Tag Archives: Saint Brides Major

St Brides Major and Heritage Coast Campsite

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Sunday 8th May, we packed the van and left Fforest Fields campsite at 7.45 and headed south to St Brides Major. We were making good time and paused for a bacon butty on the A470 in the Brecon Beacons. The van was doing a roaring trade catering for the hordes of bikers who were enjoying the road.

We made it to St Brides Major and met up with our other club members, and then headed off to the quarry for the shoot. We managed to lose this leg of the shoot. Lunch was booked at the Star Inn, Wick, so I dropped Rosemary off and drove to the campsite we were staying at. It had been our intention to stay overnight there the night before, but because of a wedding, there had been no camping on the Saturday night. I arrived and dropped the van onto a pitch and raced back up the hill for lunch, on foot it was a little over 20 minutes fast walking and jogging.

A traditional Sunday lunch and some excellent ales, speeches and prize giving and then we were on our own as everyone left for home. We walked back down the road to the campsite and met the owner. Tale of woe, their cafe wasn’t open due to lack of staff. Chefs were hard to come by and could command a high salary.

Next day R and I walked to the coast, over the local stone stiles in places. R was incredibly pleased with the local flora. I continued down the coast, walking into Marcross and back to the campsite. Also walked over the old ruin of an Abbey in Monknash. Nothing to see other than masses of stone and a few ruins.

The next day we headed home. I decided to fill the van with diesel, the first time I had to pay more than £100 to fill the van and it wasn’t exactly empty with 150 miles to go.

Welsh Shoot

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At the weekend we were having our annual shoot against the Welsh. Instead of driving down, shooting and driving home, we decided to stay a few days in Wales. So today we set off to St David’s in Morrison the VW T5 and camp a few days in Wales. It was around a five-hour drive to St David’s where we camped in the Glan-y-mor Camp Site. We had pre-booked and we never did see the owners. The site was open and a few others were there as well. Once set up, a walk down to the sea. It was quite windy today, and the forecast for the night and next day was even more wind as storm Hannah was arriving. There is plenty of walking along the coastal paths here.

The night was windy, we did not put up the van roof, and still, the van was rocked by the gusts of wind. In the morning we walked into the city of St David’s. We, of course, visited the Cathedral and ate lunch in a local pub. In the evening I walked along the coast to a point and photographed Ramsey Island which just appears beyond St David’s

On Saturday we headed back towards St Bride’s Major for the Sunday shoot. We first visited the Melin Tregwynt Mill. Here they weave fabrics. I am not technical about fabrics, but R says they are wonderful and have a different pattern on each side, due to the clever weaving. The Mill was not in operation at the weekend, but we were able to walk through the mill and see the looms sitting there. There was a nice cafe and shop there. R should have bought herself a woollen pullover, she would need it in a few days when we were in France. Interestingly to note that the wool itself does not come from Wales!

We headed on, making a detour to see the castle at Carmarthen, not much of a castle. I was very disappointed, and then it transpired I was expecting the castle where Prince Charles was made Prince of Wales. But that was Caernarfon castle. Oh dear!

We headed on and arrived at the Heritage Coast Campsite at Monknash. This campsite, despite the low season, had a restaurant and bar. We made use of the bar where they had a reasonable selection of craft beers. Apparently, locals used the bar and restaurant despite a well-stocked pub 200 yards up the road.

We walked down to the coast. This was along a narrow road, and then down the side of a stream to the coast. The rocks on the shore were fabulous, large and flat. The light was good, despite the storm, with a brilliant blue sky. There were some excellent breaking waves and Oystercatchers feeding on the rocks. The walk back took us through a field with lots of horses. These were all huddled over one side of the field attempting to keep out of the wind.

The next day was shooting at St Bride’s Major. We met up in the car park of a pub in St Bride’s Major and drove to the quarry. R terrified I would damage Morrison as we drove up the road to it. Then it was back to the Star Inn in Wick for lunch. I dropped R off and drove to the campsite and walked back to the pub. Amazingly we had won this round of the shoot. The first time ever.

In the morning we drove home, stopping off at Penarth for R to reminisce about her early childhood. We walked on the pier and had coffee there. We drove along the road she had lived on but she failed to recognise the house. (Later we learnt from her brother Steve, just what we’d missed.)

The Kingswood Gun Club and Saint Brides Major shoot

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Steve at Kingswood Gun ClubThis Sunday we had the second leg of the Welsh shoot at Kingswood Gun Club.  The shoot was on Pete’s farm and had already been set up by Mark and Graham, all we had to do was load the traps, and erect the cages.  Saint Brides Major arrived at around 11.00 in their coach, we all had a coffee while we were squadded.  We then had an enjoyable clay shoot of 70 birds, some quite demanding birds, some that should have been easy, but for some reason I missed.  Unfortunately the predicted rain came before the end of the shoot.  It was very noticeable the Welsh were well prepared for the rain, while most of us from Buckinghamshire expected the rain not to arrive before the end.  By the time I had picked up clays, and help clear up I was definitely a drowned rat.

Quick stop at home to change, and pick up the chauffeur and we were off for the shoot lunch at the Crown in Tyford.  Sunday Roast, pudding, cheese and biscuits along with some beer.

Unfortunately it seems we did not do enough to beat Saint Brides Major, and Kingswood Gun Club had to hand over the cup for a year.  There was not much in the scores, we were beaten by only a few shots.  Next year we will have our revenge,

Welsh shoot

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Today was the return match with the St Brides Major.  The shoot was a 72 bird layout.  First time I had shot since the visit to Wales.  I shot OK, but my score did not make the top twelve to be counted.  We beat the Welsh.  It was lovely sitting out in the sun, with good food a ale afterwards.

Then we played the usual game of Aunt Sally.  Last year the Welsh beat us, this year we made amends.

The Bank Holiday Weekend

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This weekend and Bank holiday we basically stayed at home. 

The Sunday was the return of the Welsh, (St Brides Major) clay shoot. They arrived at 11.30 and shot the 80 bird layout. After the shoot, there was lunch and much beer and wine. The result, we beat them on the day, but they won the whole overall shoot by six shots. When you think each of us need only have scored half a shot more to win, then you can see how close it was.

The Monday we ran a shoot for the Grendon Underwood football team. There was a lot of set-up and clearing up at the end. I had to show most of the shooters how to handle and shoot with a shotgun. They, never having shot before.