Very quiet site. Weather was dreadful at the start, fierce gales, driving rain. Mother Nature was launching our trip in style.

     Had my first encounter with the 'law' here!! About midnight, heard a car pull up, torches through the truck's windows! Oh great, I thought. Then someone said "Police"!! Eeek, was I going to be moved on? Opened my side door, with Ru attached to a lead. "Everything OK?" the extremely young Policeman asked. (sign of my age!!) "Fine thank you" my reply. "Are you staying overnight?" He asked. "I was planning to" waiting for the reply to "move on!!" But no, he was very polite, and nicely said "That's fine then, just checking who's about, and I see you have your own security!!" Meaning Ru I think, as Ru hadn't taken his eyes off him, and barked several times!! Good lad... 

   

29th March 2015 - Rhayader, Hereford

With a new MOT and a service, the trusty truck was ready. 

    Sunday 29th March our journey started. Setting off down the A44 I was a bit of a rabbit in headlights, for the first few miles. A trip I'd wanted to do for a long long time, something I'd waited and planned for was happening now! I had felt if I didn't do it now, I may never do it. There were a few tourism photo shoots to complete, so I had a plan, sort of, nothing to fixed though. Needed to go Hereford/Wye Valley direction. Getting to Hereford I had a nose at the Racecourse, and the Cider Museum! Was this the way the trip would proceed? Could always hope! Finding a Picnic Site, on the A40 just outside Hereford, with loos, place to walk the lads, looked to be what I wanted for a ** "Wild Camp". Mainly a lorry stop, but it was clean, and free!! So excited about what lay ahead. 

  **   "Wild Camp" will mean anywhere free, and legal to stay overnight. I will be doing a PDF, or maybe Mini EBook on the best "Wild Camp" sites. 

Our First Week - My How Quick It Went

With a new MOT and a service, the trusty truck was ready. 

    Sunday 29th March our journey started. Setting off down the A44 I was a bit of a rabbit in headlights, for the first few miles. A trip I'd wanted to do for a long long time, something I'd waited and planned for was happening now! There were a few tourism photo shoots to complete, so I had a plan, sort of. Needed to go Hereford/Wye Valley direction. Getting to Hereford I had a nose at the Racecourse, and the Cider Museum! Was this the way the trip would proceed? Could always hope! Finding a Picnic Site, on the A40 just outside Hereford, with loos, place to walk the lads, looked to be what I wanted for a "Wild Camp". 

     "Wild Camp" will mean anywhere free, and legal to stay overnight. I will be doing a PDF, or maybe Mini EBook on the best "Wild Camp" sites. 

     Decided on Tintern Area for photo shoot, on the Monday, as I'd already covered Tintern Old Station, and the Abbey. Images can be viewed, and purchased at thevalleyphotographer.co.uk Had noticed '365 Steps' previously, from Lower Wyndcliffe Car Park, and thought this walk would be ideal. Not a walk for the Hairy Lads, as very steep with lots of steps, including metal staircase. An amazing walk with stunning views, and really old woodland. Images will be used on a project IrresistibleOffa.org.uk On a sad note, saw my first Wild Boar, unfortunately on the side of the road, it was a stunning animal nonetheless. Found a lovely Wild Camp site, Credenhill Park Wood. Definitely worth a visit for the views to be had from the Woodland walk. Very quiet site. Had my first encounter with the 'law' here!! About midnight, heard a car pull up, torches through the truck's windows! Oh great, I thought. Then someone said "Police"!! Eeek, was I going to be moved on? Opened my side door, with Ru attached to a lead. "Everything OK?" the extremely young Policeman asked. (sign of my age!!) "Fine thank you" my reply. "Are you staying overnight?" He asked. "I was planning to" waiting for the reply to "move on!!" But no, he was very polite, and nicely said "That's fine then, just checking who's about, and I see you have your own security!!" Meaning Ru I think, as Ru hadn't taken his eyes off him, and barked several times!! Good lad... 

