On the road again to Wales, and piercings.

Our route today, more or less, taking much longer than what google says.

We were up and on the road early so that we miss the major part of the morning's rush hour as headed for an appointment at the Labyrinth Rooms in Swadlincote.  We ended up parking up, caravan in tow, on the outskirts of the village and walking in - car parks were too busy for us to park up with the caravan.

We were a bit early for the piercing appointment so we went into the pharmacies, looking for numbing cream.  Either they don't sell numbing cream or it was out of stock.  One pharmacist almost read our minds as to what it was for - asking "are you having tattoos or piercings?"!  The stuff seems to be quite popular in the village.

As it turned out, I didn't need any numbing stuff.  Lynn (at the Labyrinth Rooms) used an anaesthetic spray which worked well - a bit sore but not half as what it could have been (having had piercings done without being numbed first).  I had 2 piercings done (I say no more!). Yes, I am walking like John Wayne but it will be ok in another couple of hours.

After getting the piercing done we drove to Pen-Y-Bont Campsite just outside Bala, Wales.  We had a couple of "faithful disciples" following us during our drive along the country lanes after picking up fuel in Oswestry.  The drivers didn't want to pass us just in case they dropped down off the steep roads into the "valley of death" 😉 😆.  We remained their "protectors" until we reached safer "waters" (er,  roads) and "parted company" in fine spirits.

There were very few visitors at the campsite so we were able to choose a pitch.  It seems to be quite a nice campsite, situated near a lake, and the receptionist was friendly with a good sense of humour.  We felt at home.

I miss the underfloor heating in the shower block at the previous campsite.  I'd almost forgotten what it is like to step onto freezing floor tiles.  The shower block here at Pen-Y-Bont has timed infrared lamps and either you can feel a bit of warmth when they are switched on, or you miss it when the timer switches them off.

It has started to rain and you can hear the gentle pitter patter of raindrops on the caravan roof, and the occasional baa'ing from sheep in the fields.  I love the sounds of nature.