Blaenavon Ironworks

The discovery of local limestone, iron ore and other beneficial factors such as a plentiful supply of water transformed Merthyr Tydfil in the 18th C from a quiet little village into the 'iron capital of Wales'

Visit the fascinating industrial museum on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park to see how life changed for the local people and how the whole world benefited from the thriving industry.

Angelo & Cathy

Brecon Mountain Railway

The Brecon Mountain Railway can be found 3 miles north of Merthyr Tydfil. Leave your car in the car park. Browse the shop, enjoy a coffee, make use of the toilet facilities, buy your ticket (and one for your gog at £2.50) and take a nostalgic train ride.

The steam train runs alongside local reservoirs and into the Brecon Beacons National Park with its beautiful mountain, lake and forest scenery. It stops at Pontsticill where you can get out and enjoy the scenery. Linger a while if you want then get a later train back. There are excellent walks and the Red Cow Inn in the village serves real ales and good value pub grub.

Cathy & Angelo

Taf Fechan Reservoir, Brecon Beacons

The gathering ground for the reservoir extends from the highest point in the

Brecon Beacons, Pen y Fan 2907ft above sea level, in a southerly direction to the reservoir embankment.

Pentwyn the first reservoir was built in 1858 and later combined with Taf Fechan being completed in 1927.

Take a ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway to visit this picturesque setting. If you feel fit you could walk back. Pet dogs are allowed on the train (£2.50 each).

Cathy & Angelo

The Red Cow Inn in Pontsticill village serves real ales and good value pub grub. This friendly venue is popular with locals, walkers, fishermen and sailors.

Cathy & Angelo

Llantony Abbey & 12th C Bar, Monmouthshire

Llanthony Priory 12th C was one of the earliest houses of Augustinian canons to be founded in Britain and the church one of the great medieval buildings of Wales. Located high up in the wild and beautiful Ewyas Valley it enjoyed royal patronage and many visitors.

Today it can be enjoyed as a peaceful and scenic place to stroll and explore the ruins even picnic on a warm summers day. It is open and free of charge between 10 and 4 each day. There are oportunities to walk, cycle and pony trek.

Do call in at The Llantony Priory Hotel part of the original building and little changed. Have a drink and something to eat in the atmospheric bar.

Cathy & Angelo

Holidaying in Carmarthenshire

My friend and I, plus our two dogs, recently stayed at Cwrt y Cadno, very conveniently placed on the outskirts of Carmarthen town.   We had a fantastic week and the weather, although very cold and frosty, managed to stay dry throughout the week.   We didn't venture too far but visited Kidwelly Castle, Pembrey Park (lots to do here for young children as well as miles of beach), Gelli Aur (lovely parkland with deer), the National Botanical Gardens, Aberglasney Gardens, Paxtons Tower - the panoramic views from which are fabulous and lastly we spent the day at Dinefawr Park and House N.T.   A wonderful holiday had by all

Llancaiach Fawr 16th C Manor House, Brecon Beacons

Stepping into Llancaiach Fawr Manor just outside the Brecon Beacons National Park is like stepping back in time. Built during a period of turbulunt civil unrest the manor house is one of the finest examples of semi fortified homes in Wales today. Restored and furnished as it would have been in 1645, run by

staff wearing period clothes and speaking old English the transformation is complete. If you are stilll not convinced maybe a glimpse of one of the resident ghost will reasure you.

Parts of the garden too have been planted according to evidence uncovered during extensive scinetific research into the original design.

Llancaiach Fawr offers a fascinating day out. There is a gift shop, ongoing events including ghost tours you can even get married here

Cathy & Angelo

Medieval House, Gwynedd

Just to the east of Pwllheli (around 3 miles) discover Penarth Fawr, a Welsh gentry medieval house dating from the 15th century. Renovated in the 1930s, with adjacent stables, it's a fine example of a medieval house, retaining many of it's original features. Craft centres are also on-site, and you can buy specialist ceramics and pottery. Penarth Fawr Medieval House, Chwilog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 6PR.

Barmouth, Snowdonia in March

The weather was great in Barmouth last week with fine views of Cader Idris beyond Barmouth Bridge.The fishermen were busy on the harbour preparing their lobster pots ready for the first fishing day of the season.Above is the "Round House" near the seafront, erected in 1834 as a lock up.It consists of 2 cells,one for men and one for women.It was mainly used to house drunkards who were sent there to sober up.

Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2010

A Seriously Fishy Festival

If you love fish and shell fish and want to experience the very best of the Pembrokeshire coastline then put a date in your diary for Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2010

from June 26th to July 4th

Multi award winning with more than 200 events including gourmet tastings, cookery demos and talks, island rambles, adventure watersports and many more coastal activities.

