Staying Out For the Summer

This year our camping trip took us to Auntie Amy and Uncle Karl's farm in Plwmp, Wales, with some friends. I thoroughly recommend camping with friends who have children the same age as your own, the children don't get bored of being with just their siblings and when there are tree swings by your tent they don't need entertaining!

We arrived on Saturday, and Sunday morning found us shaking out the creases in our Sunday attire in readiness for church, a picnic lunch at Newcastle Emlyn castle with family and a Sunday roast at Nanny and Grandad Miles' for dinner. (I forgot to take pictures on so many occasions this holiday!) On Monday we descended upon Aberporth beach. James took Ben out on the boat with his brother Dave, brother in law Robin and niece Emily to catch some fish, but came back empty handed.

Noah:

Rosie:
Ethan looking after his youngest friend:

Dave, Robin, Ben, Emily and James:

On Tuesday we visited the harbour at Abereron and the day ended with the kind of rain that is unique to Wales: the damp, misty, permeating kind that soaks everything! Wednesday morning we took off to Newquay and ate chips and mushy peas by the sea:

The rain continued for the afternoon so we went to the Museum of Power in Tanygroes. It was as thrilling as it sounds (ahem)... I think you have to have high levels of testosterone to truly enjoy this place! The children (and James) enjoyed watching the old engines in action...

...While I spent my time taking photos of old signs that made me laugh:

Please don't "monkey" with electricity!:

The children were fascinated with the 'old' dial up phones, which in turn made me feel old as we had phones just like them when I was a child. Ben seems to have avoided all pictures this year, so here is Ethan with cousin Emily, Rosie and Noah:

After possibly the worst night of sleep ever thanks to the howling winds, Thursday morning dawned and James was woken up by these four singing the most hilariously out of tune and loud Happy Birthday you have ever heard in your life:

James is not a morning person (and may not appreciate me putting this photo up!):

While James went on his birthday fishing trip the rest of us spent our last full day at my favourite beach in Wales, Mwnt.

Here are the steps down to the beach:

It's a beautiful cove:

Rosie:

Noah, not sure what his plan was here:

The day ended with a barbecue with most of James' family, unfortunately there were no fish from the trip to cook but plenty of wasps to swat away!

The journey home:

I consider myself to be a hardy camper but I must confess I was thrilled to not have to walk across two fields to the toilets and share a shower with daddy long legs. I actually embraced my orthopedic mattress upon our return!

Rosie, Ethan, Ben and Noah: