roemin around

Getting withdrawal symptoms waiting for the summer so decided on a couple of nights trip somewhere nearby. The canals around Southam area seemed to fit the bill so headed for some C&CC Cl's. Only spent one night away on CL near Napton on the Hill right by the canal. Tried a spot of evening fishing but the junction of Grand Union and Oxford canal was still busy with holiday makers, it was overcast, a cold wind and caught nothing. Moved on the next day and checked out a very nice looking CL behind the Green Man pub in Little Itchington for future away days. Then headed back via Ullesthorpe Grange, for one of their carvery lunches and a few hours fishing at Whetstone Gorse, which was much more successful, before arriving home late evening. Well it was a break at least.

Stayed at Brecon to join the jazz festival on our way back from camping with Jean and family. Only booked at the last minute so we used the 'official festival campsite' which turned out to be a large farmers field and organised by Tangerine Fields with a water point, portable loo's, frequent cow 'pats' and a bus service into Brecon. The 20 or so caravans and motorhomes were at the 'top' of the field where it was a bit flatter and the tents below. Entrance to the site was very steep and by the end of the weekend very muddy! Very big and well organised festival with Jools Holland, Joan Armatrading, Courtney Pines and Sir Johnny Dankworth (to name but a few) performing in concert in large marques and venues around town. These were mostly sold out months ago. There was a parallel stroller program and also a breakaway fringe festival in the local pubs which was loosely jazz based. Most of the jazz was mainstream to modern with little 'trad jazz' quite th...

We stayed in Carmarthenshire, Black Lion site near Cross Hands, with Jean and family for a few days from Sunday to Wednesday. The weather was cool and breezy when we arrived but we managed a BBQ (wind break came in handy) and were hopeful of a few days sunshine. Peter and Josh spent most of Monday fishing in the on-site fishing pond. Only caught one fish all day but it was lovely 5lb Koi Carp. Owners seemed quite excited - don't think it had been caught before as the pond is only a year or two old and not fished very much. We hooked another carp 'free lining' dog biscuits near the lily pads late in the evening but it broke the hook length in the lilies to get away. Poured with rain overnight and Tuesday was a complete washout as it rained all day. Rosemary managed to do cooked breakfast for 6 - an impressive feat in a 2 berth motorhome, then Jean and Alan decided to take Adam and Josh home as their tents were really soaked. It was still windy and Peter had to catch Josh...