Steam Engines and a War Effort in The Favella at Pembrey

 This one's been planned for a while, and we're not travelling far for it either, under 10 miles in fact.

We're season ticket holders at Pembrey Country Park and one weekend a while back while enjoying a post dog walk breakfast in Yr Orsaf we saw a leaflet promising 2 events over the May Day BH weekend.

Pitch booked at The Favella and we're being joined by Mike and Nursey for this one, Nelson is giving it a miss but Beastie and Bwmps are planned to come and stay with Mims and Dats, they're not too sure about it but Nelson and Teacher both insist that it's happening and they are having some child free time.

Friday 1 May

Herself is stuck in work, whereas I have leave to burn, so it's on my todd that I make my way to storage to hitch up in readiness for the long journey ahead, I may even schedule a comfort break at CK's in Burry Port for a coffee and custard slice!

In through the gates of the country park and a XC60 slows down to a crawl in front of me, eventually stopping in the middle of the road with hazards flashng, like that makes everything OK.  A grubby sweat shirt gets out, flapping it's arms for me to stop - like I had any choice, before instructing me to wind down the window.

"Where are you going?"

I sarcasticaly look over my shoulder at the caravan.

"The campsite. Why?"

"THE campsite."

I glance down at the grubby sweatshirt and notice the embroidered badge noting he isn't an employee of the country park.

"Well yes, but what business is it of yours?"

"We've got an event on this weekend."

He says pointing at the badge thinking it gives him some sort of authority.

"And I'm not part of it, so could you get out of my way please."

I'm too early, but I knew that, so parked the unit upon a tump to waste some time and hatch a plan.

12 noon strikes and I make my way down to the Favella gates, parking up in front of the sign welcoming arrivals after 2pm.

A clip board appraches and I put on my best apology face.

"You're keen!"

Yes I'm terribly sorry, I misread the booking confirmation.  It says pitches to be vacated by 12 noon not arrivals from 12 noon!"

"Don't worry, you're lucky, the pitch is vacant, so if you pull up to the barrier I'll escort you to your pitch."

I try to hide my glee, probable failing miserably as I fist pump thin air!

It's not until you're setting up on your own that you appreciate how much stuff your better half actually does, and setting up was a little maor laborious than usual.

However by just before 2.30 pm I'm able to announce that I is arrived before returning home to collect Herself and the dogs.

Back on site we walk over to Yr Orsaf to grab a pizza before returning to the van awaiting the arrival of Nursey and Mike.

Saturday 02 May

We're up early doors after an early night last night, and even though it's a little misty it's warm enough to set the coffee machine to go and take my first cuppa of the day outside.

As all these new influencers who think they invented caravanning will tell you, "It's hits different!"

We head back towards Llanelli to collect Beastie and Bwmps who are coming to stop with us for the night.  Both are hungry so we pull up outside Yr Orsaf on the way in for Beastie to demolish a toasted teacake and Bwmps to make his way through a "Large Breakfast" ! He also had one of my sausages.

Early afternoon and we're heading west towards St Clears where Roids is playing his last game of the season.  We meet the Genie and have a very pleasant afternoon.  Roids' team narrowly lost, but he had a good game himself and both Beastie and Bwmps enjoyed climbing stuff they shouldn't, rolling down the grass banks and covering Gwen with grass clippings.

Back on site we throw together an evening meal with Beastie deciding that my steak had her name on it before we settled down all worn out.  It would appear that  Mims and Dats were more worn out that Beastie and Bwmps, both snoring well before the iPads timed out!

Sunday 03 May

Both slept the night through, but by the time I wake at 7am Beastie (an early riser) has already fired hers up and Bwmps waking shortly after follows suit.

After breakfast we take all the dogs for a bloody good walk through the forestry, Beastie and Bwmps take the opportunity to climb all the horse jumps sacattered along the trails.

Teacher turned up to collect them and we head over to have a nosey at the WW1 thing that's going on this weekend.

Returning to the van we diverted to Yr Orsaf for a cheeky cider which accidentally turned iinto 6 cheeky ciders.  Tea was eaten outside, but given it's still early May Herself and Nursey were feeling the cold a little.  Now if you listen to these new influencers the only way to get a cosy vibe when sitting out side is to blow £150 on an alog fire.

Bugger that, my £20 ethanol burner did just the job.

Monday 04 May

We wake to the sound of rain hitting the roof after a great night's kip.  Firing up the BBC weather app does little to raise the spirits with it suggesting an 85% to 95% chance of rain all day!

Herself gets on the blower to Grumbles.  He confirms he's having breakfast in Pwll and will be with us shortly after.  He rocks up and we sit under the canopy for a while waiting for a gap in the rain.

One arrives and we make a dash up to the minature railway area where a load of wannabe Fred Dibnahs are displaying their pride and joy.

We have a mooch around, keeping one eye on the threatening skies overhead.  Grunbles and Mike get into it full swing asking about horse power, boiler certificates, V5s and such things.  I'm more interested in how much this hobby costs.  A bit of thumb swiping reveals that even these small engines will set you back £25k.  A trailer to drag it round in will set you back another £5k and some of these boys are towing with a £100k motorhome.

Not a cheap hobby!

We head on over to the WW1 effort for Grumbles to have a look round, but all has been put away in the tents hiding from the rain.

Back at the van we lunch of very expensive burgers and hiding under the canopy for the afternoon staring out at the heavy downpours inbetween the incessant light rain.

Grumbles finshes off my coffee pods witha custard slice before announcing his departure.  Nursey and Mike are hitching up just as the rain stops and the sun comes out.

Our plan was to stop tonight and for me to take Herself to work in the morning before returning to break camp.  We reconsider our plans and within 3/4 of Mike pulling off we too are hitched up and heading back to storage.

A lovely weekend away, even if we did cut it short by one night.  But of a mixed bag weather wise, but the only day it spiled really was today.

Bet the sun will be back out tomorrow.