Manor House Wildlife Park, Pembrokeshire

Yvonne thoroughly recommends Manorhouse Wildlife Park in St Florence near Tenby as a great day out. The new owner
Anna Ryder-Richardson (of TV fame) and her family have embraced Pembrokeshire and the park, pouring their hearts and resources into the refurbishment.

"Not a huge collection of animals BUT very refreshing. It's for the benefit of the animals as well as the pleasure of the people who visit."

There is a walk through area to see wallabies including an albino one.

The resident gibbon once lived in a concrete room for several years. Now he has a lady friend in a specially designed outdoor area with an island.

" I saw him many metres up at the top of a tree. Wonderful!"

Rhinos are due to move in during 2010. Other animals in the park include tortoise, porcupines, kookaburras, lemurs, pygmy goats, mountain meercats, ponies, llamas, zebras, horses, camels, monkeys, emus and bison.

There is a lot of walking so be prepared. Its not really suitable for wheel chairs. The shop sells unusual bits and pieces. The Manor Cafe and Snack Shack serve food made with natural ingredients locally sourced.

There is even a picnic area where you can set up your own barbeque.

Anna Ryder-Richardson

 http://www.manorhousewildlifepark.co.uk/

Wales: 100 places to visit before you die.

Compiled by historian John Davies the list gives equal prominence to Wales' more traditional beauty spots and its industrial heritage all evidence of of the fruits of the labours of human beings

1 Mynydd Parys (Parys Mountain Anglesey)
2 The burial tombs of Stone Age Wales,
Barclodiad y Gawres and Bryn Celli Ddu, Anglesey
3 Beaumaris, Anglesey   
4 The Menai Strait bridges
5 Bangor
6 Caernarfon
7 The ancient hillfort of Tre'r Ceiri near Nefyn Lleyn Peninsula
8 Llanberis
9 Gwydyr forest, Snowdonia National Park
10 Bodnant Garden, Conwy
11 Conwy
12 Rhuddfan & Llanelwy, near St Asaph
13 Denbigh
14 Treffynnon, Holywell
15 Ewlo, Deeside, Clwyd
16 Mold, Flintshire
17 Gresford, Wrexham
18 Bersham & Erddig
19 Wrexham
20  Chirk
21 Pontcysllte
22 Llangollen
23 Ruthin
24 Bala & Penllyn
25 Blaenau Ffestiniog
26 Portmeirion
27 Harlech
28 Pennant Melangel, shrine church near Llangynog
29 Welshpool
30 Montgomery
31 Newtown
32 Centre for Alternative Technology
33 Aberystwyth
34 Aeraeron
35 Strata-Florida Abbey
36 Llananno, Powys
37 The Pales
38 resteigne
39 Talgarth
40 Llangorse
41 Tretower Castle Powys
42 Brecon
43 Garn Goch & Castell Carreg Cennen
44 Llandeilo
45 Cardigan
46 Moel Drygen, Cambrians
47 Pentre Ifan
48 St Davids
49 Haverfordwest
50 Pembroke
51 Lamphey & Manobier
52Tenby
53Whitland
54 Carmarthen
55 National Botanic Garden of Wales
56 Llanelli
57 Swansea
58 Mumbles
59 Morriston
60 Swansea Valley
61 Neath
62 Margam Park
63 Kenfig & the dunes
64 Ewenny
65 Llantwit Major
66 Barry
67 Old Beaupre Castle, Vale of Galmorgan
68 Bridgend castle
69 Cathays Park
70 Cardiff Bay
71 Llandaff
72 St Fagans
73 Castell Coch
74 Caerphilly
75 Pontypridd
76 Rhondda Heritage Park
77 Rhondda townscape
78 Aberdare
79 Aberfan
80 Merthyr Tydfil
81 Dowlais
82 Butetown
83 Tredegar
84 Brynmawr
85 Middle Newport
86 Fringe Newport
87 Gwent plains
88 Caerleon
89 Cwmbran
90 Pontypool
91 Blaenavon
92 Abergavenny
93 Llanthony
94 The Teirtref
95 Raglan
96 Trelech (Trelleck) Monmouthshire
97 Tintern
98 Caerwent, former Roman city
99 Second Crossing across Bristol Channel
100 Chepstow




                          

The Really Wild Farm Shop Pembrokeshire

http://www.reallywildfarmshop.co.uk/

The Really Wild Farm Shop at Nant y Coy Arts, Treffgarne opened in November.

Locally produced food, meat, seasonal vegetables & fruit, cheeses and other quality products are on sale.

