So I decided, reluctantly that I would have to sell 'Millie'. The ideal scenario would have been to purchase a suitable size kayak for solo trips and lightweight expeditions and to keep 'Millie' for multi person paddling and for when a gentle drift down the chosen waterway was desired. Unfortunately I am a man of limited means and although I could possibly push to affording both, I felt that I couldn't justify spending such an amount on myself whilst the kids walked to school with bread wrappers for shoes.
'Millie' was listed on ebay and I hoped to get the same price that I had paid for it, after all it was in the same condition and now came with added adventure. Whilst waiting for the bidding frenzy, I looked around to find a suitable kayak in the price range that I could (hopefully) afford. I narrowed it down to three, the Liquid Logic Mist 12.5, the Riber one man, and the Water quest. Stockists were spread around the country, but as a lorry driver, I knew it wouldn't be long before I was in the vicinity of each and able to take a proper look at them all and make a sensible, fully informed decision after evaluating all three.
'Millie' sold for the price I had hoped.
The first kayak that I managed to see was the Liquid Logic Mist 12.5 in Bridgend, the reviews were good, the pictures looked good, the dimensions were good and it had storage to allow for weekend trips without having to trim my kit too much. In the shop I sat in the boat and had ample room and it did look good. My plans to see all three kayaks went out the window when faced with a nice shiny kayak and enough funds to purchase it along with a new paddle and spray deck.
'Millie' was listed on ebay and I hoped to get the same price that I had paid for it, after all it was in the same condition and now came with added adventure. Whilst waiting for the bidding frenzy, I looked around to find a suitable kayak in the price range that I could (hopefully) afford. I narrowed it down to three, the Liquid Logic Mist 12.5, the Riber one man, and the Water quest. Stockists were spread around the country, but as a lorry driver, I knew it wouldn't be long before I was in the vicinity of each and able to take a proper look at them all and make a sensible, fully informed decision after evaluating all three.
'Millie' sold for the price I had hoped.
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| My shiny new kayak The Liquid Logic Mist 12.5 |
The first kayak that I managed to see was the Liquid Logic Mist 12.5 in Bridgend, the reviews were good, the pictures looked good, the dimensions were good and it had storage to allow for weekend trips without having to trim my kit too much. In the shop I sat in the boat and had ample room and it did look good. My plans to see all three kayaks went out the window when faced with a nice shiny kayak and enough funds to purchase it along with a new paddle and spray deck.
Dolgamedd, Snowdonia.
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| The river running through Dolgamedd |
On closer scrutiny we realised that the River was a little on the difficult side for the type of kayak I now owned, so we took the controversial step of deciding not to take the canoes. This trip would just be about camping. Relaxing by the river being warmed by the campfire.
After finishing work on the Friday Loz picked me up and after loading his car with my gear we set off for the wondrous beauty of Snowdonia. On arrival at the site we found the office to be unmanned so we made our way to the riverside and set camp.
After a short while the patron of the site made her evening visit and we paid our dues and purchased some firewood. It wasn't long before we were set and had a roaring fire burning in the fire pit. The beer was cracked open we had a rather decent spag bol on the go. The setting of this campsite really was stunning and the proximity to the river which we had pitched our tents only increased the appeal of this gem in the Welsh countryside. Unfortunately it had been a long day and it wasn't long before Loz and I , whilst sitting in glow of the campfire with the gentle babbling of the river, were beginning to nod off.
We could have called it a night then but the peacefulness of the whole situation kept us sitting out for a while longer. Although for once there wasn't a lot of inane chatter.
After a good nights sleep we arose to the habitual tea and breakfast sandwiches, today, bacon, egg and the ever present sausage were the sandwiches of choice. Appetites sated we washed up, taking advantage of the excellent room that consisted of sinks, fridge, telly(we didn't watch it,but ideal if you've dragged kids along and the weather isn't at it's most clement) and plenty of books and magazines for anyone who's idea of relaxation is to sit by the river reading. Their was also an outdoor pot washing area and a very nice shower block, that we used after we had finished washing up.
Fed and showered it was time to venture out, we had decided to pay Dolgelau a visit. After a short walk round we decided that we'd rather pop to Bala. Another little walk up and down the town we set back to the campsite, wanting to have a little wonder up river.
And we weren't disappointed. Just a short walk across the campsite and through a gate we followed the river upstream through a small gorge and there, framed by an old arched bridge was a dramatic waterfall.
After admiring the view and taking a few photographs we headed back to the tents for another round of relaxation, beer and food.
Tonights tea was was steak, jacket potato and huge mushrooms topped with pate, all cooked on the campfire.
Alcohol flowed and enough rubbish was talked to make up for last night.
After a really good nights sleep and rather later than was normal when we were camping, we rose to a pleasant morning and had breakfast, again it consisted of sausage, bacon and egg sandwiches all washed down with copious amounts of tea.
Unhurried we broke camp at a leisurely pace and bade farewell to Dolgamedd, both agreeing that a return visit would forthcoming.
After finishing work on the Friday Loz picked me up and after loading his car with my gear we set off for the wondrous beauty of Snowdonia. On arrival at the site we found the office to be unmanned so we made our way to the riverside and set camp.
