Wheels Around Europe . . . . . . .

Sunday, 12 July 2020

Mawwdach Estuary Wales

Saturday 11 July 2020

Some weeks ago, during lockdown, I booked a stay at Nant Gwynnant Campsite in Snowdonia in the hope that they would be open and that we could travel.

Both were uncertain for a long time, but thankfully an email arrived confirming they would open and have the necessary Covid secure measures on site.

I've not been to Nant Gwynnant before but it looks fabulous nestling in the shadow of Snowdon. Plus it also has direct access to the lake so I intend to get the kayak out.

I'm booked in from Monday to Friday but with the weather looking so good for the weekend I decided upon a couple of nights wild camping as a warm up.

So, I've come to Fairbourne Point on the Mawddach Estuary. Its not the first time I've been here but its always great to come back to such a lovely place.

It sits just south of Barmouth on the other side of the estuary with great views up the river and the mountains beyond.

On the way here I called in at Penmaenpool, just a few miles up the river by the little timber toll bridge.

From there I cycled into Dolgallu whilst Louis set the pace trotting in front.

There isn't a great deal I can say about the town, it was very quiet and sleepy for a Saturday with most shops seemingly shut, but I suppose the virus is to blame for that.

Never the less it was a pleasant cycle ride along the Mawwdach Trail.

Moving on, I managed to get a parking spot looking directly over the estuary at Fairbourne Point so fabulous views for the evening.

I just checked the tide times and if the weather is fine I might go for a kayak paddle.

Penmaenpool Toll Bridge

Mawwdach Trail views

Fairbourne Point views

Barmouth from Fairbourne Point

Sunday, 28 June 2020

Monsal Head Peak District

23 June 2020 - Monsal Head Peak District

The car park at Monsal Head us quite large but sloping so not so good for overnight stays.

It's a short walk to the viewing area with stunning views down Monsal Dale.

It's also a beautiful day, warm with clear blue skies, hardly a cloud in sight.

A rather rough footpath takes you down a hill side and joins up with the Monsal Trail right by the famous viaduct.

After crossing the viaduct, another footpath on the left takes you down to the river Wye meadow.

Once again Louis found the only patch of stinking, slimey stagnant mud to wallow in to cool off. Similar story to Mam Tor a few weeks ago.

Blimey who's have dogs, he was filthy and stank. I found a beach area further up and encouraged him to go in the river and clean up. Unfortunately it was only partly successful so I had to get my shoes and socks off and go in to give him a better clean up.

Another bath for Louis back at Ed ensured he was sufficiently clean to enter Ed after he'd dried off. He's still a bit stinky but fortunately he's at the groomers on Thursday. First one since lockdown.

Due to the slope at Monsal Head I wasn't happy overnighting there so decided to go to my favourite Peak District stop at Parsley Hay.

A beautiful evening with magnificent views over the best this national park has to offer and a glass of wine, a perfect evening.

I really appreciate living do close and being able to come to these places.

When the weather is like this, theres nowhere better to be.

I had a chat with a couple in a Bailey motorhome, they were from Heaton Moor in Stockport.

They are planning to go to Croatia when they can, so I gave them some advice and they gave me some tips on going to Spain and Portugal.

So it's back home tomorrow and the weather forecast looks good for the next few days.

I had a call from Llyn Gwynnant campsite confirming the booking for 13th July, so I've got that to look forward to next month.

I just hope the good weather holds out.

Hulme End Peak District

22 June 2020 - Hulme End Peak District

With plenty of annual leave, fine weather and the bedroom decorating completed last week, I couldn't resist a trip out in Ed.

After a quick detour to Morrisons for some food, I set off and got to Hulme End about 1115.

It's the former station, now a cafe and visitors center at the top of the Manifold Trail.

After lunch Louis and set out in warm sunshine for some excecise.

Louis walked / trotted, setting the pace whilst I cycled behind pulling the Doggyhut trailer.

It was downhill all the way to Waterhouses.

Apart from a section of trail that uses the road Louis ran all of it, but he was tired at the end so he hopped on the trailer for the return journey.

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing, then I found an old disposable BBQ from last year and so I lit that and had beefburgers for tea.

It's another lovely spot here in the Peak District, overnighting not strictly allowed but nobody is too bothered.

I'd bought a Amazon firestick 4k recently and spent some time sorting that out and it works really well provided you have enough data.

I'll need to check that out.

It also has Alexa on but I've not tried that yet.

Tomorrow the plan is to head up to Monsal Head car park and then take a walk down to the river Wye and on to Ashford in the Water.

Porth Ore, Llyn Peninsular, Wales

Saturday 21st March

(Written in March but not posted until 28th June)

It wasn`t a very good nights sleep as I was a bit twitchy about every slightest sound I heard, and I heard a lot of noises imagining all kinds of things.
I was happy when 0600 came around and I could get up, walk Louis, have breakfast and get on the road.

Well it's been a strange day today.

Firstly I went to put the drop down bed up to its daytime position, but I heard a clatter and nuts and washers came tumbling down from above !

