Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr

Owain Glyndwr was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales. He led a long and unsuccessful uprising aginst Henry IV of England - the last war of independence.  Owain was never captured or tempted by Royal pardons. He was last seen in 1412 his last years still a mystery.

In 2002 Owain Glyndwr was voted 23rd out of 100 Greatest Britons. Glyndwr Day 16th September is celebrated by the flying of Welsh flags.

The Owain Glyndwr Centre in Machynlleth tells of his campaigns and plans for the future of Wales. Visit the site of the National Assembley of Wales held by Owain Glyndwr in midsummer 1404 when he was crowned Prince of Wales.

An extract from "Over half a century in a Pembrokeshire Paradise" written in 1992 by John Hayward Lavis

Walk through National Trust woodland to Abermawr

'The Closing of the Circle'
My wife and I are English born and first came to live in North Pembrokeshire in the late 1950's. Having been away for a few years in the eighties, we have now returned to view the changes that have taken place and ponder the future for this region of Wales.

I am now writing with an ink pen on paper sitting at my desk in the small first floor study of our cottage home, some three miles inland from that remote, roaring storm beach of Abermawr in west Wales. Life here is a daily delight.

The desk at which I sit is a knee-hole design of dark oak and sits directly under the window and on a level with the sill. Whilst I am writing this, if I pause for thought, or more likely for inspiration and raise my head, I look over the village green, which in its turn slopes down and away to a vast and magnificently beautiful wetland marsh, a wild and enchanting waste of reeds and water where hunt marsh harrier and the sparrow hawk. Here also live the heron, the otter and the kingfisher, all in competition, one with the other, for the frogs, eels and wild brown trout which dart over the gravelled shallows of the infant river.

The area referred to near the source of the Western Cleddau is now a National Nature Reserve ' Corsydd Llangloffan' . Otters, water shrews, water voles, polecats and badgers all use the reserve.
For a full description click on the
Countryside Council for Wales .

An accessible boardwalk runs for a kilometre along a circular route through the reserve, direct from the roadside gate.Click on John Hayward Lavis to read his full story.

The reserve lies about five-and-a-half kilometres southwest of Fishguard, just to the north of Castlemorris.

Extract continued:


We have in fact closed the circle. This is where we have finished up - where we buried our mothers and raised our children - a return to roots and a way of life that no longer exists in England. We cannot think of anywhere in the world where we would rather be or any way of life which we would rather lead. We are very lucky.

                                                               Corsydd Llangloffan

Fancy a spot of Wellie Wanging this weekend?

Wear your Wellies Day at Erddig


Splash, paddle, wade and jump your way around Erddig in your wellies.


Great day out for all the family. Wellie Whanging, Seed Planting, Pottery making, willow workshop, live Owls to hold and Face Painting. Go on a welly wander and create your own journey stick. Trails and welly hunt too!


Sunday, 10 April 2011 11am - 4pm Gates open: 11am
Last admission time: 4pm
Adult £11, Child £5.50, Family £27.50, Group £8.40

Erddig

Wrexham, North Wales LL13 0YT
Telephone: 01978 355314

Hannah Nunn lamps at home: Polly Lovegrove's dresser & Pandy Bach

Hannah Nunn lamps at home: Polly Lovegrove's dresser & Pandy Bach: "A lovely lady called Polly Lovegrove bought this lamp recently and she says, I quote 'I love it a lot, a lot ,a lot. I keep looking at it w..."

Whistling sands/Porth Oer

I hesitate in sharing my photographs of whistling sands as I don't want to spoil this couples peace and quiet as they read on the beach (10 days ago) on the Lleyn. The stretch of sand which squeaks and squeals beneath your feet was practically deserted until we arrived. I think the photographs say it all!

Fresh Air and Culture

Magical Willow Globe Outdoor Theatre & Nature Trail
Penlanole, Llanwrthwl, Mid Wales


Opening of the 2011 season on Saturday April 23rd at 3pm to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday. Entry free. Click on the name for more information.

Spice up your life.

Linda's Thai Take Away, Llechryd near Cardigan
What a lovely surprise to come across exotic food tucked away in the heart of the pretty little Welsh village of Llechryd on the Teifi River. We went to walk along the delightful riverside path to Cilgerran Castle. The last thing on our minds was Thai food. We stumbled across the hand written sign on our way out of the village homeward bound. Next time I won't be packing the picnic basket, instead we will indulge in a Thai feast along the river. Has anyone tried Linda's Thai take away ?

If you go down to the wood today......

Colby Woodland Garden (National Trust)


Head Gardener's Walk & Cream Tea


Join Colby's Head Gardener Steve Whitehead for a relaxed tour of the woodland garden followed by a Pembrokeshire cream tea in the Bothy Tea-room and a chance to chat, ask questions and pick up hints and tips


Wednesday, 13 April 2011

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

All Tickets £10

Colby Woodland Garden

near Amroth, Pembrokeshire SA67 8PP

Telephone: 01834 811885

Put on your dancing shoes.

Upstairs Downstairs Dance



Dancing comes back to the Music Room at Plas Newyyd (National Trust), Anglesey.


