We were expecting to have a quiet, uneventful New Year’s Eve this year with Wales being in lockdown and having to cancel our cottage guests. But we woke up to the most stunning sight on New Year’s Eve morning.
Our view on New Year’s Eve morning
It had snowed overnight…and was still coming down quite fast. This was our first proper snow since we moved here in March so we were very excited to see the change in the landscape.
Leigh and Ziggy heading down our driveway.Our Tree Tunnel looks amazing with a covering of snow.The beech trees seen from the other side – magical.Woodpecker Cottage in the snowThe view down our lane…looks like we are locked down in more than one way today!View of the hillside opposite us.Lampeter below us looking like Hogsmead. 🧙♀️⚡️The pine forest on the hill opposite the cottages.
On New Year’s Day we went for a longer walk up in the hills behind the cottages. We have permission for ourselves and our guests to walk here from the farmer who owns the land.
The track behind our cottages leads up the hill.You get even more panoramic views from the very top of the hill behind us.Walk even further into the next field and you have views in a different direction…and the snow is even deeper up here.A magical Winter Wonderland a little further over the hills.
We were the first ones to walk on the snow…apart from the foxes, hares and rabbits that had left their tracks. We walked to the top of the hill behind us and then round into the field behind that where there is a byway that goes even higher. The snow got deeper the higher we went.
This is just about a 40 minute walk from the cottages’ front doors. Feels like you could be in Scandinavia.
Walking further down the track you come to the road which then leads you in a circle back to the cottages. The hill back up is steep at the end, but it is worth it! This circular route we took was 5 miles altogether, starting and finishing at the cottage door.
The view from the track back up to the cottages.
What a fabulous start to 2021 – lets hope once the lockdowns are over and the virus is under control we can welcome more guests to share the beauty of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire with us. 🏴 Check out our cottages here: Winter Holiday Cottages for Couples.
Monday 6th July 2020 was the first time we were allowed to travel more than 5 miles from home in Wales since the week after we moved here in March. We were so excited to be visiting Aberporth to explore the lovely beaches. It was really quiet with just a few families and surfers. So lovely to feel the sea breeze on our faces! The drive is very picturesque too and it only took us 40 minutes from Red Kite & Woodpecker Cottages.
Dyffryn Beach
Aberporth lies at the southern end of Cardigan Bay about six miles north of Cardigan and ten miles south of New Quay. It overlooks two sandy beaches both with European Blue Flag status.
Dyffryn Beach from above
Dyffryn Beach is to the west of the headland and Dolwen Beach to the east. Aberporth Beach is often used to describe both of these beaches together.
Dolwen Beach
The beaches both have soft golden sand and shelve gently into the sea. They were both pretty quiet when we were there which is unusual for July. Probably because tourists weren’t allowed to visit until the following week .
View of the pretty houses in Aberporth from Dyffryn beach.The beaches are popular with surfers.
We went in the afternoon when it was low tide, so there was more space to walk and we got to explore the rocks and rock pools. 🦀 🦐
Limpets and barnacles galore!Rock Pools.
We walked on Dyffryn Beach as we had Ziggy with us – dogs aren’t allowed on Dolwen in the Summer months.
Ziggy loves the beach!Dyffryn Beach is dog friendly all summer.Ziggy enjoys getting his paws wet.
We also had a wander up the hill into the town and then walked down through a small wooded area back to the beach. A very pleasant stroll with views over the beaches.
View from the top of the hill back down to the beachesSculpture on the walk back to the beach.Dyffryn Beach from the walk back down from town.
We couldn’t go onto Dolwen beach as dogs aren’t allowed in Summer.
The steps down to Dolwen BeachDolphin Sculpture overlooking the Beaches – Sightings are common in this area.
The shops and cafes were still closed when we visited this time, but we went back a couple of weeks later and it was much busier with tourists and everything was open. We enjoyed a lovely salted caramel ice cream 😋
So quiet for JulyYes!! The joy of being able to have a day at the beach after lockdown!
I’m pretty sure we will never again see Aberporth so quiet in July…but come the Autumn when the crowds of tourists get smaller, we think it will be a great place to walk and chill out for an afternoon.
Another month in lockdown…but we can’t complain with such glorious weather and stunning views. We’ve continued staying close to home enjoying our gardens and meadows.
Meadow View
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Wild Irises
We’ve also been busy with decorating Woodpecker Cottage and renovating the bathroom.
Bathroom renovations for Woodpecker Cottage.
Shopping for new furnishings has all had to be done online, but thankfully we have managed to get most things we need delivered. We’ve invested in quality Egyptian cotton bedding for a touch of luxury and it’s been great fun choosing the decor. Can’t wait to get the decorating finished and get the rooms dressed so we can take some new pictures!
New Luxury Egyptian Cotton Bedding
Designer Curtains for Woodpecker Cottage
It has been a frustrating month for everyone with limits on travel and seeing loved ones. Here in Wales, restrictions have been extra severe as we had to stay very local. So we’ve not been able to explore all the amazing places around us yet. We are, however, making the most of our location which is a constant delight to us. If you wake up early, you are rewarded with some remarkable sights.
Sunrise over the Cambrian Mountains viewed from our meadow.
On clear days you can see the Cambrian Mountains in the distance which is magical and there is often mist in the valley below us which gradually lifts as the sun rises.
Misty May Morning
Our neighbours in the meadow below.
The views are enchanting at any time of day and we have had another month of unbelievable sunshine and summer temperatures. ?
Even Ziggy appreciates the views (or had he just seen a hare in the meadow)?
It has even been warm enough for BBQs and dinner in the garden this month.
Dinner with a View
Then to round off the evening, a glorious sunset.