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| The very useful picnic tables by the river |
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| Loz managed to get a pic of me nodding. |
We could have called it a night then but the peacefulness of the whole situation kept us sitting out for a while longer. Although for once there wasn't a lot of inane chatter.
After a good nights sleep we arose to the habitual tea and breakfast sandwiches, today, bacon, egg and the ever present sausage were the sandwiches of choice. Appetites sated we washed up, taking advantage of the excellent room that consisted of sinks, fridge, telly(we didn't watch it,but ideal if you've dragged kids along and the weather isn't at it's most clement) and plenty of books and magazines for anyone who's idea of relaxation is to sit by the river reading. Their was also an outdoor pot washing area and a very nice shower block, that we used after we had finished washing up.
Fed and showered it was time to venture out, we had decided to pay Dolgelau a visit. After a short walk round we decided that we'd rather pop to Bala. Another little walk up and down the town we set back to the campsite, wanting to have a little wonder up river.
And we weren't disappointed. Just a short walk across the campsite and through a gate we followed the river upstream through a small gorge and there, framed by an old arched bridge was a dramatic waterfall.
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| The Gorge at Dolgamedd |
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After admiring the view and taking a few photographs we headed back to the tents for another round of relaxation, beer and food.
Tonights tea was was steak, jacket potato and huge mushrooms topped with pate, all cooked on the campfire.
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| Our dinner of steak on the campfire |
Alcohol flowed and enough rubbish was talked to make up for last night.
After a really good nights sleep and rather later than was normal when we were camping, we rose to a pleasant morning and had breakfast, again it consisted of sausage, bacon and egg sandwiches all washed down with copious amounts of tea.
Unhurried we broke camp at a leisurely pace and bade farewell to Dolgamedd, both agreeing that a return visit would forthcoming.
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Church Farm, nr Telford
A little later in the year Loz fancied another camping trip. This time we had no inclination to take the canoes. We chose a site that wasn't too far away. We wanted to be on site and pitched before dark and with it being November and with me not finishing work till after lunch, a long travelling time was not really an option for this trip. Telford is under an hours drive away from where we live.
Again we found this campsite on UK Campsites, although they do have their own website @ http://www.churchfarmshropshire.co.uk/ On arrival we paid our dues and were shown to the field in which we would be pitching, a rather overgrown field with the grass being about six inches high.
This may have been because of the time of year it was. We had the field to ourselves and headed for the far corner and pitched our camp with views looking across further fields and toward the Wrekin, very pleasant surroundings.That night I had decided to try to cook chips on the campfire. Before anyone gasps about the inherrant dangers of cooking with oil on an open fire, I had done a risk assessment of sorts.
Firstly I had purchased a sturdy oversized pot so that it wouldn't be more than a third full.
Secondly, it was an open fire, in a fire pit, with nothing around it. If it had of over heated, the worst that could have happened was the fire would burned fiercely for a while and the chips would have been ruined. That was my opinion anyway and I was happy to go along with my findings.
So I set to trying to cooking chips, unsuccessfully. To be honest it was as though the oil didn't get hot enough, exactly the opposite of any problems I had expected. However, the steaks, cooked by Loz in the cast iron skillet that I had purchased were cooked to perfection. No more mention of chips was made.
After a chilly but comfortable nights sleep we woke to the fast becoming traditional breakfast of bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches and lots of tea.
The site was on a working farm and had no shower facilities, so for this weekend we would be showering out of a packet(baby wipes, lol).
Fed, washed up and slightly fresher we set about relaxing and drinking tea.
Tonight Loz was treating me to a lamb curry, all cooked fresh, with rice an naan bread which was delicious and created the need for alcohol. Which was drunk with aplomb and much chatter till bedtime when we retired to our respective tents.
After a very frosty night we woke and rose to a leisurely breakfast, again bacon, egg and sausage sandwiches with tea. Later we broke camp and made the short journey home.
Although it was a pleasant weekend I don't think we will be rushing back to this site.
Again we found this campsite on UK Campsites, although they do have their own website @ http://www.churchfarmshropshire.co.uk/ On arrival we paid our dues and were shown to the field in which we would be pitching, a rather overgrown field with the grass being about six inches high.
Firstly I had purchased a sturdy oversized pot so that it wouldn't be more than a third full.
So I set to trying to cooking chips, unsuccessfully. To be honest it was as though the oil didn't get hot enough, exactly the opposite of any problems I had expected. However, the steaks, cooked by Loz in the cast iron skillet that I had purchased were cooked to perfection. No more mention of chips was made.
After a chilly but comfortable nights sleep we woke to the fast becoming traditional breakfast of bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches and lots of tea.
Fed, washed up and slightly fresher we set about relaxing and drinking tea.
Tonight Loz was treating me to a lamb curry, all cooked fresh, with rice an naan bread which was delicious and created the need for alcohol. Which was drunk with aplomb and much chatter till bedtime when we retired to our respective tents.
After a very frosty night we woke and rose to a leisurely breakfast, again bacon, egg and sausage sandwiches with tea. Later we broke camp and made the short journey home.
Although it was a pleasant weekend I don't think we will be rushing back to this site.
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