Last week we went on an adventure, to do something we’d never done before…camping as a family. When I first started planning it I was a little nervous. I wasn’t sure how it would work, all five of us in a tent but as the time grew nearer I found I was more excited than anything else. The boys were so looking forward to it and it was hard not to get caught up in their excitement. The lovely people at Millets asked us to be a part of their #wedosummer campaign and sent us a tent, sleeping bags and chairs; I’ll write another post about our equipment and camping essentials but I just wanted to share a few iPhone photos from the trip and a video of the few days we spent on our wild adventure.
I spent a while trying to decide where to go. I didn’t want anywhere too far for our first trip but it needed to be somewhere with places we could visit nearby. In the end I decided on North Wales and we booked into Cefn Cae campsite in Conwy for two nights. The campsite was perfect and in such a great location, everyone on site was so friendly and we had a lovely welcome, I can see why people go camping time and time again. It was close to Conwy but secluded and hidden away in the hills so it felt like a little retreat. It was beautifully maintained and had great shower facilities and a little pub down the track which was perfect to wander down to in the evenings. We were so lucky to have hit on gorgeous weather and I think that really made the trip for us. It probably wouldn’t have been as much fun in the rain.
The first night we set up camp and then headed out for a wander on the country lanes, we found the pub and sat in the beer garden with the boys. They made some friends and spent hours playing hide and seek while we watched on feeling pretty relaxed. It was lovely to slow down and not be stuck in any routine. The boys went to bed late, we sat around in the evenings, reading and chatting. We spent a day exploring Conwy, we found a very random but delicious Dutch Pancake house hidden away on the country lanes and then visited Llandudno the following day. We roasted marshmallows and collected shells. Some of it was madness and we would sometimes have three very giddy little boys but for the most part it was utterly blissful. Even when I was looking forward to getting back to a real bed I woke up the next morning a little sad not be be stepping out into a field and enjoying an early morning in the country.
10 Comments
It looks like you had a wonderful time! I’d worry we’d just get wind and rain, but you did do well with the weather. Stepping out into a field is magical first thing in the morning, glad you all had fun x
August 9, 2016 at 7:28 amWe loved it, I think the mornings were my favourite of the whole thing! The weather definitely helped, I don’t think it would have gone as well in the rain! xx
August 12, 2016 at 8:33 pmLooks like such a great family camping trip Hayley! Love your video, Sophia has watched it a few times today too haha she has really enjoyed it 🙂 Looks like a gorgeous place and so much fun. I can’t believe how big your gorgeous boys are getting xx
August 9, 2016 at 9:33 pmAh that is so sweet, my boys love watching other kids in youtube videos too, it’s so cute! It was great fun, I honestly didn’t think we would love it as much as we did! xx
August 12, 2016 at 8:34 pmHow utterly gorgeous! I have been longing to take the girls for an age. Too scared to go alone. However, have plans next year with a friend – exciting! Oh and that mug – I so need this in my life. Super cute video too. So pleased you had a wonderful time camping lovely. Your family is just gorgeous. Xxx
August 11, 2016 at 7:40 pmOh Kat, your girls would just love it! It honestly isn’t as scary as you’d think, still I can understand you wanting back up 🙂 Thank you for the lovely comment, we really did have the best time xx
August 12, 2016 at 8:35 pmYou really did land lucky with the weather & such a nice campsite so close to home. The boys must have thought it was such an adventure.
August 11, 2016 at 8:26 pmThey really did, they didn’t want to come home. The weather really did help, I don’t think they’d have loved it as much in the rain!
August 12, 2016 at 8:36 pmAh glad you all enjoyed it Hayley, do you have the camping bug now ? We spent many happy years camping with the kids when they were younger, and have many treasured memories. Love your video clip. I guess the site had the gorgeous bell tents all set up ? I would love to stay in one of them one day. Camping is fab when you get the nice sunshine, believe me I have camped in all weather conditions lol x
August 16, 2016 at 7:00 pmIt looks like you had a great time – what a lovely little holiday! We haven’t been camping with Zach yet as he’s a bit too young for our liking (ie too much hard work to look after in a tent!) but I can’t wait to take him in the future xx
August 19, 2016 at 3:27 pm