Where are we Staying?

Since leaving London, we have been hosted by Warmshowers, cheeky camped, sneaky camped, wild camped, family hosted twice, a farmstay and now have splashed out on a "lonestar" room in a Mumbles, Wales hotel.

On a Cycle Tour with Val and Don,

You never know who'll be put upon.

For at the end of each long and weary day

They search and seek a place to stay.

Yes, Windsor Castle in b/ground.

“Is there somewhere we can pitch a small tent”

The supplication can be intense.

“We're from NZ on a three month tour,

Very tidy, friendly and sure

To be good neighbours for just one night”

(Though our appearance must sometimes be a fright)

Jerry said, "Yes you can camp on our lawn!"

Warmshowers, a cycle hosting org is widespread

But needs wi-fi to arrange a bed

Then though they say they”re home to host

Are often away on some foreign coast

So though we use it whenever poss

Success can be a gamblers toss.

Cheeky camping is another mode

If you find the right person on the road.

They are the free and easy kind

Who find the local rules a bind

“Just camp o'er there behind those trees”

Or

“That patch of grass should suite your needs”

Brecon Canal, Wales

So armed with the authority so loosely given

We set our camp and start the oven

Sweet smell of onion, herbs and more

Attract comments from those who pass us by

Well, most at least, some tend to stare

But (so far) none challenge our right to be there.

 

(Not Mrs Gandhi)

Then the days when way out back

The open gate, a rough side track

Terrain is steep and stony too

Fallen trees, blackberry and who

Know's what among the trees

We step it out, here's a patch

The tarp goes down and in a scratch

Val has the sleeping all arranged

And smells of cooking waft oer' the range.

Lovely Friendly Farmer "Sherie"

There's a Farmer shifting cows

“Hullo there” comes our call

We do the standard camping pitch

Which along with our advancing years

Moves tough old farmers to shed a tear

“Yes, over there beside that stack'

Or “If it rains, move in the barn

You don't mind pig or cattle smells,

I hope”

“We love them ' I hastily reply

“I used to farm near Gundagai”

Val hides her concern and trusts my skill

At calming Bulls and angry dogs

Clearing camp sites, moving logs.