At the end of June we decided to have a birthday celebration in Shell Island in the Sprinter Van.  We parked up in a small nook right next to the beach. This is the view of the path down to the with lovely pink unknown wild flowers. It was just a short hop downhill to the sandy beach. The sound of the waves could be heard in the night at different volumes depending on the position of the tide.

Big big skies  as we looked up from the beach.

And the beach all to us. The tide is out here.

Tide out exposing the rocks. In the distance is Criccieth and Harlech Castle and our other best wild camping spot Blackrock Sands.

A vegan dinner of Linda McCartney burger with avocado, tomato and baby leaf salad washed down with lovely Rioja.

Huge skies with sun bows looking towards Abersoch across the bay.

In the morning before we left we saw three dolphins enter the bay, swim about for half and hour and then leave as the tide went out. What a special birthday treat that was!

As we set up for our birthday party the tide was well out. We gathered sea weed and driftwood to start the beach fire.

What a beautiful arrangement of fire starting material from the beach.

Cheers! The tide is on it’s way in now. We wondered just how far it would make it up the beach.

The fire smoking and starting to burn……………..

Cooking outside on the meths burner is much cleaner than cooking on the fire. No black pans to wash.

This is what we had for dinner. These two rocks made the perfect wind shield and splash back for the cooker. The chopper in the picture is not the posh Swedish Axe we normally use. We left that in the Master Van.

Bringing a tray of goodies down to the beach from the Sprinter Van including ……………….

A delicious bottle of white wine- Sauvignon Blanc to be exact. Music by Bose – this battery powered music device is EPIC! Shells from Shell Island of Course.

At last the weather bucked up and we had a lovely sunset to enjoy with the last of the white wine. The fire has matured now thanks to the coal we always take so that we don’t need so much wood and the fire glows nice and hot. Sometimes we can even restart the fire the next day from the glowing embers of the coal.

No sure what is going on here but it looks like singing?

 Sun almost down and tide almost at its highest mark.

Sunsets spectacular glow.

#Bollinger time! It looks so lovely with the lights on.

A view of the party from the other side………………

Then we had much dancing – and falling over until all the wood and wine ran out!

June 2017  

It has been a while since we visited Nantcol Waterfalls in Wales UK so we decided to head that way and combine it with a trip to Shell Island which is a few miles away. There are lovely walks either along the river or you can take to the hills for a random wander about amongst the glacial boulders which are dotted about. We visited Camping Console for all things related to enjoying the great outdoors. The weather was typical Welsh summer weather – the same as winter only warmer!

The river runs downhill for miles and tumbles over the glacial rocks and boulders. The river was quite full this weekend. The river walk is really lovely once you negotiate the style and steep steps to the top of the hill.

There are steep cliffs and the rocks are really slippery so it is best to heed the advice on the sign. People have lost their lives here after falling from the cliff so take care and be safe by sticking to the paths.

Quite steep steps lead to the forest at the top where you will see the huge boulders deposited by the glacier when the ice melted thousands of years ago.

The path rises high above the river

This is the view from the top down to the campsite at the foot of the waterfalls below.

In June there are Foxgloves and Bracken Ferns  covering the ground along the banks of the river.

Slow speed and small aperture gives this blurred waterfall effect.

This beautiful spiders web caught raindrops and glistened in the light.You can see the spider’s nest right in the centre.

These pools are still when the rainfall is less and we have swum in them. They are raging here and too fast to swim in.

This way for the nature trail written on a large boulder left by the glacier when the ice melted.

Gorgeous lichen and moss decorate the rocks.

This is a lovely arrangement of rocks. The ice apparently carved out the lines in the rock as it moved along.

The most exquisite tiny flowers grow out of the moss on this rock.

A moment to ponder and take it all in on a dead tree branch which makes the perfect seat.

Fungi on dead wood is always a delight to see.

Fluffy lichen grows from tree bark like fur!

The Sprinter Van seen from above hidden in the trees next to the river.

Sprinter and stone fire pit.

Feet up time on the swivel seats.

A delicious Vegan Cheese and Wine Party Feast! Three cheeses from Sainsburys are Feta, Caramelised Onion and Wenselydale and Cranberries with Nairns Cracked Black Pepper and Seeded Oat Biscuits. The red wine from Rioja went down well as did the caramelised red onion chutney and semi sun dried baby tomatoes.

