Pen-y-Fan, Brecon Beacons

Today the cloud was down, and it had rained in the night ... However after breakfast it cleared up. We headed off for a walk up Pen Y Fan .. parking at the Storey Arms, the cloud was still down and the girls decided to stay in the van.
Sue and I headed off up the track, into the cloud confident in our ability to get to the top.
Luckily it was not misfounded and as we got closer the cloud lifted enough for us to see a little.
On the way down we got caught up with some of the elite selection process ./. markers by the path and occasional people charging past.
One of these disappeared into the mist in a completely different direction to the others.
Later at the bottom we were having some food and joking when the "staff" were looking concerned .. just before we left the straggler came in.. due for the inevitable bollocking.

then it was back to the tent, via an outdoor shop for a new lightweight tent to replace the leaky one Katie was using.

Ramsey Island, Pembroke

Ramsey Island is a RSPB reserve just off the coast from St David's.
You get to it via a "fast" boat from besides the lifeboat station, on a little jetty

The island has a path around the interesting points which we followed, as well as going to the top of the high points.

Looking back to Pembroke, along the island and out to sea.

Stopping off at the centre for refreshments while we wait for the boat back .. playing with the resident collie.

St David's cathedral

A day in St. David's ... parked in the large car park outside the front of the town, and walked through the "city" to the St Davids Cathedral and then on to St Davids Bishops Palace.

After all this we walked down to the harbour to investigate boat trips allowing us to book passage to Ramsay Island tomorrow

Caerphilly Castle

A dull and potentially wet day ... so we headed over to Caerphilly Castle .. our membership of CADW was still valid . We parked in the centre of town and walked over to the castle.

Outside the castle there were some example/ reconstruction siege engines but it was the civil war that did all the damage .. or rather the fires they left.

From the castle we headed into town to pick up a few things and have a coffee, then headed back to the hotel .. via the Bridge end retail park.

2009 Summer Break, Pembroke

We went back to South Wales this year to head over towards Pembroke and work our way back from there
We drove into Wales over the original bridge and stopped off in Chepstow at Chepstow Castle ...  From here we drove around to Cardiff and a "rewards" stay at the holiday inn by the airport ... dinner was at one of these "carvery" pubs .. not sure I really liked it - too many people with too much on their plates.
Next day off West .. towards Pembroke...On the way we passed the National Botanic Garden of Wales and called in.  After a good day we continued to St David's and stopped at Brandy Brook campsite.

After a day on Ramsay Island, we moved sites and came back inland to Pembroke Castle before heading north to trefach campsite.

New day and off to Cardigan and back. 

Another day on the move .. we had a travelodge near Llantrisant, so on the way we went via Dryslwyn Castle

Then on to Aberglasney Gardens..

Moving on again ... we wanted to camp near Brecon, so took in Llandovery castle on the way.

Our last day in Wales ... we headed off to White Castle ..From here we headed to Big Pit for some more culture .. not really ready for the fact it was free to enter .. but anyway it did give us a good time (the second time we had been here).

Trip Summary

• Day1 - Chepstow
• we had been here a few years ago, but it is always worth a visit.
• Day2 - Caerphilly Castle
• Day3 - Botanic Gardens
• The sun was out and we spent time in both the dome and the outside gardens.
• Day4 - St David's Cathedral
• Day5 - Ramsay Island
• Day6 - Pembroke Castle
• Day7 - Cilgerran Castle
• On the way we stopped off at Cilgerran castle, slate workshop, chocolate farm - Not sure the exact order, but do remember tasting the chocolate.
• Day8 - Dryslwyn Castle
• a really old ruin, but a marvelous outlook
• Day9 - Aberglasney Gardens
• We had a tour of the house then wandered around the gardens.
• Day10 - Castell Coch
• Day11 - Llandovery Castle
• The castle was just a ruin, but this excellent sculpture of Llywelyn ab Gruffydd was superb.
• Day12 - Pen-y-Fan
• Day13 - White Castle & Bog Pit
• One of a trio of castles but the best preserved ... also used for re-enactments.