A wander around Wales in Betty the Campervan

We decided for our Summer holidays this year we would head off in Betty to explore the Welsh countryside. We had ventured to Pembrokeshire before and knew we wanted to trek more of the coastal path so knew part of the holiday would be back there, meaning we needed spots either side of it. We settled on heading into the hills to Snowdonia and pootiling to Hay on Wye after, with a good stint of Caerfai Bay in the middle.

We arrived in Snowdonia late in the evening, as usual Sam went to on his usual research of finding us a camping spot that had an essence of wild camping but toilets and showers. Sam is great at this, he always finds a real rustic spot for us to enjoy and it's aces as it gives the feel of a wild camp but also allows me to feel clean and have a proper loo (signs i am definitely getting old!!).
Garth Farm in Snowdonia http://www.snowdonia-wales.net/acc/camp/garth/default.asp is a real wilderness spot, it has views to Snowdon and onto the lakes and is a real gem. The farmer that owns the land is a proud Welsh man, it's a working farm and the dogs didn't approve of Socks being there so we had a few barks and hilarious encounters. We arrived on a stormy evening but with the joy of the van and a hilarious attempted bbq from Sam we nestled down to a tasty meal and some bed time book reading, Socks settled herself on the bed and we were ready for a cosy but stormy night ahead.
We woke the next morning with the sun shining and decided to take a ramble to the next village around 6 mile away. Sam and I always laugh (and struggle) when away as when we come across stiles in the country Socks has no idea  what to do, so it ends up with us carrying her over, which as you can guess isn't always the easiest! The walk went through various terrains with beautiful waterfalls and strong green Summer colours, the sun broke through the woods and i couldn't help but take a seat on the hill down to rest and enjoy what was in front of me.  The walk ended in betws y coed, which is a base town for people heading off to hike Snowdon. It was pretty intense after a ramble with no one around, however we got some tasty food and wine and settle down for a nice after walk feast.

We had two days in Snowdonia NP, the sites were breathtaking, the walks were harder, more strenuous especially the 2nd day when we headed for a smaller summit. The views as we walked to the summit were so beautiful, the mountains had colours of purple and various green hues which were breath taking, i found myself stopping and taking photos on so many occasions, wanting to capture it all. Both walks had such difference but both were incredible, being in Snowdonia NP and being able to experience it from two different perspectives was really special. I hadn't know what to expect but felt really in the wilds where we were staying and even on both our walks we hardly seen anyone. It was amazing feeling lost in the heather on the mountainous paths.

We headed off to Pembrokeshire the following day, we were meeting Beth, Cian and Jacob at Caerfai Farm http://www.caerfaifarm.co.uk/camping/ a campsite we visited two years ago on our last jaunt around Wales. It's an aces little site where the pitches are all around the side of the field and overlook onto Caerfai Bay which is a cute little seaside bay. We booked in advance to ensure we got some good pitches and we were not disappointed, as soon as we got there we knew we wanted more time, we settled into the evening content with the week ahead.

The holiday took on a mixture of walking, beaches, eating, exploring and so much sunshine. We had already planned to complete more of the Pembrokeshire trail, however we were mindful that we were with good friends and wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. It worked perfect as our friends are great walkers and had Jacob walking with them or strapped on in his carrier, we played numerous games of searching for things and lots of treasure trails to keep the little dude walking. Some days we stuck together others Sam and I carried on venturing off further on the trail. We covered old ground and new and i especially loved the walk from Solva to Newgale, there was some steep inclines but it was so rewarding espicially when we climbed high coming across another incredible peak along the coast.

My Mum and Step Dad were also in Pembrokeshire so we met with them which was lovely, we took them on a good ramble to St Justinians from our campsite. I could see the enjoyment in their faces with the views ahead and to top it off we came across a herd of seals.

I have totally fallen in love with the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and we are even planning to head back next year. Sam is always against going back to the same place but for me i just think we have found somewhere so nice, why not go back. Were both so happy and content when there and every walk just brings outstanding beauty and breathtaking views. We have been lucky both times with the weather, but i guess the joy of the van is that even when the weather turns we have the warmth to rest down and cosy up with a good game or book.  Socks is also great in the van, she has a super long lead she is attached by which lets her roam around but also hop into the van and jump onto the bed when she is ready for snoozing.

