I've leave to burn in work before the end of the month and the caravan's wheels have not turned since our trip to Cenarth at Easter.
With a great forecast given for the weekend I suggest a few nights away to Herself. She agrees, but only local so that Grumbles can drive to us to visit. It would appear she doesn't trust him to drive more than 20 miles, so given availability only one option open to us, and that's the Favella at Pembrey Country Park.
Friday 11 July
Not a great start. A very early finish bagged in work, so at 11am, having prewarned The Captain, I'm moving the van out onto the road. The sun must be having an affect on people's patience, as the horn blasts this morning are annoying and distracting me.
Because of the way others are parked the van is at an angle hitching up, no problem as I'll straighten up now when hitched. Doing my best to ignore the impatient few I inch the van over the hitch and lower the front until I hear the "supposed to be" reassuring click of connection as the handle drops.
Time now to disengage the movers, back set first then the front. The van jolts forward and starts to roll downhill, with the hitch coming to rest against Trude's back bumper.
"OH FUCKING HELL" was yelled loud enough for Herself and next door to hear. Both came running out to see me with my weight against the front on the van trying my best to prevent more damage.
More blasts of horns!
The situation was retrieved, even if the bumper now sports a feature that'll cost about £300 to put right. With my heart still racing we set off in blazing sunshine. Now the van's out in the open it's plain that she's in a sorry state. We stop off at Morrisons to give her the good news with a foam brush and lance before she's fit to cruise the A484 all the way to Pembrey.
We're pulling into the Country Park at 1pm, but are not allowed on site until 2pm. Herself suggests abandoning the rig within sight of Yr Orsaf where we can have a spot of lunch under the umbrellas.
I won't lie to you. Setting up in the heat was not pleasant and it was a few hours before we were able to say that "We is Arrived" and sit down and watch the wardens berate a group of young single mothers who appear to be of the opinion that the rules don't apply to them, having set up in the fire break between the campsite and surrounding forestry!
We need fans, so double back to pick up a handful from Argos and pick up Fish & Chips for out tea from Bowen's in Pembrey.
Let's just say it was a relief when the sun dropped below the tree line and things started to cool down a little. It was 9.30pm by the time it was cool enough to walk the dogs.
Even then Gwen immersed herself in their pool while Herself and I sat up outside in the cooler evening air, for a very enjoyable end to the day, accompanied by the boom boom of music coming from the direction of the young mother's pitch!
Saturday 12 July
The fans worked wonders last night and we both had a comfortable night in bed.
A great start to the day as I watched Wales beat Japan from the comfort of the bed.
Approaching the game end my attention was caught by wafting bacon fumes through the window. Herself had put some rashers on the Ninja in readiness for the final whistle.
Sometimes I really love this woman.
Grumbles is popping down to spend the day with us. We get a call as soon as he's finished his daily breakfast in the Pavilion to say he's on his way. We head out to the visitors car park and find some shade under a tree to await his arrival. He pulls in and parks up so we drive over and park up directly behind him.
He doesn't notice us so I give the horn a peep. For some reason he then engages reverse and starts to move. I hastily engage reverse to get out of his way before he customises the near side of Trude!
Herself had words!
Mike and Nursey rock up a little later to visit. I spend most of the afternoon snoozing, sat with my legs wide open in front of the fan, while Gwawr had a spalshathon in her pool. 120 litres I put in there today mind.
Herself somehow manages to throw some burgers and hot dogs together, primarily to feed Grumbles as his full breakfast is now but a distant memory, before we wave them all off.
We didn't do much else. Herself wasn't well, and we think it's too much sun. She retreated inside to sleep at 7pm and left me up on my own listening to the boom boom coming from across the way while their feral kids ran around everyone's units causing mayhem.
Sunday 13 July
We wake and it looks like being another hot day in the Favella.
After breakfast we want to take the dogs out before it gets too hot and head to Burry Port hoping the dogs can have a swim in the Burry Estuary at high tide. We tried Shoreline first but the place was rammed with freeloading vanlifers! Round the other side by the lifeboat station it's much the same story with many of the selfish gits parked side on taking up 2 or 3 spaces each!
We give up and head back to Ferryside, parking up outside the Yatch Club. The water was like a bath, it was that warm, but the dogs enjoyed a good splash chasing a ball through it.
Back on site its thinned out a bit. the peace is shattered by the boom boom coming from the young mother's car as they pack up. Again the rules don't apply to them. You're supposed to be off site by 12 noon, but at 12.30pm they've only just started the process of breaking camp.
While still damp the dogs make the most of the fan running at full chat
Early afternoon and Beastie and Bwmps rock up to see us for a few hours. They both empty our crisp cupboard and sweet drawer while we move in and out of the shade.
Just before they leave I take them over to the pay area for a bit, but truth be told it really was too hot!
After waving them off Herself and I decide a spin out in the air conditioned comfort of Trude is called for, stopping off somewhere shaded for a swift half. Burry Port Yatch Club was the first port of call, but all shaded tables are taken. We double back to The Ashburnham, but they must have got their parasols from the Pound Shop as they're so small they afford no shade whatsoever! Never mind, the Ship Aground had big parasols over their tables and one is free as we pull into the car park, only to look on in dismay as a couple settled down at the last remaining table.
Last throw of the dice is the Pemberton Arms. What a bloody hovel, we stopped in the less that celebrious surroundings for just the one before heading back to the van.
Herself knocked together a simply superb Surf n Turf which is demolished before settling down under the canopy to chill for the rest of the evening with Dead Man's Fingers for company, thankfully not accompanied by the boom boom from over the way!
Monday 14 July
We had originally planned to stop the day in the country park before heading for home, but the forecast for today wasn't great. Heavy showers are promised, and indeed we got a mini soaking while breaking camp.
We didn't need to be off site until 12 noon, but we've had a cuppa and are all squared away rolling out of site by 9am.
Enjoyed a mini break away, but it was a little too hot for us, especially pitched in the middle with no shade. New to the Favella is metered electricity. I put £6 on the account when booking and added another £12 on Saturday just in case. On checking out we were due a refund of almost £8, so used £10 over the 3 nights (2 1/2 days) on top of the £27 pitch fee. We didn't run any heating, nor did we heat any hot water. That's just running the fridge, cool box and 3 fans, as well as about 30 mins cooking on the ninja. I certainly wouldn't like to be stopping here early or late season!
Sorry, a bit of a nothing blog this one, but we didn't really do anything other than sit around and try to keep cool.
