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....
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