As stated in a previous thread lin and I went to shell island for four days. We went during the downpour and was expecting inclement weather and we got it. Big time !!
Shell island is a great place to camp, its huge. Aparently there is over 6 miles of roads around the island and having walked it several times there is always somewhere else to find. Open fires are allowed on the beach and in raised fire buckets.
If anybody is going to go. its worth google earthing it and getting a good idea of where abouts on the island you want to camp. Also when you first arrive drive around and you will find lots of little secluded spots down little tracks that dont appear to lead anywhere but open out into great little spots.
As it was our first time on the island we had a quick drive around and checked the place out. Towing a trailer this was not easy as the zook will off road but the trailer wont
.
We wanted a view and somewhere the dogs would not be ground spiked all week. So we needed to be idealy in a field on our own. We opted for a bit of field near the entrance, on the cliffs ( the wind was not that bad when we arrived) as it had a nice view of the sea and harleck castle in the distance with Snowdonia national park behind the tent.
Great start just what we wanted.
So up went the tent and down came the rain, then to top it all off the wind decided to get in on the act. Not to be put off out came the BBQ just to find one of the legs had broken on the trip and it wouldnt stand up
. Nevermind I'm on my hols these things happen.
I got it going with my firesteel and some kindling. In went the bought!!! yes bought wood.( you have to buy wood from the shop as the area is of special scientific interest). Half an hour and half a bag later we had limited coals to cook on and they was going out. Not to be put off ( im on my Hols was the mantra of the trip) on went the burgers and out went the fire . build it back up the repeat. Eventually we got our "just" (read raw but brown) cooked burgers and retreated back into the safety of the tent.
About an hour later the wind and rain died down so we took the dogs for a walk down the beach and had a look around for a couple of hours, jumping around the rock pools like big kids with the dogs going beserk with all the space. Then the heavens opened again so back to the tent, turned on the lamps and sat down with a deck of cards the radio and a nice bottle of mead.
The wind howled and it threw it down all night. We got up the next morning to find devastation all around the site. new style tents had just given up the ghost and collapsed, where my old stalwart had just stuck it out on the ridge in one of the highest and most exposed places on the island.
This experience was repeated the next night until Lin suggested that we move to a quieter spot out of the wind. So off we went for a drive to find another spot. After looking around for ages we found what looked to be ideal sheltered ,secluded and empty.
If I didnt tell you we was in there you would never know
Great views when you walked around the central trees and plenty of space. Also it was sheltered. Which after the two previous days was bliss. At night we opened up the front of the tent and had the fire outside the door so the tent was toasty.
.
It still rained but we had secret weapons ................... a poncho and a pound special see thru flasher mac:yelrotflm .
Me looking like a teletubbie.
and Lin giving her soooooooooo expensive secret weapon a try out
It was a great week and shell island is a great place to visit. The locality had loads to see and do but as we had the pooches with us we was limited to what was availiable for us. The weather was what we expected so cant complain there, the news said that Wales had more rain in the four days we camped than ever recorded for July .
We will be going again as its a great place especially for kids.
Greg
Shell island is a great place to camp, its huge. Aparently there is over 6 miles of roads around the island and having walked it several times there is always somewhere else to find. Open fires are allowed on the beach and in raised fire buckets.
If anybody is going to go. its worth google earthing it and getting a good idea of where abouts on the island you want to camp. Also when you first arrive drive around and you will find lots of little secluded spots down little tracks that dont appear to lead anywhere but open out into great little spots.
As it was our first time on the island we had a quick drive around and checked the place out. Towing a trailer this was not easy as the zook will off road but the trailer wont
We wanted a view and somewhere the dogs would not be ground spiked all week. So we needed to be idealy in a field on our own. We opted for a bit of field near the entrance, on the cliffs ( the wind was not that bad when we arrived) as it had a nice view of the sea and harleck castle in the distance with Snowdonia national park behind the tent.
Great start just what we wanted.
So up went the tent and down came the rain, then to top it all off the wind decided to get in on the act. Not to be put off out came the BBQ just to find one of the legs had broken on the trip and it wouldnt stand up
. Nevermind I'm on my hols these things happen. I got it going with my firesteel and some kindling. In went the bought!!! yes bought wood.( you have to buy wood from the shop as the area is of special scientific interest). Half an hour and half a bag later we had limited coals to cook on and they was going out. Not to be put off ( im on my Hols was the mantra of the trip) on went the burgers and out went the fire . build it back up the repeat. Eventually we got our "just" (read raw but brown) cooked burgers and retreated back into the safety of the tent.About an hour later the wind and rain died down so we took the dogs for a walk down the beach and had a look around for a couple of hours, jumping around the rock pools like big kids with the dogs going beserk with all the space. Then the heavens opened again so back to the tent, turned on the lamps and sat down with a deck of cards the radio and a nice bottle of mead.
The wind howled and it threw it down all night. We got up the next morning to find devastation all around the site. new style tents had just given up the ghost and collapsed, where my old stalwart had just stuck it out on the ridge in one of the highest and most exposed places on the island.
This experience was repeated the next night until Lin suggested that we move to a quieter spot out of the wind. So off we went for a drive to find another spot. After looking around for ages we found what looked to be ideal sheltered ,secluded and empty.
If I didnt tell you we was in there you would never know
Great views when you walked around the central trees and plenty of space. Also it was sheltered. Which after the two previous days was bliss. At night we opened up the front of the tent and had the fire outside the door so the tent was toasty.
It still rained but we had secret weapons ................... a poncho and a pound special see thru flasher mac:yelrotflm .
Me looking like a teletubbie.
and Lin giving her soooooooooo expensive secret weapon a try out
It was a great week and shell island is a great place to visit. The locality had loads to see and do but as we had the pooches with us we was limited to what was availiable for us. The weather was what we expected so cant complain there, the news said that Wales had more rain in the four days we camped than ever recorded for July
. We will be going again as its a great place especially for kids.
Greg
...bestest crocs they are. I got them when shopping with my 6 year old (I wanted the yellow ones but she would not let me) as they are the only wellies that will fit over my calf's. i tried on several pair of hunters, when i needed size 11 to fit my legs and im only a size 8 normally, i gave up and got the crocs as they are short legged and really comfy. Ok i look like a jelly baby in them but they are great 
and rainy days the glow worms are brilliant to see at night. The dunes are really wild and almost like another planet. Oh an love the wellies also lol looks like you had a great time even if you missed the weather 
