Visit Wales: Ogmore Central Beach

This week we decided to embrace the sunshine (which is very few and far between in Wales) and head to the beach. 

Beach from the surf.

In the Summer season finding a decent beach that allows dogs has always been a challenge. I used thebeachguide.com to find dogfriendly beaches and we headed to the nearest one: Ogmore Central (just East of Porthcawl).

We loaded all 4 dogs into the car and took off; an experience with 3 adults in a 2 door car!

When we got there I was so happy that it wasn't just a pebble beach and there was actually sand! I have experienced my fair share of dog beaches and they're normally the ones people don't care about. Sad I know.

So many shots of great places for dogs to pee... apparently!

I quickly attached the gopro to the dog and away we went.

The beach was huge. If you don't like dogs, definitely do not come here (though I don't know why you would come to a dog beach then...)

The car parking was a bit of a faff, £1 for 1 hour or £5 for anything more... a bit of a rip, so we put in a quid and then kept any eye on the car. 

This is my old man, 10 years old this year! Bless him.

There were reasonable winds that day and the waves grew substantially as the day went on and the tide came in. 

Numerous people told me how brave I was for going into the water in a bikini - not one that was well fitting to be quite honest! This is made especially apparent when The Boyfriend has gone in fully dressed.

Do I look super comfortable?

I had a lovely day and so did the dogs. There were toilets but by the time we were ready to go they seemed miles away, so we just got changed with the protection of towels by the car.

Finding a pub on the way home for food was an experience. We were so lucky that we stopped by the Toby Carvery in Bridgend. They were so accommodating to all the dogs, even brought out sausages for them! I will recommend that everyone go there :)

Chat soon,

Rhiannon x

Review: The Essential Guide To First Time Backpacking by Amy Day

So like the last travel book I read and talked about, I'd like to do the same. What a wonderful set up and intro. God I'm a talented writer.

I've recently finished 'The Essential Guide To First Time Backpacking - Everything You Need To Know Before You Get On The Plane by Amy Day. It took me a couple of days reading on and off but I really enjoyed it. Amy Day is a wonderful writer and to be completely honest it felt like having a chat in a living room with a friend who knows everything you want to know. Throw in a couple of swear words and a bottle of wine and it would almost be like she was in the room with me. 

This book covers everything you need to know about backpacking from someone who has clearly been there, done that, got the T-shirt... More than once! She illustrates her advice with stories from her life, as well as some precautionary tales about other travelers.

This guide has a section for everything and for everyone, there is even a chapter for parents of backpackers. She does a good job of putting everyone's mind at ease about the big wide world that most of us hope to be exploring.

What I learned from this book? Although I will be traveling a very common route for backpackers, no one has done MY trip before, so no one, not even Amy Day can tell me everything I need to know about everything. I just need to let go and live in the moment. Prices vary from person to person. Get visas are different for everyone. Each person will  value items and countries in their own way.

My trip is just that, mine. Although I've picked up a lot of tips and ideas, she can't tell me exactly what it will be like. Let's be honest, I did know that before hand, but it's good to be reminded.

Chat soon.
Rhiannon