How not to do a walking holiday..

The Cardigan Coastal Path - or How not to do a walking Holiday

Cardigan, UK

This trip looked far better on paper than in reality...as we would soon find out. After the lockdown of the past four months, we were itching to get away for a week and so, as rumours persisted of an easing, we began putting our plan into action. We were looking to get away for a week beginning the 18th of July as this is when we thought travelling restrictions in Wales would be lifted....(we did manage to get this right at least..). Mrs. Gibbs told us to start booking places as nearly everywhere would allow you to cancel without losing any money should the restrictions not be eased. Mrs. Gibbs was right...as she normally is.

The plan was this, Grant & myself would meet with pals Ray Peacock (Ex-Hong Kong) & Ian Walby (from That There London) in Llanarth, West Wales on Saturday 18th July and stay one night at the Llanina Arms Hotel and from there we would attempt to walk the Cardigan Coastal Path from Cardigan to Newquay over the next five days. We would take rucksacks, tents etc and set up camp along the way. That was the plan at least.

Ian had met us at our gaff and we left for West Wales at 2.30pm in Grant's car......the weather was okay when we left but by the time we got to the Brecon Beacons, the weather had taken a turn for the worse. Yes, it was pissing it down and howling winds didnt help either. We got to our arranged destination and threw our bags into our Hotel of choice, nice rooms and a very easy checking in process...as in just go in, the keys are in the door, have a nice time. We had to wait thirty minutes for Ray as he had been caught in some road works further up North. Before we checked in we visited our usual partners in crime, Cousin Clive, Gail, Owen and his girlfriend Becky - the plan was to grab a few beers once everyone had sorted themselves out. We werent sure about what places would be open for ale consumption and so it was decided that we'd meet in a place called The Moody Cow.. which has been a recent find for me - they've got the right idea there....basically a huge Marquee full of wooden benches.

Once Ray had arrived, we headed for The Moody Cow campsite...the weather hadnt changed it's mind and was now even worse. We managed to get a bench and huddled in the cold windy wet weather. Brother Dill and Cousin Simon showed up and so was good banter. Dont forget none of us have seen each other in months. It was waiter service in the Moody Cow and we all managed to slug a few down. The Clan were all heading off in different directions so we all ploughed on down to Aberaeron and managed to find a couple of places serving beer. Uncle Jim's Beer Garden was the destination of choice and we slugged a few more...but left at a decent time with a pre-arranged Smash & Grab. Back at the ranch we finished the night off with a can of Thatchers Cider...as you do. Tomorrow, we would head off with the walking gear and the trip would begin....well sort of.

First off we would start the trip by meeting everyone up at the beach and spend the first night under the stars. It would then be a walk to New Quay and then down to Cardigan on the bus.