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.

Birds of Prey

My own favourite sight in and around the cottage are the big birds of prey soaring over the valley. Buzzards are fairly common in the UK (they have the fan-shaped tail, if you catch them in silhouette, the Red Kites have the forked tail).

We have a significant population of Red Kites around the cottage (when they neared extinction, this area was the last pocket of resistance). Fortunately they were saved, and have spread back around the UK.

I lifted these images without permission (my apologies) from the RSPB site, click on the images to find the source material, or just visit the main RSPB site here.

You can find the Welsh section of the RSPB site here.

Last Minute Cottages

We have just added the cottage to Last Minute Cottages, and you can find us on their website.

We will add the availability calendar to the website, but this is

JUST A TEST

so please check with us directly, before assuming the calendar below is current and up-to-date.

Thanks!

BBC Winter Breaks

You can see us listed on the BBC Winter Breaks page...

This is the Homes and Antiques magazine...

Testing the banner

This is what banner2 looks like (using Centred, Medium sized in Blogger upload).

I have also made the image itself a clickable link.

Julie is on the map!

Julie is still developing her wool craft activities, and you can find her listed now on the Heritage Crafts Network map - zoom in to Cardiff to find her...

And this is what the entry says:

I am a serious amateur in tradition wool crafts such as knitting, felt-making, and weaving. Recently I've also been sampling various related disciplines such as basket weaving, embroidery and mixed media textiles for wall hangings. I have a degree in fine art, but my first love has always been wool crafted textiles. I spend all my spare time advancing my skills and knowledge, and attending courses in related subjects. I hope one day to become a professional artisan and to earn my living from textile production (whereupon I will update you with a business address).