Dont miss it!

Penderyn Distillery - Brecon Beacons

Penderyn Distillery is located in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. Learn about the history of whisky making in Wales. Take a tour of the distillery. See the still and bottling line in action producing one of the worlds finest whiskies and visit the tasting room to sample some of the delicious Welsh spirit.
Cathy & Angelo

Langorse Lake, Brecon Beacons

Strolling along beside Langorse Lake is a delight.  The scenery is wonderful , walking is gentle and the wildlife enchanting. Remember to carry your camera and some tit bits for the birds.
Cathy & Angelo

The Big Pit at Blaenavon is one of Britain's leading coal mining museums, in fact it is a real coal mine. There are facilities to educate and entertain all ages including the world famous 300' deep underground tour to see how life was for thousands of miners. Your guide might even be a real miner.

The Big Pit really is a fascinating attraction, well worth donning a miners helmet for the occasion and its FREE!

Cathy & Angelo

Swans at Bosherston Lily Ponds, south Pembrokeshire

A fabulous site on the Lily ponds at Bosherston, south Pembrokeshire.

Angelo & Cathy

Parc y Marriage, Newport, Pembrokeshire

This delightful Pembrokeshire cottage Parc y Marriage with stunning views of Newport Bay owes its name to a derivation of 3 languages Welsh, French and English.

Located in the heart of rural countryside just 1 mile from the bustling town of Newport with its sandy beaches, shops, cafes, galleries, restaurants and just 21/2 miles from the golf course makes it an idyllic place for a relaxing holiday.

Parc y Marriage sleeps a maximum of 5 in two bedrooms (including folding bed and a cot on request).
Pet welcome FREE

Black Sheep Restaurant, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

The popular Black Sheep restaurant in Haverfordwest has moved just down the High Street to the newly restored Grade II listed Shire Hall. The stylish contemporary restaurant is located on the first floor . The ground floor court room has been preserved and will be used for community events, speakers and auctions.

        Shire Hall after restoration

Shire Hall before restoration

Black Sheep's award winning Chef Ellis has created a delicious modern European menu using local seasonal ingredients specialising in steak, fish and shell fish. The owner provides meat from his own animals - Aberdeen Angus cattle and free range Welsh pigs.

The kitchen is open from 10 am to 10 pm for you to enjoy a lunch time treat or evening meal.

Rose

February Weekend Break Pembrokeshire

We have just returned from a weekend in Rhydiau, a luxury cottage just ouside Newport, Pembs. From the cottage we were able to walk through the woods opposite and up to Carningli. The panoramic views from the top were incredible. Later in the day we visited Pentre Ifan burial chamber and then continued on to the Iron age Fort. The evening was then spent back at the cottage cooking supper on the Aga and sitting by the large log burner. You couldn`t have wished for more, a perfect weekend in Wales.

Llangoed Hall, Wye Valley, Powis Voted one of Britain's Top Ten Tearooms

 
This 17th century hall deep within the Welsh countryside near the village of Llyswen in the Wye Valley, Mid Wales makes a great setting for afternoon tea. Try the Welsh Tea with traditional Welshcakes, or go all out for the Full Afternoon Tea with homemade scones, sandwiches, biscuits, fruitcake and pastries. Llangoed Hall is a classy and historic setting for tea and they serve champagne if you fancy something a little stronger.

Lost in translation

Cyclists were left confused by a bilingual road sign telling them they had problems with an inflamed bladder.The "cyclists dismount" sign became "llid-y-bledren dymchwelyd" in Welsh - literally "bladder inflammation upset".

Wild Goats near Cwm Bychan, Snowdonia

A healthy population of wild goats can be found  in the Rhinog range of mountains a few miles east of Harlech...Snowdonia, look at these little beauties spotted last week in the glorious sunshine in a field besides the lane up to Cwm Bychan. A thrilling sight.

Know Your Cabbages! Pembrokeshire

Nearly 80% of the land surface in Wales is devoted to agriculture. High quality food is produced in a wide variety with an excellent reputation - a tribute to farmers and small food producers across the country. Do visit local Farmers Markets whenever you can. Talk to the producers direct, buy the freshest, healthiest, most nutritious and delicious local produce. You won't be disappointed.

Food Fair Erddig Wrexham National Trust

 

As part of the Pancake Half Term Madness in Erddig Wrexham, this two day food fair takes place in the marquee in the Timber Yard. Run in conjunction with Rural Food Wrexham there are a host of local suppliers and food producers showing. Plus cookery demonstrations with dai Chef. Children can enjoy pancake activities and art workshop.