Summer's arrived at last!

Lower Town Fishguard

Two whole days of sunshine over the Bank holiday weekend got us out on bikes and kayaks. It was a beautiful evening at Lower Town Fishguard on Sunday. The sea was calm and we were able to kayak along towards Dinas Head, landing on a little beach accessible only by boat. We paused for a short while before heading back with the tide, and spent a further hour or so mooching around the boats moored in the harbour. We kayaked under the bridge at

Cwm Gwaun, (also a lovely place to walk) but soon reached shallow water, so had to leave it for the ducks.
Monday afternoon saw us on a cycle ride from Mathry to Solva-some 18 miles or so-through lanes with hedgerows abundant with wild flowers. We stopped at Solva for an ice cream before heading back for a well earned cup of tea and chocolate Brownies!

Liz

Alpacas in Pembrokeshire

I was out taking photographs of our cottages last week and imagine my surprise at the occupants of this field as I drove past. I had to look twice to confirm a small gathering of alpacas enjoying the spring sunshine and the lush grass.

So not only is it possible to see a great variety of wildlife, sea birds, seals and perhaps a pod of dolphins - if you're lucky- but the odd alpaca enjoying life in the Solva Valley!!

Sue B

Skylarks

The skylarks have arrived at the old aerodrome just outside St Davids. Busy laying their eggs in scrapes on the ground. The gorse is in full bloom and the scent of it drifting across the aerodrome is quite 'heavy'. Wonderful place to 'walk the dog', do a spot of 'bird watching', or see how many different 'species of flowers 'you can find.
Janet

Pembrokeshire Coast - 300 Hundred Quality Holiday Cottages though out Wales

Video of the beautiful pembrokeshire coast

'Waving not drowning......'

We went to an exhibition of sculpture and artworks – a retrospective viewing and sale of the works of John Cleal who died two years ago. A prolific artist and craftsman, he supported the communities of Pembrokeshire, often donating his sculptures and paintings to public places and for fund-raising.

I had met him many years before and learned that he produced the very first brochure for Quality Cottages. A series of ‘line drawings’ depicting the cottages and their interiors - in those days the properties were owned solely by the proprietor Leonard Rees.

Some of the sculptures were familiar pieces, not for sale thank goodness (I can continue to feast my eyes on them!) my favourite being a piece entitled ‘Waving not drowning’. Many people attended the opening day of the exhibition hosted by Johns’ daughter-in-law Alice who with her husband Mitchell and a handful of friends and family members, made the occasion more like a civilized party (glass of wine in hand of course).

Should you visit North Pembrokeshire it’s worth a visit – there are numerous other artists displaying, from garden structures to paintings, pots and glassware – variously priced and all beautiful. The gallery is situated off the A487 travelling westbound to Goodwick (near Fishguard) well sign-posted as Workshop Wales Gallery.

Sue A

Cuckoo

It was only last week I asked where the cuckoo was! Well I heard it yesterday (three times) over the Dowrog Common just outside St Davids and the ladies smock (sometimes known as the cuckoo flower) was in full bloom too. Janet

Jonny Depp in Tenby

We have heard on good authority that Jonny Depp was in Tenby on Saturday night eating at the Baytree Restaurant.

Baytree is a popular restaurant situated in the heart of Tenby serving food from 11 am to

10.30 pm in the summer with shorter hours during the rest of the year. There is a private sheltered terrace for al fresco eating and live music on Saturday nights.

With Harry Potter and Robin Hood being filmed at Freshwater West there may well be other celebrities soon seen around the county.

Sue B

Land Yachting at Freshwater West

Freshwater West is a popular beach for land yachting as well as surfing and it is one of the few Pembrokeshire beaches where you can take your dog at any time of the year.

Angelo

Harry Potter comes to Wales

For those of you Harry Potter fans visiting south Pembrokeshire at this time be sure to visit Freshwater West beach the site chosen for the filming of Chapter 25 of the latest JK Rowling book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Locals have been eagerly watching the construction progress of Shell Cottage against a backdrop of sand dunes.

Filming is due to start this week between 11th and 15th May. Although the roads close by will be blocked off for the duration the public will still be able to walk along the beach. Why not take a stroll and see how many stars you can spot.

The new Robin Hood epic is due to be filmed on the same beach later in the year. Watch this space.....

Angelo

Lawrenny, South Pembrokeshire

What a lovely place for a day out. We went up river in glorious sunshine and moored off at a Lawrenny Quay just in time for lunch. The award winning Lawrenny Cafe has a lawned garden overlooking the estuary. The menu offers a delicious selection of light lunches including crab, prawns, ham and I can recommend the roasted peppers filled with caramelised red onions and goats cheese. There are mouthwatering puddings, cakes and ice creams as well as a selection of wines, bottled beers & ciders, coffee, tea, cold soft drinks and my favourite Elderflower Presse by the jug.

After lunch we walked along the wooded riverbank onto the beach and then back through the village over the fields beside the church and into the wood once more. There were several rope swings along the route to keep my nephews amused and countless sticks for Alfie the dog to retrieve. We topped up with ice creams and enjoyed another romp on the beach before heading home.

For those travelling by car the lanes approaching Lawrenny are lined with ancient wind swept trees and beautiful Pembrokeshire hedges. There are occasional tantalising views of the river. A hint of what to expect in the pretty seaside village.


Anne I

The Cresselly Arms at Cresswell Quay, South Pembrokeshire

A truly lovely old fashioned and unspoiled country pub with ale served via a jug directly from the barrel. The walls are crammed with memorabilia celebrating rural pursuits such as hunting, fishing, shooting, cricket and of course rugby. There is a quarry tiled floor, open fire in the bar and a Rayburn in the back. There is no heat in the toilets but they are indoors!

