Trip 160 - St Patrick's Meet and Haven

Friday 20th March (Day 1)

So after having to buy a £300 tyre yesterday we finished packing and left for The Bickerton Poacher pub / campsite. We left at 0900 and 150 miles later at 1320 we pulled in to be greeted by the Van Club team. We were quickly set up and then sat out on the warm sunshine eating out lunch. A bit later we were joined by Chris, Graham and Maisie. After a chat we decided to take Maisie for a walk. I had planned a short one mile circular walk. Off we went and the first part was like climbing Everest it was so steep. Arriving back we had a beer at the pub and were joined by Alan and Sue. A short while later Resa and Eric arrived. Back at our motorhomes for an evening meal and then over to the pub for the ‘St Patricks Day Bash’. Three people playing diddly-dee music and a busy room. Around 2340 we retired for sleep.

Saturday 21st March (Day 2)

A chilly night but we were fine. In the morning after a shower we walked over for a buffet breakfast. A choice of sausage, bacon, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns, scrambled eggs, bread / toast. All £9.95 a person with as much as you could eat. A good breakfast but not great. Then at 1100 we met up with the group for a walk, around 45-50 of us. Three options for a route- short, middle or long (1.5, 2.5 or 4-ish miles). We opted for the long one. This was a four plus mile walk which was quite challenging as the area is steep and has a history of copper mining. Our walk leader was a knowledgeable soul pointing out some old mines, a reservoir still in use after 250 years and more. Along the way there were a few options to extend or shorten the walk. On each occasion extending was the consensus. Having left at 1100 we got back at 1330. On our return with the weather being sunny and warm a beer or two was required. Then at 1500 we reconvened in the car park are for music bingo with a smattering of Irish songs. After this a good chat with the inevitable continuous sampling of shots circulating. Back to the motorhome for the last rays of the sun before over to the pub for an evening meal. Well what disappointment the meal was. I had been looking forward to a rack of ribs all day and they were dry and tasteless. Chris’ fish and chips were ok. This evening we all were the entertainment. The pub had a skittle alley and so a knockout competition was had. The rules were easy. Bowl the ball at the skittles. If the ball hit the alley sidewall or you did not knock a skittle down you lost one of your two lives. Each person bowled one ball and then the next person went. Sometimes you might have nine skittles to aim at, sometimes only one. It was good fun with lots of laughter and fun. Around 2300 we went back to the motorhomes for a rest.

Sunday 22nd March (Day 3)

Another pleasant start to the day. We had bacon butties sitting outside in the sunshine. Then over to the pub for a coffee meeting / chat. By about 1130, having said our goodbyes, we left. Our first stop was to be a Morrisons for some provisions and then to the Haven site at Prestatyn. We were parked up at about 1250. The whole journey being only 40 miles. All four couples arrived without mishap and we set up and settled down. We all had a quick lunch and decided to investigate the site’s amenities. The food / bars and activities are a good fifteen minute walk (for us) and almost twenty-five for Sue and Alan. Having got there we had a drink and the choice of beers was, as expected, rubbish. No bitter for Chris and for me other than Thatchers Gold cider and Guinness nothing for me. Chris tried a Worthington Cream Flow (pants). For the second round there was even less choice was the cider ran out. A quick visit to the supermarket to see what was available. Here we found a bottle of wine that is normally about £8 in a Tesco store for £20.58! A stir fry in the evening and then settle down for the night for some tv.

Monday 23rd March  (Day 5)

So today we said goodbye to Resa and Eric. They should have stayed until Friday but Henry was ill and Ciara needed some help. The shower was short of hooks and a shelf for the shower gel, that said the shower was good and hot. Breakfast followed and then the two of us, Chris, Graham and Maisie walked along the sea path to Prestatyn, about three miles. A coffee / tea on the promenade. While sitting drinking we decided to catch a train to Llandudno. A forty minute trip. On arriving we had a pleasant stroll along the wide promenade and along the pier. Stopping partway for some of the best chips we have eaten in a long time. Some more strolling and then a train back to Prestatyn. Here we had a drink before a bus back to the site - well it dropped us about a mile away. We met Alan and Sue in The Beachcomer for drink and a meal. However, they only cooked on Fridays and Saturdays. So back to the motorhome for some food. We then each stayed in our respective motorhomes chilling until bedtime.

