Weather Cam may not work

From work in Cardiff I noticed that the local weather cam appeared to have become unavailable.

I can get to it here, but the latest picture seems to be 30th December 09. I'll leave the link on the main site for a while, in case it is a temporary glitch.

Otherwise I'll take down this link to a most useful device. Perhaps I should install a webcam of our view myself? So long as it didn't spy on visitors it should be OK.

Snow Fun

We have come up for a winter break, and we met ice on the hill when we arrived. Couldn't make it around that final, steep, hairpin bend until a kind neighbour took his wheelbarrow up to a salt and grit bin at the top of the hill, then skidded back down with it. The one on the corner was already empty.

But we made it. This morning the world is covered with snow, much to the bemusement of the dog.

As I looked out the window a red kite came in to land on one of the nearby trees, when I crunched out to see if I could get a better shot it didn't like being looked at, and took off...that is how close they come!

It sure looks snowy up there!

Snow on the mountains

I looked on the local webcam (only about a mile from the cottage) and it looked pretty snowy out there!

We will be going up in January for a visit ourselves, and to check out the facilities.

Gizmos and Moon Shadows

We do like to please people and make them feel at home, but we are still tweaking away, after our first year of sharing this beautiful place with others.

I just found a useful lantern (I kept worrying that people wouldn't bring a torch, or that ones we left would end with dead batteries, just when you need them). This is one of those handwound lanterns - not indestructible, of course, but perhaps enough for a day when a powercut happens, or the fuse blows, or you simply want to walk up the lane on a night of the new moon (you'll have no problem under a full moon on a clear night - the moon almost throws shadows it is so bright!)

Tweaks

I also noticed that the font on the front page of the website looked a bit odd and out of place - must have pasted it in from some other software - so it had a Times font. Have changed it to Arial to match the rest.

I know, I know - probably of interest only to myself - but Julie pays attention to lots of little details in the cottage - the least I can do is try to do the same for the website. Toby :-)

Flying Visit

We managed to get a couple of days at the cottage, just to check it out. I got a couple of long autumnal walks in. Going up the hill, then left, takes you to the Forestry Commission (passing through a farmyard) and from there you have wonderful views down the river valley.

Looking back from the nature reserve, down by the flat bit of the river (far distance in hill view picture), we saw a rainbow...

The view from the cottage

Sit outside on the bench, and just enjoy the view, the sunshine, and the sight and sounds of a wide variety of wild birds - accompanied by the tranquil farmyard sounds of roosters, sheep and dogs barking, off in the distance.

Ty Cariad looks straight out over the valley towards the highest point on the far side - Craig y Fran (Crow's Rock).

From the bench at the front of the house, from the living room, and from both bedrooms, this is the view.

The scenery is always changing, from sunny times to the striking sight of looming clouds, and in the autumn the peak may even be almost hidden behind low clouds, like a chinese painting.


In winter you may see it covered in snow. And any time you can see Red Kites and buzzards soaring over the valley... and even as you drive through the gate, nature can welcome you with a surprise...

Carnival in Pontrhydygroes

I notice on the village's community web page that Carnival happens on 11th July 09.

Website updates

This blog contains material waiting to get built into the main Ty Cariad website.

Photos

Photos of the cottage can be seen in this Facebook Album. (Facebook members only)

Online maps for Walks

We recently came across some more material on local walks, in PDF format (click on link to open, or download).

Spirit of the Miners walks

Pontrhydygroes-Pontrhydfendigaid (13k /8 miles - 4 hours)

Devil's Bridge - Pontrhydygroes (10k / 6 miles - 3 hours)

These and other routes can be found on this page from Ceredigion Council:

Walking in Ceredigion