Pembroke Potato Festival June 5th 2010

Pembroke Potato Festival makes an exciting day out for the whole family. The festival celebrates the potato crop and aims to increase its profile at a time when growers have to compete with cheaper imported potatoes grown in warmer climates or in polytunnels.

The day will be filled with events, displays and activities such as pick your own , tasting, potato cookery demonstrations, ready steady cook competition, make a potato head mask, potato juggling, music, trade stands and more.

Last year Jo Knight  of Lovespoon Gelato, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn launched her new sweet spiced potato icecream Jo said
"It's definately different and decidedly moreish with a subtle earthy potato flavour mingled with hints of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove."

Bosherston Lily Ponds Pembrokeshire

Go to the ponds in the cold weather, armed with digestive biscuits and the robins will find you and almost sit on your hands - yes, they are hungry but thy are also so very tame. Just wonderful !

Penrallt Garden Centre & Nursery, Cardigan

Not just a garden centre and nursery with a comprehensive collection of plants but also the Pavilion Cafe, trout lake, picnic area and coastal walks. In fact there is something for everyone. Why not take a trip to Molygrove, Cardigan drop in and see for yourselves.

Carew Cheriton Control Tower, Pembrokeshire

A local group of enthusiasts have restored a World War II airfield control tower at the Carew Airfield Pembrokeshire. Having done that they turned their attention to an Avro Anson plane, with many more projects in the pipe line. The control tower is used regularly by educational groups and  will be opened by arrangement for any enthusiastic group.

During World War II the airfield was a base for maritime patrols and then as a training base for air crew wireless operators. In 1941 the base was a hive of acivity with planes regularly flying in and out including Oxfords, Ansons, and occasionaly Spitfires which were based in Angle.

The aim is to create a small museum at the site with a hangar in which to house planes.

The Haven's Festival Week, Little Haven & Broad Haven Pembrokeshire

Enjoy lots of family events at the Haven's Festival Week in the neighbouring seaside villages of Little Haven and Broad Haven Pembrokeshire from 27th May - 6th June. Try a craft, art exhibition, rock pooling, mini beast safari and lots more. A 'Blessing of the Boats Service' will be held on Sunday in Little Haven. There will be lots of other events throughout the week.
The villages have a vast expanse of golden sands between them. It is possible to walk from one village to the other over the beach on a low tide.

Blue Flag Beaches & Marinas Awards 2010 - A Welsh Record

A record 45 beaches and 5 marinas have achieved prestigious Blue Flag Awards in 2010.
Minister for Environment, Susutainability & Housing Jane Davidson said:

"I am delighted that beaches & marinas in Wales have this year collectively accrued an impressive 45 Blue Flags. This is an achievement we can all be proud of and is a demonstration of the excellent natural quality of Welsh beaches".

Beaches are judged against 30 criteria including water quality, litter management, dog control, visitor safety & sustainable environmental ethics.

Marinas have 16 land based criteria including waste facilities, life saving equipment & safeguards for the environment.

Pembrokeshire topped the list with 13 awards, Gwynedd 8, Anglesey 7, Ceredigion 5, Swansea 5, Conwy 4, Carmarthenshire 2, Bridgend 2, Vale of Glamorgan 2 and 1 each for Denbighshire & North Port Talbot.

Robin Hood - Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire

The new movie Robin Hood, the battle scene of which was filmed on Freshwater West beach Pembrokeshire is showing at the Torch Cinema Milford Haven from May 12th to 27th 2010.

Hazelbeach Regatta, Pembrokeshire Sat 5th June 2010

A date for your diary - the annual Hazelbeach Regatta will be held on 5th June 2010. A wonderful community event ideal for families with lots going on most of the day. As well as cruiser and dinghy races, a feast for the eye, there will be inshore activities including swimming races, crabbing, build & race a raft competition, craft activities for little ones - last year a wonderful assortment of pirates hats was created, and lots more. Delicious traditional teas will be served on the lawn of the Mill House and of course the Ferry Inn will be open as usual serving real ales and good food with panoramic views of the festivities from the lawns or the conservatory.

The Ospreys have landed! Snowdonia

Since 2004 a pair of ospreys have been visiting RSPB Glaslyn. They returned once more on the 22nd March 2010 and a new egg was spotted on 8th April with two more expected.

The ospreys can be observed via a nest cam in the visitors centre or from the hide in which there are 4 powerful telescopes and 7 pairs of binioculars. Picnic tables are available. Why not take along a packed lunch and enjoy this very special spectacle.

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