Rioja Wine Tasting Evening Friday 23rd September

The children and grand children have all gone back to school, so why not come and enjoy a Spanish Rioja evening with one of our wine suppliers.
 
There will be an opportunity to buy wine at a special price for one evening only!!!!!   Only £33.50pp to include a glass of wine with each course.
 
Dare you stay the night in this 15 century house?????  Double/twin £69 with breakfast, Single £39 with breakfast!!!!

T: 01656 657644
e: enquiries@great-house-laleston.co.uk
w: www.great-house-laleston.co.uk

Saint David’s Day

Saint David’s Day, originally uploaded by Tourism Bridgend.

Saint David’s Day or Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant in Welsh is the patron Saint of Wales. The date was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century and falls on the 1st March each year. The date of was chosen in remembrance of the death of Saint David on that day in 589, and has been celebrated by followers since then. To celebrate this day, people wear a symbol of either a leek, or daffodil. The leek arises from an occasion when a troop of Welsh were able to distinguish each other from a troop of English enemy dressed in similar fashion by wearing leeks. An alternative emblem developed in recent years is the daffodil.

Glamorgan Heritage Coast and Countryside

Glamorgan Heritage Coast & Countryside, originally uploaded by Tourism Bridgend.

Dramatic cliffs, golden sands, rolling countryside, majestic mountains and unparalleled diversity. Where else but the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and Countryside. http://tinyurl.com/4lpnd6k
It is a beautiful region where history tumbles out to greet you around every corner. In fact it’s like Wales in miniature. Everything in close proximity. Castles, ancient inns, mysterious mansions, rugged coast and inspiring churches, all contained within 28 miles of coastal scenery that also includes villages, towns, history and legends. Everything you could possibly want in a great holiday is here. If you are looking for something a little more active, this is the place.

The Red Dragon

The Red Dragon, originally uploaded by Tourism Bridgend.

The origin of the Welsh Dragon is uncertain but its earliest mention dates to around 800 AD when it was linked with Wales in the writings of Nennius. In Welsh mediaeval poetry the dragon became the symbol of Wales.
It was used as a crest by the early Welsh Kings, Arthur, Cadwallon and Cadwalder and at The Battle of Bosworth. Henry Tudor unfurled his standard bearing a red dragon on a green and white background.
In 1901 The Red Dragon was recognised as the Badge of Wales and was added to the Arms of The Prince of Wales.
In 1953 the Dragon was made the official Royal Badge of Wales and after this it became the authorised Welsh National flag.

Bison in Bala

Please, Do Not Poke the Bison, originally uploaded by Furryscaly.

Bison in Wales?……..Yep, it’s true. In the land better known for bleating sheep than bellowing buffalo, there are bison browsing on the Green Green Grass of home. (Right, that’s quite enough!) .

Those of you who will know North Wales quite well, then the Rhug Estate Organic Farm and Shop is a must stop near Corwen on the way to Bala. It doesn’t look much from the outside, more like an upmarket roadside portacabin settlement, but the quality of the produce in the shop and on the food stands outside are of the highest order. If you’re not a vegetarian, this place is a must if you fancy a bison burger (reared in the field next door!) After that, pop across the road to one of the most unique ecclesiastic experiences in Wales at the spectacularly beautiful Rug Chapel. I won’t spoil it for you, but don’t miss this hidden gem.

Sprints in the Street

Running Shoes, originally uploaded by Josiah Mackenzie.

Love this. An event with a difference. The Festival of Races takes place in the middle of a busy town in Wales (Bridgend, near Cardiff) on Saturday 19th June 2010 (the day Wales play the All Blacks – gulp!). The races include all the usual long and middle distance categories but what I love the sound of is the 50 metre sprints past the shops, great for kids. The route is a triangular circuit (if there can be such a thing) with not a hill in sight! . There’s an over 40s street sprint so I’ll be up for that. Dust down the Dunlop Green Flash (if they still fit me from school) and look out!

A home in a dome. Cool camping in Wales.

A home in a dome., originally uploaded by Andy Bold.

Listening to a great debate on Radio Wales today about the sudden popularity of camping and the move towards more authentic experiences and back to basics. Quite timely this for us, as tomorrow as part of a charity event we are challenging 4 county councillors in Wales, and four public sector workers to spend the night under the stars on a survival night with Bushcraft experts WildSpirit Bushcraft. Part of the challenge will be to build a shelter for the night, which I suppose is both cool and extreme camping. Anyway, more about that tomorrow.

So, cool camping. The best in Wales has to be offered by fforest (Cold at Night – love that brand!), and also Graig Wen Yurts near Dolgellau in North Wales. What I really love about the latter is its one of the coolest places I’ve been to in Wales, the yurts are one thing, but the B&B is themed (quite cleverly and in a understated subtle way) with Welsh pop music from the 70s. Was amazed to see how creative our pop groups were in the 70s! I also like Under the Thatch and what they’ve achieved and were one of the first to offer a stay in a Gypsy caravan to my knowledge and of course, the up and coming Featherdown Farm which offers luxury but back to basic camping on real farms. Love it! Closer to home for us, WildSpirit Bushcraft also offer their own night under canvas (if hand build shelters are not your cup of tea!) in the form of tepees, again very popular in Wales.

Coasteering in Wales

Coasteering in Wales, originally uploaded by Tourism Bridgend.

A group of us from the office went coasteering with Preseliventre down West Wales near St Davids. If you don’t know what coasteering is, don’t worry I didn’t either but after a quick look at their website I soon did!
It’s an adrenalin packed adventure sport, with the emphasis on cliff jumping, climbing, rock gully swimming, cave exploration, rock scrambling, and wave riding varying depending on tide, weather, swell and location – no two coasteers are ever the same.
The day was unforgettable, weather superb, sea as blue as the med and the location was inspirational. I don’t class myself as an adrenalin junky but I can see why people soon get hooked.
The next weekend I went Kayaking in Newton Bay, Porthcawl so perhaps these coastal activities are addictive after all.

What’s Wales’ connection with Italy?

Way back in the days when coal was being mined in Wales, many unemployed Italians made their way over here from Tuscany to find work. Many did actually work in the mines, but most brought with them their catering and hospitality skills until every town and valley in South Wales had a local ‘Bracchi’ shop (Coffee Bar). Today the ancestors of those intrepid travellers still live in Wales and consider themselves Welsh Italians, and still offer superb cuisine and hospitality. It helps to know that the origins of the Celts can be traced back to the mountains of Switzerland, Austria and Northern Italy, so the personality of the two nations is very similar. One difference though is that South Wales gets more average sunshine than Northern Italy….isn’t that fascinating?