A pictorial tour of Laugharne, Carmarthenshire

The picturesque village of Laugharne on the Taf estuary was once home to famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Take a peek inside his writing shed.Visit the Boat House where he lived, now a museum and book shop dedicated to his work.There is a castle to explore, riverside walks, small shops, a gallery, a pottery and a choice of places to eat and drink.

history
scenery
walks
shopping
food & drink

Castle

Dylan Thomas' Writing Shed

                                                                                                       

The Boat House

Sue B

Cwm Deri Vineyard, Pembrokeshire

A working smallholding in Martletwy since 1992 now one of Wales' foremost visitor attractions

• 
  
  wine tasting
• 
  
  wine making
• 
  
  vineyard walk
  pets corner
  restaurant/cafe
  shop
  

Enjoy wine tasting and delicious home cooked food at Cwm Deri Vineyard. Children will love the Pets Corner where chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and sheep will amuse them. The vineyard shop sells home produced wine, liqueurs, alcohol free wines, preserves, free range eggs, cheese, cakes and ice cream.

Cwm Deri Vineyard is well worth a visit when out exploring the Pembrokeshire National Park.

Llanerchaeron National Trust Ceredigion

Llanerchaeron designed by John Nash is a rare example of a self sufficient 18th C Welsh minor gentry estate virtually unaltered.

• historic interest
• architectural interest
• walking & cycling opportunities
  gardens, parkland & working organic farm
  free parking
  refreshments & shop

The exterior and interior of Llanerchaeron are full of dramatic and beautiful architectural details. The majority being original and those that have been restored have been done so in a painstaking and authentic fashion.

The service courtyard with dairy, laundry (wet & dry), brewery and salting house give a fascinating insight into the style of living and the number of staff needed to run such a home.

Two walled gardens have been restored and the organic working farm offers opportunities to see traditional farming practices such as shearing, lambing and hay making.

Set in extensive grounds in the beautiful Aeron Valley there are opportunities for walking and cycling.

An extensive events programme is scheduled throughout the year. Do take time to visit with so much to see and do you surely won't be disappointed. Llanerchaeron is about 2 miles from Aberaeron off the A482.

The Stackpole Inn Pembrokeshire Special Evenings 2009

Celebrate the best of Pembrokeshire produce from the land and the sea with Stackpole Inn's own tasting menus. Each evening will comprise of a variety of tasting courses for you to enjoy with a selection of wines available to complimernt your meal.

Fish & Seafood Night - Friday 2nd October

Game Night - Friday 6th October
Stackpole Pie Night - Friday 4th December

Please ring 01646 672324 for menus and reservations.
Book now for traditional Christmas Day lunch

Bara Brith - Welsh Speckled Bread - Recipe

Recipe given by the North Wales Tourist Board

1lb (450g) mixed dried fruit
1/2 pint (300ml) tea
2 tblsp marmalade
1 egg beaten
6 tblsp soft brown sugar
1 tsp mixed spice
1lb (450g) SR flour
honey to glaze

• Soak fruit in tea overnight

Next day pre heat oven to 170 C, Gas 3, 325 F
Grease 1lb loaf tin

• Add all remaining ingredients to fruit & tea. Mix well
• Place in greased loaf tin
• Cook for 1 3/4 hours (if browning too much protect top with foil)
• Once removed from oven leave in tin for 5 minutes before turning out to cool
• Glaze top with honey
• Store in an airtight tin

Serve sliced, spread with Welsh salted butter and tasty farmhouse cheddar.

Slow Food Wales

Catherine Gazzoli chief executive officer of Slow Food UK says

"Wales' clean air & fresh pastures & produce make it a nation that is ideal to represent what the Slow Food Movement is all about."

"Slow food is not about cooking slowly it is the antithesis of fast food and I'm really impressed by the produce coming out of Wales."

