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.

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.