Finally, we were ready to leave our shores. The first challenge was to hitch little Huwy (the car) up behind the van. Having invested a great deal of money in a supposedly legal towing system and with Joe and Rowan having invested a 12-hour day in getting it fitted, we had to make it work. We were armed with an almightily heavy bit of steel, some unfathomable clips and cables and a legal defence of the towing system in all major European languages. Much head scratching and reading of manuals ensued. Joe pretty much knew what he was doing (unlike me) but we had counted without our neighbours, however. Two sets of long term seasonal campers were very friendly throughout, now they were all over us, fascinated by this contraption and stepping in to help without any invitation. Turns out one of them was a trailer mechanic. Serendipity? Or was it because Father Paul had blessed our journey the night before? Whichever way, it was very lucky for us. This wonderful mechanic produced bolts, screwdrivers and a wealth of knowledge: Joe set aside any male pride and willingly accepted this expert help. As with the first drive of the big bus, I insisted on being the first to drive towing – if I didn’t jump in straight away, I would get more and more nervous about doing it and could see myself putting it off time and again. Besides, you should do something everyday that scares you, right? This meant I had the dubious honour of steering a now almost 40 foot long exceptional vehicle out of the campsite under the watchful eye of not only our expert neighbours, but pretty much everyone else on site too. I think I made an OK job of it … at least, no one’s tent, caravan or child was destroyed in the process. I smiled and waved. I pulled out of the gates and onto the unmade farm track. I waited until we were out of sight. Then I stopped and actually breathed for a moment. Pleased to report however that I didn’t relinquish the driver’s seat just yet. I crawled along the country lanes in pride and often pure terror, doing an extremely modest 40 miles an hour. I gripped the steering wheel and gritted my teeth, getting used to having the car behind me (though not being able to see if it was still there), bikes on both the car and the bus, three kids obliviously chatting, Joe sitting next to me for the first time, how much room to leave before pulling in after overtaking, and how bloody long it took to stop this leviathan. We made it, on time and intact, to Fishguard harbour. And finally I let Joe have a go … there being no way on this earth I was going to drive this rig onto the ferry bound for Ireland.
Where we stayed: Hungerford Farm Caravan & Camping Park
How we travelled:
What we visited:
- Broad Haven beach
- Bosherton Lily Ponds & Lakes
- Carew Castle & Cross
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