Living Willow Theatre, Powys

If you are staying in the Mid-Wales area, don't miss the chance to visit 'The Living Willow Theatre', an open air community theatre in Llanwrthwl, between Llandrindod Wells and Rhayader (Powys). It is a scaled down version of the Globe Theatre in London, being a 3rd of its size in diameter. The theatre is formed from living willow trees that have been woven together. It seats an audience of around 150 people and is open between April & September. Prior to the performance people congregate on the grass outside the entrance with picnic baskets and blankets. It is a good idea to take some insect repellent with you as the midges really love willow especially as the sun goes down! 

Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia

Cwm Idwal is a hanging valley in the Glyderau range in N.Snowdonia. Its main interest is to hill walkers & rock climbers but is also of interest to geologists & naturalists. Cwm Idwal is a spectacular product of glaciation, surrounded by high crags, screes, moraines and rounded rocks, with a lake on its floor (Llyn Idwal). Given its elevation and N. facing aspect, Cwm Idwal is the most southerly place in Britain where Arctic plants such as Moss Campion & Alpine Saxifrages can be found.
In 2005 Cwm Idwal, Wales was ranked the 7th greatest natural wonder in Britain.

Montgomery Canal

The Montgomery Canal known colloquially as "The Monty" is a partially restored canal in Powys E.Wales and N.W. Shropshire. Originally planned to run from Llanymynech to Newtown via Welshpool it is considered to run 33 miles from the Llangollen canal (at Frankton Junction) to Newtown.
Almost all of the towpath is now used as a footpath. The section between Pool Quay and Newtown forms part of the Severn Way.

A winter walk in Wales Powys

Today I walked from Newtown to Abermule along the canal path,the scenery was spectacular.In places you could see Otter tracks in the snow coming up from the river and crossing the canal. There were several walkers out enjoying the winter sunshine,wrapped up in their warm clothing with glowing cheeks.The path which is 4 miles long is normally popular with cyclists but today I saw only one struggling to turn the pedals.
The 8 mile round trip to Abermule took me 3hrs.When I returned home exhausted I rewarded myself with a large smoked bacon sandwich.....Oh how I love winter in Wales.

Coed Llandegla Ruthin, Mountain Biking - How do you plan to spend Valentine's Day?

- SUNDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2010Fearless Adventure Duathalon - This totally original race will get you in great early season shape and features gritty trail runs and a thrilling MTB blast on the international-class Llandegla course in Ruthin, North Wales. You’ll start with a 5km trail run through the forest and then climb aboard your MTB for a 20km roller coaster ride on purpose built tracks. With the adrenaline still burning through your veins you’ll dismount for another 5km dash (so good we did it twice!) and plough through the finish line, arms aloft in muddy triumph.

Perfect for newbie’s to hardcore off-roader’s this limited entry event will attract plenty of the mad, bad and not so dangerous and is filling fast…

Uberfit Eventsare a small but perfectly formed collective of sport-obsessed folk that offers an expanding range of exciting, innovative triathlon's and adventure events created for all abilities from beginners and novices to elite athletes.

We aim to run family friendly events with many of them incorporating children’s and youth races.

At our events you’ll get:

• Great venues and courses
• Race commentary, music, top prizes, give-aways
• Friendly, helpful staff and fantastic volunteers

Coed Llandegla also has mountain biking trails suitable for beginners and family groups, more challenging routes for experienced bikers and picturesque walking trails.
If you need help finding accomodation anywhere in Wales please call
Free phone 0800 007 5299

A message for Mountain Bike Enthusiasts Powys

The mountain bike season seems a bit far off at the moment with the country covered in snow, but I just wanted to let you know that I've posted dates for the coming season on my website   www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk    .

This year we are experimenting with running only Supported Weekends. There is no guide on a Supported Weekend, but a support vehicle meets you at various along the route with food, drink and mechanical assistance.

Route finding is by means of a simple route-map and some marking on the ground. All the old favourite routes are covered, such as The Golf Links, The Miner's Trail and The Black Run.

Hope to see you after the snow melts.