"It is not elitist, it is all about joining producers with their consumers & communities. And Wales has a green mystique which is very different from the rest of Britain - it is its own country with its own identity."

"We want to protect endangered foods with heritage like bara brith and artisan cheese by placing them on the Slow Food Ark."

She believes Wales has a lot to offer from its many types of cheese, its meat & fish, to its laver bread, honey, wines, cider and whisky.

Do sample local produce when in Wales and please share your finds with us.

The Oiled Bird Rescue Centre, near Carew, Pembrokeshire

• birds
• award winning rescue centre
• you can help

This unique award winning centre the only one of its kind in Wales specialises in giving treatment to birds contaminated by oil. The work mostly concerns a wide variety of seabirds but occasionaly others such as buzzards, swans, owls and estuary birds are helped.

The work and day to day running of this special centre (which is not a recognised charity) is carried out voluntarily and there is rarely a day without patients.
Any donations for the Oiled Bird Centre and the new Swan Unit  should be sent to Jean Hains at Lower House Farm, West Williamston, near Carew, Pembrokeshire SA68 OTL

Anyone wishing to visit the Oiled Bird Rescue Centre please phone Jean first on 01646651236 to make sure someone is available to meet you.

Sue B

Cwm yr Eglwys, Pembrokeshire

• scenery
• beach
• historic interest
• walk
• pub food
• pub garden

In two weeks time residents and friends of the picturesque village of Cwm yr Eglwys will be attending a service to commemorate the day 200 years ago when St Brynach's Church was swept away by the Royal Charter Storm of 1859. All that remains is the defiant belfrey standing on the edge of the pretty little beach looking out to sea.

The cove has a sand and shingle beach with safe bathing and lots of rock pools to explore making it an ideal choice for family fun. There is delightful walk around Dinas Island which passes through Pwllgwaelod with another attractive little beach and waterside pub restaurant with garden.

A walk along Westfield Pill SSSI, Pembrokeshire

• nature
• wildlife
• estuary
• scenery
• walk/cycle
• food & drink
• During August an informative walk along Westfield Pill was enjoyed by a group of local wildlife enthusiasts and experts. Many of the rare and common birds, plants, insects and their habitats was observed and recorded.

Westfield Pill is a sheltered inlet from the main Cleddau Estuary a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and a WTSWW Reserve. The path runs along the old railway line making it very pleasant and easy walking. Cars can be left in the car park at Neyland Marina where the walk begins. Brunel Cafe and The Bar on the marina serve excellent food and refreshments.

Bethan Cox (Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership) concluded that Westfield Pill habitats help maintain the richness and diversity of our wildlife at both local and national levels.

Good Old-Fashioned Teatime in St Davids, Pembrokeshire

• St Davids
• tearoom
• museum
• local knowledge

As a child I always loved teatime, evening dinner just isn't the same!

Now I have 'discovered' The Sampler Tearooms and my childhood memories are rekindled with their delicious fares. Fine cucumber sandwiches followed by home-made cakes, or one can dive into a goats cheese quiche. Soups and platters of local cheeses are for me only over-shadowed by traditional cream teas of scones, cream and home-made jams, bara-brith or good old welshcakes. Lots of lovely 'specialist' teas, coffees and home-made lemonade too round off this eating experience.

The premises are fascinating too - embroidered samplers are displayed around the walls, some as old as 1728. These were created for various occasions; births, deaths, schoolroom practice pieces. We have all seen them from time to time but here you can read the verses and appreciate the time and effort in the making of these fine works whilst enjoying a coffee break, lunch-time or traditional tea.

There's also something in the cellar....... the owners have an unusual collection of wartime memorabilia. Referred to as 'The Homefront Experience' it displays World War II artefacts and pictures. Included here in the 'museum' is needlework paraphernalia, various fossils and medieval coins associated with the British History on the River Thames and so much more about Pembrokeshire. Sounds a bit 'stuffy' but it's facinating and certainly somewhere to go on a damp day!