Experience an evening of entertainment by joining in and tripping the light fantastic in the footsteps of the aristocracy followed by a change of mood that will get your toes tapping as you are taken through the dances enjoyed by the below the stairs staff. Don't forget your dancing shoes!


Saturday, 30 April 2011 7pm - 9:30 pm Gates open: 6.30pm
All Tickets £12


Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens


Llanfairpwll, Anglesey LL61 6DQ
Telephone: 01248 715272

Fantastic Island for Family Holidays by George Woolley from Cheshire

...from Anglesey Today Blog
I have holidayed on the island of Angelsey for over 20 years and all I can say it is one fantastic place.
A lovely place for families to enjoy, great coast views, interesting walks in the countryside.
Last year we had ten weeks at Ligwy I walked up Parys mountain 2 or 3 times and I am turned 77 years.
It is the only place to be, the island beaches are fantastic, water clean and if you talk to the locals there is so much to learn

                                                            Lligwy Beach Anglesey



Look carefully its a glove tree!

Marks & Spencers must be growing their own. The glove tree is outside Marks & Spencers in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Its official the Royal wedding ring will be made from Welsh gold.

The palace have confirmed that Kate Middleton will wear a wedding band made of Welsh gold from a nugget supplied by Cloggau Welsh Gold Company. Prince William who does not care for jewellery of any sort has chosen not to wear a wedding ring with the backing of his future wife. 

This Welsh gold ring is inscribed with the word 'Cariad' Welsh for sweetheart.
To read more about Welsh gold mined in Snowdonia click on the link below.
http://www.clogau.co.uk/AboutClogau/AbtClogau.aspx

Gwili Pottery has a new website

OUR NEW WEBSITE IS HERE!


We have a new website that aims to show all of our designs and shapes in an easy to use format.
Although our website is not quite finished we thought you might like to have a look at it now and bookmark it for future views.
We hope we have made it easier to view and buy our pots on line, as well as give you an idea of our ever changing gallery pieces.
We have added a new line at the Pottery. We spotted some beautiful Country style furniture made by a local maker and after meeting the guys at Country Wood crafts we asked if we could sell their furniture at Gwili pottery, which i'm pleased to say they agreed to, so now we have a beautiful range of wooden furniture to display our wonderful pots on.
We will be adding new products daily so please do come back and have a look soon.
Gwili Pottery Pontarsais Carmarthen
www.gwilipottery.com.

Lleyn Coast

Here are three of the many beaches I visited last weekend while I was staying at Bodnitho in Botnnwog on the Lleyn.There are so many hidden beaches to find off the roads. 

Dine Out Wales

Dine Out Wales



Dine Out Wales is an exciting new way to save £ 1000's each year when dining out in Wales.


With 100+ restaurants to choose from you can experience the best cuisine Wales has to offer. All you do is show your stylish Dine Out Wales card at any of the participating restaurants to get 50% off the food bill or 2 for 1 meals plus many other great offers.


"I have been a member of Dineout Wales since October 2010 and believe that it is the only way to dine in Wales! From the very first time my girlfriend and I used the card we have saved money, starting with a saving of £50 on my girlfriend's birthday! We have gone from just going out for a meal on special occasions to going a few times a month, exploring new places and finding new favourites. Needless to say my girlfriend is very happy." James Rothwell

Put on your dancing shoes

Trefor Owen is the only full time professional maker of Welsh clogs from hide and log to the finished item. He makes other styles of clog too for national and international customers. Visit his workshop in Heol Henbont near Criccieth in North Wales.

A Challenge

Can you help? How many suitable Mothers Day venues in Wales can we come up with before the weekend?

An evening out with The Kre8ers at the Fox & Hounds in Cwmcych

Great songs by, Stereophonics, Beatles, The killers, Elvis, Van Morrison, Ben E King, Free, Rodgers,Kings of Leon and many more !!

....and of course some of our very own songs. It is gonna be a great night at Cwmcych near Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire.
The Fox & Hounds is a great venue, refurbished and extended. Run by a lovely family who have recently taken it over. Bar meals served until 11pm. Friendly and warm with outside covered beer garden.
Notice from The Kre8ers



Fancy a long walk? The Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail is the single most popular visitor attraction in the county.

The 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail follows the fine coastal landscape of the UK's only Coastal National Park and has recently won a Pembrokeshire Tourism Award for Best Day Out.
See for yourself. Walk as much or as little as you like and take one of the dedicated walkers buses back to your start point. Enjoy magnificent coastal scenery, sandy beaches, hidden coves, marine wild life, wild flowers and sleepy villages. Oh and don't worry if you can't manage the whole 186 miles. Come again. We will always keep a welcome.

Celtic Quest Coasteering has swept the board achieving Gold, Silver & Bronze Tourism Awards

Congratulations Celtic Quest Coasteering on winning 3 prestigious Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards 2011.
Bronze for Exciting New Business, Silver for Best Day Out and Gold for Best Marketing.
For the uninitiated Coasteeering is a unique way of exploring the Pembrokeshire coastline including, rock hopping, rock scrambling, jumping, adventure swimming and much more. Activities are tailored to the customers needs and are suitable for all from 8yrs + physically fit and / or physically challenged. Go on give it a try you will not be disappointed.