Cwtch Wales

A Short but Sweet Visit to my Second Home

2017-05-03T04:15:00.002-07:00

Hi Guys!

So if you are a regular visitor to my blog, you will know that I spend the banking holiday weekend on Cwmcrwth Farm. It was a short break compared to how long we usually stay there, but we had a brilliant time as we always do. Due to the fact that we only spent a very short amount of time there, I have decided to condense everything we did into this one blog.

So, we started travelling down to the farm as usual on Friday morning and stopped off in Malmesbury to visit my Great Aunt on the way there. Fun fact: we got chased by a swan (my Auntie lives right by the river).

We arrived at the farm in the afternoon, and therefore had time to go and see all the animals and unpack before dinner. We usually stay on the farm in the summer, so it was actually really refreshing to stay in the spring - a couple of baby goats had been born a week or so before, and the highland cows were due to have calfs any minute, which was very exciting (and frustrating - keep reading to find out why). The great thing about the farm is that the minute you arrive, you relax and it feels like a second home - we love the owners, Rob and Fiona, and it is always such a joy to see them.

We had a chilled evening as we planned on going to see the Puffins on Skomer Island the next day...

Saturday -

So, I quickly fed the animals the next morning, and then we set off at 10am to get to Skomer Island in time to catch the one and only cruise of the day around the island. We grabbed a quick lunch of sandwiches from Tesco on the way.

We managed to get tickets for the cruise, and then went and looked at the views of the sea and the Island while we waited for our boat to arrive. It was absolutely stunning, and it was a gorgeous, sunny day.

We boarded the boat at 1pm, and had an hour long trip round the Island. It was within minutes that we saw our first group of Puffins swimming in the sea, and it was like a dream come true. I remember saying when I was about 4 years old that I wanted to see a Puffin 'in the wild', and here it was, 15 years later, finally coming true. I would have been happy to see just one Puffin, but in the end we saw hundreds, possibly thousands! It was incredible! As well as this, we saw lots of seals, including one that had made itself at home in a little boat!! We even managed to catch a glimpse of some porpoise, which was a dream come true to my dad! It was an amazing trip, one I will never forget.

After the trip, we headed to the little gift shop and bought some souvenirs, and then drove to a little town and found a place to have some tea and cake. We then headed back to the farm for a big fry up of farm eggs, bacon and sausages! It was a long and exhausting day, but it was worth every minute!

Sunday -

So Sunday was much quieter...we headed out for Sunday lunch as a pub called the Goose and Cuckoo - we had never been there before, but it was recommended by Fiona, so we decided to give it a go - it was lovely food!

We then had a quick drive up the Breakon Beacons to have a look at the views, and then headed back to the farm for a nice relaxing afternoon. We went and saw the animals and had a couple of walks up the lane at dusk.

Monday -

On Monday it was time to head home. All weekend we had been hoping for a highland cow birth, and Fiona was convinced that one of the cows was about to give birth. We walked up to the field on Sunday night, but there were no calfs. We walked up again to have one more look on Monday morning, but unfortunately there were no babies...SO FRUSTRATING!!!

Despite this disappointment, it was a wonderful trip - we headed off on our way home and stopped at Dinefwr country park in Llandeilo for a cup or tea, cake and a quick walk before leaving heading back to England and leaving the gorgeous Wales behind.

Much love,

Becca xxx

Back to Wales

2017-04-26T13:52:00.002-07:00

Guys, I'm back!

Can you believe it?! I can't! It's been MONTHS since I've blogged anything (sorry)! However, I'm back in Wales for a few days, and will be blogging my activities as usual!

So, we're heading off to Wales for a long weekend on Friday and I will bringing you guys along with us! You'll hear about everything we do and I'll be making recommendations of good places to go in Wales!

So...speak again soon!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 8! (Saturday 3rd September)

2016-09-04T09:24:00.002-07:00

Hi Guys!

Yesterday we travelled home from the farm after the most amazing holiday! On the way home, we stopped at a National Trust place called Dyrham Park, where we had lunch. There was certainly a nice selection of puddings there, but the main lunch menu was a bit limited, although tasty! The house looked gorgeous, although we didn't have time to look round and we wanted to get home.

