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Camping in Wales – camp fires and river swimming in the Brecon Beacons

There was once a princess who lived in Bristol with her travelling mother and father and her stay-at-home brothers, who longed for adventure with her friends. Because she was dearly beloved (although she never kept her room tidy) her parents granted her heart’s desire to go camping with her fellow princesses, and waved a magic wand to make it so.

And so it was that the ten princesses set off in the palace minivan, driven by the king (the chauffeur was on holiday) and arrived at their fairy dell in the kingdom of Welsh Wales. They found a friendly miller and his wife who had an old water mill with a bunk house and an orchard that was perfect for camping. Here it seemed the perfect place to experience the joys of Welsh camping (damp grass, fresh air and camp fires). They took with them provisions for the finest spaghetti bolognese, tinned tomato soup and bacon and eggs (for everyone knows that you must have bacon and eggs for breakfast when camping).

The king and queen watched over them as they frollicked in the river and chatted around the campfire about things that interest princesses. Soon the next day dawned and the real adventures began. They found a leafy glade and tiptoed barefoot and bikini-clad through the ferns and the beech leaves that surrounded the mill. There in seclusion they bathed in the river, even jumping bravely into an icy plunge pool to prove their daring. No frog princes were seen, kissed, or even thought of, for these were independent minded young princesses.

Then shivering deliciously, they made their way back to warm up with cups of tomato soup and hot showers.

In the afternoon, when they’d had their fill of leafy glades, they visited the nearby town of Hay-on-Wye where people came from far and wide to buy and sell books. There was even a festival held there once a year, where bards and prophets, such as Bill Clinton and Desmond Tutu could be heard to utter wise words. They sought out yet another bathing spot nearby in the river where canoeists drifted past and spent an afternoon relaxing and sunbathing. Naturally they kept their sunglasses on at all times, in order to remain incognito. During the evening they toasted marshmallows over the camp fire and sang songs of friendship.

All too soon the adventure was over and they returned to their kingdom of Bristol to resume their princess-y duties, vowing that their little adventure was not one that would show up in any paparazzi book of fairy tales, although they might graciously give permission for it to appear on some obscure little blog.

If you would like to take your princesses (or princes) on a camping adventure in mid-Wales, we can highly recommend Trericket Mill, where Alistair and Nicky Legge will offer you a warm welcome for B & B, Bunkhouse or Camping Accommodation, and vegetarian home cooking.

Trericket Mill, Erwood, Builth Wells, Powys, Mid Wales, LD2 3TQ
Tel 01982 560312

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Jennifer Berkey

Sunday 2nd of December 2018

Such a wonderful post. I'm so glad I was able to read this one. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Review of Clean Breaks by Richard Hammond and Jeremy Smith — Cool Travel Gear

Monday 18th of February 2013

[...] The national park of the Brecon Beacons in Wales is a mecca for lovers of the great outdoors, and if you want something more substantial than a damp tent over your head, you can stay in a network of bunkhouse barns. These are normally in restored stone barns or farm buildings with a self-catering kitchen and showers, staying in bunk-bed rooms. I’d love to spend a few days walking from one of these barns to the other taking in the amazing mountain scenery and perhaps taking in a spot of canoeing or climbing at the same time. One of the barns featured where I have stayed and which I’d highly recommend is Trericket Mill near Talgarth. For more information, contact Boots Bikes Bunkhouses or read more about our stay there here. [...]

Camping Stories for National Camping Week | The Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast - best places to travel

Wednesday 27th of June 2012

[...] Cowper Heather on Her TravelsI took my teenage daughter and a whole group of her friends to Trericket Mill  in Wales where they have a bunk house and small camping area in the orchard behind their old mill house. The [...]

Emma Hartley

Thursday 12th of April 2012

Walking is also something that has been a big part of my life. My farther is a mountain guide and has many a time dragged me up the hills with him. Will be back in the UK in June so hopefully get a few days free to come and explore Wales.

Heather

Thursday 12th of April 2012

@Emma June is a great time to be in Wales and it is really a fantastic place if you enjoy outdoor activities - I love walking and hiking but there are mountain bike trails and rivers and of course a wonderful coastline to enjoy

Emma Hartley

Monday 9th of April 2012

Wales has some beautiful countryside. Has reminded me that it is one to add to my never ending "must go" places.

Heather

Monday 9th of April 2012

@Emma - Lovely walking in Wales we've found