The owners are delightful - pleased to assist and advise, and a mine of local information if one is on holiday and bewildered (I know that feeling).
Sue A

Note for Gold Diggers

• special interest Metal Detecting
• information

Keen metal detectors will be pleased to know no special permissions are required to use metal detectors on beaches.

Mainland Wales has approximately 1317 miles of coastline together with the islands of Anglesey and Holyhead that makes a total of 1680 miles......... and Wales has more listings in the official guide book to UK's best beaches than any other part of Britain.

Why not pack your bags and detectors and come and see what you can find.

Dinas Island Walk from Pwllgwaelod, Pembrokeshire

• coastal walk
• scenery
• pub food
• pub garden

A lovely three and a half mile walk around a craggy promontory with spectacular coastal scenery almost all of the way round. The undulating path is flanked by the sea on one side and sheep filled fields on the other with vibrant purple heather and yellow gorse blooming at this time of year. The little cove of Pwllgwaelod is home to 'The Old Sailors,' an inn thought to have been in business for at least 500 years. Former customers were smugglers and seafaring folk. Now weary walkers and beach enthusiasts call in for refreshments and delicious snacks and meals with seafood featuring predominantly. There are tables in the large garden and small dining room overlooking the cove. Booking is advisable if you want to eat inside.

Pendine Sands & Enormous Barrel Jelly Fish, Carmarthenshire

• historic interest
• beach
• Barrel jellyfish
• walk
• food

The Museum of Speed at Pendine Sands is a small stylish open plan space in which the 1920's sports car 'Babs' is the focal point. The car was used by Parry Thomas on his fatal attempt at the speed record in 1927. The attempt took place on Pendine Sands which stretches 7 miles from Gilman Point in the west to Laugharne Sands in the east and has been referred to as "the finest natural speedway imaginable"

The beach is still used for occasional car races but is mainly frequented by holiday makers and beach enthusiasts.

This weekend the exceptional high tides brought in and stranded quite a number of enormous Barrel Jellyfish varying in size from dinner plate to catering tray. It was fascinating to see them close up and wonder at their globular texture and huge frilled tentacles.

We walked for an hour without reaching the end of the beach. On our return we were joined by a group of people driving ponies and traps. What a pretty site on a warm September morning.

Laugharne just a few miles down the road was our choice for lunch where we enjoyed a delicious meal in the Stable Bar conservatory overlooking the walled garden. Now that the peak holiday season is over it was possible to get a table without booking but only just. This is a popular restaurant with locals too and very soon every table was occupied.

Flying Boat Centre Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire

 

• special interest Flying Boats
• Flying Boat Interpretation Centre

The dive team from The Flying Boat Centre Pembroke Dock have been busy this summer. Their boat has been seen moored above the submerged Mark1 Sunderland on the Cleddau river where preparations are taking place for an eventual recovery.

For nearly 70 years the unique wartime example of a Short Sunderland Flying Boat, one of the most famous types in aviation history, has rested on the seabed off Pembroke Dock. One of its Pegasus Engines has been recovered and many of its component parts are on display at the fascinating Flying Boat Interpretation Centre, Sunderland House, The Royal Dockyard, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire http://www.pdst.co.uk/

Opening times are Tues - Sat 10pm - 4pm Please phone before visiting to avoid disappointment.

SAT NAV & POST CODE USERS BEWARE!

SAT NAV's are not infallible. Drivers should always plan their routes and have a road map handy when traveling to unfamiliar destinations.......even SAT NAV users!

Rural areas are particularly difficult because a number of properties spread over a large area might share the same Post Code.

Mistakes can and do happen. Recently Quality Cottages clients turned up to their holiday home to find another family comfortably settled in. The family had relied on their SAT NAV & the post code. Instead of questioning the location of the keys, they were in a different place from where expected, they trusted their technology was correct and the information from their agents wrong!

