This latest break, was centered on the southern half of Wales, in the region of Lampter, About 25 miles north of Carmarthen. The first place we had booked, was well below standard, so we looked on the internet for another place. We had a choice of two, one near Rhayader, and the other near to Abergavenny....
Eventually, we chose Abergavenny, because it meant that we would be in the Brecon Beacons area, with mountains and valleys for scenery, and because it saved about 1.5 hours driving towards home, when the time came.
The place we chose, was Birch Tree Barn, Penpergwm, Abergavenny.
[url] http://www.birchtreebarnabergavenny.com/ [/url]
If you want a really quality place to stay, with a very warm welcome, then this is IT !..
Gill and her husband, have really done an excellent job in their conversion, Gill has a special "welcome pack" which just adds an "extra" personal touch to the welcome you will get when you knock on the door.
Below you will see a panorama of the view from the lounge of Birch Tree Barn...
Bird watching is assisted by provision of a large pair of binoculars, however I preferred my camera !.. as I wear glasses !... It seems there is an established rookery in the stand of trees, however, there also seems to be a couple of Buzzards that live in the same trees... strange to see them sitting on the field fence posts, and not being attacked by the crows !... You might also be lucky and see a Red Kite or two !....
You may also see a Pheasant in the garden below the Barn.....
One of the guide books provided by Gill, has a couple of Driving tours which can be taken from Abergavenny. I love driving in Wales, the roads are not clogged with traffic, although you may have to wait or reverse back for the odd tractor, or herd of sheep!... Driving like this is so relaxing.......! so we took the driving tours, and you can see some of the views that we did, in the photographs below... The first part of a route from Abergavenny to Hay on Wye, was along a river valley, which, although narrow and twisting, was quite boring, because it was like driving through a tunnel of thin trees, fortunately, the leaves had not yet formed, so there was an occasional glimpse of the river in the valley below.....
[remember CLICK ON THE PIC, TO MAKE IT BIG ! ]
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| Looking back down the valley, before cresting the hill in the distance of the next pic |
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| Follow the road and crest the hill ........ then W O W ! ! ! |
UNTIL>.. ...... you crest a hill, and WOW !... the view is absolutely stunning...
Unfortunately the sun was very strong, and the photographs I took did not work out very clear... You will just have to go there, and see it for yourself... You can then pass through some really nice scenery, and stop off in the famous book town, of Hay on Wye, where you can find a coffee shop or an ice cream parlour, before continuing on the tour for more beautiful scenery.
On the other tour, we found even more beautiful scenery... a lake with the Brecon Beacons as a backdrop, and snow on the mountain tops, too.......
Just to show the magnificent view you get, here is a special Panorama shot.....
CLICK THE PIC.... TO VIEW BETTER !
If you just fancy doing a bit of shopping, then Hereford may be just the ticket... there is a variety of shops in the pedestrianised City Centre... some historical buildings, and some nice architecture... On street parking is limited, with active wardens,... so it would be worthwhile finding a car-park......
try "The Antique Tea Room" for waitress service, and a HUGE toasted Tea Cake..... !
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| The Antique Tea Room |
just by the church, in St. Peters Street, behind the "Old House" museum,
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| The Old House Museum.... (the Antique Tea room is at the end of this street).... |
(worth a visit for a bit of history from the incumbent!).. All just off the main shopping area....
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| Hereford, main shopping area |
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| Hereford, main shopping area |