'With free parking and friendly personal service you'll find it easier to stop and easier to shop'.

The Really Wild Food & Countryside Festival takes place in St Davids on the fiirst weekend in September every year.

Llechwedd Slate Mines

industrial heritage

train ride

food & drink

shopping

Take an underground tour to experience the life of Victorian slate miners, Llechwedd Slate Mine, Snowdonia

Stroll around a Victorian mining village have a drink in the Miners arms and buy sweets in Ffestin Morgan's sweet shop.

There are seasonal events throughout the year.

Santa will be visiting throughout December.

http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/

Kathy & Angelo

Porth Dinllaen, Lleyn Peninsula

beach

walking

food & drink

nature

scenery

golf

The small coastal village of Porth Dinllaen owned by the National Trust is nestled along a two mile stretch of magnificent natural harbour which includes Nefyn and Morfa Nefyn on the Lleyn Peninsula. The village pub the Ty Coch Inn is rated by many as the best pub in Wales for its location, views, ales and good lunch time menu.

Vehicular access is restricted to residents only. Visitors must park and walk, either across the beach or across the golf course.

Jet Skis photo by Kirsty of http://www.tycoch.co.uk/

Angelo & Cathy

Late night Christmas Shopping Cardiff

Late night Christmas shopping Royal Arcade Cardiff will be held 3rd December between 5pm - 8pm.
Melin Tregwynt (the mill shop) will be open. Its a great place to find unique Welsh gifts including blankets, throws, nursery stuff, outdoor stuff, gifts, accessories and lots more. The mill is in Pembrokeshire. Do visit when you are in the area.

Melin Tregwynt is in Pembrokeshire.

Great Orme, Conwy

tram journey

scenery

walking

flora & forna

historical interest

The Great Orme Tramway travels up to one of the most spectacular country parks in Wales. The wildlife is rich and varied and there is an enormous variety of wild flowers, butterflies and birdlife. The views are inspiring, the historical interest captivating. Do call in at the Visitors Centre (open between Easter and October) where you will find a wealth of information to enhance your time in the park.

Cathy & Angelo

A trip up to the top of Snowdon

We are on our way up Snowdon on the only rack & pinion railway in the UK.

Half Way Cafe

Not much of a view today.Better luck next time.

Thank goodness for Hafod Eryri on the summit - shelter from the elements, toilets, warm food and drinks.

Cathy & Angelo

A walk on Barafundle Beach Pembrokeshire

In early September of this year I took my dog down to the beach of Barafundle ( one of the best in the UK ) and to be honest looking at these pictures I'm not sure who enjoyed it the most.

I have my suspicions that it was Lucky!!!

Sue B & Lucky

Portmeirion Snowdonia

scenery

shops

walks

food & drink

Portmeirion is a unique Italianate village on the southern shores of Snowdonia in Wales designed & built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis to show how a naturally beautiful landscape could be developed without spoiling it. The village is surrounded by 70 acres of sub tropical gardens, woodlands and lakes with miles of path ways. There is a variety of shops (look out for Portmeirion pottery) and a choice of places to eat and drink.

Angelo & Cathy

King Arthur's Labyrinth Underground Adventure Snowdonia

Visit King Arthur's Labyrith in Corris Machynlleth. http://www.kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk/

geology
underground scenery
walking
Welsh mythology
crafts
shopping
food & drink
children's play area

Take a unique boat journey along an underground river, through the great waterfall and sail into a world of mystery, legends and story telling. Explore a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns as tales of King Arthur and other Welsh legends unfold. Great fun for all the family.

The Labyrinth closes for the winter but reopens for 4 days in December, 12th & 13th also 19th & 20th as a magical Santa's Grotto. Travel by boat to visit Santa. Children receive a present, adults can enjoy a warming glass of punch..

Do allow time to visit the Corris Craft centre too.

10 individual craft work shops produce hand crafted goods including:

jewellery, leather work, candles, wooden toys, ceramics, pottery, quilting & patch work, glass, furniture, turned wood & cards.

THE WOOL CLAD HOUSE POWYS

As I walked the canal path between Newtown & Abermule this morning I came across this wonderful sight. The temporary cladding of this house is an art work by Steve Messan,commisioned by the Oriel Davies Gallery to celebrate the cultural and industrial heritage of Newtown & surrounding area. The derelict timber framed 13century building has been wrapped in 300 Kerry Hill sheep fleeces with detail in Black Welsh Mountain sheep fleeces.

