Yet again we needed water and so we looked around for a campsite to fulfil our needs. It just happened to be the weekend, and the weather was predicted to be good, so all of the coastal campsites we tried were booked. I expect we’ll find this more as we head into July and August.
In the end we found a CL site inland which had availability and so we plumped for that one – we could always get on our bikes and go to the coast, it’s not like Anglesey is that big an island.
CL stands for Certified Location, and indicates a small campsite that is certified for a maximum of 5 pitches by the Caravan and Motorhome club, the landowner doesn’t require planning permission as they can be ‘Certified’ by the club. They are typically on farms or other private businesses that have a bit of spare land, and sometimes have grown to have more pitches that are not associated with the club. The idea of these sites is that you use the facilities in your van and so the cost of running the site is lower for the owner who doesn’t have to provide toilets, showers etc, so they usually offer little in the way of services apart from the basics; water, effluent disposal and sometimes electricity. The Caravanning and Camping club also have a similar scheme of Certified Sites (CS), as do some other clubs.
The site we found was Bodnolwyn Wen, a pretty little field at the back of the owners house with pitches for 5 units and also three cute wooden self catering units. Because this was a cheaper site at £12 we decided to stay for a couple of nights to give ourselves the opportunity to enjoy the good weather. The problem with wild camping is that you don’t tend to indulge in ‘camping behaviour’ ie winding out the awning, getting the chairs and table out, and having a BBQ. And when the sun is shining it’s nice to do all of those things. So the awning was deployed and we indulged ourselves with a BBQ for tea. The owners dogs even helped with the washing up, the BBQ grill has never been so clean!
Pitched up on the campsite
While there, in between mooching around enjoying the sunshine, we cycled out to Church Bay on the west coast of Anglesey. This was a lovely little cove where I paddled, but sadly I hadn’t taken my swimming costume for a dip.
Church Bay – the sea was invitingly clear
On the way there we visited Melin Llynnon, Anglesey’s last working windmill. Anglesey is a fairly flat island, exposed to strong coastal winds, so it’s no surprise that there were windmills here – you can see the buildings in various states of repair across the island. This one has been restored and also has a nice little cafe. Sadly there was no wind that weekend so the sails weren’t turning Then we followed the coast southwards past more small coves before turning inland again back to the campsite.
Working windmill at Llynnon
Hi Becky, love the windmill picture. Week, I have now joined you in the land of the free ( so to speak). No, I am not in Wales ( although we do have a convention to go to in Cardiff at the beginning of August for 3 days), but in sunny Bristol today…..but am “free” in the sense that I am now unfettered to the world of Digital Insurance. It’s been a fab 2 years, but my brain is ready for a rest and my body needs some attention…..!! Thank you so much for face timing into my leaving event, it was lovely to see you. Everyone was delighted to hear your voice and see your chilled out and relaxed look! We are off to Kingsbridge on Sunday to camp with a group of other families for a week. Yes, I said camping!! I imagine you could tell we had booked a campsite as the weather has immediately turned wet and drizzly. Sunday doesn’t look wet all day on the forecast so we may get our tent up in the dry. The boys ( all three of them) are excited about the camping trip, I have to say I am looking forward to the relaxing beach walks, but plan to camp out on the floor at my Dad and Mum’s guest house in Frogmore if it gets too damp!! Not sure what the proprietors would say… I may have to resort to begging….anyway, let’s see how it goes! After Cardiff we are off for some European sun….France /Spain ….depends on what deals we can find. Enjoy the rest of Angelsey and take care. J X