A very long drive, Saturday 30th June

Circumstances beyond our control meant that our night was disrupted and we didn't manage to set off as early as I had hoped. So it was after 8am when we left in glorious sunshine.

Over the past few weeks, the weather has been almost unrelenting in its blue skies and high temperatures, and we have had hardly any rain.

Having searched several options, I decided that the 50 extra miles to go down the motorway was not worth it, especially as horrible things are happening on the M5. So, to start with, we headed for Crewe, then Nantwich, Whitchurch (complete with diversion), Ellesmere and Oswestry before stopping beside the Montgomery Canal outside Welshpool. Driving across country means no services, so a comfort stop is generally at a supermarket, not somewhere we would choose to have a picnic. We found Tesco.

Ian took over the driving through mid-Wales, taking us on to Aberystwyth and a Morrisons loo. The scenery was lovely all the way, but it was a slow drive. We must try to avoid Newport on the return. I was back to diving as we continued down to Aberaeron, where I remembered having a picnic with children in a park. Sadly, that was temporarily closed so we sat on the seafront, overlooking a rather dismal stones beach.

On and on down past Cardigan and over the Preseli Hills to Haverfordwest, then we were finally on the road to Broad Haven and its branch to Little Haven.

Altogether, it was a journey of 192 miles, with my portion being a bit less than 3/4. We were very tired and stiff from sitting.

The instructions to find the cottage were obscure - not what we wanted after 8 hours on the road. Albert's Cottage is quite small, with the kitchen and bathroom dark and pokey. The bedroom cum sitting room is fine but the settee is very uncomfortable.

After a reviving cup of tea in the garden, we wandered down to the bay and up onto the left-hand headland. There was quite a lot of people in and on the sea, having fun in the sun. 

Back to the cottage for supper in the garden and a lazy evening - all we were fit for.