Don't expect to find food other than an assortment of crisps, a few bars of chocolate and home made cheese or ham rolls with a help yourself bowl of chutney also home made. This is strictly a cosy local drinking venue.

The pub lies beside a tidal estuary. When the tide is out stepping stones lead across the mud to the river bank on the opposite side. An ancient ruin is all that remains of a once walled garden.

When the tide is high you might have to wait for your beer while the landlord feeds the ducks and swans. There are tables and chairs outside so you can savour the evening as the sun sets over the water.

On exceptionally high tides a flotilla of small pleasure boats makes its way by river and rafts up at the quayside - just time enough to enjoy a few pints before the falling tide dictates their hasty departure. Today is one of those days. I have planned to join my brother and family for our annual pilgrimage. However the high winds and white horses in the estuary might put pay to our adventure. Its not warm enough yet to spend the evening in wet salt laden clothes. There is always the car.

Anne I

Swifts and Swallows

Now the weather is starting to warm up here in Pembrokeshire the swifts and swallows are arriving and can be seen swooping and diving in the early evening, collecting mud for making their nests in the most precarious places and insects upon which they feed in flight - just out of reach of humans or animals.
Alas we haven't heard the cuckoo yet - he's supposed to arrive in April and sing his song in May - where is he?
Teresa

Swallows return to Cerbid

A sure sign summer is on the way, swallows behind the Quality Cottages offices Cerbid after work thursday evening.

Tim

Coastal Path

Walked the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path bewteen Solva and Caerfai. The coast path was practically deserted only saw 3 or 4 people on the whole stretch. Beautiful day, beautiful views. Stopped for an ice-cream at The Bench, St Davids before making our way home.
Jill

.......just one each

Wet Feet

Try the Venture Jet boat leaving from St Justinians lifeboat station, St Davids.

The one and a half hour wet and wild trip was superb, the children really enjoyed it. We saw birds, seals and even ventured into some of the caves. Towards the end they span the boat 360 degrees we all got soaked. Wear flip flops as shoes can get very wet.
Jill

Red Hart Inn, Blaisdon

Red Hart Inn

We stayed at St Michaels earlier in the year. We ate out several times at the Red Hart Inn in Blaisdon, an easy 5 min walk downhill.
Try the belly pork with black pudding (the pigs are reared by the pub owners), also the fish cakes with hollandaise were lovely. You need to book especially at the weekends. Very child friendly.
Jill



The Orchard Pig or Gloucester Old Spot was traditionally raised on windfalls.
The Red Hart was once surrounded by Gloucestershire orchards. Blaisdon Plum Day is still celebrated annually in the garden of the pub on the Sunday before August Bank Holiday

Absent from Quality Cottages

Having been away from work for several months I was staggered to come back and find so many new properties have been taken on by Quality Cottages.
Looking through them they all look of such a high standard that I am torn between which one to take a holiday in myself!!
I look forward to visiting them when they become free at the end of the season.
Vicky

Do you love walking? Choose Wales as your holiday destination this year.

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Broom Wood in Spring

Take a leisurely walk through Broom Wood to Abermawr in the next few weeks. The wild garlic and bluebells are in flower and the blend of deep blue and white is magnificent. Unfortunately this is all lost on our springer spaniel whose only aim in life is to get to the beach as quickly as possible to play ball and get as wet and salty as possible in the shortest time!
On Sunday morning at 9 o'clock the tide was out and we had the beach to ourselves-quite good going on a Bank holiday weekend. While everyone else was rushing to more populated places, we were able to walk the entire length of the beach and pause to watch the oyster catchers wheeling and diving and calling to each other with their strident cries. Perfect!

Pretty country lanes

Come to sunny Pembrokeshire. The local stone and grass clad walls either side of the quiet lanes are an absolute delight at present - amassed with wild flowers of different varieties - you can't beat Gods own garden, never will man replicate this. Even the weather can change from a horrible morning to a perfect afternoon, and vice versa. The scenery is so spectacular you can soon forgive the lousy weather. You don't know what you're missing!
Janet

A fabulous Pembrokeshire morning

Got up early. Fabulous morning. Went down to Whitesands. There was nobody on the beach. Walked to St Davids Head. The whole way was strewn with an incredible carpet of flowers. Lay in the warm morning sunshine.
Moyra

Beautiful countryside and walks

Recently stayed at Clyro near Hay on Way - lovely holiday, beautiful countryside, Hay on Wye an interesting little town - very helpful tourist information centre there. Lots of lovely walks along the riverside from the town.
Travelled south from Hay over Hay Bluff to the ruins of Llanthony Priory (free car park and cafe open at certain times of year) and on towards Abergavenny . Again, lots of scenic walks in the surrounding area and those of you with good leg muscles can climb over the hills! - too much for me I'm afraid!
Janet

A beautiful Saturday afternoon sun shining on vibrant green spring leaves in the woods along the banks of the Cleddau. Woodland paths that suddenly open into beautiful views down the river and then tea and sandwiches in the Blackpool Mill tea room Canaston Bridge, perfect.

Tim

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Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

I got more than I bargained for when I arrived in Llandudno this morning, the annual Victorian Extravaganza was in full swing.The streets were packed with colourful fairground rides.The hour long parade was wonderful, especially the "chitty chitty bang bang" car.

I thought as it was such a nice day that I would take a ride on the cable car up to the Great Orme, it was absolutely brilliant. I never realized that Llandudno was such a great place to visit with so much to see and do.

Polly

Llandudno