So this became the year I began to learn to drive. Up until now I have either not had enough money to learn or I didn't need to drive (like when i lived in London) so now at 40, it's like going back to school again.

I'm learning to drive manual but this is my new car! and it is automatic.

I saw this car whilst thinking about what sort of car I'd like to drive. As you may know we already have a few vintage cars just because we love old things. However I like the fact that this car is not too old as it was made in 1990, but it looks and feels vintage.

 

It is now enjoying the company of our van, I think they look good together!

So I will keep you updated how it goes, but I'm far away from taking my test yet.

Fingers crossed!

After a very long time of wishing to go camping in Wales, the time finally arrived. The original reason for going was to see a car that I had my eye on, in a showroom in Swansea. I will save that story for another post. Looking at the map we realised how close it was to the Gower Peninsular so I managed to book a campsite in Rhossili at last minute at peak time, phew!

To break up the long drive in a vintage vehicle, we stopped at a campsite between bath and bristol, so we had lunch in a lovely cafe in Bath (a side story is, the night before we were due to leave, I had an awful stomach bug and could hardly move. We decided to still go, but I was feeling like death and I almost passed out on the pavement in Bath).

...anyhows, we stayed one night at the campsite, which was just a field and not much else. That didn't seem to bother the nippers though.

The next day I felt a bit better thank goodness! It was so amazing to cross the Severn bridge in our van.

We made it to the car dealer and this was the moment when we saw what would become my first ever car!

 

 

After a very long amount of umming and arhhing (and inspecting) I decided to go for it and purchased the 1990 car, which they arranged to have delivered to the IOW ferry terminal.

The campsite was packed, so we were lucky to have booked it. It was large and fully equipped with showers and shop and everything. We were lucky to have been allocated a pitch with a sea view.

The next morning we headed a few miles down the road to Rhossili beach. I think the most beautiful view I ever have viewed!

It was quite a trek to the beach, but all the best beaches require a trek in my opinion.

 

Wales is truly a place to be proud of, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming too!

 

 

It was no easy task to extract the children from that beach that evening.

Luckily back at the campsite there was a little food van open late selling veggie burgers and chips!

The next day we explored all around the peninsular and found so many more stunning beaches. We were all a bit tired though so we mostly ate and slept all day.

I think I was inflating their dingy here, but Mr Leafy found it a small matter amusing.

It was sad to leave Wales after such a short trip, but we will definitely come again soon and adventure further up the coast.

We stayed one night on the way home at a campsite near the Mendips

We arrived very late and set up camp in record time.

 

The campsite was small but beautiful with neighbouring cows, open fires and even a compost toilet! (one of the prettiest I've ever seen)

 

Typical vanlife...snoring and a box full of sandwiches.

On the way back home to the Island, we drove through the spectacular Cheddar Gorge

Thank you so much to Nao for always remembering to take the photos!