Camping in Wales

I spent last weekend camping in Wales with my boyfriend's family and family friends. We stayed in the historic market town of 'Rhayader' in Powys, Mid Wales for two nights. Having only been to Wales once before and being too young to really remember much of it, I was quite looking forward to the trip. The last time i'd been camping was probably around ten years ago, a long time before straighteners were introduced into my life! Nevertheless, I was looking forward to what the weekend had to bring. 

We set off on the long road trip down to Wales. Living in Yorkshire it took us around four hours (and a short pit stop to refuel on KFC) before we reached our destination. We arrived quite late at night, so popped into the local pub to show our faces to everyone who had already arrived, before heading back to our tent (our late arrival meant our tent has already been pitched - bonus!) we crashed out right away. 

We awoke on Saturday to beautiful sunshine, the tent soon became too hot to bear, so we ventured outside to the smell of bacon sandwiches cooking on the BBQ. Is there really a better smell to wake up to? 

I had previously been told there might be a chance of us going on a walk, little did I know what I was in store for. Sandwiches scoffed and tea drank we set off to the Elan Valley visitor centre, which marked the start of our walk. I'm all smiles here at the start of the walk, maybe I should have taken a picture of me at the end - i'm sure that would have been more entertaining!

Our group set off, walking sticks in hand and backpacks on their backs, I sheepishly looked down at my jelly shoes and cursed myself for not thinking trainers would have been a good idea. 

I spent most of the walk out of breath and willing my legs to carry me on, it's safe to say i'm not the most healthiest or fittest person going (something I definitely need to change) but I made it to the end! My shoes didn't rub me or give me blisters once - hoorah! Something else that kept me going on the walk, (other than the fact that once i'd reached halfway point, there wasn't much point in turning back now), was the stunning views I got to see. 

I love views of the natural landscape like this, it really makes me appreciate being able to see such things.  When asked if i'd enjoyed the walk my reply was "..I enjoyed the scenery!" much to everybody's amusement. I think it's time I got in shape!

As soon as we'd all made it back to the car park, we headed back to Rhayader, the sun still beating down on us, we set our sights on a beer garden. The dogs came too, after all they'd done the walk too it was only fair that they got their own refreshing drink!

I really wish I had taken more photo's of Rhayader itself, the town as a whole was really pretty, especially basking in the summer heat. On our walk to the pub we passed the River Wye where children and their families were all paddling and cooling down, I wish I could have jumped right into the water there, but I knew there'd be plenty of time for that later. 

A few drinks later we made our way back to the campsite, where we decided it was our turn to paddle in the river. Lots of other campers and their dogs had the same idea, I thought it'd best if I didn't bring my phone in to take pictures, downside I don't have any pictures of us in the river, upside I still have a dry and working iPhone! We ended the night with a feast of food from the BBQ,  burgers, skewers and chicken galore! I ate quite a lot and made a bit of a name for myself as everyone tried to feed me more food! A satisfied stomach later and my legs beginning to ache from the day, I decided to hit the hay and soon drifted off...

Carly x