There were 2 gorgeous cats that live at the park, who were very friendly and excitable! We played with one of them (Henry) for a while!

Since we've been back, I've caught up with my grandparents and my friends which was nice, but I really miss the farm :(

I'll be doing some book reviews this week, as well as uploading more videos to my YouTube Channel!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 7! (Saturday 2nd September)

2016-09-03T00:15:00.001-07:00

Hi Guys!

So today was the last day of our holiday :( I wish we could stay here with Rob and Fiona forever, but I'm looking forward to seeing Luke and Freya, who have been kindly looking after the animals for us!

The weather wasn't great this morning, so we spent the morning on the farm before heading off to Dinefwr, our favourite national trust place, for lunch! It is just outside of Llandeilo, about 10 minutes away from us by car!

We went straight to the cafe for lunch when we got there, which is situated within the old house, which is also available to look round. The food choices aren't great there anymore, so if you have large appetites, I'd suggest you eat somewhere else or bring a picnic! We didn't look round the house today, but we have on previous visits, and it is a very interactive place - there is a lovely piano in one of the rooms which is available to play! The last time we were there, there was saying badminton net set up in one of the posh rooms, as they used to play badminton in the house! We spent ages playing, and it was great fun! This time, there were various badminton nets dotted around outside the house, and there was also a big room in the courtyard where there was inside badminton available! We played for about half an hour, and had a brilliant time!

The cute used book shop!

There is also a lovely shop which stocks a local artists work - Helen Elliot. Her work is beautiful, and I got one of her paintings for my 18 birthday - it just so happens to be a painting of the castle at Dinefwr!! We went there for the first time today, and the views from the top are incredible! However, if you are scared of heights I wouldn't recommend it!!

As well as going to the castle, we walked in the board walk, which is pretty cool! There is a lovely lake along it, and plenty of wildlife - when we have walked on it previously, we have seen deer!

After spending a few hours in Dinefwr, we went back to the cottage and got ready to go out for our last meal! We went to a place called "Y Polyn", which I have wanted to go to for ages! It was the most delicious meal I have ever tasted! It is an expensive place to eat, so I would suggest it for special occasions. However, it was completely worth the money, because it was INCREDIBLE food!! As well as this the service was wonderful - I had managed to burn my hand in my hair straighteners really badly right before we left for the restaurant, and they got me a huge dish of icy water for my to dip my hand in - they remained attentive throughout the time we were there, asking if they could get me more ice, and/or water for the table. It was a perfect last evening of the holiday...apart from me burning myself!!!

The best steak I've ever tasted!

Nothing topped my pudding - it was the best thing I've eaten in my whole life!!

We are now chilling out at the cottage for the rest of the evening, and we head off early in the morning tomorrow.

More updates soon (hopefully tomorrow)!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 6! (Thursday 1st September)

2016-09-02T01:07:00.001-07:00

Happy 1st of September everyone! I literally can't believe the summer holidays are nearly over - I never want them to end!!

So it was the second to last day of the holiday today, and we had a quiet morning in which I had a quick driving practise with dad - I managed to change gears for the first time!!!!

At lunch time we headed off to a restaurant called "Wrights Food Emporium", which we discovered when we were on holiday last year! It was delicious as always...

We decided the afternoon lunch we were going to go for a walk up the Brecon Beacons, but after getting lost we happened to be driving past a red kite feeding place in Llanddeusant and they were about to feed them! It was a stroke of luck, and it only costs £4 per adult and £2 per child to watch! It was amazing, and what was even better was that there was a swallow nest right above us, and the 5 babies decided that it was time to fledge! It was amazing to watch!

Photo Credit to my Dad, who captured these pictures on his camera!

After watching the red kite feeding, we head off to start our walk on the Brecon beacons! I was very unfit and therefore wound it extremely difficult to get out where we were going, but I persevered and the views were stunning!!

It was a brilliant (and tiring) day!

More updates tomorrow!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 5! (Wednesday 31st August)

2016-09-01T00:36:00.002-07:00

Hi Guys!

So today was probably my favourite day of the holiday so far! We had a relaxing morning around the farm and had a cooked brunch of farm bacon and sausages!

