People ask me — why Wales?

There are three reasons:  the drama of the landscape, locally grown food, and “secret places.”

Wales takes time to reveal itself.  It isn’t an obvious place.  A great restaurant might be tucked up in the hills  within  an unlikely looking building.  A cozy 27-seat cinema showing the latest films can be found in the basement of a country house — locally known as “flicks in the sticks,” at Ty Mawr Mansion House.   A trove of yarn, wool and ancients quilts all can  be found in a shop  established in an old house.  Or, visit the Welsh Quilt Center  in the refurbished Lampeter Town Hall.   A knowledgeable and extensive bicycle shop is in a shed on a side road in Cilcellan.    Several of the smallest and important examples of  churches architecture can be explored  along local paths.  And, finally, the best home made ice-cream is sold at the Hive in Aberaeron. They also have live music on Friday nights.

The drama of the landscape is apparent from the moment you drive to us through the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Having said all that,  by far and away, our guests’ favorite thing to do is………nothing.  Sitting by the fire, sipping wine and reading is the most favorite activity.  Or, in the summer, the venue changes slightly to sitting in the garden to watch the sheep nibble at the flowers in the border. They are so cheeky.

My oldest daughter says this is the “reading zone.”  My youngest says it is about napping.  The puzzles are popular too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• 13 irritatingly common misconceptions about Wales (walesonline.co.uk)
• Ceredigion – Wales’s flagship coast path (thewalkerswife.wordpress.com)
• Threatened bus routes win reprieve (bbc.co.uk)