One of my favourite days was a tasty walk from St Justinians to Whitesands, we then carried on to Porthmelgan Beach, some of the beaches on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path don't let dogs on however Porthmelgan does and it is a tranquil little bay. We found some shelter for socks and perched ourselves with the sun on our faces, we had a good hour of reading, toe dipping and (sand) sandwiches and even a rescue helicopter landing close by as a walker had sprained her ankle. It was pretty magical few hours, we met back with the gang and we then headed back to town and went to a delish pizza pop up restaurant called Dusty Knuckle, The pizzas and ciders in the sun was just what we needed after an afternoon at the beach and we ravished them down quickly. Walking back to camp the air was cooling and Jacob and Socks were getting snoozy, once the 'kids' were settled we rested down in front of a fire with marshmallows and fireworks game (hanabi).

The rest of the week was much of the same, us all wanting an extra night and having to move camp to enable us to do so. Next year we agreed 5 days just wasn't long enough - i think we may double it!
With goodbyes had and a few tears we moved on to our next stop Hay on Wye, it was really hard moving on, missing our little holiday gang, however arriving at Walkers Cottage Camping we felt pretty rested and ready for the last few lazy days of our holiday. Walkers is a gorgeous campsite with lots of produce to purchase and a really relaxed field looking onto the hills of the Welsh countryside. We spent the next two days, watching the chickens roam, reading in the sun, bbqing, snoozing and some haphazard walks being chased by cows.

The 2wks in Betty was just perfect, i didn't want to go home, i am already planning next year - is that bad? Who else knows their holidays for 2018, it's what we go to work for hey? That next holiday in the sun!

Claire x

Our Socks

It's been a year since we picked Socks, and i have been meaning to post this blog for about a year,  i felt with her years anniversary it was time to write.

The question i am mostly asked is why a greyhound, if i am honest (and i hate saying this) i didn't want a greyhound for years i have said no to one, i was told they smell and there big, i wanted a cute fluffy thing or a pug, obviously. However the agreement was if we were getting a dog it was to be a greyhound and Sammy loves them so i felt now he was on board with a dog i may as well go with what he loves. Sam then pulled at my heart strings with the retired, no home, needing love and i was hooked. How could i let a 4yr old dog live in a kennel after being forced to race for the start of her years. So we liked the facebook page and started dog spotting, we knew we wanted to be off when we first got her so knew we had to wait till the October half term. I was so excited, it was actually happening.

We first spotted Socks when we were in Sri Lanka, she popped up on the facebook site and we were in love when we saw her. We contacted the greyhound trust and they informed us they couldn't reserve dogs online, however because Socks was black she wouldn't go quickly. Mad right, the black dogs are the hardest to go as they don't photograph very well. When we got back we arranged the weekend, full of excitement and nerves we decided to take Bow and my rents with us as obviously Socks and Bow would become firm friends.

We headed up to Northumberland Greyhound Rescue out in the wilds of Northumberland and asked to see Socks, we were so pleased to hear she was still there, we walked her and knew she was our girl, we didn't need to meet any of the others, we reserved her and started prepping the nest for her arrival in 2 weeks. We went back a couple of times to see her, it was so hard as we just wanted to take her home however we knew it was best to be off with her so had to endure the wait.

When she came home it was so nice but also really new for us, she was so nervous, she didn't know how to settle and where her place was. Socks had slept in a kennel from being born so therefore being in a house with central heating and cosy beds made no sense to her. There was a lot of leaning going on, her form of cuddling and resting her head on our shoulders, just so you knew you she was there.
Socks didn't make a peep of a noise for around 8wks, she wouldn't go through stiles on country walks and she often kept herself behind us when walking. The stairs were a mindful for her and after a few days of attempted training we give up and thought why does she need to go upstairs. On mornings when we wanted her upstairs Sam would carry her up and she would come for a snuggle.

