Monday 31 January 2011

National Vintage Tractor Run April 24th 2011 Pembrokeshire



The annual Easter Sunday National Tractor Run will, this year for the first time, be hosted in Pembrokeshire.


The festivities will kick off with a concert of local talent (bar and refreshments included) held at Withybush Show Ground on Saturday 23rd April.


The grand rally of possibly 400 vehicles or more will leave Withybush Show Ground at around 10 o'clock on Sunday morning. The procession will make its way along St Davids Road past the hospital and onto Pelcomb Cross turning left at Lambston. At Nolton Cross it will turn right towards Simpsons Cross then left on the main road to Nolton Haven. It will then take a country track leading to Roch which offers wonderful coastal views before turning left for Newgale. From Newgale the tractors will make their way up Newgale Hill turning at Pen y Cwm through Brawdy Farm, Treffgarne Owen, Tankerston Farm, Newton Cross and then stopping at
Walterstone Farm (approx 12.30 - 1.30)  for a well deserved rest and some refreshments giving a splendid opportunity to view these remarkable old vehicles. The rally will then resume and pass through Welsh Hook, Wolfscastle, under the main road towards Spittle, past the Corner Piece Pub and Rudbaxton and back to Withybush Show Ground by about 4pm.


For further information and concert tickets (£10) please contact Mr Meurig Harries on
07778 625 489

Friday 21 January 2011

Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre, Lampeter Town Hall



Opened in June 2010 by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall the wonderful Welsh Quilt Centre showcases a wide and wonderous spectrum of antique Welsh quilting sourced from Wales and all over the world.
"The vibrancy of the quilts and the exquisite workmanship is truly part of Wales' national heritage"
The Quilt Centre is housed in Lampeter's Town Hall along with a gallery shop, courses, and cafe/deli.
Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm
Lampeter, Ceredigion SA44 7BB

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Rhiannon's Welsh Gold Centre, Tregaron

Rhiannon Evans has been designing and making silver, gold and Welsh gold jewellery in the heart of Wales for over 30 years. She is inspired by living and working as closely as possible to the old language and traditions of the Celts.

As her family business and international reputation have grown she has trained assistant goldsmiths to help her. Every piece of her jewellery bears the full British Hallmark as proof of provenance and purity for the future.

Rhiannon, international goldsmith of excellence has over the years been commissioned to create hundreds of pieces, her proudest being a Prince of Wales three feathers coat of arms sculpted from a large piece of 18 carat gold and featued on a Royal Mail special edition stamp.
She may well be called upon to make the Welsh gold wedding rings for William and Kate.

Rhiannon's jewellery is made on the premises in Tregaron, Ceredigion by Welsh speaking goldsmiths. Visitors can watch work in progress in the 'Welsh Gold Centre' her purpose built workshops with gallery and cafe.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Scandia - A stunning quality cottage near Bala Lake

In a sylvan setting deep in the glorious Welsh countryside this lovely house is furnished with the best of contemporary and traditional pieces.Its perfectly blended eclectic mix of 17th century antique furniture include a fine dresser, ancient chests and a gate legged dining table. Click on the name for more details.

                                                         Beautiful Bala Lake


Monday 17 January 2011

Georgian harbour house for holidays in Aberaeron 2 dogs welcome

                                                                    
Minawel
Set in the heart of the picturesque, bustling sea-side town of Aberaeron this handsome Georgian terraced townhouse overlooks the sheltered inner harbour. A warm and welcoming family home from which to enjoy this truly magnificent part of the Welsh coast. Click on the name for more details.

Friday 14 January 2011

Inspiration to visit North Wales


Path up Tryfan

Cadair Idris

                                                                   A. Wainwright

A. Wainwright famous for his love of the Lake District did not visit north Wales until he was 72. He feared the natural beauty would be sacrificed by huge quarries. Imagine his surprise and delight on visiting Dolgellau and finding a fine and dramatic landscape with great variety and a wealth of historic and prehistoric interest.


His enthusiasm roused he made a series of visits, climbed Cader Idris and other mountains, roamed the valleys, visited castles and ancient monuments, explored the ruins of disused industry, including Clogau Gold Mine at Bontddu still worked sporadically on a small scale from where the gold for Royal wedding rings has been excavated, looked at beaches and harbours, hunted for waterfalls in forests, travelled in the little trains and was delighted by it all, even Tryfan "which is both beauty and a beast".














Clogau Gold Mine

Spring near Clogau Gold Mine


A copy of A North Wales Sketchbook by A Wainwright can be enjoyed at Ty Glan Afon a traditional old Welsh home standing on land, a portion of which is leased to the Clogau Gold Mine at Bontddu. For more details click on the name.

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Valentine's Weekend at Ann's Pantry Cafe & Restaurant, Moelfre, Anglesey


We will be open for dinner at Ann's Pantry Cafe & Restaurant, Moelfre, Anglesey on the 11th-14th Reservations now being taken. Reserve and pay a £10.00 per person deposit before the 1st of February to receive a free bottle of wine per couple.

Monday 10 January 2011

Harbour Lights Gallery, Porthgain, Pembrokeshire

Situated in the beautiful harbour village of Porthgain, Pembrokeshire, Harbour Lights Gallery specialises in exhibiting the best of the Welsh art scene. Exhibiting work by some of Wales' finest artists including: William Selwyn, John Piper, Ceri Auckland Davies, Gillian McDonald, Graham Sutherland, John Knapp Fisher and many more. The Gallery stocks a wide range of original work as well as limited edition prints, photography and sculpture portraying the best of the Welsh coast.
Some work also available online at www.art2by.com.
Tel 01348 831 549

Wednesday 5 January 2011

St Dwynwen's Day the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine's Day - Romantic holiday cottages in Wales.

St Dwynwen the patron saint of love and friendship lived during the 5th C. She was an exceptionally beautiful woman but unlucky in love and moved to Llanddwyn Island off the coast of Anglesey where she dedicated her life to God and hearing the hopes and prayers of lovers.

St Dwynwen's Day is now celebrated on 25th January with the exchange of cards and love tokens such as carved lovespoons.
                                    







For romantic holiday cottages in Wales see http://www.qualitycottages.co.uk/

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Keep your eyes peeled when driving in the Welsh lanes.

Parsley & Thyme is a delightful craft and furniture shop in a quirky pea green corrugated shed on a rural cross roads between Llangrannog and New Quay It is filled with shabby chic including interesting and unusual crafts, hand made cushions, chandeliers, distressed painted furniture, garden furniture, natural soaps, pretty china and lots more. Well worth making a break in your journey or better still a planned trip out.