It took forty years to get there!

When Ian was a youngster, his family would go on holiday to the Lleyn Peninsula every year.

 

One year they visited Shell Island just close to Harlech and it made quite an impression on the lad. So whenever we’ve talked about doing a trip, he’s suggested camping at Shell Island but there’s been numerous failed attempts…until now!

 

 

 

 

 

We took “Hollie” our holi-day van/motorhome for a spin around North Wales. It’s actually a year since we did our first ever motorhome trip in a hired van and discovered how similar the style of living can be to life on our narrowboat (especially if you wild camp). Now here’s a confession, it’s also the anniversary of when I first thought of the idea that we could retire now, 5 years earlier than planned, if only I could convince the old man and that’s when I started my campaign!!

Back to North Wales. As it was out of season, the coast and campsites were almost deserted and Shell Island was no exception, so we found an idilic spot right by the beach. Glorious weather and fabulous views across Cardigan Bay. We had the added entertainment of a local flying school, chinook helicopters, harbour porpoises, egrets, oyster catchers, shags and sea gulls by the dozen.

Mr B got to try out his birthday present, which plugs into the van’s gas supply, and also indulged in his favourite pastime of burning wood whilst drinking a beer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We now have a general plan that we’ll stay in one site for a couple of nights and then go off exploring on our way to the next place. Black Rock Sands, Aberafon and Hell’s Mouth were all pretty good pitches, with never-ending beaches, rock pools and jelly fish. Sammy the dog, who used to be afraid of water, could not stay out of the sea- unless of course the tide went out! We had a lot of luck with the weather, only one wet day, which, if you’ve ever had a holiday in Wales will know that’s pretty good going!