As is usual, in May, the Gardeners' World magazine had had a 2 for 1 ticket for entry to hundreds of gardens. So it made sense to use it and we found Picton Castle, not far from Haverfordwest.
Before the garden, we went into the town, which turned into a very depressing visit. We did find a card for Dot, but otherwise, there was nothing but cheap chains, charity shops, banks etc. So sad.
Picton Castle is quite splendid. We opted to join an early tour, after a sandwich on a bench by a lawn, where Ian was fascinated to find a robotic lawn mower. The castle was established in medieval times, updated by the Georgians and Victorians. We were shown round the most significant rooms by the charity's director, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. He told us not to miss the walled gardens, which were stunning. This is partly because the prolonged weather has caused many plants to flower well before their normal time, so everything is out at once.
Out into the wider park for a walk through woods before a cup of tea in the courtyard. We found the owl garden, with a Bengal Eagle owl being flown by a couple of girls. By then, we'd been there for four hours and decided not to keep going through the last part of the garden.
Supper at the Castle again - Ian had lasagne and chips and garlic bread! I had a piece of cod with Thai vegetable curry and rice.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
A new estate on a hot day - Tuesday 3rd July
Today we went further afield to visit a big National Trust estate, Stackpole, that Laura had visited a couple of years ago, and enjoyed.
I asked Ian to drive, and tried to get us there by map - not a great idea because we got totally confused by the lack of road signs when coming off the toll bridge outside Pembroke. When we asked the satnav to find us, there was some improvement but, as the estate is so large, and comprises several sections, it was hard to know where to start. So we plumped for the walled garden where we found coffee and an estate map.
We moved the car down to the other Broad Haven, and set off on a circular walk. It took us down the cliff and across the beach, which was lovely, baking hot sand - difficult to walk on. Up the other side with a rock scramble, and then round several headlands and down to Barafundle Bay. Later Laura told us that this is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Up the other side and on and down to Stackpole Quay for lunch outside in the shade.
The next stretch was a bit of a trudge out in the open, under the sun and straight across farmland to the Bosherton lakes. It was rather lovely walking under the trees but we had no wish to go far. Soon after we found lilies, we left the lake and climbed up to the level of the walled garden, where we had tea and cake. With the weather being so hot, it was quite hard work making our way to the south end of the lakes, across Broad Haven beach and back up to the car.
To have a swim would have meant going back down and up, which we were not up for.
The journey home was straightforward and we came back for a dish of pasta. Ian has developed a taste for gin and tonic!
6 miles
I asked Ian to drive, and tried to get us there by map - not a great idea because we got totally confused by the lack of road signs when coming off the toll bridge outside Pembroke. When we asked the satnav to find us, there was some improvement but, as the estate is so large, and comprises several sections, it was hard to know where to start. So we plumped for the walled garden where we found coffee and an estate map.
We moved the car down to the other Broad Haven, and set off on a circular walk. It took us down the cliff and across the beach, which was lovely, baking hot sand - difficult to walk on. Up the other side with a rock scramble, and then round several headlands and down to Barafundle Bay. Later Laura told us that this is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Up the other side and on and down to Stackpole Quay for lunch outside in the shade.
The next stretch was a bit of a trudge out in the open, under the sun and straight across farmland to the Bosherton lakes. It was rather lovely walking under the trees but we had no wish to go far. Soon after we found lilies, we left the lake and climbed up to the level of the walled garden, where we had tea and cake. With the weather being so hot, it was quite hard work making our way to the south end of the lakes, across Broad Haven beach and back up to the car.
To have a swim would have meant going back down and up, which we were not up for.
The journey home was straightforward and we came back for a dish of pasta. Ian has developed a taste for gin and tonic!
6 miles
Monday, July 2, 2018
A gentle revisit of familiar places - Monday 2nd July
Yesterday's cloud cover and rain had disappeared leaving a very bright morning, so breakfast in the garden.
We packed lunch into the new car fridge and set out for St Davids. For the first time, I have had to do serious hill starts in this car, which it doesn't like. Drove over to Broad Haven then inland to stay on main roads.
St Davids was very sunny but, after we'd managed to squeeze into a car parking space next to an enormous campervan, we were surprised by the cold wind. We pootled up into the city centre, past the magnificent cathedral, and spent a while at the plant nursery which we had visited with Robert Ketchell in the late 1980s. The town is very pretty with quite a lot of individual shops, although not an easy place to live in, I suspect.