SAT NAV's are an aid but users should stay alert and be prepared to take over navigation when necessary.

A few tips for those left in charge of toddlers in the North Pembrokeshire area.

Mr R was given the daunting task of taking care of his three and a half year old grandson for the day. It is some years since his children grew up and left home. Had he lost his touch?

Conscientious as ever he spent a sleepless night trying to formulate a plan of action. Only too soon the day dawned and his bright eyed, pink cheeked companion arrived all smiles and full of anticipation. His trust in Grandad never failing.

First stop Cafe in the Solva Boat Club onTrinity Quay at Solva Harbour. What a salvation. Mr R and Grandson were soon kitted out with the finest crab catching equipment and set to work. Many hours, mackerel heads and ice-creams later and their quest was deemed a roaring success. Grandad hadn't lost his touch after all.

The day was completed with an excellent meal supplied by the fish and chip shop in Goodwick where the kindly proprietor found a suitable table and various toys to be enjoyed along with such favourites as sausages and chips.

You can rest assured that Grandad and Grandson both slept soundly after their thoroughly enjoyable and busy day.

Congratulations!

Quality Cottages would like to congratulate Mr & Mrs Thomas owners of the elegant Georgian holiday home 'Moray Villa' in Tenby. Moray Villa is one of only three finalists out of over 150 entries nominated for a Pembrokeshire Tourism Award in the category Self Catering.

Just a few minutes stroll from Tenby's lovely beaches and the bustling town centre with its wealth of little shops, cafes and restaurants - this is an ideal home for all year round holidays.

Solva & Newgale on a blustery day.

Enjoyed a walk along the wooded path to the headland at Solva. There were tantalising views of the picturesque village and boat filled estuary. On breaking out of the trees and onto the ridge we were thrilled to see the ground full of deep purple heather and sunny yellow gorse blooming together. Lingered long enough for the lively gusts to blow the cobwebs away and then made our way back along another path, through the village to the Cambrian Inn where food is served all day long. We enjoyed a hearty traditional sunday lunch.

On the way home we couldn't resist Newgale's endless sands and white whipped rollers. We leaned into the wind and walked as far as we could until the rocks closed in around the end of the beach. The return was easier as we were bowled along with the wind in our favour.

Where else can you ride horse back around a Cathedral city?

Gypsy Vanner horses are renowned for their powerful strength and gentle willing nature. This has been recognised by the owners of Penlan Farm who have 200 breeding animals on their coastal farm. They also own and run St Davids Trekking and have opened up some of their 194 acres offering a unique opportunity to explore this exceptional landscape.

Experienced guides accompany small groups on treks of 1 -2 hours. Tours include the beautiful

St Davids Peninsula, a medieval castle, the Bishops Palace and St Davids Cathedral. Pembrokeshire wild flowers abound as does the wildlife such as buzzards and badgers.

Beginners and experienced riders of 11 years and older are all welcome. (Hopefully younger riders will be catered for in the near future)

Carew Castle, Tidal Mill and Celtic Cross

Carew Castle (http://www.carewcastle.com/) started life as a Norman fortification and ended up as an Elizabethan country house. It overlooks a 23 acre mill pond spanned by a medieval bridge and a restored tidal mill. An 11th C Celtic cross stands on the site. There is a picnic spot opposite and the family friendly Carew Inn just over the road.

A ticket to the castle (less than £4) includes entry to the tidal mill. Laminated information sheets can be borrowed and will guide you around each impressive building. Additional information boards are located around the castle. Children are very well catered for with quiz sheets to complete on route.

The walk from the castle to the mill across the medieval bridge and back to the car park is about a mile - making this an easy and very pleasant morning or afternoons entertainment.

A Day Out to Ramsey Island Pembrokeshire (July 2009)

Angelo and Cathy

A Day Out to Skomer Island Pembrokeshire (July 2009)

Angelo and Cathy

A walk around Marloes Peninsula including Deer Park

An easy 5 mile walk with spectacular coastal views, dramatic rock formations, very few people, the odd rabbit, birds and some wild ponies.