Tuesday 24th March (Day 5)

So the weather for today is meant to be heavy rain and strong winds. We had breakfast and then with Chris Stephens walked up to the swimming pool for a swim session. Just before we were allowed in they informed us that the main pool would be closed due to water quality issues. The small pool was too shallow and would be rammed with the children, so we trudged back, stopping at the toilet block for a shower where most of my clothes got wet. (The showers are good and hot but small cubicles with only one small hook mean that I left my clothes on the floor outside and the shower water ran across the floor.) Returning to the motorhome we prepared to leave earlier  than planned for Chester. A stroll up to the main road to catch the 1101 bus to Prestatyn and then from there a train to Chester; a thirsty minute journey. Having arrived we went into the town centre and then walked the two miles around the walls. Before starting off we had a coffee / tea / pie / cake at a café on the wall. One of the best pies we have had. Having completed the circuit few sought out a pub. This was not an easy task as we needed to find a pub that allowed dogs and had beer on a hand pump. Most in the pubs thought larger was beer! The Kings Head, followed by the Golden Eagle met the bill. Then a bus back to the station as, finally, the rain forecast was in evidence. An easy journey back to Prestatyn and then a bus to Gronant near to our motorhome. We had noticed the Gronant Arms and thought we would try that as it had good food reviews. Disappointment was the result, at least to a degree. The round of drinks was about £16 as against £20-25 elsewhere, but they stopped doing food a couple of years back. Around 1830 we left and walked the mile plus back in rain and almost storm force wind. We then cooked a meal and at 2000 the other four came over and we played Outsmarted. It didn’t go down too well as Chris and Graham found it too slow. A couple of games and then we stopped and opted for just a chat until 2300 when we all said our goodnights.

Wednesday 25th March (Day 6)

The weather in the night was horrendous. The van rocked and the rain on the roof was like an army of monkeys drumming away. Morning saw us walk up again for a swim which did take place on this occasion. Walking back was like walking up hill as the wind was so strong in our faces. The weather was miserable. Rain, squally wind and quite cold. At one point the rain turned to sleet, the wind increased and the ground became white. We cooked an egg sandwich and then sat around. Chris Stephens suggested we went for a walk at about 1400 as the weather forecast looked better. We agreed but this was postponed as it was even worse. It only lasted about thirty minutes and then the three of us, with Maisie, set off along the beach (Graham stayed behind). On the beach front the wind was even stronger at around 30 - 40 mph. A mile of so later we started to return and found it almost unwalkable. We took a footpath over the  dunes to get some shelter and were back in the warmth of the motorhome about 1530. A bit of TV and then a simple meal and at 2000 the other four cameo over for the Mexican Train Game. A pleasant evening although Graham didn’t like the ‘new’ rule about playing a double. Around 2315 we said our goodnights.

Thursday 26th March (Day 7)

So a bright day with a good weather forecast. We went with Chris Stephens to get to the swimming pool for 1000. Another forty minute swim and then back for a late breakfast. Before we left for swimming we said goodbye to Alan and Sue. After breakfast we decided to go to Holywell by bus. We said goodbye to Chris, Graham and Maisie. They were leaving to ensure they could be at Skipton early tomorrow as Chris was running an MCC weekend there. A walk up to the top of the road and a short wait for the bus to Holywell. It took about forty minutes to get there. We started to walk along the high street and stopped for a coffee. Continuing on and then down the hill to St Winifride’s Holy Well. It is known as the ‘Lourdes of Wales’ and precedes the ‘real’ Lourdes by several hundred years. It was quite uninspiring! Back up to the top of the hill and we caught a bus to Rhyl. We thought we hadn’t been to Rhyl but we soon realised we had, it was only last June. It was a place that is tired and we said we would never turn to. After quite a walk we ended up at The Harbour PH which is a Hungry Horse. Here we had a meal before catching a bus the short distance back to the main bus station and then again another bus back to the site. Having got back, we watched some tv before a late turn in.

Friday 27th March  (Day 8)

So during the night …….rain. It still was raining on and off in the morning when we got up. As a result, rather than get wet walking to the shower block, we showered in the motorhome. A simple breakfast and then things were put away for travelling and by 0930 we were off on the journey home. We knew we needed some diesel before we got home and had found a fuel station just up from the campsite that was quite good, bearing in mind this trip was during the USA waging war on Iran. Diesel before they started was about £1.35 a litre. Some places it is now £1.90! Up the road it was £1.75 yesterday, but today £1.85! We went on without stopping, eventually finding a fuel station selling diesel at £1.79. We had an easy drive home stopping at our local Tesco where diesel was £1.73. Still around 40% dearer than a couple of weeks ago. Home by 1400.