Looking Back on 2021

 In all our 28 years of touring, 2021 has got to rank as one of the strangest.  Our travel plans were restricted, firstly by lock-downs imposed on us by Messrs Johnson and Drakeford but also by Herself's Mam and her deteriorating health.

Understandably Herself wanted to be withing rushing distance, so our usual jaunt to the far west of Cornwall didn't happen in 2021.

That said, we did improved on our 2020 nights away total and managed to get away for a total of 34 nights on 6 trips, stopping on 5 different sites, two of which are new to us, sites but covering just 289 towing miles.

April

A late start to for us having been locked down in Llanelli and then Wales since September.  Wales opened back up in time for Easter, but we were in no hurry to mix with people again over the Bank Holiday break, so after the schools went back we had 7 nights at Bank Farm, overlooking Port Eynon on the Gower.

Pitched on the front row we had a chance to try out our new Isabella porch awning and spent the week mostly in sunshine but sheltering from a bitterly cold wind taking in a few local beaches and welcoming visits from family.

May

Once again avoiding the Bank Holidays we got ourselves a pitch for 7 nights at Pembrey Country Park with only an hour's notice from herself.

The site was reasonably full, but we got onto our favourite pitch here.  We pitched our new Isabella Full Awning which feels absolutely cavernous,

Being so close to home we didn't bother with many trips out but spent the week chilling, walking in the adjacent country park and again welcoming family guests.

June

In the middle of a heatwave we went to a new site for us, spending 8 nights on the site adjacent to the Dan yr Ogof cave complex.  This is a new site for us, and we got to try out another new to us Isabella product in the shape of a full width canopy.

We spent the week crisscrossing the mountains at the head of the Swansea Valley and Brecon Beacons, with very good weather for the most part.

Visits from immediate family as always and an overnight stay by Bear & Sabrina ensured a good time was had.

July

The end of July sees us heading to Pembrey once again, this time for a shorter 4 night stay.  In sweltering heat we pitched on a part of the site we've never pitched on before, but to be honest I think we've now found a new favourite spot.

Again we spend most of our time walking in the adjacent country park, but also trying to keep the dogs cool.

Just the one day trip out.  Firstly to Kidwelly Quay and then Llanstephan (a visit best left forgotten).

September

With the school summer holidays over, we safely welcomed a new grandson into the world and Herself's Mam appearing to be on an even keel we headed west, as far west as you can go in Wales (but still within relative rushing distance) to St Davids, for 8 nights at Lleithyr Meadow.

Very much a mixed bag weather wise and looking back we appeared to have spent the week slurping pints of Staropramen sat outside numerous establishments in Pembrokeshire.

Highlight for me probably stumbling across the delightful Tafarn Sinc high up in the Precelli Hills.

Lots of time walking on beaches this week, and why not when they're so beautiful.

November

We had a very difficult period after coming back from St Davids.  Herself's Mam (Creaky on here) deteriorated and eventually lost her long battle with illness in October.

Herself was due back in work following bereavement leave and wanted to have a clean break between the trauma of the funeral and returning to work

No longer needing to be within rushing distance we booked ourselves in to the Thames Head Inn for just a 3 night stay.

Pitching essentially in the pub beer garden we obviously spend our evenings in the pub, but did manage trips out.

First off a trip up to Broadway, we didn't see much of Broadway but managed to meet up with long time imaginary friends off the internet -  The Ludfords.

A trip out to Cotswold Airport, the picture post card Bibury and Cotswold Water Park filled another day.

The trip probably best remembered for me smashing the front of the caravan and motor mover against a protruding tree stump on exiting the site.

That is thankfully covered by Insurance, though the plastic shortage in the UK is ensuring a delay in Swift being able to provide clip on parts to complete the repair.

As ever, if you can be bothered, you'll find links to each trip to the right.

Here's hoping for a better 2022 all round.