The Mumbles

 

Last night we were one of three vans, the others arriving late between ten and midnight. This morning we were awoken by a group of dog walkers, a male voice suggested they knock on the door of the campervan. That'll be Marge then as the others were van conversions. An hour later said dog walkers returned, the only male amongst them head looking at the ground as he saw we were up. A little old to be so childish don't you think Marge? Lost his bravado whilst walking his dog. We think so. Around eleven, just before we left the park, wardens arrived just to inform us no overnight parking and sleeping were allowed. The signs didn't state this, and anyway it was a little late telling us now. Really.

Free overnight stops in this area are limited so we drove to one at Southerndown high up on a cliff. The sun showed, but the wind blew. There were three people obviously living in their vans already there. We parked up, ate lunch, took a short walk and moved on along the coast to Ogmore-by-Sea to a pleasant spot by the river with views of the river Ogmore. The land owners are aware that the vans park up here and on Park4Night they have put up a post asking you to clear up any litter. Angela did a litter pick. Rubbish is one of her pet hates, especially when there are bins nearby as there are here!

Marge tucked out of the way in the corner of the parking area we crossed the swinging bridge spanning the river and walked across the floodplain to the stepping stones that crossed to the ruins of Ogmore castle.

The afternoon sun was warm and we sat on the grass in the castle grounds watching the horses in the nearby field, their faces expressionless. What were they thinking? A flock of swallows performed Aerobatics above them. Sometimes it's nice just to sit a while and watch things that make you smile.

Time passed quickly and realising it was past five o'clock we walked back across the stepping stones to Marge deciding to walk further to the village stopping at the church to look at the ancient stones, some mediaeval. Finding overnight stops takes us to pretty places, unfortunately sometimes people spoil them which is what happened this evening. So around seven thirty we moved on. We quietly packed up Marge, smiled and waved as we left the men we felt would turn our stay into a nightmare and headed to the Mumbles, where we knew we could park right on the seafront for free until eight o' clock in the morning.