Bosherston Lily Ponds & Broad Haven Beach Pembrokeshire

scenery
nature
beach
walking
bird watching
fishing


The wild weather last weekend abated enough for us to brave a walk. The wind remained strong but the rain held off. We chose Bosherston, the track alongside the lily ponds is relatively sheltered. It was quite beautiful in the afternoon's watery sun. Several bold little robins sat amongst the shrubbery keeping to their territory even as we passed very close by and a pair of swans kept pace with us along along the ponds in the hope of titbits.



A dramatic scene greeted us as we stepped out onto Broad Haven beach. The waves so huge that Church Rock almost disappeared with every other gigantic roller sending up a protest of spuming white foam. A handful of thrill seeking surfers took their chances in the boiling surf enthralling us with their nerve and skill.

Lily & Skye, 3 & 1, charged with all the excess electro static energy in the atmosphere played roly poly endlessly. Their squeals of excitement and glee pierced the roar of the wind and waves as they tumbled down the soft sand dunes.


Our walk back to the National Trust car park completed the loop as we followed the path on the other side of the ponds passing a keen fisherman on route.

Newport Winter Festival Pembrokeshire

Newport Winter Festival Pembrokeshire

Rare Breeds Cattle at Bodnitho, Botwnnog, Lleyn Peninsula

Mrs Rhian Parry and her family own Bodnitho, Botwnnog a lovely old farmhouse for holidays on the Lleyn Peninsula. Farm land surrounds this stylish self catering home for 10 and guests can see the animals at  close quarters indeed they are positively encouraged to visit the working farm a mile down the road.

Mrs Parry says:
"The farm is a modern 700ac beef and sheep holding. Stocking comprises of 200 suckler cows plus followers, with all stock finished on the farm. There are 850 ewes with 250 ewe lambs. Cropping consists of swedes, maize, spring oats and barley all grown in a full farm rotation. Rotational cropping gives us a broad range of habitat which encourages wild life diversity.



All our cattle are Stabilizers which is more of a breeding “concept” than a breed. This concept was developed in Nebraska, USA and was introduced to this country in 1999 by the importation of embryos and semen, in which we have been heavily involved. The cows are a 4 way “composite” or cross which is ¼ Hereford, ¼ Red Angus, ¼ Simmental and ¼ Gelbvieh.


The Hereford and Angus give fleshing, hardiness, and the ability to live on grass, Simmental gives muscling and milk, while the Gelbvieh offers early maturity which allows us to calve the heifers at 2 yrs old instead of the usual practise of calving at 3 yrs old. The advantage of using North American genetics within the concept is – generations of selecting for ease of calving, thriftiness (with calves up on their feet and suckling within 20 minutes without any human intervention) fertility and maternal longevity.


We are part of a dedicated group of producers which supply early season Welsh Lamb to Waitrose, which is marketed as “Llŷn Lamb” in store. The Llŷn Peninsula is ideal for natural early lamb production because of the mild winter climate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The native Defaid Llŷn (Lleyn Sheep) play a vital role in our lamb production programme.


The family philosophy towards the farm is to use a proactive management approach and have the business evolve constantly."

Menai Suspension Bridge & James Pringle Weavers Anglesey

The Menai Suspension Bridge built by Thomas Telford and completed in 1826 spans the Menai Strait between Anglesey and main land Wales. It was commissioned to cope with the increasing traffic from London to Ireland.

James Pringle Weavers near the bridge - is a collection of shops, a railway station, Sidings Restaurant and Tourist Information Centre all under one roof. Shopping includes clothes, shoes, outdoor gear, Welsh food & gifts, Portmeirion pottery, golf equipment, Hornby trains & Scalextrix sets, homewares and much more.

The centre is located in the little Welsh town with a big name

Llanvirepoollguingillgogeruqueerndroboollllandusiliogogogoch

which means

Saint Mary's church in the hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the church of Saint Tysilio near the red cave.

Angelo & Cathy

Harlech Snowdonia

historic interest

shops

golf

beach

walks

food & drink

Picturesque Harlech with its steep winding streets of shops, cafes & galleries is dominated by magnificent Harlech Castle. The most formidable of Edward 1 'steel ring' built to subdue the Welsh. It takes advantage of the natural features seeming to grow out of the rock upon which it stands with commanding views of the land and sea.

Castle Cottage Restaurant in Harlech was overall winner of 'Wales True Taste Eating Out Award 2008/09

The impressive statue of 'Two Kings' outside the castle represents one of the stories from the Mabinigion (a collection of 11 ancient Welsh tales).

Bendigeidfran Gwern carrying the body of his nephew Gwern.

Angelo & Cathy