Entries about asda

Our first stop today is at Asda in Cribbs Causeway, as we have forgotten a few items. We also treat ourselves to some melamine plates and bowls, so that the fine china ones we took from my dad's can rejoin their dinner service family.

Crossing the Second Severn Crossing, we continue into Wales, where we get a little lost while attempting to follow Sat Nav instructions. She gets quite irate, constantly declaring: RECALCULATING ROUTE. At one stage we have no idea where we are or where we are going, and neither does the Sat Nav apparently.

Goytre Wharf

Seeing signs for a Wharf, we turn off the main road, hoping this may be a good place to stop for a lunch picnic. The narrow country lane just goes on and on and on, making us think that we have missed more signs to the wharf.

Eventually, however, we come across it, with a large car park, a visitors centre and café. They even sell Magnum ice creams. The day is now perfect.

Picnic lunch in the van

Mmmm ice cream.....

We take a walk along the canal, admiring the boats and the landscaped gardens complete with some interesting sculptures under the arches of the old restored lime kilns.

These kilns played a vital role in Wales’ industrial history, being used to produce lime mortar for agricultural use and the construction trade. The raw materials of coal and limestone were brought to the kilns by canal boat and the finished product, burnt lime, was then transported by cart to local farms and by horse drawn tramway as far away as Hay-on-Wye and Kington.

Pontsticill Reservoir

In a sheltered lay-by on the banks of the reservoir, we settle down for the day. Initially on our own, we are soon joined by another three or four vans – this is obviously a popular place to 'wild camp'.

It's not really warm enough to sit outside with a drink this evening, but we have the comfort of our very own living room, so it really does not matter.

Will I have enough rum for the three nights we are planning to be away?

*Disclaimer: the Morgans Spiced was on special offer when we called into Asda to stock up on groceries. It seemed rude not to buy a couple...

The light, however, is stunning this evening and I wander down to the beach to take some photos. This trip is all about the travel, not photography, so all I have used so far is my mobile.

The peace and quiet is suddenly shattered by a chap with his two young daughters. They are carrying an air rifle, and I can't believe my eyes when they actually fire at the safety buoy on the lake. Really? Is it even legal to take a gun into national parks here in the UK?

The smallest girl is overjoyed when she hits the target, and once dad has put the gun away 'safely' (?) in the car, they light a bonfire on the beach. We close the curtains in the van and enjoy our dinner, followed by a few drinks before tucking in for the night.

Cooking in the van

Quorn Stir Fry with Hoi Sin Sauce on the new plates we bought earlier.

Just one more drink before bed....