Monday 16 June 2008

Camping it up



We have just come back from a fabulous weekend of camping in Wales. This is the first weekend we have packed up the tent this year (along with everything else we own, by the look of our car) and headed off. We are slowly working our way through the Cool Camping Guide, and being so close to Wales it took less than a couple of hours to reach our destination...Pencelli Castle in Brecon.


When the sun is shining and everyone else seems to be at work or school, there is nothing that appeals more than pitching a tent in an almost empty field....


Especially when the view from the field looks like this.....




Or this....



When all you have to worry about is if your drink is cold enough and your book is long enough. They even made the clouds fluffy for us.





There were a few friendly residents though... so we weren't totally alone.



But they were quiet and didn't interrupt the sense of calm.

We did get up once or twice. We even managed a trip to Talybont Reservoir. It was absolutely beautiful. We were totally surrounded by trees and mountains, and the water was so calm.



Back at base for champagne and cider, a barbecue and more rest and relaxation. And a photo of my husband pretending to be in the shower scene of 'Psycho' by the looks of it...


The picnic benches were dotted about all around the edge of the field so we dragged one over for our own personal use. Ideal for reading newspapers and admiring the view.

If anyone is considering camping and has never done it- DO IT! It's cheap and relaxing, there are no time constraints and no one thinks twice of you staggering across a field in your pj's to have a shower, if you so desire. Children are safe and out in the fresh air, socialising with other kids. You can live in the same pair of jeans for days on end. You can play house and make your tent all cosy with flowery duvets. You can have a marmite sandwich whenever you fancy it (you can't do that in a hotel!) Ahhh, yes, many reasons to give it a go, I think.

Have I convinced anyone?!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna
Yes I TOTALLY agree, we adore camping too, My hub and I used to go off in a small 2-man tent for weekends away when we first met, and we took our children have been camping since they were babies (Little man was 11mths old on his first camping trip). I MUST get that Cool Camping book!
Your photos are lovely, as are you :o)x

The List Writer said...

Sniff - wish I could have stowed away in your car (put me on the roofrack). Love camping. Have to wait nearly five weeks before I get my tent out though :o(

Those clouds are lovely, and those hills. Sigh. Clouds and hills could keep me happy for weeks.

N. xxx

driftwood said...

looks fantastic, love the photo of hubby, made me laugh out loud, and I'm very jealous of the gorgeous views and blue skies, it rained here......

julia said...

From a fellow campaholic I'm with you all the way!
Love the photos, looks a lot tidier than our tent!
Julia x

dottycookie said...

Oooh, that's real grown up camping. I think that's a step too far for us just yet ;-) Though you do make a very persuasive case ...

JuliaB said...

Wow, looks lovely!!

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Well you had to go and spoil it by mentioning Marmite sandwiches.. yeuch! Now if you had said peanut butter I would be there like a shot..!
Seriously for a second... Wales is stunning and I fancy a 'head for the hills' break one of these days..

Glad you had a good time Anna.. you surely needed it!

Michelexx

Tracy said...

Oh, this looks like fun, Anna! Your photos are absolutely fantastic! I'm never been camping before, but am keen to try...we have not equipment though, so it'd cost at first. But I like the idea of putting up a tent and sleeping under the star...Glad you had a great weekend! ((BIG HUGS))

dragonfly said...

I'm desperate to camp again; I've not done it properly since I was young. Your photos are brilliant, the views amazing. You may have convinced me it's time to go get a proper tent...
T x

pinkgreen said...

Hi Anna,
Glad you had such a lovely time - it looks perfect. Hope you took some broad beans with you to munch on!
Cathy XX

moss stitch said...

I'm going you know where for some 'glamping' this weekend. I hope the weather is as good as you had - looks a fab place!
G
xxx

Victorian Lady said...

You certainly got me in the mood to camp! We are supposed to go camp at Lake Tahoe, but I'm scared of the bears! A field like that would be so nice. Love seeing the English countryside...thank you!

Mere

Sal said...

What a wonderful weekend! It looks idyllic;-)

Sal said...

Hi again,thanks for visiting my blog ..no, I don't live near you,I live in Devon. Sal;-)

mollycupcakes said...

I'm convinced sweetie,
it all looks so inviting and healthy freash air too.
Amazing photos of where you stayed, makes me want to pack up and go right now lol
might need a new tent thought think the fleas in the cellar have eatten ours hehe! (long story lol)
Fingers crossed we're off to a featherdowns farm this year yeay! I can't wait.
Hope your well rested and ready for more job hunting, good luck hun.
Many hugs.
Catherine x

Carol said...

Yes me!
Your pictures are lovely and what a beautiful place to stay. I also have the Cool Campers book...love browsing through it and dreaming of being out there under the stars!
Blisssss..
Carol x

Hazel Designs said...

Gorgeous, Anna!!!!

Curlew Country said...

Looks like a rather smashing break indeed. And top marks for sneaking in the vintage rose bag. Marvellous!
Stephx

periwinkle said...

Thank you for your lovely comment.. hub bought a tent last year when i was 8 mths pregnant and seeing as how neither of us drive it hasn't been used. It would be lovely to go somewhere like that though - looks idyllic. I used to be a nanny too for 4 kids and lived in London
Lisa x

Bumpkin Hill said...

reminds me of camping as a child, just a perfect spot you had there in Wales :) Catherine

Miss sew n sew said...

Just found your lovely blog your camping trip looks lovely and it is tempting me the site looks very beautiful and the cool camping book sounds like a good read. I would be the sort prettying up my tent with flower duvets and what not. Shall have to start collecting some kit together my two liitle ones would love it!
Sarahx

Anonymous said...

This post SO makes me want to go camping. I would love to experience camping out in Wales or really anywhere in the UK. Whenever List Writer posts about camping, i just swoon, as I did in this post! Great photos - thank you for sharing them! :)

Ann

................................. said...

Hello Anna, what a lovely and interesting blog you have, it is definetely going on my faves list, and interesting to have read your article on camping as we live in the cottage you can see when you look down from talybont reservoir bridge, and you are so right it is a beautiful place, we are in germany at the mo and I miss all of that sooo much but will be moving back in a year yeeea! we took loads of pics before we left and I have put some on my blog like you .. to share the beauty. will be back to visit you soon. blessings Jan x