Contrary to most of the posts on here, we have just come back from Wales, spent a week at a nice farmhouse there, 1600Km (1000 miles) in a week, Townie ran beautifully as always. Got a little hot on the way home at 80 on the moroway with a/c on, just knocked off the a/c on the long hills on the M4 & she was fine. Didn't miss a beat all week. Loaded up to the gunholes in each direction from London to Carmarthen & had 4 adults & 4 kids everywhere else we went during the week.
Well done old girl & she's 13 years old now with 105000 Km on the clock.
Regards Rob.
- (#12449) Rob Drinkwater, 1 Aug 04 05:46
Hi Rob
Well done you and your Townie. Still not changed it for an Estima then? I'm off to that part of the world next week. Any recommendations for places to visit to keep an 8 year old happy?
Ian
- (#12449) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 2 Aug 04 01:15
There's Barry Island and Porthcawl (sea-side resorts). And don't forget, we have the Eisteddfod here in Newport until next weekend (first week of August). The Wye Valley is beautiful (follow Tintern Abbey signs), especially if you like walking and Symonds Yat. I used to take my mob to these places when they were small and I didn't spend much money either!
- (#12449) Jo, 2 Aug 04 09:50
Thanks Ian,
Third year running we have had our annual holiday courtesy of the old girl, as well as the starship miles we have done with all the other weekends away & day trips. So she's not so bad, as regards an Estima, I had intended to spend aroun £5k on one, but all those in that price bracket were either high milers or doggy on the bodywork, I would also prefer the later shape with the 3CT-E electronic diesel (or maybe even the 2.4 supercharged petrol one, POWER AT LAST)& ABS, Sat Nav, reversing monitor, electronic climate control etc. this will mean I'll need to look around the £7-8K mark now, sharp intake of breath. At least this should buy me a 98 ish car, which I suppose would cost around £30k + for that spec now in UK, so not so bad I guess.
As regards Wales, we were a bit further over than where Jo's suggesting, the Wye valley is nice in the borders, Barry's nice in the south, but we were a bit west of this in Carmarthen, the town itself is good for shopping, with traditional local shops, chain stores & a big Tesco, buy your fuel at the Shell on the A484 towards Cardigan, 2 minutes outside Carmarthen, 3p a litre saving against most others we saw.
Kidwelly is nice, with a good castle & industrial museum. Llanstefan has a nice beach & a ruined Castle (bit of a climb), Pembroke is a nice area with a very complete castle. The Gwili Railway is in steam some of the time, this is just outside Carmarthen. If your into Gardens, then Aberglasny Gardens are superb. Pendine sands are also great for the sea, golden sands & five miles plus of them. The Museum of Speed is there (and it's free) charting the history of the land speed records set on the sands. We also went up to Cardigan & there is a beatiful sheltered beach at Mwnt, just follow the signs out of Cardigan & you'll get to the beach.
Hope this gives some guides.
Regards Rob.
- (#12449) Rob Drinkwater, 3 Aug 04 08:38
Yes, stopped off in Carmarthen last year but missed Pembroke and surrounds which is what I hope to pick up this year. Thanks for the tips on the venues.
Cheers
Ian
- (#12449) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 3 Aug 04 09:33
Hi all,
Plenty of activity on here over the past week I see.
Just had to say, had a great week in Pembrokeshire while most of the country was suffering torrential downpours. Spent the week using the Townie as a camper, just me and my son. Table up by day and sleeping on a double airbed on top of the laid flat seats by night. When it did rain, we were able to cook in the van without too much condensation. Averaged 29 - 32 mpg with the coolbox on continuously and the aircon intermittently. It certainly makes a good all-round RV with the space and internal height.
Didn't lose any oil or coolant. Only problem was the nearside sidelight bulb blew which I left until I returned home. Only remaining problem is the amount of crisps, sand and other garbage left by my untidy 8 year old. Dyson time I think!
Oh and thanks Rob for the tip about the beach at Mwnt. We had a great day there riding the waves. Now as I'm still in the holiday mood, is the Newquay Jam happening or what?
regards
Ian
- (#12449) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 15 Aug 04 05:41