Pwllcrochan Cottage
22nd - 29th October 2016

Saturday 22nd October

After a morning Parkrun and a lunch stop at Costco it was a drive across the bridge into Wales and a stop off at the Bridgend shopping village - destination Snow and Rock!
We then drove on to Pwllcrochan - our destination for the week and what a fantastic spot it is :)

 Following our evening meal it was out into the darkness, star spotting and watching the mesmerising Strumble Lighthouse followed by a game of Monopoly.

Sunday 23rd October

Following a morning loop South to the farm and back along the coast path watching young seal pups along the way.  We then popped into Haverfordwest to buy some groceries before heading back for lunch.  We then walked North along the coastpath to the Poet's memorial stone with lovely views along the way.

Back to the cottage for our evening meal and some Scrabble.

Monday 24th October

A slightly damp morning, so a quick walk down to Pwllcrochan beach - Dave got down the rope but Bill couldn't get down to it.

We spent the morning baking bread in the Aga, reading, doing the thatched cottage puzzle and listening to Radio 1!

After lunch we went into Haverfordwest for a bit of shopping, then onto St Davids and finally on to Abereiddy where we explored the quarry and scaled the rocks to the tower on the headland.
Then it was back to the cottage for some more Aga cooking, star spotting and jigsaw doing.

Tuesday 25th October

A morning loop seal spotting and then it was in for breakfast and out again to Pwllcrochan beach - no Dave or Billy - just James, Sarah and I.  The tide was perfect for descending the rope onto the beach - what a novel way to get to a beach.

We then dropped back to the cottage for lunch before heading off in the car to Fishguard, Strumble Head Lighthouse and finally to Llanwnda - unfortunately the fairy cafe was closed but we still had a fantastic coastal walk to Penrhyn - the kids loving the swings in the woods.

Then it was back to the cottage for some Aga cooked meal, videos and more puzzle doing!

Wednesday 26th October

Another morning loop to spot the seals and then it was off to Cardigan for a shop and some chips - eaten in the picnic spot on the opposite side of the estuary to Poppet Sands.  We then went to Poppet sands - kite flying and playing ball with Billy.

On the way home we went to Bessie's pub - the Dyffryn Arms in Pontfaen.  This is a front room public house and well worth a visit.  Home for evening meal and a game of Scrabble.

Thursday 27th October

We walked down to the coast and over to the collapsed stone circle on the headland.  It was then back for breakfast before heading off South on the coastpath.  We went on the beach to Aber Bach and flew our kites at Aber Mawr.

We then walked to the woolen mill at Tregwynt - a great place to visit.  After walking back to the cottage for lunch we visited Garn Fawr and enjoyed a walk along the coast from Strumble Head.
Evening meal, star spotting and an evening stroll.

Friday 28th October

A morning loop followed by breakfast and a trip back up to Cardigan where we picked up a picnic lunch which we ate on the cliffs at Mwnt.
We then drove down to Tenby for a yummy ice-cream from Fecci's....followed by a walk along Tenby beach collecting tower shells and elephant tusks.

Home for evening meal - last one cooked in the Aga - and then packing up for an early set off in the morning.

Saturday 29th October

An early start to Llyn Llech Owain to run the Parkrun.  Then it was a reverse of the trip up - Snow and Rock at Bridgend before heading over the bridge to have lunch at Costco before returning home.

Welsh Three Peaks Challenge
27th August 2016

After a downgraded attempt of the Challenge on Saturday 20th August (raising money for Kilve Court Residential Center and arranged by Somerset County Council) to a Welsh One Peak Challenge due to strong winds I returned with my family to make a second attempt.  To make it a challenge for our family we decided to walk routes that we had not previously walked together before.  On Friday 26th August we left home at about 9:30pm after James finished work and crossed the bridge into Wales.  We camped overnight in the lay by at the base of Pen Y Fan and started walking at 6:18 the next morning.

We walked up to Pen Y Fan via Corn Du - lovely weather and views unlike our walk the previous week!

We scaled Pen Y Fan and were back at the car in 1 hour and 38 minutes (4.1 miles and 471 m of climb).  After a quick cup of tea we were on the road on the way to Dolgellau and on to the car park at the foot of the Pony Path.  We started to walk up Cadair Idris at 10:53.  We reached the Peak at at 12:23 - lovely views of Barmouth and the LLyn Peninsula on the way up.

We reached the car park at the base of the Pony Path in 2 hours and 53 minutes (5.87 miles and 752 m of climb).  Next stop Snowdon!
We parked up at the base of the Ranger Path and started walking at 3:20.  We experienced some of the local wildlife on the way up!

The summit was in sight for most of the upward climb but it became shrouded in mist just as we approached it.  We reached to summit at 5:29 but did not stay long admiring the views.

A big downhill walk took us back to the car park in 3 hours 51 minutes, reaching our camper by 7.11 pm (8.21 miles and 995 m of climb).

The Welsh Three Peaks Conquered at last in 12 hours 53 minutes.

We then stayed on the shore of LLyn Ogwen with a massive thunder and lightning storm hitting the surrounding mountains in the night before visiting Dave's dad in Whittle-Le-Woods the following day.

Frank's Bridge, Wales
13th - 16th August 2016

Saturday 16th August
Having decided to go away for a few days at the last minute whilst the children were at a Lake District Camp, we managed to find a last minute availability at Cwm-Edw, a fab little cottage in very quiet countryside.  With a balcony, 10 acres of land to explore and the weather forecast looking so good it had to be done!
We drove up the M5 and then around Gloucester,  A quick stop at the Hartpury Bee Shelter on route and a refreshment stop at Kington on the border and we were there!