Back to Solva where we took our lunch to eat overlooking the boats. On a bit further and up higher to look out to sea. It's a place of contrasts. The village is very attractive with its painted houses, galleries and eateries, though no proper food shops in evidence. When the tide is out - and we don't remember ever seeing it in - the estuary is just muddy-looking seaweed.
Went inland a short distance in the car, to Middle Mill where there is a working woollen mill. Has excellent ice cream and tea in the shade, outside.
On to Newgale, which, with the tide out, is an immense open beach. There was someone kite boarding in the strong wind, and a couple of sand yachts at the south end. Thankfully, the middle of the beach is dog-free and was almost empty. Ian had a great kite session, only defeated by streaming eyes. Walked along the beach to where there were a few body-boarders.
In to Haverfordwest for supplies, then back to the house for a salad and a lazy evening.
5,000 + steps.
We packed lunch into the new car fridge and set out for St Davids. For the first time, I have had to do serious hill starts in this car, which it doesn't like. Drove over to Broad Haven then inland to stay on main roads.
St Davids was very sunny but, after we'd managed to squeeze into a car parking space next to an enormous campervan, we were surprised by the cold wind. We pootled up into the city centre, past the magnificent cathedral, and spent a while at the plant nursery which we had visited with Robert Ketchell in the late 1980s. The town is very pretty with quite a lot of individual shops, although not an easy place to live in, I suspect.
Back to Solva where we took our lunch to eat overlooking the boats. On a bit further and up higher to look out to sea. It's a place of contrasts. The village is very attractive with its painted houses, galleries and eateries, though no proper food shops in evidence. When the tide is out - and we don't remember ever seeing it in - the estuary is just muddy-looking seaweed.
Went inland a short distance in the car, to Middle Mill where there is a working woollen mill. Has excellent ice cream and tea in the shade, outside.
On to Newgale, which, with the tide out, is an immense open beach. There was someone kite boarding in the strong wind, and a couple of sand yachts at the south end. Thankfully, the middle of the beach is dog-free and was almost empty. Ian had a great kite session, only defeated by streaming eyes. Walked along the beach to where there were a few body-boarders.
In to Haverfordwest for supplies, then back to the house for a salad and a lazy evening.
5,000 + steps.
A walk on the coastal path - Sunday 1st July
Although very tired yesterday, I didn't have a great night's sleep, so was disinclined to move quickly. The weather was bright again, with a few whispy clouds, so we had breakfast outside in the sun.
Ian sorted a packed lunch and we set off up the coast to see how far we could get. As the tide was up, we had to walk along the road to Broad Haven, which was quite busy. Had drinks and toast outside a cafe beside the road, then set off on the longer stretch. Fortunately, that was nearly all off-road on top of the cliffs and the weather was clearer than yesterday, allowing us to see more.
We found a convenient seat looking north, where we could eat our lunch, then decided to carry on down to Druidston Haven. The path went out onto the road and past a large house with tipi, scruffy caravans and a bell tent in the grounds. There were marquees at the front, and a jazz trio playing in the garden.
Down the path and onto the sand, with the tide nearly out. We'd forgotten how wide the bay is but could remember the dark cliffs. Although Ian had carried my swimming costume, there was no-one else in the water, so I wasn't confident about going in.
We didn't stay long because we wanted to be sure we could walk round from Broad Haven to Little Haven on the sand.
Coming back up the path, it started to spot with rain which eventually meant putting on jackets. It continued until we were almost back at Broad Haven. In Little Haven, we had tea at the Cornerhouse Cafe before walking back up to the house.
Dinner was at the Castle - food was good.
Ian - fish and chips, me - blue cheese ravioli and we shared a lemon posset.
14,500 steps.
Ian sorted a packed lunch and we set off up the coast to see how far we could get. As the tide was up, we had to walk along the road to Broad Haven, which was quite busy. Had drinks and toast outside a cafe beside the road, then set off on the longer stretch. Fortunately, that was nearly all off-road on top of the cliffs and the weather was clearer than yesterday, allowing us to see more.
