Many Tears Camp-fest weekend. 10th - 12th July.

What a fab weekend we had at the Many Tears Animal Rescue's Camp-Fest ..we didn't stay at the actual camp in Bruton as there was no EHU or toilet emptying facility. Instead we stayed at Alice Street Farm CL, I don't know if I want to share the details as this was such a good site. OH Ok then!!! ..for £14 a night get you a hard standing with a large grass area between pitches, waste drain with hose to rinse, a drinking water tap and electric hookup on each pitch.Chemical disposal point. There was also a new unisex wet room with toilet and hand basin, toilet rolls and handwash are provided. It was an immaculate site and only 5 miles from the camp-fest.

Alice Street Farm CL

The only small downside was the herd of cows in the field in front of us. If you remember our trip to North Wales you'll know about the bull that tried to kill us, well when the herd of cows galloped in unison to the fence whilst we were walking the dogs you'll know that we were frightened to death.

They were friendly cows but we were still glad they didn't make it over the fence.

As we were only away for the 2 nights we didn't bother with the awning but used our new canopy. We were very impressed with the dry area it gave us outside the door to dry the dogs on the evening it rained, but it also provided the right amount of shade on the sunny evening. The bonus was the ease of packing up, it took no time at all. Steve always seems to be sleeping lol.

The camp-fest was all about the dogs that have been rescued having some fun and also about raising awareness and a few bob for the rescue.

The added bonus was the air show at Yeovilton ..we were lucky enough to witness the vulcan bomber flying low over Alice Street Farm on the Friday and lots of aircraft flew over the camp-fest on Saturday.

All together another fab weekend thanks to Baby.

Baby Comes Home.

We haven't been out in Baby for a few weeks but we have been spending a lot of time with her ..because we have brought her home.

Yes we have moved a large shed, demolished a fence, laid a hardstanding, installed an 8' wide gate and brought our Baby home to our garden. No more flitting back and fore between storage and home before going away, no more worrying about the fridge being cold enough, no rushing to empty everything out and making sure she is clean on the last day of holiday. I can now look after her properly in her new very secure home.

I'm sure you will agree that she looks very much at home now.

Severe Thunderstorms forecast!! ( 3 nights)

Well we ignored them and went up to Dan yr Ogof and guess what? ....yes the weathermen got it wrong!!! We had some rain on and off on the Saturday but from the time we arrived on Thursday 11th the weather was fine so another lovely 3 night break. As soon as we arrive the dogs settle straight in ..we've made some lovely friends who have their caravans sited for the season and the dogs know they are assured of a big fuss from them. They also know the site and where they love to walk.

It was actually a change to have dinner in the caravan on Saturday ..Steve had to go into work so like any good wifey I had dinner waiting for him when he came 'home'

We were very impressed with Dan yr Ogolf .. a brand new crazy golf course to be opened this summer.

As I said the weather was nowhere near as bad as the forecast and there was plenty of time to relax in the great outdoors.

spotted this beautiful Puss Moth near the caravan..

The sky on Saturday night promised a good day on Sunday.

Sunday did turn out to be a lovely day and our record of a dry awning on every trip still stands ..we took the opportunity to try out our new canopy .. we bought it as a good alternative to the awning for short weekends, stopovers and for when we want to take the awning down early to avoid packing it up wet..

Getting away from it all!! ( 6 nights)

I know the idea is to get away from it all every time we hitch up the caravan, but last week we really did need to get away from it all. The reason.... on the 24th May my stepson got married and chose not to invite us. As this is my blog I'm going to take the opportunity to put the record straight and let off some steam! Whatever reason he has given his new wife and in-laws for not wanting us there ... it has to be a fairy story!! You see our last conversation with him was lighthearted and jovial, full of love and positive conversation. Then his communications with us stopped really abruptly whilst we were in Devon this time last year, he stopped answering our calls and texts and he has since refused to talk to us and give any explanation for cutting us out of his life. We've heard that he told his in-laws that we said 'we wouldn't go to the wedding if his mother went and said horrible things about her', so he didn't want anything more to do with us ...this is an absolute fabrication, we have never said anything about his mother and have always tried to nurture their relationship, and in fact when he told us he was too embarrassed to introduce his girlfriend to her, I told him off and insisted he let his girlfriend meet her as she was his mum after all. We can only assume that he has made up stories so he didn't have to face the reality that he wasn't able to contribute to his own wedding, unfortunately he had already dug a hole for himself by the time we wrote out a cheque so he couldn't admit to his lie and accept it. Whatever the reasons he gave, we'll probably never know now. It has felt like a bereavement not being allowed to be there and now it can't be undone. I hope his in-laws know how much pain it has caused to all our side of the family ..I think they should have made sure they spoke to us, before they trusted their son-in-law was telling them the truth, and left us off the invite list, because now their daughter is starting her married life in the shadow of a lie! Anyway there you have it, the reason we had to get away from it all. RANT OVER!!!