In the afternoon we set off to Llansteffan for a walk along the beach! We have been to a few different places on the coast throughout the time we have been coming to Wales, but there has always been something special about Llansteffan to me! The beach is beautiful and sandy, and there is a partially ruined castle on top of a hill which is basically right on the beach! The views from the top of the castle are beautiful, although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is afraid of heights!!

When I reached the top of the castle, there were a few padlocks attached to the railing - a 'love lock' castle right in the heart of Wales!

On the way back to the car, we grabbed some ice cream, which was delicious!

We've had a lovely day and have topped off the whole thing by watching the great British bake off!

More updates tomorrow!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 4! (Tuesday 30th August)

2016-08-31T00:37:00.001-07:00

Hi Guys!

Today we decided to have a quiet-ish day after your hectic one yesterday! We went into Llandeilo for lunch - we ate in a hotel called The Cawdor, and went into the little bar restaurant. It was very delicious, with both large meals and snack type lunches!

My Burger at the Cawdor

We had a very brief look round the shops in Llandeilo, and went to our favourite shop called 'The Cuckoo's Nest' before heading back to the car!

We decided to go for a drive to a reservoir called 'Usk', which was pretty stunning...

Afterwards, we drive back to the farm and relaxed for the second half of the afternoon. I finished the 'Matched' trilogy that I have been reading - book review coming soon - and me and Frankie walked around the farm and saw the animals!

Me holding a chicken...!

Frankie holding a chicken...!

More updates tomorrow! If you want to see more about me and my holiday's in Wales click here to view my other blog, where you can Subscribe and get notifications whenever I post!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 3! (Monday 29th August)

2016-08-31T00:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys!

Today we had a pretty hectic day!! We got up pretty earlier to go out and feed the animals, and went for a lovely walk round the farm in the sun!

We decided that the weather was so nice we should head out to the coast! We headed to Llanerchaeron (a National Trust place) for lunch and a walk on the way! The were snack type lunches, but we really enjoyed them! However, we wouldn't recommend the ploughman's to cheese fans as the cheddar wasn't very strong!!

After lunch, we had a walk around the house and the gardens! I'm not going to lie - I really hate looking round old houses like that so I was quite relieved that by National Trust standards, it was quite small! However, the gardens were absolutely gorgeous!! In particular, there was a lovely garden with a huge vegetable patch, greenhouses and apple trees! It was the most impressive vegetable patch I've ever seen!! There was even a farm with loads of cute animals, so this would be a perfect place to take young children!

My Pulled Pork Sandwich

Mum and Frankie had Welsh Rarebit!

Dad's Ploughmans!

Inside the House

The Gardens...

The Animals...

After a walk, we set off once again in the car and headed to Llangrannog. We had never been there before, but when we arrived there was free parking and a park and ride bus which we took down to the beach! There were three separate patches of beach in between a gorgeous hill/cliff! We decided to climb the hill to look at the views from above, and we found a bench to sit on and relax while watching the view! After a few minutes sat there, out of the corner of my eye I saw a disturbance in the water, and realised that there were dolphins!! We watched them for ages, and there only appeared to be two at first, but all after a few minutes, more and more started turning up!! It was amazing, and the views were breathtaking!

More updates tomorrow! Don't forget to subscribe to get notifications when I post!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 2! (Sunday 28th August)

2016-08-31T00:25:00.003-07:00

Hi Guys!

This morning we went out to help feed the animals with farmer Rob! It was pretty disgusting weather, but we always end up having great fun! We threw loads of balls for Bryn (if you read my blog regularly, you probably would have seen that Bryn LOVES balls being thrown for him)! We came prepared this morning, and bought one of those ball throwing things so we could pick up the ball and throw it easily! After a few minutes of this, Bryn disappeared, and it turned out that he got so tired, he went and hid behind the laundry room door!!

Bryn Hiding!!!

After feeding the animals, we went out for Sunday lunch at The Plough. This was our very first time eating there, and was a suggestion from Fiona who owns the farm. It was absolutely DELICIOUS!! As well as this, the food came so quickly!! Literally a minute after we ordered our starters, they arrived!

Car Selfie!

Seafood Fishcake Starter

My Roast Lamb!

Dad's Roast Beef!

Mum and Frankie had Roast Turkey!

My Roast Lab with all the Trimmings!!