We found a convenient seat looking north, where we could eat our lunch, then decided to carry on down to Druidston Haven. The path went out onto the road and past a large house with tipi, scruffy caravans and a bell tent in the grounds. There were marquees at the front, and a jazz trio playing in the garden.
Down the path and onto the sand, with the tide nearly out. We'd forgotten how wide the bay is but could remember the dark cliffs. Although Ian had carried my swimming costume, there was no-one else in the water, so I wasn't confident about going in.
We didn't stay long because we wanted to be sure we could walk round from Broad Haven to Little Haven on the sand.
Coming back up the path, it started to spot with rain which eventually meant putting on jackets. It continued until we were almost back at Broad Haven. In Little Haven, we had tea at the Cornerhouse Cafe before walking back up to the house.
Dinner was at the Castle - food was good.
Ian - fish and chips, me - blue cheese ravioli and we shared a lemon posset.
14,500 steps.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
A very long drive, Saturday 30th June
Circumstances beyond our control meant that our night was disrupted and we didn't manage to set off as early as I had hoped. So it was after 8am when we left in glorious sunshine.
Over the past few weeks, the weather has been almost unrelenting in its blue skies and high temperatures, and we have had hardly any rain.
Having searched several options, I decided that the 50 extra miles to go down the motorway was not worth it, especially as horrible things are happening on the M5. So, to start with, we headed for Crewe, then Nantwich, Whitchurch (complete with diversion), Ellesmere and Oswestry before stopping beside the Montgomery Canal outside Welshpool. Driving across country means no services, so a comfort stop is generally at a supermarket, not somewhere we would choose to have a picnic. We found Tesco.
Ian took over the driving through mid-Wales, taking us on to Aberystwyth and a Morrisons loo. The scenery was lovely all the way, but it was a slow drive. We must try to avoid Newport on the return. I was back to diving as we continued down to Aberaeron, where I remembered having a picnic with children in a park. Sadly, that was temporarily closed so we sat on the seafront, overlooking a rather dismal stones beach.
On and on down past Cardigan and over the Preseli Hills to Haverfordwest, then we were finally on the road to Broad Haven and its branch to Little Haven.
Altogether, it was a journey of 192 miles, with my portion being a bit less than 3/4. We were very tired and stiff from sitting.
The instructions to find the cottage were obscure - not what we wanted after 8 hours on the road. Albert's Cottage is quite small, with the kitchen and bathroom dark and pokey. The bedroom cum sitting room is fine but the settee is very uncomfortable.
After a reviving cup of tea in the garden, we wandered down to the bay and up onto the left-hand headland. There was quite a lot of people in and on the sea, having fun in the sun.
Back to the cottage for supper in the garden and a lazy evening - all we were fit for.
Over the past few weeks, the weather has been almost unrelenting in its blue skies and high temperatures, and we have had hardly any rain.
Having searched several options, I decided that the 50 extra miles to go down the motorway was not worth it, especially as horrible things are happening on the M5. So, to start with, we headed for Crewe, then Nantwich, Whitchurch (complete with diversion), Ellesmere and Oswestry before stopping beside the Montgomery Canal outside Welshpool. Driving across country means no services, so a comfort stop is generally at a supermarket, not somewhere we would choose to have a picnic. We found Tesco.
Ian took over the driving through mid-Wales, taking us on to Aberystwyth and a Morrisons loo. The scenery was lovely all the way, but it was a slow drive. We must try to avoid Newport on the return. I was back to diving as we continued down to Aberaeron, where I remembered having a picnic with children in a park. Sadly, that was temporarily closed so we sat on the seafront, overlooking a rather dismal stones beach.
On and on down past Cardigan and over the Preseli Hills to Haverfordwest, then we were finally on the road to Broad Haven and its branch to Little Haven.
Altogether, it was a journey of 192 miles, with my portion being a bit less than 3/4. We were very tired and stiff from sitting.
The instructions to find the cottage were obscure - not what we wanted after 8 hours on the road. Albert's Cottage is quite small, with the kitchen and bathroom dark and pokey. The bedroom cum sitting room is fine but the settee is very uncomfortable.
After a reviving cup of tea in the garden, we wandered down to the bay and up onto the left-hand headland. There was quite a lot of people in and on the sea, having fun in the sun.
Back to the cottage for supper in the garden and a lazy evening - all we were fit for.
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