At the weekend we were having our annual shoot against the Welsh. Instead of driving down, shooting and driving home, we decided to stay a few days in Wales. So today we set off to St David’s in Morrison the VW T5 and camp a few days in Wales. It was around a five-hour drive to St David’s where we camped in the Glan-y-mor Camp Site. We had pre-booked and we never did see the owners. The site was open and a few others were there as well. Once set up, a walk down to the sea. It was quite windy today, and the forecast for the night and next day was even more wind as storm Hannah was arriving. There is plenty of walking along the coastal paths here.

The night was windy, we did not put up the van roof, and still, the van was rocked by the gusts of wind. In the morning we walked into the city of St David’s. We, of course, visited the Cathedral and ate lunch in a local pub. In the evening I walked along the coast to a point and photographed Ramsey Island which just appears beyond St David’s

On Saturday we headed back towards St Bride’s Major for the Sunday shoot. We first visited the Melin Tregwynt Mill. Here they weave fabrics. I am not technical about fabrics, but R says they are wonderful and have a different pattern on each side, due to the clever weaving. The Mill was not in operation at the weekend, but we were able to walk through the mill and see the looms sitting there. There was a nice cafe and shop there. R should have bought herself a woollen pullover, she would need it in a few days when we were in France. Interestingly to note that the wool itself does not come from Wales!

We headed on, making a detour to see the castle at Carmarthen, not much of a castle. I was very disappointed, and then it transpired I was expecting the castle where Prince Charles was made Prince of Wales. But that was Caernarfon castle. Oh dear!

We headed on and arrived at the Heritage Coast Campsite at Monknash. This campsite, despite the low season, had a restaurant and bar. We made use of the bar where they had a reasonable selection of craft beers. Apparently, locals used the bar and restaurant despite a well-stocked pub 200 yards up the road.

We walked down to the coast. This was along a narrow road, and then down the side of a stream to the coast. The rocks on the shore were fabulous, large and flat. The light was good, despite the storm, with a brilliant blue sky. There were some excellent breaking waves and Oystercatchers feeding on the rocks. The walk back took us through a field with lots of horses. These were all huddled over one side of the field attempting to keep out of the wind.

The next day was shooting at St Bride’s Major. We met up in the car park of a pub in St Bride’s Major and drove to the quarry. R terrified I would damage Morrison as we drove up the road to it. Then it was back to the Star Inn in Wick for lunch. I dropped R off and drove to the campsite and walked back to the pub. Amazingly we had won this round of the shoot. The first time ever.

In the morning we drove home, stopping off at Penarth for R to reminisce about her early childhood. We walked on the pier and had coffee there. We drove along the road she had lived on but she failed to recognise the house. (Later we learnt from her brother Steve, just what we’d missed.)