Hi All, A quick update to let you know what we've been up to during August. As it was such "spectacular" weather in the UK, we of course decided to go camping.... First stop was stunning Pembrokeshire coast, where we did see a bit of sun including some stunning sunsets over the sea. Even got sunburnt doing some of the Pembrokeshire coast path - amazing scenery and cliff-tops around Martins Haven and Dale. Lots of mad Brits on the beach with their wind-breaks and rain shelters, "surfing" in 2 inch swell. Tent held up well despite lots of rain and wind. Next stop was Snowdonia where there are allegedly some mountains, and there may well have been some lurking under the mist. Camped in a beautiful sheepfield beneath Cader Idris, and went for a lovely walk along Mawdach Estuary and over a long wooden bridge with stunning views to Birmingham on Sea (aka Barmouth) - full of Brummies! Spent a couple of nights with Dick and Thelma in their lovely new house in Llandovery. The sun even came out so we went for a great scrambly walk down a waterfall!
After some niece-sitting duty, and a nice relaxing weekend, we ignored the rain drenched weather forecast and set off for Scotland. First couple of nights camped in a forest just over the border. Saw LOADS of red squirrels - much smaller and cuter than their grey cousins. Then drove up through a crazy rainstorm to find Loch Lomond in gorgeous sunshine and everyone walking around in shorts and T-shirts! Lovely driving up alongside the Loch. Found a fantastic campsite with lovely views, right on the West Highland Way footpath, a stretch of which we did the next day. Fabulous pink heather everywhere, and brooding mountains with heads in mist. Very scenic train trip to Oban and its distillery. Kat thinks she might like scotch after all... For our last few days we then drove up to magical Glen Coe which turned out to be the highlight of the trip. More walking and another fantastic train on the West Highland line to Mallaig. We were finally driven out of Scotland by the rain and the midge and sought refuge at a hotel in Bamburgh on the Northumberland coast. Went for a walk along the beach at Bamburgh - huge skies, and lovely soft sand - shame about the weather! Finished off our trip "oop north" with a flying visit to Kat's cousin Becs and her family in Newcastle.
Spent a lovely bank holiday back in Oxford with John, Lisa and the nieces. Highlight was punting with lovely blue sky weather (yay!). Also went to Hatfield House near London which we highly recommend. Fantastic house crammed with loads of famous portraits of the Tudors, Mary Queen of Scots and the Marquis of Salisbury family who still live there!
Kat's folks have arrived so we are now off to spend a week on Uncle Robin's boat, followed by a week in Sicily. More on that later!
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