It turned out a bolt from the mechanism had let go and the bed is looking a little lop sided now with the gas strut pushing against getting the bolt holes lined up !

Looks like I'm on the sofa tonight.

Then it started feeling a little chilly.

I realised the gas bottle had run out.

No problem, I'll switch to the other bottle and soon the heating was back on warming the van nicely.

I then searched for an autogas agent and found one in Pwllheli.

So it was off to Pwllhei after breakfast.

I filled up there then headed off to Whistling sands at Porth Oer.

I arrived at the National Trust car park by the beach and promptly got stuck on wet grass !!!

Some hippies in Vans nearby offered to help get me out, but with a little help from some nearby gravel and I managed to extract myself from the sticky goo that is grass at the moment.
We had a lovely walk on the sandy beach then enjoyed tea of baked potato, bacon and baked beans - delicious.

Proper camping food !

On the way back I had an altercation with a local who shouted at me to "stay at home and keep your filthy English germs away from here"

It seems like this coronavirus is bringing out the worst in people.

Mostly small minded idiots, but their is an air of hostility around for sure.

It's un-nerved me to the point of not being comfortable to stay here tonight as I'd planned.

She, the Welsh bitch ended up throwing a rock at the van and putting a small dent in Ed's bodywork.

Mind you this was after I'd told her to fook off.

The last thing I'd want though is for her to send some heavies round for some bother later after dark, so I'm off soon.

The trouble is, I had a glass of wine with my tea, so I can't move just yet.

Coffee should help.

It's just so sad that small minded people react in this way.

I heard reports earlier that people were leaving London and heading to their second homes in Devon and Cornwall, and the locals were complaining bitterly that they should stay in London and not take their germs and use up valuable and scarce NHS resources in those areas.
The pitchfork and burning torch brigade are certainly making themselves heard.

I can understand both point of view but if I lived in central London and had a second home in Cornwall, I know where I'd rather be.

I honestly don't know what to think, the whole situation is just bringing out the worst in everyone.

I should add, it's also bringing out the best in people also, with many genuine messages on the internet of support and help for vulnerable groups.

So that's three things turned out bad today, the bed, the gas and the Welsh small minded local.
Oh, I also miss-judged the fresh water and ran out today, grrr, not sure how that happened but it did. Not a big problem really as I have a few bottles of mineral water so I`ll use that, just very annoying.

I just hope I get a peaceful nights sleep. I'm going to head back to where I was last night.

As I left Porth Ore, a motorbike and a quad bike arrived and began circling the carpark, I've no idea what their plans were but I was glad to be leaving in the circumstances.

I've arrived back at Porth Dinllean and it feels as pleasant as it did last night.

I think I'll be ok here.
Whilst waking on the beach at Porth Ore, I found a black stone with a white ring around, I`ll post a photograph later. I`m calling it my Covid 19 "halo of hope" stone and I intend to keep it with me.

Italy had another terrible day today with nearly 800 deaths from Covoid 19.

UK deaths also continue to ratchet up, but I think we're two or three weeks behind Italy.

There are still shortages of food in the supermarkets, probably panic buying from the likes of the idiot who confronted me earlier.

I'm going to head home early tomorrow, call at the supermarket, then go home, clean the van and see what there is to do at home.

Here is my "Halo of Hope" stone to get us through this

Porth Dinllean, Llyn Peninsular, Wales

Friday 20th March 2020

(Written in March but not posted until 28th June)

These are dark days, Corona Virus or Covoid-19, until recently a problem on the other side of the World in China, has now spread like wild fire around the globe with devastaing consequences.

Thousands of deaths on many countries, Italy, France and Spain have been hit hard and the cases in the UK are on a steep upward spiral.

London seems to be the hot spot in the UK.

The response of the Government has been unprescedented, all sport, music, cultural gatherings are cancelled, the whole country has been told to go home and stay there. Tonight`s announcement was all pubs, clubs, cafes and leisure centres are to close immediatley.

Social distancing in the new buzz word to prevent the spread of this virus.

People have been panic buying food in the supermarkets, and particularly loo rolls for some reason nobody can work out the reason for.

The Treasury has launched a startling array of financial measures to get us through this crisis, a crisis like no other, certainly one unlike anyone has ever experienced before.

The financial numbers are staggering, the Government are now to guarantee 80% of the wages of everyone who cannot work as a result of the requirement to stop working, thats millions of people.

As well as a whole raft of measures to help industry.

Globally airlines, shipping, hotels are all in shutdown.

The financial Markets have tanked, I dare not even look at my pension fund.

The worst part is that nobody knows for how long but it seems we`re in this for the long haul, three, six, nine or twelve months. Nobody can tell for sure, but whatever, it`s going to be so so painful.

It`s Mothers day on Sunday and people are being told not to visit as over 65` are particularly vulnerable.

This year is turning into a complete write off.

Just when the debacle of Brexit is behind us, the Government has a good election victory and the economy is looking good, Spring is on it`s way, the birds are singing, the plants showing signs of coming back to life after such a long Winter in which it seems to have never stopped raining.

The many people who suffered flooding of their homes over the Winter have been pushed off the headlines and never even get a mention now.