    Weir Garden NT

    The Wild Camp site was very close to Tuesday's photo shoot, Weir Garden NT. This turned out to be a photographer's dream. The weather was stunning to match the place. With Spring flowers, the river, and a walled garden I could of stayed all day, but wanted to get on to Crickhowell. The images from this shoot will be used by the IrresistibleOffa.org.uk project, also will be on thevalleyphotographer.co.uk to view and purchase. Crickhowell is a lovely town, with many local shops, and as I write this they're trying to keep it that way. Campaigning against a local pub being turned into a Coop. Would be staying at Park Farm, Llangattock near Çrickhowell, one of our Bartering Partners. Check out their advert on TravelsAndTails.com. Well worth checking out the site, and the area. 

     April Fools Day was to be a very strange day!! Took lads for their morning constitutional. Got back to my trusty truck Mitzi (Mitsubishi Delica) went to open the sliding side door, the handle snapped!! "No!!" and other words were said!! Panic set in. How do I get lads in, and out of truck? With lots of advice from the owners of campsite, and others staying on site, I had a place to order a new one. It also dawned on me, I could get into the back from the front, and door could be opened that way!! Inconvenient, but not totally impossible!! Looked on Internet also for a part, but nothing cheaper really, only from Australia. So thought I'd keep my money local!! Part ordered, 5-8 week delivery. Decided stay another day at the site, so into town for some local goodies. Coming back with Cider, Olives, Cheese, Ham, and Bread, I ended up having a chill day, and no travelling. 

   Sunset On The Trusty Truck - Mitzi 

    Thursday 2nd April was my last photo shoot for my Tourism Commission. Probably saving the best to last! Headed for Talybont Resevoir. Again the weather didn't let me down, and there were good conditions for great images. Reflections were excellent. These can be viewed as above. Next stop would be Brecon Mountain Railway. Really nice place, friendly staff, and in need of a boost to their visitors, so go on check them out. Not far from Merthyr. Quick visit to my Sisters, and then to Wild Camp at NT Picnic Site below Pen Y Fan on A470. With loos, awesome views, and splendid walks for the Hairy Lads it was ace. 

     Lovely walk first thing, and being Good Friday there were walkers aplenty by 8am. A Burger Van pulled up, huge generator, this didn't really add anything to the site I felt. Surely there's something better!! Went into Brecon to visit "Wee Crafty Folk" at Bishop Bevan Hall. Always a quirky, fun and brill Craft Fair. Not been? Check them out, dates to be found on FB. Thanks to Charlotte, who rushed off her feet still tried mending my broken door handle, but unfortunately didn't work, so back to climbing in and out of the front!!! Wanted to make my way up to Cardigan, weather was horrendous, gales, heavy rain, and what a time for my radiator hose to decide to split!! What with this and the handle, I do feel that because I'm using the Trùsty Truck 24/7 that anything slightly weak is showing up. But if I get them all out the way first couple of weeks I'll be happy. Had to call out AA, I couldn't see a way to fix it with what I had. They arrived within 40 mins, and the guy was great, trying all sorts to finally get a solution. The day was to finish well though, finding Dolbryn Campsite, near Newcastle Emlyn. Happy to be one of our Bartering Partners. Ace site for dogs, kids, and adults. Nice little bar to spend your evenings in, reasonable prices too. Clean and hot showers. Toilet block excellent. If you have kids they even put on activities. Well worth checking out, see their advert on TravelsAndTails.com 

    Thought the roads would be busy on Saturday, being Easter weekend. Took little roads round the Pembrokeshire Coast. Came across Abercastle. Stunning little bay, parking a bit scary on a tiny quayside, but well worth a visit. Next I came across Ceilwbr Bay, awesome rock formations, nice walking area including Coast Path.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path 

   Sunset At Whitesands. 

   The day ended by watching the sunset at Whitesands. Surfers Paradise. The sound, and sight of the waves rolling in was just amazing. Took several photos here, they will be uploaded to our Retail Site via thevalleyphotographer.co.uk Stopped at nice little quiet campsite, just up the road. Towyn Campsite, only £7 per tent. Basic with just a loo, and sink, but lovely views and short walk to Whitesands. 

    The first week passed extremely quickly, with several highs, couple of lows, but thoroughly enjoyed it....