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.

Whether you are a seasoned visitor to Wales or a welcome newcomer you will love the experience of seeing Wales through the eyes of artists, photographers, bird watchers and other specialists. Revisit well known walks with new insight and a fresh view point. Look at http://www.walkinwales.com/ for inspiration.

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

Website team

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

A celebrity is amongst us

Last week a newly refurbished mini mart and filling station in the village of Square & Compass, Pembrokeshire was opened. It was an eagerly awaited event by locals and visitors alike. As a long standing and valued customer Erenie our colleague from Quality Cottages was given celebrity status for the occasion. She was invited to cut the ribbon to kick off the event and begin the celebrations. We at Quality Cottages are just as pleased since Erenie does much of her shopping there for our Monday lunches and weekly treats of home baked cakes.
We wish Mr Roger and Mrs Ann Shackleton the proprietors, a successful and prosperous future.

Can anyone solve the mystery of the stones?

Does anyone know what these limstones were used for? They were found in the grounds of

Cwrt y Cadno, Carmarthenshire an ancient barn recently converted into lovely holiday accomodation. There is a limestone quarry nearby where the stones must surely have originated but to what purpose? If you have any ideas we would be pleased to hear from you. Please either post a comment or contact us at Quality Cottages

A long weekend in North wales.

The route to Llanrwst took us past the Centre for Alternative Technology. My brother and young family had recommended it as an interesting place to break our journey. The steep walk up to the centre was welcome exercise after sitting for several hours in the car. There was such a lot to see. As a new gardener I was particularly interested in the many methods of making compost.

We arrived at pretty Bluebell Cottage (known locally as Bwthyn Bach) which was bathed in late afternoon sunshine. The cottage was immaculately presented. The heating was on, milk, cake, wine and fresh flowers had been thoughtfully provided for us and a big basket of logs was beside the stove which was laid and ready to light.

Mathew the owner had lovingly refurbished the cottage to a very high standard. His craftsmanship shone out from every fixture, fitting and piece of furniture. The honey coloured woodwork and clean and bright soft furnishings gave the place a light and airy atmosphere. The bookshelves were stacked with local information, books, board games, videos & CD's. Preparing a meal in the well equipped kitchen was a pleasure. After a walk above the little hamlet to get our first real glimpse of Snowdonia we spent an enjoyable evening as warm as toast beside the fire planning our next few days break.

We found plenty to do including visits to Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Port Meirion village, Beddgelert, a trip up Snowdon on the mountain railway and the walk down in glorious sunshine. We couldn't have asked for better walking weather. Driving through Snowdonia National Park was a thrill. The scenery is breathtaking.

There were lots more places we would like to have visited and other beautiful walks to explore. We will save those for our next visit.

Anne I

An extract from a letter to Quality Cottages

Jo outside Cerbid Old Farmhouse in the 1970's

"We used to visit Cerbid in the 1970's when my sister and I were young. I have very strong memories of the smell of the fire at
Cerbid Old Farmhouse. We spent many a happy family holiday there. So can you imagine my surprise, when, having booked a cottage with you for my own young family, the brochure arrived and I read the write up about the beginnings of Quality Cottages and indeed saw the photos of the cottages as they are now.
Regards Jo Broad "


2009

1970's

An extract from a letter to Mr & Mrs Rees at Quality Cottages

"Whilst booking Isallt Fawr my daughter Emma Spriggs was asked how she and her husband John found Quality Cottages. Emma told how she had been to quite a few of Cerbid's Quality Cottages and since it was Mothers Day she was feted as a Cerbid Child. You may be interested to know she is actually a Cerbid Grandchild now booking on her own behalf.

My parents, Noel and Jean Addison booked Cerbid House in the summer of 1982 for the whole family. Dominic aged 2 and Rebecca aged 6 months were with us and again the following year at Calves Cot. We have photos of Emma outside Calves Cot at the age of 3-4 months. We also stayed at Gwiga in Rhoslan and Bryn y Mor in Mid Wales. Oh and I had forgotten a week at Mwnt Cottage in 89'.

After the death of my father in 1990 I took over the role of booking our holiday cottages - twice at Period Cottage, Rhoslan then a lovely cottage in Llangybi then a few years later at Drws deu Goed in the Cwm Penant valley.

This year we will be staying for the third time at Bwythen Ty Uchaf. So as a family we have stayed 14 times in Quality Cottages. These last 3 times my granddaughter Alyssa (now 4) has accompanied us and is the 4th generation to stay!

I can honestly say that you have never failed us. We have thoroughly enjoyed our holidays in delightful cottages and hope to continue for many years - thank you so much.

We wonder whether Emma is your first grandchild to book on her own account?

Yours

Margaret J Leighton ( Mrs )"

A stylish apartment for two, 200 yards from award winning beaches in Tenby.

When looking for holiday cottages in Wales you may also wish to consider a stylish apartment for two tucked away in the heart of medieval Tenby. St Catherines is just 200 yards from several blue flag beaches, the pretty bustling harbour, a variety of individual shops and the many amenities on offer in this popular seaside town.

French doors open out onto a quiet sheltered patio. A perfect place to sit and enjoy a sunny summer breakfast or a glass of wine in the evening whilst considering which of Tenby's many bars and restaurants to visit.