Then ........ WHAM ........ Corona-19 blindsides us from nowhere.

Within a week our lives are turned upside down.

The whole world is reeling from this terrible virus. It`s such a wake up call to everyone.

But I think we had become complacent.

With modern technology, medicine and 24 hour commerce we felt we were in complete control of our destiny.

Whatever we wanted, our 21st Century lifestyle could deliver it to us with the click of a button on a keyboard.

That is all to change, I think our lives have changed forever. No longer will we have the freedoms to behave and travel as we like.

I decided on a trip in Ed the motorhome this weekend. I wasn`t completely comfortable getting away whilst so many people were suffering, but decided to go never the less for my own sanity.

Sue is convinced she will be the first to peg it if she get the virus. I just needed to get away and think. I couldn`t stand the depressive atmosphere and constant media hype.

So I came to Porth Dinllaen on the Llyn Peninsular in Wales. It`s beautiful !

I do have a love for Wales that I share with my mother, she always loved this place.

The National Trust have closed their buildings, but opened up their gardens and carparks for free.

There are several NT carparks in this area so I decided to come here and take advantage.

I`m on the cliff top overlooking the beach.

Free parking, a fabulous walk along the beach to the Lifeboat station and the most amazing sunset, just perfect.

And complete social distancing in line with Government advice !

I spoke to Lauren earlier, thankfully her and Carl are both fit and well and still in work so I`m so thankful for that.

I don`t know for how much longer I`ll be able to get away like this ?

Things might progress to a total lockdown and prohibit non essential movement.

Just typing these words seems so completely absurd to me, and unthinkable just a week ago, but now it`s a reality of life today.

Certainly any thought of travelling abroad is off the agenda for the forseeable future.

Life as we know it has changed for countries throughout the World including the UK.

God help all of us, and I`m not even religious.

I`m not posting any photographs, not appropriote in the circumstances.

Saturday, 19 October 2019

The Hunt For Dry October (and a search for Red Squirrels...........) see what I did there ?

Friday 18th October and Saturday 19th October

With two days annual leave booked for this week and a weather forecast for heavy rain showers, I decided not to set off yesterday as planned, and guess what ? there was wall to wall sunshine most of the day !

Still a wander around Trentham Gardens was not a bad way to spend a few hours.

So today I set off for the beautiful Welsh island of Anglesey.

I am in search of some autumn tree colour, beaches and red squirrels, whether I get to see any remains to be seen.

My sister Julia and I came here regularly as young children and stayed on a farm somewhere nearby, whilst I don't remember much of the island, I do remember many of the names of the bays and beaches we came to and dug sandcastles and rummaged in the rock pools on the beaches.

First stop today was Newborough Forest and Beach Nature Reserve.

It's down in the south west corner of the island and there is a £5 parking charge for the day. But it's well worth the money. The forest is famous for its red squirrels.

But none were to be seen today sadly, they're all sheltering from the weather instead of gathering nuts !

There wasn't much autumn tree colour either as the forest is planted with fir trees of the evergreen variety, so another fail there.

I did see some nice colour on the drive here though.

There is also a fabulous sandy beach walk along towards Ynys Llanddwyn island.

This is a small island separated from the main island at high tide but accessible at low tide.

There was about an hour to go before the tide was sufficiently out to get across when I was here so didn't wait around.

It actually stayed dry for the walk along the beach which is very welcome, Louis loved it of course, all those new smells to investigate, he was in doggie heaven.

We headed back through the forest and that was a lovely walk too.

An added bonus of this place is no mud, the forest was planted on sand dunes to stabilise them, so Louis was mud free when we got back and that makes a nice change !

I just needed to get some sand off him which was quite easy.

Unfortunately overnighting is not allowed on the Newborough Forest car park and I didn't want to risk it so moved on later in the day.

I'm now parked up for the night at Trearddur Bay which has a carpark where motorhomes can overnight just across the road from the beach and sea.

I'm sure it would be quite picturesque if I could see anything through the driving rain !

The rain started about tea time and hasn't let up since.

Fortunately Louis is flat out on the sofa after his exertions on the beach earlier so the last thing he wants is to go out.

TV and an early night for us then.

Well, I didn`t get to see the squirrels as they were hiding and the trees were mostly evergreen fir but it was still a great trip.

Louis`s doggie blog

Instead of my Dad having all the fun, I going to have my say as well !
You may know we travel around in my kennel with wheels on. I know there called wheels because I heard him call them that.
Dad sits in one of the chairs at the front and the kennel moves somehow ?
Not sure how, but it only moves when he`s sat there.
The purpose of moving is to take me to places where there are lots of new smells for me to investigate.
Today we went somewhere where there were supposed to be some squirrels for me to chase, these were to be different to the ones I have in my garden, a different colour I think. Anyway they didn`t come out to play so I had to make do with the new smells I found.
Afterwards he said I wasn`t to chase them anyway so there`s no fun in that !
There was a nice beach too and there were many smells there but I couldn`t find any lovely rotting dead fish to roll in though. But I still enjoyed my walk.

Here are some photos from our day at the beach ...............