Park in the Marloes Sands car park (National Trust £4) and pick up a map (included in the parking fee).

The route takes you through the site of an iron age fort but there is little evidence to see. Look out for Gateholm, Skokholm, Skomer, Midland and Grassholm Islands. Grassholm is white with gannets in the summer.

The little cottage which marks the fork in the path to Deer Park will surely leave you fantasizing about living in such an isolated and wildly beautiful location. Do summon the courage to gaze down into the treacherous waters of Jack Sound and across to St Bride's Bay. Clamber up to the Coastguards Hut to enjoy panoramic views of this glorious rugged coastline. If you happen to have an apple in your pocket you may be able to make a friend of one of the otherwise shy wild ponies roaming around the grass land.

The little stony cove of Martin's Haven is the embarkation point for boat trips out to Skomer, from here the path is sandwiched between St Bride's Bay and West Hook Farm. The final part of the walk takes you across three fields and then a short distance along flower filled lanes back to the car park.

Marloes village is very close by where you can take rest and refreshment in the Lobster Pot pub or the award winning Clockhouse Cafe/Bar. If you have enough energy left Marloes Sands is another scramble across a couple of fields and down to the shore but well worth a visit. The sweep of golden sand framed by jagged rocks and clear sea will invigorate you.

Anne I

Laugharne

A pretty village nestled alongside the sandy shores of the Taf estuary. Laugharne was founded by Flemish weavers and dyers in the 17th C having been granted the land after their own homes were lost in the great floods of that time. Later it developed into an important cockling centre. There is an eclectic mix of old cottages, terraces and elegant Georgian houses.
The picturesque 13th C castle was turned into a Tudor mansion in the 16th C. It overlooks the village and the foreshore. An ideal spot for a picnic.

A path beside the estuary and a flight of steps lead first to Dylan Thomas' Writing Shed, a glance inside will convince you that Dylan has just popped out, then to the Boathouse, his home for several years before he died. The parlour remains as the family left it. There is a gallery, an audio visual display, books for sale and a tea shop.

Continue along the same path for a lovely wooded walk An information board in the village garden will advise you on other pleasant places to stroll. Do look out for herons and other water loving birds.

There is a good choice of places to eat and drink including Dylan Thomas' favourite, Browns also some little shops, a glass studio and a pottery. Take care the car park floods on high tide.
Anne I

Dale

What a lovely day to be in Dale. The sun was shining - warm even. There was a palpable feeling of relaxation and holiday energy. It was buzzing. The Griffin Inn (listed in several editions of the Good Beer Guide) was full to overflowing. Most choosing like us, to take their drinks out to the harbour wall from where we could watch the comings and goings. Many were eating local favourites such as crab sandwiches and freshly caught mackeral.

Dinghies were being launched, others pulled ashore, windsurfers too. The jetty was full with moored boats in different states of preparation for going to sea or coming home. The Broadside Charter Boat bobbed up and down invitingly awaiting its party of summer fishermen.

Children were eating ice creams and playing happily on the safe, sandy, shingly beach. Older people chose the wooden benches on the grassy bank above the beach. Walkers were arriving from several directions. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path passes through the village and around the Dale Peninsula.

For more spectacular coastal views either drive or walk up the lane beside Dale Castle to the little known World War II aerodrome on the cliff top. Parking is easy. The vistas are spectacular.

Dale beach looks out over the Milford Haven Waterway. There is another sunny, sandy beach at West Dale a short walk away. It is well worth a visit for the views out to sea and of Skolkholm Island. It is an ideal place for sun worshippers but strong currents make it unsafe for bathing.

Dale has a watersports hire shop, cafe, shop/post office, car park, pub serving good beer and food and a yacht club. The village hall hosts a number of craft fairs and art exhibitions throughout the year. Anne I