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Images of Wildlife / Travel  / A touch of irony on a UK camping trip

A touch of irony on a UK camping trip

Following weeks of being in a sling following a shoulder op and practically confined to the house for what felt like ‘eons’ meant Andy and I were desperate for a change of scenery.

We decided a quick trip away in the camper over Easter would be just the trick and hopefully a distraction away from the constant pain my shoulder was still giving me. With little plans made we headed to west wales, 5 hours later and battling the usual bank holiday traffic we found ourselves not too far from Fishguard and to a really lovely ‘rustic’ campsite called ‘Hillfort Tipi’s’.

We have to admit to having a massive dislike for campsites where you are plonked with little or no space from your neighbours in boring uniform rows. This campsite was far from that and exactly what we wanted. Quiet, with wild spacious pitches set among the gorse bushes. Situated just a short walk from a beautiful stretch of pembokeshires impressive coastline. The perfect getaway in a lovely natural settling (yes, it helped that the sun was shining!) Although the facilities are basic and a little ‘rustic’ at the campsite there is everything you need, a hot shower in a converted horsebox and a clean functional portaloo with a little sink area. The guys at the camp were super friendly and went out of their way to check you are happy with where you are pitched which was a nice touch.

Our beautiful camping pitch

After a lovely evening walk to watch the sun set along the rugged coastline we lite a fire back in camp in an old washing machine drum supplied by the camp. I had gathered some kindling earlier and was stomping around the bushes gathering anything dry. To which Andy jokingly utters the words “be careful of snakes out there” With a hint of sarcasm highlighting how this camping experience was certainly different to camping in Africa. Where you are always on your guard from snakes etc. Where as here in the UK there is certainly far less of an issue worrying about snakes! They are out there but hardly a common sight.

Pembrokeshire coastline

 

Sunset over the pembrokeshire coast

 

After a rather cold night in the camper we awoke to a clear, sunny but very chilly morning. The smell of bacon baps filled the air and breakfast was cooking. I still ask myself ‘why do bacon sarnies always taste so good when camping’?

As we were tidying up Andy steps out of the camper to put the chairs away and the next thing I hear him say is “there’s a snake”. I didnt even turn around as I was at the sink, i think “yeh right” pretty much summed up my response. “No really there is a snake”. Andy was not joking there it was an adder just by the side door.

Adder by our wheel

 

Male adder

 

Male adder

 

Male adder

 

He slithered under the van and there lay in the shade. We were keen for it not to wrap itself into the engine or into the wheel and so hastily moved the van, we encouraged it toward nearby gorse bushes to safety away from the cut grass track. The speed of which it moved was quite suprising. Stopping occaisonally and adopting a threat position at us as we quickly took a couple of snaps with the ‘point & shoot’. School boy error to have not had the SLR handy!

Meanwhile during all of the snake action the chap at camp and owner of this 30 acre plot (sorry his name right now has escaped me!) arrived to say ‘morning’ was also beyond excitement at seeing the adder, having never seeing one before on his land. We were pretty excited ourselves to, Andy had seen an adder once as a child, but for me this was the first time of a British snake.

So it turned out the conversation the night before had an ironic twist. We are fairly confident it was a male adder. He was around 60-80cm’s long, now out of hibernation and probably looking for a female to mate with. Although adders are common in the UK sightings are quite rare. Of all of our trips to Africa over the last ten years, a continent synonymous with snakes we have seen less than half a dozen snakes, So we were certainly were not expecting to see one on a camping trip to Wales! Least of all a venomous snake!

So it seems we had timed our trip right with natures finest coming out to show. Who says you can’t have a bit of excitement in the beautiful british countryside!

Written by Sarah Skinner 21/04/2014