Aberystwyth

Today we needed to cover a quite a few miles so tomorrow we were best placed to cross Wales via the Elan valley rather than over the mountains. However, we'd only been travelling for around half an hour and we'd already stopped twice.

The second time at Newport, a pretty little small coastal town. What a stunningly beautiful place. Nearly all the properties along the waterfront were on holiday let. Busy with families, we thought what a fantastic place to make memories. We certainly loved it. Sitting a while whilst we drank hot drinks and ate cake. But we couldn't linger. Places to go Marge.

Leaving Newport with its slate-coloured sand, large bay and beautiful views to the holidaymakers, we journeyed to Aberaeron, a real tourist hotspot. But £4.80 to park Marge for an hour in the same space as the cars were paying £2.40 for was a bit steep. Come on! About to give up on the town and its charming colourful Georgian houses we came across a free, yes free parking space right in the town centre. Nice one Marge. 

A quick walk around Aberaeron and we were off again. Next stop Morrisons, just outside Aberystwyth where fifteen pounds spent on fuel allowed you to top up with water from a tap on the side of the kiosk. Fifteen pounds, we wish. Marge cost us just over fifty-one pounds. Next stop, St. Michael's church Aberystwyth, right on the seafront, twenty-four-hour parking for vans for four pounds, and the gates to the car park are locked overnight. Result.

Before tonight's forecast rain set in we took a walk out past the nineteenth century university, around the castle ruins and along the seafront and into the town. But what a miserable place. Described in the guide book as the 'Biarritz of Wales' in Victorian times we felt it had defiantly lost its charm. By six o' clock the heavy rain and wind forecast arrived. We couldn't believe we'd basked in warm sunshine and now this. Wet and wild Wales Marge.