Me, Mum and Frankie all had a local Cheeseboard each for Pudding!!

We headed straight from The Plough to Carmarthen to have a quick look round the shops! We've been to the town many times before, and it has a cinema and a few restaurants as well as lots if high street stores!

This evening we've been for a couple of walks round the farm, and I have also practised driving for the first time since we were here this time last year...!! I really need to book some lessons!!

Now we're relaxing and watching the latest star wars film, so if you're excuse me I'm going to end my blog here so I don't miss the end!!

The View from our Cottage!

Evening Walk!

More updates tomorrow!

Becca xxx

Wales Blog - Day 1! (Saturday 27th August)

2016-08-31T00:22:00.000-07:00

Today we travelled to Wales! We set off at 9am so that we could go and see Mum's Auntie (Jo), who lives in Malmesbury with her dog Bobby! As we pass by on our way in holiday, we decided to pop in for a cup of tea and a quick catch up before continuing on our journey!

Crazy Excited Car Selfie!

Bobby!

Our next stop was Tredegar House, a National Trust place about an hour and a half away from the farm! We stopped there to have lunch, which has become a tradition every time we go to Wales - although they've changed their menu, and the food wasn't great today :(

We arrived at the farm and 16:15, and had a lovely catch up with Rob and Fiona (the owners of the farm)! We also went for a walk and briefly saw the animals before coming back to our house to relax and eat dinner!

Thanks for reading!

Becca xxx

The Creative Cafe, Narberth

2016-07-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

We visited The Creative Cafe in Narberth way back in August 2012 during our first visit to the farm. Unfortunately, the weather was awful for our first ever holiday in Wales - 2 weeks of non-stop rain! And not just normal rain either - full on raining cats and dogs...the kind of rain that soaks you through after literally 10 seconds!

Although we still had an amazing time on the farm (we're British, the weather will never stops us!), we were rather limited with what we could do due to the fact that we were soaked through the minute we stepped out the door! Therefore, we needed to find somewhere to go that was practical with the weather conditions. We soon found a place in Narberth called The Creative Cafe!

When you enter The Creative Cafe there is a selection of plain ceramic bowls, mugs, coasters, etc. to choose from. Once you have picked the item/s you wish to paint, you grab a table and start decorating! Paints are provided by the cafe. While you are painting, there is the chance to order food and/or drinks, which I believe (don't quote me on this, it's been a long time since I was there!) you order via waitress service. The cafe is generally quite loud, especially on rainy days, but I remember there being a good, fun atmosphere!

When you have finished painting your ceramics, you hand them in to be put in a special oven - they are in there for 1-2 days (I can't remember exactly), therefore ensure that you don't go to the cafe on the last day of your holiday, otherwise you will be unable to pick up your work!

I really recommend the cafe to family's with youngish children as an activity for a wet day. However, although we really enjoyed the cafe, you have to buy the ceramics to be able to do any painting, and in my opinion they were quite expensive. I would also strongly suggest that you call in advance and book a table as we did - understandably, particularly on rainy days, there is high demand for tables in the cafe! Also bear in mind that you will have to return to the cafe a few days later to pick up your artwork.

Below is a picture of our completed ceramics!

Cwmcrwth Farm

2015-08-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

I have been to West Wales 6 times in 4 years, and have stayed on Cwmcrwth Farm every time! To me and my family it is like a second home! Situated right by Capel Isaac and only a 15 minute drive from the lovely Llandeilo, Cwmcrwth Farm is a wonderful place to stay! Although it is within only half an hours drive of Carmarthen, the farm is very peaceful and picturesque.

The accommodation on the farm consists of three holiday cottages, all situated in the courtyard - the Hayloft (sleeps 4), the Coach House (sleeps 7) and the Milking Parlour (sleeps 6). The Milking parlour has been our home for every visit, and it the perfect choice for those people who like walking as it has a large boot room. However, the other two houses also have boot racks outside the doors, which is a necessity when you are staying on a farm in Wales! Although I have only stayed in the Milking parlour, my grandparents have stayed in the Hayloft and loved it, and I have personally been to look round the Coach House which has a wonderful spacious feel to it due to a lovely high ceiling. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, why not stay in Mafanwy's Ark? Mafanwy was farmer Robs oldest and most special pig - they even had her before they moved to the farm, where she survived a lightening storm than caused the destruction of her home! She was so special because she refused to leave her piglets when this happened and kept them safe until Rob and Fiona found them in the morning. Mafanwy sadly died just recently. In her honor, Mafanwy's Ark was created. This is basically a very large pig sty, which sleeps 4 people!! This would be perfect for outdoorsy adventurous people who want a new experience! You can also bring your dogs to stay with you on your holiday!

