enblwydd Hapus to a man who holds a truly unique place in not just our lives, Mike is truly a Welsh legend. He's not just a friend, but family in every sense of the word. It was an absolute honour to be invited to join his nearest and dearest for this special celebration. With our bags unpacked at our familiar caravan park, just a stone's throw from their house, the stage was set. Let the festivities commence!
Before diving into the celebrations, I need to share a little prelude: I've been feeling pretty down lately. Work has been tough, and ongoing car troubles have really been weighing on me. So, while this trip was for a wonderful celebration, it was also a much-needed pick-me-up for me personally.
The Heart of New Quay: Our Enduring Friendship with Mike
Mike isn't just a familiar face in New Quay; he's been at the very heart of the community for generations. Our connection began when he managed the Penwig Hotel, a place that quickly became more than just a stop on our visits. After a few years as customers, we booked their cottage annex, and that decision forged a long-lasting bond. Mornings were made brighter by his wife Chris serving breakfast, while their youngest daughter, Sam, expertly ran the kitchen. This family connection wasn't just about good hospitality; it interwove us into the fabric of New Quay, cementing our love for this special place.
Even after Mike and Chris retired and Sam briefly took over, our friendship endured. We continued to meet whenever we were in town, often stopping by their home just to say hello. This cherished relationship is why we now choose to stay at the caravan park next door—it means we're never far from them. To our children, Mike and Chris are like extra grandparents, and Sam is a beloved auntie. Over the years, our circle in New Quay has grown, encompassing more of their family and local friends, but it all started with Mike. His infectious smile and jolly demeanor have a way of making everyone he meets feel happy and welcome.
The Journey Begins (with a Hitch!)
This weekend, Morticia and I were joined by our youngest daughter, Rags and our grandson, Atreus – a full car, save for Magnus, our dog, who was back home with Rags' boyfriend.
As always, our journey kicked off with a road trip, taking our usual familiar route. However, just before Chester Services, we hit a snag: the car's engine management light flickered on. With no other option, we had to push through. The car felt a little sluggish, but thankfully, it still managed to get us to our destination.
Settling In
We checked in at Pencwnc Holiday Park to a smaller caravan this time around; our usual one is quite luxurious. Don't get me wrong, this one was lovely, but definitely more compact – perfectly fine for just a few days. Once we were all settled in, it was straight to the club for a pre-celebration meet-up!
Party Time!
The next day dawned with a clear mission: party day! We were there, front and centre, to celebrate Mike's milestone 80th birthday. His family had truly outdone themselves, orchestrating quite the spectacular bash. It was a brilliant celebration from start to finish, brimming with delicious food – a fantastic BBQ spread – and lively entertainment, including karaoke (though I confess, I opted out of belting out any tunes myself!). The festivities kicked off at 3pm and, by all accounts, continued well into the early hours of the morning. I, however, called it a night around midnight, leaving the die-hards to keep the good times rolling.
A Lucky Escape and a Free Day
The next day, I woke up genuinely surprised – and quite relieved – to have dodged a hangover, especially considering how much I'd had to drink! With no specific plans, we had a free day stretching before us and made the absolute most of it.
Beach Day Bliss and Dolphin Delights
We kicked off our free day down in New Quay. There was a trip to the beach, where Atreus absolutely loved the sea! We also indulged in classic fish and chips for dinner, and to top it all off, we even went on a boat trip thanks to Brett at SeaMor Boat Trips. It was an unforgettable experience, as we saw dolphins from the boat – a first in over 20 years of taking boat trips in this area (we've spotted them countless times from the pier, but never from the water!).
A Stressful Journey Home
The journey home, however, was fraught with stress. The car's dashboard was lit up like a fruit machine, with various warning lights glowing ominously. At one point, I even had to top up the oil to silence a persistent warning. It's with a heavy heart that I suspect our lovely, chunky Fiat has very probably been on this journey for the last time. Thankfully, we did arrive home without incident, but it was a truly nail-biting trip.
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| The end of an era |
Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend
I'm not really a car person - certainly not one to get attached to a vehicle, but this old jalopy has been with us for so many years, faithfully taking our family to our happy place time and time again. Loads of memories contained within that metal box.
But looking ahead, we've already treated ourselves to another trip! We'll be returning for a week in September, so the countdown begins now.
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