All the best,

Clive Powell
Clive Powell Mountain Bikes www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk
Tel:               01597 811343         01597 811343
Mountain Bike & Road Weekends
Mountain Bike &  Road Events
If you need help finding accomodation anywhere in Wales please call Free phone 0800 007 5299

Afan Forest Brecon Beacons, Mountain Biking - Gentle or Outrageous You Choose.

Afan Forest Park's reputation as a dedicated mountain biking centre of excellence grows by the day. Numerous way marked trails of varying difficulty criss cross the 11000 hectares of forest. There is a visitors centre with parking, cafe, toilets, shop and information, picnic tables, bicycle hire, courses, shuttle buses and lots more.

There is something for everyone. Family trails have gentle slopes, wide flat routes over old train track beds, winding trails through the forest, fantastic views, shelter, barbeque areas and picnic spots on route and no challenging features.

On the other hand there are routes for real enthusiasts with tags such as '5 World Class Trails' and  'One of the ten best places to ride before you die'

These routes are often described as winding, uneven, lumpy, exposed, steep, technical, fast, open, tight, flowing, sweet, stunning, outrageous, brilliant etc etc

Access to the forest between the M4 (junction 40) and the Brecon Beacons National Park is very easy. There are lots of lovely places to stay within or just outside the National Park.

Castell Henllys Pembrokeshire

Pick up a free copy of the 2009/10 winter edition of  'Park Life' found in many Pembrokeshire supermarkets, tourist hotspots and other public places. On page 3 you will find a voucher entitling 2 people entry into Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort for the price of 1. Offer ends March 30th 2010.

Carew Castle Pembrokeshire

Pick up a free copy of the 2009/10 winter edition of  'Park Life' found in many Pembrokeshire supermarkets, tourist hot spots and other public places. On page 3 you will find a voucher entitling 2 people entry into Carew Castle for the price of 1. The offer closes March 30th 2010.

Montgomery Canal - Severn Way

This gentle section of the Severn Way follows the Montgomery Canal from Newtown (starting at the Halfpenny Bridge) and ending in Welshpool (at the Powysland museum). Duration: 5-6 hrs. Dificulty: Easy The walk passes through Berriew where you can see the salmon leaping in October, or stop off at the Andrew Logan museum. Also on route are the Belan Locks where you can sit on picnic benches and admire its recently restored locks & distinctive black & white houses built in c. 1800 by the canal company for the lime kiln workers. Soon after Belan on route to Welshpool some of the parkland surrounding Powis Castle can be see on the left. For those of you wishing to take a trip on a barge, trips are available leaving from the Powysland Museum inWelshpool.

Snowdrop Walk at Chirk Castle National Trust Wrexham

Don your winter woollies, boots, hats, gloves, overcoats and take an uplifting walk through the snowdrops in the award winning gardens of Chirk Castle, north Wales. The gardens will be open especially for snowdrop walks from 11 am to 4 pm on 6th  & 7th, 13th & 14th and 17th - 21st February.

The tearoom will also  be open where you can warm up with a bowl of soup or a hot drink and a piece of homemade cake. (the state rooms will not be open at this time)

Pembrokeshire New Potatoes

Cousin Helen a Pembrokeshire girl married Jamie an Irish man at Picton Castle near Haverfordwest. The nuptials were celebrated with a delicious Pembrokeshire feast.The following day before boarding the Pembroke Dock ferry for home a group of Irish guests having already done their detective work found their way through the lanes to Broom Hall Farm in Angle suppliers of the wedding potato, to stock up on the outstanding new potatoes they had eaten at the wedding. What better accolade for the quality of a potato.

Picton Castle & Gardens are open to the public

Barry Hathaway of Broom Hall Farm specialises in growing vegetables. You can buy his seasonal produce including potatoes, carrots, swedes, cauliflowers, cabbages, parsnips, leeks and more at the farm or at  Pembroke and Haverfordwest Farmers Markets. In May he recommends Minerva new potatoes and in June Minerva or Crystal Lady.

Pembrokeshire’s mild climate is conducive to the success of its early new potatoes the quality of which is on a par with Jersey Royals. The delicious potatoes crop earlier and are therefore in the shops before produce from other parts of the UK.

