By Dave Bradley

The new tent has been aired out, cleaned and packed away for another year. Its first adventure was on the family camping trip to Wales.

We got into camping almost by accident, the kids had moved out and me and my wife were looking for stuff to do to fill the time that looking after the family used to take up.

We started walking, running then hiking and even a bit of mountain climbing. Having embraced the outdoor life my wife came to me one day and announced she had seen a tent for sale in Argos and would I like to give it a try.

To say I was surprised was an understatement. I had never for one minute thought that the idea of lying in a cold uncomfortable flimsy tent with bugs and spiders and god knows what else for company was something that she felt like doing but if she was willing to give it a try so was I.

The tent was a four person pop up one so it was easy to put up which was a good start. When I say four person tent I should add that if four people got in it you would have to know them pretty well as there was room for the air mattress and not much else.

Speaking of air mattresses we decided from day one that we would try to make camping as comfortable as possible. This meant a good quality mattress, our own duvet and pillows, nothing worse than a bad night’s sleep. Bit by bit we build up a stock of the necessary items but really you need to hit the road before you realise what you have forgotten to bring with you.

This tent, like our subsequent ones, has a sewn in groundsheet so the bugs and creepy crawlies were never a problem.

We toured Ireland in that first tent and in the pre Covid days there was no need to book campsites in advance, we could just show up. The tent was great but there was nowhere to sit unless you left the air out of the mattress. So after two seasons of sitting outside in the tent sipping wine in a light drizzle we decided to upgrade.

Tent number two was a proper job with a bed room and a living area. For us this transformed our trips and it meant that when grandchildren came along we could take them with us.

For this summer’s trip we returned to Wales where we have gone for the last two years and where we meet up with my daughter and family who live there. South Wales is camping heaven with plenty of sites to choose from.

With the roof box on and the car bursting at full capacity we caught the early ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard. I found the idea of the ferry a bit daunting when I first used it, but to be fair it is so hassle free. When you get to the harbour just follow the signs and you will be directed into the correct lane for boarding. There’s not much waiting around or security checks and there’s a little café if you fancy a cuppa and a bun.

Tip number one I would have for anyone travelling from the north west through the night to catch the early ferry is that there is nowhere on the route open for a toilet break  or a rest. You have to wait until you reach Gorey where there is a 24hr services.

My second tip is to get a cabin for the trip, especially if you have been driving all night it makes it so relaxing.. You can grab a shower and be on deck in time to see the dolphins as you arrive in Fishguard .

On arrival at the site which is only 30 minutes from the ferry first job is to get the tent set up. Last year we had storm conditions for a night and even though the tent survived it took a battering so we have invested in a new one. It is a six person air beam one and is easy to put up but as luck would have it rained all day so it was a damp start but that was the only wet weather we had for the week

After setting up we go to the local Lidl and pick up anything that we didn’t squeeze into the car. We do most of our own cooking but get the odd takeaway too.

We stay at a well-run site that caters for families called Little Kings in Pembrookshire. It has a swimming pool, games rooms, outdoor play area, a cinema and a pub

The pub doesn’t serve food but each evening a different food truck pulls up outside and you can take what you buy into the pub and eat it there.

The site is close to many of Pembrokeshire’s beaches towns, villages and local attractions so there is plenty to do and see. We always spend a day at Folly Farm, it’s a bit pricey but a great day out for the kids.

At most beaches you can hire kayaks and paddle boards so there reasonably priced and not strict on the length of time you have them out.

Quiet time on the site is from ten o clock onwards so most nights we are tucked up early. Everyone is tired after busy active days so no problems nodding off.

The week seems to fly in and it’s time to get the tent rolled up and the car packed. As usual I’m left wondering why it’s so hard to repack when there is nothing extra to bring home with us.

The trip home never seems too long as the gang sleep most of the way. Next year’s plan is to head to Southern England for another adventure and hopefully a week of sunshine.

The Ferry cost was £380 including a cabin for the trip over. The campsite costs a reasonable enough £574 for seven nights for a family of four.