The location was lovely for Billy - rolling country side with fields and a stream to play in.  The cottage was really well equipped with flowers and fruit on our arrival.  After our evening meal and a short drive, we went for a walk at the Water Break it's Neck waterfall at sunset.

Sunday 14th August 2016
We walked from the cottage today across farmland to Giant's Grave and Little Hill.  A lovely loop but Billy was unfortunately badly attacked by a big dog on a foot bridge along the road from Hundred House :( so it was a quiet evening keeping Bill settled before a visit to the vets the next day.

Monday 15th August
After breakfast on the balcony our first stop was Ddole Road Vets at Llandrindnod Wells.  What a great vets - very helpful and they could fit Billy in for the surgery he required that day.  Even though we didn't have Billy we carried on with the walk we had planned from the Lake to Shaky Bridge which was a lovely walk with fab views over the Cambrian Hills.

We then arrived back to the lake and walked to Rock Park but unfortunately the tea shop at the old spa building was closed on Mondays.  We then picked Bill up from the vets - he still wanted to play in the fields when we got him back to the cottage!

Tuesday 16th August
Home via Cardiff to pick the Children up from camp - to find that James' also had to have stitches to an injury to his arm whilst he was away - a summer of stitches for both the boys!

May Bank Holiday Weekend 2016 in Sunny Wales
28th to 31st May 2016

28th May 2016
Our aim for this visit to a very sunny Wales was to attempt the Welsh 3000's over a leisurely three days.  So Saturday was a drive up the motorway and a lunch time picnic shop at Shrewsbury and a dog walk stop just outside Shrewsbury.  Then it was off to Oswestry - a lovely market town.  Then it was a stop off at Betws-y-Coed for a camping equipment fix for James at the Cotswold Outdoor shop and another fix at Ellis Brigham at Capel Curig.  Too much money spent it was off to Llyn Ogwen and a dog walk around Llyn Idwal in the sun.
A drive to Bangor for a yummy tea, then back to Llyn Ogwen for a wild camp by the lake - beautiful!

Sunday 29th May 2016
An early start for our first leg of the Welsh 300's.  A big climb up....and up....and up some more to Pen Yr Ole Wen.

Then it was around some more to Carnedd Dafydd - what a clear day and such fab views.

Next it was a walk around the contours to Yr Elen who was a bit out on her own.

Back past Carnedd Llewelyn but not going to the summit to Foel Grach with its fab mountain shelter.

Next peak was Carnedd Uchaf .........

..........before Foel-Fras at the far end of our route.

Back past Foel Grach and onto Carnedd Llewelyn.

Home time was along Penywaun-wen and Bwich Eryl Forchog and down to Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir, down the tracj and back along the road.  Then it was off for a well deserved pub tea in Bangor before another night by Llyn Ogwen.

Monday 30th May 2016
Another early up for the middle part of our Challenge.  First part of the walk was to Llyn Idwal and then up.....and up.....and zig zag some more up to just below Y Garn where we dropped down and then back up to Elidir Fawr.

Then it was back up to Y Garn's summit and then down the other side to Llyn Cwn where Billy had a lunch time cool off wallowing in the water.

Then it was a clamber up the scree slope to Glyder Fawr.......

.....past the Castle of the Winds to Glyder Fach.........

......and a balance on the cantilever!

Then it was another down hill scramble to the foot of Tryfan with its scramble up the back (much easier than the last time we scaled its North Face last Easter!).  Lots of people jumping between Adam and Eve and even balancing upside down.......mad!!

Then it was the long scramble back down to the van and a well deserved evening meal at Bangor  - yum.  Another night at the shores of Llyn Ogwen - such a fab place to overnight.

Tuesday 31st May 2016
Up and early again today and a drive around to the car park on the Pass of Llanberis.  Just three peaks to go now.  Bill and Kate made it just half way up Crib Goch.....

....too windy and too steep....so it was back down and up the Pyg Track for us......whilst the boys carried on up.....and over.......

After the boys route up and over and Kate and Bill's route down and round we met back up at Crib-Y-Ddysgl.

Then it was the final push up to the peak of Snowdon.......15 peaks conquered by two and 14 and a half peaks conquered by one :)

And pasties all round.....meat for the winners and a runners up cheese and onion........

Then it was a quick walk down the Pyg Track and the long drive home to Taunton........

Welsh Wander

4th -5th April 2016

A few days away to visit Aberystwyth (where Kate studied in the mid 1999's) and climb Cadir Idris.

We ventured cross country in the rain stopping at Builth Wells for some lunch.  Next stop was Devils bridge before driving onto Aberystwyth on a lovely sunny afternoon.

We popped into town and had ice creams from the shop on the pier (Kate couldn't believe it was still there and it had to be turkish delight of course!).

We then walked Billy along the beach and up Constitution Hill - fab views this afternoon!

We even managed to get the lady to let us in to the camera obscura for a quick visit as it was just closing.

Then it was back down the hill, picked up some supplies in town before heading up to Machynlleth for a yummy Chinese.  A quick stop off at the Centre for Alternative Technology and then on to Minffordd and a wild camp just outside Castelly Bere - with a fun walk up to the castle in the semi dark.

On Tuesday we parked up at the car park Minffordd and then climbed.......

..............and climbed.....................

...........and climbed some more..................

..........into the snow...........

...........and a foggy top!  And a nice warm, cosy stone hut.  All back safely with some serious compass work taking us down from Mynydd Moel.  Then it was the long drive back cross country back home.