Happily, we are going to be allowed more freedom in June – we have to continue to stay local, but we are allowed to drive to go for a walk so we can start visiting some of the beautiful spaces around us. Can’t wait to share them with you!
Spring has arrived with a flourish of colour! All the trees are coming to life and flowers are exploding into bloom. It is always my favourite season, but this year, living at Coedmor Fach I feel so much more connected to nature and the changes happening around us. We’re still in lockdown so we’re making the most of our immediate surroundings.
The weather in April has been wonderful
The weather has continued to be amazing with temperatures even hitting the low 20s. Such a shame that we couldn’t have guests here to enjoy it! The gardens are starting to get more colour too with some beautiful flowers blossoming.
Mountain Cornflower
Bleeding Heart
Azaleas
Our beech tree drive has really come to life! The leaves have turned it into a beautiful green tree tunnel – the perfect welcoming entrance to the cottages. It’s not quite as dramatic as The Dark Hedges but we love it. We counted 51 trees on the left hand side – and we haven’t counted the other side yet…?
Ziggy loves the driveway as we often see squirrels.
Our Tree Tunnel
It is a photographer’s paradise here with so many photo-opportunities every day. We have gorgeous landscapes and wild flowers in abundance.
Tick Tock
Dramatic Skies
So many shades of green
April has been full of sun and colour and surprisingly warm enough for sundowners and picnics in the meadow after a hard day of decorating the cottages.
A perfect end to an April day watching the Sunset from the meadow.
When we were planning our Big Move to Wales we did some exploring around the area and the beaches and harbour towns of Cardigan Bay were one of the deciding factors in us choosing to move to Lampeter. So for our first trip out in March 2020 we really wanted to take Ziggy for a walk at Penbryn Beach. We had been before in September when we had our second viewing of the Cottages so we already knew what a magical place it is.
Penbryn in September the day after we decided to buy The Cottages
“Social Distancing” was already in force but we weren’t yet in lockdown, so we were allowed to head to the beach for our daily exercise. Penbryn is looked after by the National Trust, so there is a proper car park which you pay a couple of pounds for and this goes towards the upkeep (and there are loos there too). The beach is a walk downhill – you have two choices here. You can walk down the road or go through the woodland. We chose to go the road route as we wanted to get to the beach asap.
Only Ziggy’s second time at the beach…ever!
As you reach the beach there is a stream that runs right down into the sea. Ziggy couldn’t wait to get wet…he loves water but won’t swim – he panics if he goes out of his depth. When we lived in Reading we were so far from the sea that we only took Ziggy to the beach once. He loved it, but couldn’t understand why the water tastes so bad ? At Penbryn he went crazy running on the sand – he loved the wide open space…and we were virtually the only ones there.
Penbryn in March – gorgeous soft sand.
The beach is about a mile long so you can have a decent walk along it. There is a cave to explore at the right hand side of the beach if you visit at low tide. At very low tide there is another beach further around the headland, but beware as there is no other way to get off this cove so if the tide turns you could be stranded!
Cave at Penbryn
We took the scenic route back up to the car park through the enchanted valley. It really is a wonderful walk although it is quite steep in places. But there’s no rush. Take your time and enjoy the meandering pathways that take you through woodland and fern-clad terrain with a stream babbling below you.
Then just as you thought it couldn’t get any better, you come upon a bridge and a waterfall! Seriously, if fairies are real, this is where they live.
Penbryn Waterfall
Penbryn is about a 40 minute scenic drive from our cottages. If you want to make a full day of it you can also get onto the Wales Coast Path from Penbryn in both directions and offers gorgeous views across the bay. We like to visit the Plwmp Tart Cafe next to the car park for a spot of lunch or a cake after our walk.
The remote location and lack of light pollution make this an ideal spot for stargazing in the summer months – Penbryn Beach is a designated Dark Skies Discovery site and dusk is a great time to see seals and barn owls in the area.
Penbryn’s Claim to Fame is that it was used for a scene in the James Bond “Die Another Day: movie! You can see why in the clip below – it looks stunning.
During lockdown we have had plenty to keep us busy but we have also set aside time to explore the countryside around the cottages. In Wales, lockdown rules are especially strict and at the moment we are only allowed to go out once per day for exercise and it has to be very close to home – no driving to get to a beauty spot for walking.
Ziggy doesn’t appreciate the scenery but does enjoy snacking on sheep poop.
Just as well that we live in such a gorgeous place then! ? At this time of year when the meadows behind our cottages are empty or just have sheep, the farmer who owns them doesn’t mind us walking up the hill to get some exercise…and more stunning views. As you get higher even more of the landscape opens up.
The meadow we walk up to get to the top of the hill.
View from the top of the hill
Right at the top is an old abandoned slate quarry and the panorama is so amazing from up there it is worth the effort to climb the hill.
View from the top of the Quarry
On a clear day you can see for miles and miles.
The gorse bushes are now blooming and the colours are unreal. ? We have been blessed with some perfect weather and the bluest of skies. It is so calming spending time just taking it all in and stopping to look at the colours and smell the flowers. Did you know that gorse flowers smell like Pina Colada? ?Why did I never know this before? It is quite an intoxicating aroma – very coconutty!
These colours are straight out of the camera(phone) no adjustments!
Being surrounded by nature does make you slow down – it is so therapeutic. We have so many different birds around us. Red Kites and Buzzards circle overhead and the songs of the robin, coal tit, willow warbler and wren are so musical. We even have a resident hare that visits the farmland behind our picnic meadow – we see him most mornings if we are out early enough.
The view from the bottom of the hill on the way back to the cottages.
We have discovered a few different circular walks that you can do right from the cottages so if you want to stretch your legs and connect with nature when you come to stay we can give you directions…or you can just explore and find them for yourself!
