All Wales Coast Path due to open 5 May 2012

This was an exciting read on the Council intranet:

"Lonely Planet have confirmed it, Wales is the best on Earth to visit! Well, the 870-mile (1400km) trail around Wales, which is due to be completed next year. But that covers the most of Wales anyway!

We are very excited to announce that our very own coastline has been named the "best region on Earth" to visit next year by the prestigious travel guide.

From May 2012 Wales will become the first country in the world to offer tourists a formal trail right around its coast.

The Lonely Planet guide (edition 7), highlights 10 countries, 10 regions and 10 cities handpicked by the publisher's travel experts as the best places to visit. They say of the Welsh coast line: "What a wonderful thing: to walk the entire length of a country's coastline. How better to truly appreciate the shape - and soul - of a nation?"

The All Wales Coast Path (AWCP) will cover spectacular ground from Chepstow in the south to near Queensferry in the north - whilst on the path you will experience dramatic serrations, sandy bays and breathtaking castles and countryside.

Lonely Planet's Tom Hall explained: "As well as the novel ability to walk its entire coastline, the region comes out top because of its wildlife, great surf, castles and fantastic spots such as Barafundle Bay and St Davids.

The path is due to officially open on 5 May 2012."

Another season, another reason...

We have been delighted with the new entries in the guest book.

People seem to find lots of things to do around the cottage, even when the weather reminds you that you are in the Welsh mountains!

Read the Guest Book here.

New television and some more art

Julie has just visited the cottage to upgrade the television set - all ready for wet autumnal days!

I [Toby] haven't had a go with this one yet, so can't give you the details, but it sounds as though (on top of the Sky package) you may also be able to access streaming films, etc, through the WiFi.

I will update this post when I have more details about what it is capable of...

She has also added some of her art to the walls -examples of which you can find on her website.

Images from Google Maps - the side turning

As the last approach to the cottage can prove a little tricky (the Post Code covers the whole village, so a SatNav won't get you right to the door) I have been using Google Maps to grab a few useful images, to supplement the maps.

If you have come through the village on the B3443 then you will take a left hand turn to reveal The Counting House, an unmistakable landmark, and should take the next left turn up the hill.

Below you can see it, approaching from the other direction, with The Counting House on the left of the picture, and a clear view of the little lane up the hill that you need to take.

This is also what you would see if approaching on the B3443 from the Ysbyty Ystwyth direction, just after you pass the Pont-Rhyd-Y-Groes village sign.

This summer at Ty Cariad

You will find some history of The Hafod Estate on Julie's blog, here [Hafod and The Orchid Thief 11 June 2011]









Also find some pictures from her recent visit
[A Week at Ty Cariad 29 May 2011]

Here comes summer...

Dandy particularly likes the summer for long walks.

All seasons

Although summer is wonderful, the landscape changes throughout the year, and some of the crisp autumnal days can also seem magical.

We have quite a few pictures posted on the Facebook Page, in these folders:

Views and Vistas

Paths, Tracks & Trails

Maps and History

Other views Other seasons

Guest Book for the cottage

We have such nice comments in the guest book that we have added them to the website.

We have kept people anonymous, as they perhaps didn't expect to appear on the web, although we have let the dogs' names through.

You will find the book available, both to read and to contribute to, when you stay.

See the Guest Book comments here (and yes, we leave the small criticisms in, too!)

We do try to respond to suggestions for improvements, but feel pleased that the overwhelming response has been one of delight and contentment.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to leave comments...

Julie & Toby (and Dandy the dog)

Golden Eagle in the village

This month there is (unbelievably - they haven't lived in Wales for 200 years) a Golden Eagle being spotted not just in the neighbourhood - Ceredigion - but specifically in Pont-Rhyd-Y-Groes! Wonderful images from 'Irie'.

We don't have the full story yet, but it may be an escaped bird.

Here's the BBC story.

Keep an eye on reports at Ceredigion Birds.

Wow - I wish I was at the cottage to catch a glimpse of that!

I just found this website with an image to give you the sense of scale - this is a Red Kite with the juvenile Golden Eagle!

For more detail about identifying Eagles, sighting reported, etc - try the Bird Guides here.