Edward England of Cardiff was one of the most influential and inventive Potato Merchants in the UK buying his first new potatoes from Brittany in France in 1909. The new potatoes were such a success that he bought a steam ship to race his supply to eager customers.

He recognised Pembrokeshire’s potential as a potato growing region. In 1935 he started the Pembrokeshire Marketing Scheme which was highly successful with more and more Pembrokeshire farmers taking part. As his business expanded he bought new lorries to transport the potatoes overnight to ensure maximum freshness. After 150 successful years the Edward England business was sold in 2003 to a like minded 50 year old family concern Mason’s Potatoes. The company continues to thrive to this day as does the success of Pembrokeshire New Potatoes.

Stone Hall Mansion Restaurant, Welsh Hook, Pembrokeshire

Rose and Colin recommend Stone Hall Mansion Restaurant, Welsh Hook in the heart of rural Pembrokeshire. Delicious French country cuisine freshly cooked to order using the finest local ingredients such as Welsh lamb & Welsh beef from a traditional local butcher and fish & shell fish straight from the quay at Milford Haven. They even make their own bread, pasta and puds."Everything about it is just perfect, even the staff are all French" said Rose.

It must be worth a visit just to see the lovely 600 year old mansion with slate flagged floors, huge oak beams, open fires and fabulous grounds. http://www.stonehall-mansion.co.uk/

Rose

Matching house and car Anglesey

Matching house and car near Beaumaris, Angelsey. 

Winter short breaks

   The perfect ingredients for a winter short break in Wales.

West Wales Arts Centre and Cafe Celf Pembrokeshire

West Wales Arts Centre in Fishguard Pembrokeshire exhibits the work of established and emerging artists and is recognised by the Crafts Council for quality. Cafe Celf within the centre has a growing reputation for fine food and wines and doubles as a venue for recitals, lectures and meetings.

Check the web site for its ongoing live arts programme. http://www.westwalesartscentre.com/

BBC Bulletin: Wales Visitor Survey 2009 found 92% of visitors very positive

The latest tourism survey by Visit Wales suggests most visitors went away with a positive impression of the country. Almost 90% of visitors said they would recommend Wales as a destination to visit for families and friends.

The landscape attracted the highest level of endorsement, with two thirds or more rating the coastline ,countryside and scenery as something they particularly associated with Wales.

WALES VISITOR SURVEY 2009

• 70% of all visitors stated they definately would visit Wales again in the next few years.
• 86% of visitors interviewed would definately recommend Wales as a place to visit for families and friends.
• Ratings included 4.4 out of 5 for friendliness of the people and 4.4 out of 5 for welcome received.
• Top attractions are nature attractions plus castles, stately homes and historic sites.
• 3 in 10 rated their trip as excellent in terms of receiving a unique Welsh cultural experience.
• 55% rate Wales excellent as a place to visit.

Tenby and Tenby Arts Festival Pembrokeshire

As well as exceptionally beautiful beaches, a walled town of winding streets full of interesting shops, bars and restaurants and boat trips out to Caldey Island  Tenby also hosts an annual Arts Festival. http://www.tenbyartsfest.co.uk/ The 2010 dates for your diary are Sat 18th September to Sat 25th Sept

The festival is well worth a visit. Last years celebrity entertainers included Catrin Finch, Allegri Quartet, a massed West Wales Choir, the Hatstand Opera, Jacqui Dankworth, Symposia String Quartet and many more. When searching for accomodation do look at http://www.qualitycottages.co.uk/

Gloves

I think these little beauties would clearly win the "Best Gloves in Wales" award? Can anyone do better than that?

The Bar Restaurant at Neyland Yacht Haven Pembrokeshire

 The Bar Restaurant at Neyland Yacht Haven Marina served a delicious lunch yesterday. One of the great things about The Bar is that it is open all afternoon and evening on a Sunday so you can eat when it suits you. It is very popular though so if travelling its a good idea to give them a ring first. 01646 602550

Criccieth Lleyn Peninsula

Memories of Awel-y-Mor in Criccieth last summer!