Then after the cheese board starter we had vegan Linda McCartney burger and avocado baby leaf salad on a wholewheat roll. Yum Yum YUM! So glad to be vegan!

June 2017

After two and a half months converting the Renault Master from a used NHS ambulance to our mobile office / camper van with a view, came the first shake down test. We decided to check out Shell Island on the west coast of Wales. In true British weather this weekend was just like winter but warmer!

A small to do list was drawn up, but over all the van accomplishes the end goal of ‘A comfy van to work, rest and play with a view’

We took a few pictures of our time at Shell Island.

Making kindling for the hopeful fire

View looking out over the harbour

This be the makings of an late breakfast or early lunch.

These are so cool at night!

A have dressing gowns that match the blinds!

Gett’in some stuff done

A moody looking day

Was out looking for drift wood and found this!

Hello

This is our wine cellar

This is me putting a bottle of fizzy water in the fridge.

Hummm, so refreshing.

Ok its now time for a walk, oh yes and it’s still very windy!

Working hard as we head into the wind.

As demonstrated below:

The van perched by the harbour, kindly waiting for us.

Is it going to rain or shine

Seagulls having fun in the wind

Such thick clouds heading in from the sea

The clouds begin the part.. Its looking like we’re in for a sunset!

4G Internet on the move… Love it!

This is our sky light/Star watching roof.

What is it about Instagram and feet shots?

So much more colourful in the sun shine

The sun’s low in the sky. Shadows and golden light

Prosecco and raspberries and Free From dairy cheese… Nice

Good Morning

Feet up by Lake Balla.

June 2017

This was the weekend of ArcTanGent 2016 Festival. 3 Days of the best music made by guitars, drums and amazing humans. Anyway the plan is to drive down on Wednesday, stay close to the Fernhill Farm. (The festival site.) Arrive early to check the site out. We found Greenacers Farm campsite an 8 minuite drive to ArcTanGent perfect.

The site is very clean and well looked after, offers glamping, hookups, showers, toilets and a small play area for the kids. The owners are very welcoming, take a look at there website for more details.

The Shower Block

Not quite ripe enough yet to scrumpy!

Swings for the kids or adults!

Way in to the camping field

Say hi to the neighbours

Fancy a spot of glamping?

Are these free range? Are Simon and Jo the Chickens?

Pukka tea HQ is just down the road from here

We had a great stay here thank you.

August 2016

A few miles west of St Davids is Pencarnan campsite sitting next to the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path also with the added bonus of a very private beach. I think this campste can get very busy during the holidays, off peak times it’s like a ghost town.

3G internet.. Good time to catch up with emails and stuff

Food and wine

The smell of burning wood… Nice!

Setting up for the evening

Our nearest neighbour

Shame about the caravan

The camping field of Pencarnan campsite

The view for breakfast

A zoomed out view

Whitesands beach in the distance

Breakfast over

Not sure if this puffin has just laid an egg!

Stream running down to the beach

Sitting on the rocks

A very private beach to enjoy

I bet this path can be very busy in the summer

The old gate

The van looking out to Whitesands

May 2016

About a mile or so east of Nefyn you will find Tir Bach a quite simple campsite, shower toilet, no Wifi or 4G not even 3G, perfect place to unplug!

Sadly 2016 is the last season Tir Bach will be open to campers!

The entrance to Tir Bach

The Van all alone in the field

It’s a tight squeeze, we can just about fit the van down the drive

The flowers are amazing

The owner hard at work

A leaky shed

These flowers had been planted 20 years ago.

I think they like growing here

I just love the steps over the wall

The van enjoying the sea air

Looks like wall has just exploded with colour

Time for thought

Looking out over the bay to Nefyn

Finding room to grow

Take a walk, take the cliff route to the sea

Looks like old fishing activity

Decaying crinkly tin

Looking east

A wind break was must today

Cooking on meths

Time for a sunset

July 2016

The Tibbie Shiels Inn Campsite is located to the southern end of St Mary’s Loch with fabulous views of the hills nesting around the loch, when the light is right watch the hills mirroring in the water.

