Wales Blog 2017 – Camping, Porthgain and Fish & Chips

Hi all,

So this year’s big family holiday for the DadGeek brood was to Pembrokeshire in South Wales. In case you have no idea where that is (I certainly didn’t until recently) it’s this bit

We stayed in a lovely little village called Llanrhian (which I am still trying hard to learn how to pronounce) which is a beautiful little place tucked away in the gorgeous Pembrokeshire coast. Getting there saw us travel down more tiny, windy roads than I think I’ve ever driven on in my entire life but it’s definitely worth it when you settle down for the evening and check out the view.

We pitched our tent at a small campsite called Coastal Stay (www.coastalstay.co.uk). It’s only a small site but absolutely one of the nicest I’ve ever experienced. We always have a bit of trepidation when going to a new site (our regular weekend site being Breck Farm in Norfolk) but our fears were soon put to rest when we were greeted so warmly by the couple that run Coastal Stay, Marilyn & Nic.

We were offered a choice of pitches and straight away given a quick tour of where all the facilities are, how things worked and where the main local things could be found. Coastal Stay have lovely big pitches, each coming with its own electricity hook-up (at least ours did) and big wooden bench/table. These might not sound like much but they are invaluable and easily much more useful than any folding table you may have brought with you (ours broke).

If you want a traditional experience there are separate men’s and women’s toilet and shower facilities in spacious sheds outside and each is adorned with a gallery of skating/surfing bric-a-brac. It would be criminal though to not at least treat yourself once to the additional indoor luxury bathroom and power-shower that is available to all campers (queues likely during busy periods). The small size of the site and great personal touches everywhere meant that you feel much more like you’re staying in a friend’s huge back garden. A back garden with some of the most breathtaking views you’re ever likely to see.

 

Having spent an hour or so quietly swearing at bent tent pegs with the wife, Camp DadGeek was established!

After recovering from that ordeal we were starving so we decided to check out the local fish and chip shop. It was a bit of a longer walk than I expected but after about a mile we arrived in Porthgain Harbour which is a sight that has to be seen to be believed! The local fish and chip shop is actually a lovely Fish & Chip Bistro called “The Shed” (www.theshedporthgain.co.uk) which despite the word ‘bistro’ was amazingly good value for money and in no way pretentious or over-priced. The food is amazing and despite the restaurant being full up we were able to take our meals and go eat right in the harbour!

Note to the mildly or intensely anxious parent: Eating in a harbour with young children 12 feet away from an unprotected drop into the harbour may give you butterflies and distract you from your meal. The view does help though. As long as they all stay sat down.

After filling our tummies at The Shed, we strolled over to the local harbour pub The Sloop Inn (www.sloop.co.uk) for a quick beverage before heading back to the campsite absolutely pooped out and ready for our sleeping bags!

Stick around for our next post where we go to Pembroke Castle!

Disclaimer: No-one asked us to review any of this, we just love sharing the places that give us great experiences!