Today we went to Wales to pick up our new-to-us tent for Glasto. We headed down to Wrexham – took us less time than we thought it would. Got an extra electric pump we weren’t expecting in with tent, sleeping bags & air matresses, although part of 1 pole is missing from the tent. We then set off across country to go to Denbigh where we know there’s a good castle. Snacking on the way, we needed to stop & wipe the kids’ hands (v penguiny-chocolatey) so headed for a visitors centre signposted just off the road. It was down a loooooong track, and there was someone on the gate collecting parking money. We talked ourway in to basically turn the car round & nothing else, and once we got up to the car park found the place was HEAVING with cyclists. Mountain bikes & lycra all over the place. Seems that we’d stumbled upon the cycling mecca of north-east Wales. So we shuddered at the thought of doing exercise, wiped hands, and carried on.

The weather went properly gloomy once we got to Denbigh, so it was cold in the castle. Joel waited until we were at the postern gate at the farthest corner from the car to have a pooey “accident” in his pants, and then wasn’t happy about me cleaning him up once we got back to the car. Lily did her freaking-out thing and got really upset when left with Daddy, so that was Denbigh castle done for the day. Shame, I’d have liked to go round part 2 as it was the more interesting bit, but it wasn’t to be.

We set off again in a homewards direction, and stopped here for lunch. It was fab! Lovely food, not too pricey and pretty child-friendly. The toilets were super-clean, which is usually a good sign. They didn’t have much of a kid’s menu, but didn’t baulk at being asked to split an open sandwich between Joel & Lily. We had thought to go to Speke afterwards, but we were all a bit weary, and also were keen to try out the tent.

We got home and put it up in the garden (click to embiggen) – I think it will do nicely. After that, a quick trip to take L&J to Nan & Grandad’s and now we’re having a chill in front of Wales vs Ireland. I think I’d like Ireland to win, please.

ps. Ireland won but it was a nail-biter. Irish friend in Leeds apparently had coronary, or as near as dammit. Am betting he wasn’t the only one…