Sunday May 3rd 2015 - Penrhos Coastal Park

I woke that morning to a grey day and more wind, although it wasn't quite as bad as the day before and at least the tent was still intact. Over breakfast I pondered where to go in such grey weather, and though I didn't think the car boot sale on the showground would be on because of the wind I decided to chance it and go anyway; I had to make a brief visit to Asda which was on the way so to drive a little bit further was neither here nor there. 

As I drove up the hill a couple of miles out of the village I ran into mist, which surprised me as the camp site, village and coast were completely clear; the further inland I got the thicker the mist became, and by the time I got to the showground it was more fog than mist. The car boot sale as I know it certainly wasn't on although there were a few stalls in the inside bit so I had a quick look round there then continued up the A5 to the Stermat store at Valley as I needed to get some gas cartridges for my camping stove. Of course a visit to Stermat isn't complete without having a good look round and as well as the gas cartridges I managed to find a few other bits and pieces which would come in handy for camping.

From Stermat I drove the mile-and-a-bit across the embankment to Penrhos coastal park for my usual visit to Pete's burger bar; the car park was quite busy but I managed to find a space facing the bay, although I couldn't really see anything because the mist was so thick. With the map book open across my lap I tried to think where else to go but nowhere came to mind so I decided to pay a visit to my friends Louise and Derek who lived not far from Penrhos. Now I must have only been studying the map book for ten minutes, probably less, but when I looked up again it was to find that the mist had completely gone and there was a clear blue sky and bright sunshine - now where on earth had that come from so quickly?? So the decision was made to walk the dogs round the coastal park and explore some paths I hadn't been down before.

The first part of my walk took me past some of the beaches and rocky coves of the bay then I turned inland for a short distance before taking a path which took me round the headland in the direction of Holyhead. With the sea on my right and fields of sheep on the left it was a very pleasant walk in the sunshine and it was hard to believe that not long ago the whole area was covered in a thick mist with visibility being almost zilch. Not knowing just how far the path went I probably only walked for half a mile or so before turning round and retracing my steps, then crossing over my original route I took a path into the woods.

This was a part of the woods I hadn't previously been through and as I wandered along random paths I discovered various old stone walls, monuments and follies which were once part of the original country estate from centuries ago. There were bluebells everywhere, growing in large patches among the trees, and at one point I found a small clump of lovely pink flowers nestling in the undergrowth. My walk eventually ended at the duck pond next to the car park; I knew I hadn't explored the woods as much as I probably could so I would certainly make a return visit another time to see what else I could find in there.

Back at the van I gave the dogs a drink then set off on the short drive to Louise and Derek's place. I did think that they may be away themselves with it being a bank holiday weekend but they weren't, so Derek made a brew and we settled down for a good catch-up of all our respective news. It was great to chat but they were going out for a meal later on with other friends so I didn't stay too long. When I left I had a choice of three routes back to the camp site - back down the A5, down the A55 expressway, or all the way round the coast road. I chose the A55 as it was much quicker, and I was back at the tent in half an hour.

Having had quite a substantial lunch from Pete's burger bar I only needed to fix myself a quick snack then I spent the evening watching a dvd and reading my book; a brief dog walk round the site later on and that was it, time for bed. In spite of the morning being grey and misty the day had turned out to be lovely and I'd got some good photos, so I kept my fingers crossed that the following day would turn out to be just as nice.