The campsite is basic, just a toilet. it’s a great spot to break up a long drive to the Scottish highlands. I think the inn is no longer being run as a pub.

If you have the time take a walk around St Mary’s. During our stay here we had some great Scottish weather… 15 minutes of sunshine followed by 15 minutes of rain.

Tibble Shiels Inn from our van

St Mary’s Loch through the trees

The still waters of St Mary’s Loch

The jetty from the campsite

Looking back at the campsite

Can you see the frog?

This will be a sauna and hot tub… Work in progress.

Take a walk around the loch

Lots of wild flowers to see

View from the sailing clubs boat house next to the campsite.

The view from the hot tub

This bridge goes over the water that joins Loch of The Lowes to St Mary’s Loch

A view from under the bridge to Loch of The Lowes

She’s just been let out!

 How big are these balls!

The Van and a bunch of Rams

The Van

I think you can hire the boat

Tibbie Shiels Inn

I can’t remember this photo been taken!

Is it a campsite or wildcamping here at Tibble Shiels? I think I will call it a campsite as you have to pay and you get a toilet.

July 2016

Don’t make the mistake of turning off at EAST Hook Farm as they don’t have a campsite or fishing either. Carry on past and you will soon see the turning for West Hook Farm which has lovely fields to park in. They overlook the sea and have the most amazing sunset – clouds permitting as we are in Wales remember.. It was hard to find a level spot but we wanted the view so we put up with a list to the left. We need to take some levelling blocks next time. We had the coastal path right outside our door. We spent the day on a lovely walk around the peninsular. See this post.

Showers are 50 pence buying you 4 minutes of very hot water. Toilets are basic and clean.

Look for this sign on the single track lane.

Finding level ground can be tricky!

We gave up and opted to be close to the sea.

Wine, sea and sunsets!

Only a few people on the site today.

Oh yes it’s a long way down to the sea.

This dude dropped his iphone.

The sun going down on West Hook Farm Campsite.

An ice cream van just turned up on the site. We saw Terry before at Marloes Sands car park

Date: May 2016

Waterside camp site is a working farm that has access to Ullswater meaning a great site to launch a canoe or kayak. I think Waterside does not take caravans or offer hookups. Waterside camp site is on the east side of Ullswater and just south of Pooley Bridge.

The site itself is clean and tidy, showers are hot, lots of bins dotted around the site, plenty of drinking water points,  motor home service point (fresh water, chemical toilet disposable.) A little pricey though – £26 for a van and two people for a night.

Swans and ducks looking for food close to the shoreline.

Its looking like you can hire a tipi here.

Sat near the shore line among the campers is the Lady Wakefield that was beached during the Cumbria floods. The boat swept from its mooring and two skippers from The Ullswater Steamer Company managed to get on board to steer the boat to safety. They soon realised there was a hole in the hull. They Decided the best cause of action would be drive the boat ashore. Plans are underway to build a temporary slipway after she has been repaired. Merritt Supply is your one stop source for top quality marine supplies, visit their site now.

Lady Wakefield built in 1949

We arrive in the wind and rain, the same storm from Wast water, see post here.

Lots more rain fell and the campers packed up and left. An hour or two later the sun started to shine

We took a walk up to Pooley Bridge by the lake.

A took a few pictures along the way:

We saw a a lot a flood damage along the shore and a few houses that had not yet been repaired.

Date: May 2016

Our plan was to reach the Isle of Skye from Gretna Green in one day, but an accident blocked the A82 by Loch Lomond causing grid lock for a few hours, (Take a look at a campsite we stayed in overlooking Loch Lomond.) We sat tight for a few hours, munched food and drank coffee. By the time the road was cleared time was getting on. An hour or so before sunset Fort William arrived in our sights, we found the Linnhe Lochside Campsite and pulled in. The owners welcomed us in, we asked for a spot as close the loch side… You could throw a stone to the loch! We shared our spot with few other vans, a coach built, a T5 and a T4.

The lower level is a car park for the campers in tents, view from our spot.

Same shot but an hour later

Filling up with water

A random shot

We didn’t stay long but It’s a good campsite to stop over to recharge and discharge or a step into the Highlands.

Date: August 2015