Eastertime is here, and the sun has so much warmth in it that it’s calling everyone out, like lizards from under our winter rocks. Delightfully both our first and reserve beach camping spot plans already had tents on them when we arrived on Saturday evening, so we ended up making a cliff-top hotel at dusk instead, leaving our likeminded neighbours to their solitude.
A swift wild holiday of fish’n’chips, starlight, musty grass and jubilant flowering gorse, and things that go swish and thump and flap and kraak in the night. Sadly (but simply) no donkeys this time, although there are plans for a pilgrimage afoot…
Here are some pictures – refresh the page to see different ones big, or click ’em to make them REALLY big.
Tarp skills need work. Quilt was very welcome
The worst thing about April tent-lessness is that it was really, really chilly
The best thing about going tent-less is that you’re much more likely to see the dawn. This was 5.30am, the sun coming back like an old friend
Skimming stones on a wave-free beach
The capitalist virtue of choice hits the bucket and spade sector
Penbryn, south Ceredigion
This one’s only visible with enormous post-dusk pupils. The last hint of Saturday retreats, then the stars came out in force. After five months indoors I was scared of the dark again, and had to remind myself that the sun was just round the other side of the globe and would be back soon…
The beach we were heading for already had a guest, and there were two on the beach we’d come from. So we opted for the cliff-top and left them to it. “It” turned out to be moving their tent out of reach of the high tide at midnight…
Thick, springy, musty grass mattress
Saturday papers by torchlight
Some marvellous impressions indeed Hannah! The weather during the Easter weekend was pretty “summerish”, but the nights have been freezing indeed. We have been lucky enough to enjoy the luxury of a heated camping pod and still underestimated the night’s cold. Respect for facing the temperatures in the open!!
Btw, the tiled gallery… have you been using the Jetpack option or is it a different plugin?
Thank you Oliver! It did make me realise just how much warmth a tent holds onto, but also how nice it is to really sleep outside. On the hunt for a bivvy bag now!
Yes – Jetpack option. Nice, isn’t it? I’m such an amateur, but enjoying playing WordPress!
Hehe, it’s all about exploring I guess. No matter if WordPress or the captivating countryside…
A bivvy bag sounds intriguing Hannah! Always thought about one as well, but usually opted for a wee tent in the end. I hope you find a decent one and I look forward to your next sleep out post (with new equipment)!
Best wishes, Oliver
Absolutely! Exploring and learning.
I really don’t need a bivvy bag, I’ve got a tent and a tarp and a sleepingbag. But there is something about sitting at a desk all day that makes a person start inventing ‘needs’…!
“But there is something about sitting at a desk all day that makes a person start inventing ‘needs’…!”
This just made my day Hannah! Once again some remarkable skills to hit the nail on the head along with a crystal clear view and a a lovely dash of humour…
Seriously “inventing needs” is a gem of a phrase!