We were told she may suffer from separation anxiety however we didn't find that, she slept in the kitchen fine and lies in till late, snug on her bed. When we put the fire on she lazes relaxed in front of it, her heart content. The first noise we heard from Socks was her exasperated stretch, we knew she was happy when she did her upside down legs in the air sofa stretch. The first time she barked we got the shock of our life and when she growled we knew she was finding her voice.

I work with traumatised children, they lose their voice due to shock, there shy, timid and don't know what home is. They look for nurture and comfort, safety and security. I felt Socks looked for all this, she was our traumatised pup  and with love and comfort she became strong, brave and confident.
Socks has literally changed our world, she is the perfect dog for us and fits into our life so well.

The first few times we took her in the van she wee'd, we assumed this could be because  when she was being transported to race she would have been in a van. However when she got used to it, she settled and literally loves time away in it. When were packing she knows it's vanlife time and the first time we saw her run upstairs was when she was so excited her burst of energy just sent her flying up there. When we stayed somewhere with grass and she felt it on her body she went crazy, loving the feel and squirming all over it.

In the morning she heads outside in the garden and then bolts back in, spinning with excitement. Her first trip to the beach she ambled slowly, after that she took to the water and spun crazily round and round with such joy.

People laugh at us, some people don't fully understand, that's fine but for us Socks has filled a void, in a time when it's been hard she has given us something to live for. She isn't a child, we know that, Sam tells me off for that but she is an animal that brings unconditional love and smiles. In my work i always ask if an animal is present in the family, when there is they are normally the child or adults confidant, they can tell them anything and what they get back is love, licks and warmth. That's what Socks gives to me, she brings a smile on a darken day, she makes me go out when i want to nest, when sometimes i feel there is no point she makes me realise how great our unit of 3 is and how without her Sam and I would be lost.

So why a Greyhound? Why not, there bloody amazing!

Claire x

A journey into the unknown.

It's been ages since i wrote and i feel i have so much to say but i am mindful of what i want to share and what's important to share, why i chose to share certain things and the detail i put into what i am sharing.

I am often told how great our life looks, the dreamy instagram posts and filters of making life that bit more shiny however the last few years have been a mix of feelings, sad,  bad, good and great, so many amazing feelings felt but so very different from the path i thought i would be on... there's always a lurking in the back of my mind of the journey were taking and how different it is from where we would thought we would be at this stage in our relationship.

I have wanted to blog for some time and have put together numerous ramblings but have decided not to post  for various reasons, however today i felt it was time, i know i am not the only one and feel it is important to be a voice, a voice of someone in the mad grips of 'unexplained infertility'.

Life doesn't always turn out the way we want, our journey into fertility over the last 2.5yrs is so different from the way i had hoped and carries on to be different, hard, unsettling and confusing. However it's our journey and it's made us stronger then i can imagine.

I have been pricked and prodded, x rayed and scanned, operated and healed, questions asked, questions stopped, silence and elephants in the room and experienced the hard pain of loss but through it all our hands have stayed strong and i am thankful for the man who stands beside me and the strength he gives.

When things didn't go the way I planned i had days where i sunk into sadness and wanted to hide away, socialising wasn't my priority and being in the nest felt safer from the constant stream of happy news from others. After another slump of sad i remember having a strong realisation of living and the importance of that - the reality of what i have is already enough and that life is great, i am lucky to have the life i am living, i have a precious human life so why was i wasting it?!

The image of what could have been was in my head, the reality wasn't there,  so therefore why was i wallowing in sadness over something i was only dreaming of. I remember asking the question 'is the life i am living not good enough?' and when a YES came back good and strong i dusted those tears off and started to make some changes.

So with that i held onto the here and now and enjoyed making plans of fun and laughter, memories and heartful journeys. Plans came into place and i looked at what i wanted but also what was important for moving forward.

So those dreamy pictures, those filtered snaps, they are real, there full of good but behind every photo another story exists.

** This blog isn't for sorryful words or people feeling sorry for us, writing helps me, it's a process and there's so much i don't share but felt it important to share something, some rambles of mine as isn't that what this blog is for? **