Llangennith Weekend

We're just back from a cracking weekend down in the Gower in Wales, catching up with a few friends and trying to catch a few waves.   We stayed on the excellent Hillend site right on the sand dunes in Llangennith and although it was very busy there it was an absolutely awesome campsite.   The facilities were all brand new, all the showers etc were free and there was lots and lots of stuff there so even with three full fields of campers there was still enough facilities to go around.    On top of that the staff were friendly and amicable (and possibly on weed) - the Nazis of Bude could do with taking a leaf out of the pot smoking staff in Wales.  Add to that that the campsite is 200m from the largest most beautiful beach and you have a real winner. 

The only downside was the campsite was full of loads and loads of youngsters (all good there) who were still partying very loud at 3am on the Friday night.  But we were all young once and me and Mrs Blakey are pretty chilled about this sort of thing so it was no real problem.  Saturday was much better it has to be said too.   All in all I'd rate the Hillend campsite as 9/10.   The only things that could have made it better would have been if it had been a smidge closer to the beach (200m is really not far at all mind, but with the dunes you can't see the surf from the campsite) and if it had been a smidge quieter.

We got there Friday night, parked up, popped the roof and went straight to the beach as it was still light.   A big disappointment as there was hardly any swell but after a 4 hour drive I was getting wet regardless so slipped into my wettie and paddled out.  Not really worth it but any wave is better than nothing when you've travelled so far. Plus I had the whole of Rhossili to myself and a glorious sunset to enjoy so I wasn't moaning.

Waiting for a wave.

We went back to the campsite and waited for our friends to arrive - they were travelling down later that evening.  When they got there we had a few more beers and about 1am we decided to crash out - but the party in the site went on for a good while after that!  This was the first chance to test out the bed extension and it really did make a big improvement - that extra 20cm or so length on the bed just made the whole experience much improved.

Friday evening camp.

Next morning we got up, checked the surf - very flat - and decided to hang around the campsite.  Another friend who lives down that way joined us and we sat about in the leigh of the van chatting about the World Cup and Maxican Waves and other bizzare stuff for a few hours.  Then he wandered off and we lit the barbie and cracked open the first beer.  Lovely just chilling about the place and having everything on hand in the van.

Saturday barbie.

Later on in the afternoon more friends who've moved to Swansea arrived and we all decanted back over the dunes to the beach.   The waves were still pants but, hey, when in Rome.   So I picked up another hour or so in the gutless 1' swell with a howling cross shore wind.  Pretty horrendous conditions really.

Back to the campsite, grabbed a bite of tea and another beer and then up to the local cafe where they were showing England vs USA in the World Cup.  Hmmm, shocker but I still think we'll top the group.

Sunday we checked out the surf but didn't go in, sat around enjoying more lovely weather and generally chewing the fat and then eventually headed home up the M4.  An easy drive home that will no doubt be made even easier after tomorrow when the van goes in to have Cruise Control fitted.

This weekend was the debut of the new kitchen pod.  And what a winner it was.  We bungeed it into the van when travelling and then just unstrapped when we arrived.   We pulled it out a smidge from the wall when we wanted to cook on it (so that the top hob-lid could open fully) and then pushed it back snug against the wall when we'd finished cooking.    The pod held the gas hob, our gas bottles, all our cooking utensils and pans and all our crockery and cutlery, plus a weekend's worth of food.  All in the one place, neatly stacked away and easy to access - it did the job perfectly.  Then when we came to come home, everything was already packed away and all we had to do was bungee it back in place. The doors have all warped slightly since I varnished it on a hot summers day (you live and learn I guess) which is a tad disappointing after the hours I've spent making it, but that doesn't in any way stop its functionality so I'm still really pleased with it.

Kitchen pod in use.

All in all a really fun, relaxing weekend.  The weather was great, the surf was pants, and the two new additions to the van (kitchen pod and bed extension) were both really useful and did the job great.  Fantastic.

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Haven't posted here in a while but I've still been doing the odd little bit of work on the van.    Since last I posted I've varnished the kitchen pod and added some galvinized steel plating to the insides of the hob partition.  I've also added magnetic fastners on the tops of the doors which helps to keep them in place although I think I might stick some on the bottoms of the doors as well to seal them tighter. 

The kitchen pod is pretty much done now.

The kitchen pod is now loaded up with all our camping gear - gas bottles, gas hob, Bluecat gas heater, water bottle, washing up bowl, cutlery, plates and mugs.  All basically ready to go.  It's living in the shed and just needs to be wheeled out when we want to put it into the van.

As yet I still haven't got a good method to secure it in the van, although I have had lots of ideas.  I'm just not settled on one solution yet.  I plan to bungee it in place for the moment, when travelling and then just take the bungees off when we arrive.   It can stay pushed up against the van wall when we are not using it and then be pulled forward a smidge when we want to cook - so as to allow the hob top to open fully.   Not an ideal solution but it works for now.

Gave the van a really good clean this week.  Came up sparkling.  Makes such a difference.

Up in the 'loft' I have finished my bed extension.  It's simply a 18mm bit of plywood with a thick foam wedge glued onto it.   It extends the default bed by 17cm, which is enough to make all the difference, I think.  This should let me lie on my back and not have my knees and feet restricted by the roof height.   I'm hopeful it will really make a difference, although it's not been tested by a sleep over - yet.

Today I have booked the van into have Cruise Control added next week.  I had it on my last car and really miss it on long journeys down the motorways.  I think it will be invaluable for our European Tour in the autumn and really make the long drives even more easy and relaxing.  Should be a great addition.    Just a shame I can't get it done this week ready for our trip to Wales at the weekend.

I'm planning on getting some lowering springs fitted next month too - the last mod I need to make before we go on our Tour I feel.  Just to improve the handling and general ride quality as we'll be in the van for so long.  Should also help us to get into any height restricted places too!   Lowering 40mm is my plan.  Now I just have to find a supplier and someone who'll fit the springs.   I feel a Brickyard search coming on!

Want to lower the van by about 40mm.

This weekend coming we are off to Wales for a few waves (swell permitting).   Should be a perfect opportunity to test out the new bed extension and of course the kitchen pod in anger.  I'll write a report of how we got on next week, probably whilst the van is in on Monday having the cruise control fitted in fact!