The Milking Parlour

The Hayloft (left) and the Coach House (right)

Mafanwy's Ark

Rob and Fiona own Cwmcrwth Farm and they go above and beyond their duties to make every guest feel welcome and at home. Due to the fact that they own a working farm, they are extremely busy, but always find the time to do anything for their guests. Whether you are new guests, or returning guests, you always get a warm welcome from Fiona when you arrive. When you enter your cottage, you will find a surprise on the table - Fiona always leaves a snack for when you arrive! We have so far had warm chocolate brownies, chocolate muffins, sausage rolls and the famous Welsh cakes! Due to the fact that they own a working farm, all you have to do is ask, and Fiona will get you sausages and bacon! On our latest visit, we also tried highland cow burgers and steaks.

Although young families are the main people to stay on the farm, this doesn't mean that they are the only ones that can enjoy it. When we first started staying on the farm, I was 13 and my sister 11. We absolutely loved it, and 4 years later, ages 17 and 15, we still do! My grandparents loved it just as much as us! Anyone of any age would love their stay on the farm!

For those of you who want to get stuck in, farmer Rob can find you lots of jobs! Every morning, all the guests are welcome to join him and his dogs, Meg and Bryn, on his feeding rounds - this includes feeding the goats, rare breed Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, the chickens (and collecting their eggs, which you can keep), the rabbits, the donkeys and the horses. As well as this, you can put the donkeys out in their field, cuddle the rabbits whenever you like, and give the horses and donkeys treats of carrots whenever you want.

Highland Cow

Highland Cow Calf

Gerty the Golden Gernsey

Dora the Angora

Buffy the goat (who loves her beard being pulled)!

From left to right - Toffee the pony, Derek the horse and Eddie the miniature shetland

Dominic and Millie

The late Daisy the sheep who was bottle fed and lived in Rob and Fiona's house during this time!

Meg the dog trying to intimidate some piglets...after this picture was taken, the piglet won the staring contest and Meg ran off scared!

Bryn the dog - he will love you for life if you throw something for him

As well as getting to know all the animals, there is a lovely pond in which you can pond dip, and each cottage is kitted out with a barbecue for when you have nice weather (even if you don't, you will still have a great time - on our first holiday it poured with rain for 14 days straight and we still came back)!

Cwmcrwth Farm have won many awards, which you can a list of on their website.

To myself and my family, Cwmcrwth Farm is a second home. I can't describe how much I love it! Everyone else who stays on the farm also ends up loving it, and when living on a working farm, you never know what to expect - there are always surprises - we have experienced newly born piglets, a goat that loves her beard being pulled, and a couple of very naughty run away ponies...so get ready for a very exciting stay!

We visited all the places in this blog while staying on the farm, so everything you read about is within approximately 2 hours drive from Cwmcrwth.

So, what are you waiting for?! Go ahead and book!

Welcome to my Blog!

2015-08-24T02:56:00.001-07:00

Hello!

It appears you have stumbled across my blog! If you are looking for a guide to West Wales, then you may want to stick around! Myself and my family have been visiting Wales for the last 4 years, sometimes twice a year. We have always stayed in the same place and have got to know West Wales extremely well. It is like a second home to us...in fact, if it were up to me, we would move there tomorrow!! I'd love to use my love and knowledge about Wales to help others enjoy their time there as much as I have! On this blog you will find information about all the many places we have visited and our experiences there. Whether you want to find a place to stay, eat, want to find activities for a young or older family, or (shock horror) need to find somewhere to go while the weather is terrible, this is the blog for you!

I hope you find this blog helpful and that it helps you to enjoy your holiday! I also hope you will get fantastic knowledge of West Wales and get to know it well enough to Cwtch (cuddle)!!