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THE HOLIDAY.

It turned out to be a lovely week and, despite everything, we did manage to enjoy ourselves ..we went to a Caravan Club CL Canaston Oaks, Narberth. It is right in the centre of Pembrokeshire so easy to get around. We arrived on Monday morning with the sun shining brightly. Whilst we set up I turned the ignition on in the car to wind all the windows down for the dogs ...stupidly I left it on and with the boot open and the driver door open. Once we'd finished setting up I went to move the car and found the battery was down to low to start ...whoops!! anyway a call to Mayday and the man from Greenflag got it started and suggested we took it for a run to charge it up again. We didn't take much persuading to take a run down to Saundersfoot for a fish and chip lunch. It was good to get out on our first day it seemed to make the week longer.

Tuesday we went out for lunch to our favourite seafood restaurant , The Quayside at Lawrenny. Prawns for me and dressed crab for Steve ..shared if course! It was a glorious day and we chilled back at the caravan for the rest of the day with a couple of chilli kebabs and salad for dinner. The dogs are never far away when their dad starts cooking.

Wednesday we drove to Angle, neither of us had been to Angle before and were both impressed how lovely it was.

Thursday found us taking a nostalgic trip to Fishgaurd. We watched the ferry unload from Goodwick seafront then went up to the fort to watch it leave ..alway a majestic sight.

It was a bit breezy but we managed to stay long enough to have our photo taken....

We were followed along the coastal path by a beautiful Speckled Wood butterfly.

Friday took us to Llyn-y-fran reservoir ..I don't think there is any chance of a hosepipe ban this summer if the overflow is anything to go by.

...then on to Cardigan bay via the Precelli hills.

Saturday was a chill day ..would have been a shame not to have some time enjoying such a picturesque site.

One little job we did was to personalise Baby ..we think she looks rather smart with her new livery.

Sunday came around all too quickly, we went to Llawrenny for lunch before packing up to leave ..it was a bit of a celebration as it was a year to the day that we picked Bella up to bring her home. She has changed so much since that day.

THE BIG 60 !!!!! ( 5 nights)

Yes I turned 60 last week and not wanting any wild parties we took the caravan up to Dan yr Ogof for a quiet family weekend. Well that was the plan anyway, but I underestimated the party heads of my thirty something year old children and spouses!! Now Dan yr Ogof has a strict 'no rowdy family parties' policy so when laughter and loud voices were still coming from one of the caravans at 3 o'clock in the morning my heart was in my mouth, especially as I was given a good deal to book the whole well behaved family ..3 C'vans and a tent. Well despite this recurring the next night and a 1 o'clock finish on the third night there were no complaints ...PHEW!!! I don't think this site is overly strict as far as noise curfew is concerned I can't imagine any campsite where parties would be allowed to go on so late. It made me quite anxious as I would hate not to be able to go back to my favourite site just as I'd reached retirement age, but I also didn't want to be thought of as the miserable old git that spoiled the party .... even though it was my party lol.

We went up to Dan yr Ogof on the Tuesday to make sure no-one invaded our pitches but we needn't have worried because Mr Price had coned off a whole area just for us. The other 2 C'vans joined us on Thursday and the tent arrived on Friday morning. Wednesday was my actual birthday and as we had to pick our youngest granddaughter up from nursery we took her out for lunch. Then we went back to our house where I cooked some party food and the family came over for a little party. Once everyone went home we went back to the caravan where our Duvalays were waiting for us to crawl back in. It was my idea of a perfect day.

I think the family enjoyed the site, the only down side as far as the adults were concerned was the lack of children's play area, though the kids didn't seem bothered. There is a play area within the animal park but it's not accessible unless you pay for the visitors pass. I'm sure there will be a play area built one day but as the site is relatively new everything takes time. I also wonder where it would go as the site is segmented into hidden area so wherever it was build only a small number of caravans would be able to keep an eye on their children from their caravans. Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit the dinosaurs or go up the mountain pass to look down on the red kites ..activities which I'm sure the children would have loved, never mind ..hopefully there'll be a next time. We did manage a walk to Craig-y-nos country park which is just opposite the main entrance and goes through the prettiest part of the park that most visitors miss.

We made the most of Sunday as the weather turned out to be lovely and not the heavy rain day forecast. We had a cooked brunch then took a stroll around the site ..all the little secluded areas never fail to impress, then it was down to the river for the kids to throw some stones before packing up to go home.

It was a lovely weekend filled with some very happy memories. It's 15 years since the last time I had a holiday with all 3 of my children and it might never happen again as work schedules dictate. But I hope they'll all look back on it with affection and remember a special weekend to mark my 60th.

Relaxing after a mountain hike.

Two very tired dogs.

Gathering for Brunch.

A very rare picture of all my children and grandchildren with us.

Our little camp.