Hello Everyone,

Well the last 2 weeks have seen a mixture of sunshine and showers at our self-catering cottages here by the sea. You can watch the weather coming in over the sea from the farmhouse and cottages and run for cover as a shower approaches, some of which have been quite heavy, but within minutes the sun has been out and it has been really warm. This week hasn’t been as good as last, but everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves and had a few barbecues.

It is hard to believe we are more than 1/2 way through August and soon the children’s holidays will be over. Last week saw the return of 3 families who have stayed with us several times and the children had a great time helping me feed the animals. So a big thank you to Evan, Luke, Maddie, Aimee, Luke and Niamh, the animals have all missed you this week. This week  and next week we have families who have stayed with us before and it is always lovely to catch up and see the children growing up and still enjoying coming here.

The sea looks lovely at the moment, twinkling in the sun with patterns of silver all over it. The tide is out and I can see people on the beach and in the sea, as I sit writing this for you.  It has been the Pembrokeshire County Show this week, which has been a big draw for people and some of our guests went to Colby Gardens for an evening walk last night to find out about life in the woods. The children were delighted to have seen several bats and they also put out food for the badgers. Earlier in the day there was an activity session on woodland birds and Maria from the Birds of Prey Rescue Centre here in Amroth, was there talking about the Owls and other birds she cares for and  releases  back to the wild. Sadly some are too badly injured and have to be put down, others have to be rehomed into a safe environment, some remain permenant residents with her but her aim is always to get them well and release them. She works voluntarily and tirelessly for the birds and has to be really admired for her work.

Next week sees another village show, which I shall try to get to, Marley and Me is being shown by the Film Club at the village hall in Amroth, there are events at Pembroke Castle on Saturday and Sunday and several other activities are going on.

News from the Farm.

I have collected a big basketful of damsons from our tree in the garden and from the trees in our fields and I hope to make some damson jam and chutney this evening. There is masses of fruit on the trees this year compared to  last year, when I only found 2 damsons on the tree in the garden. I ate one and I think the squirrel or a bird had the other!!

My tomatoes are doing really well in the greenhouse and the beetroot and carrots have been wonderful in the veg. plot. The peas, broad beans and french beans have also done well and I am at last getting a few runners, but usually I have masses of these. My main moan this year is the armies of slugs and snails that seem intent on destroying my veg. and flowers and nothing seems to deter them.

The animals are all O.K. but mucking out the goat house yesterday was a trial as the goats refused to get up and leave the house as they didn’t like the wind outside!! If you have met Dick and Harry you will know how stubborn they can be!!!

Wilson, our beloved retriever now 13, seems to be struggling on his legs today, although he seems better this lunchtime than first thing this morning, when I was wondering how much longer he would enjoy his very little walk to the hens and goats. At the moment he is outside watching Mike cut the grass.

Well I seem to have rabbited on a bit so I must away to get everything in place for a busy changeover of the self catering cottages tomorrow. Bookings are coming in rapidly for next year which is great for us and keeping me busy with the paper work.

Regards for now

Ann (Amroth Cottages)

Hello again everyone,

Well I was just about to write this blog on Friday, when one of our guests gave me the article below for me to include in the Amroth Community Newsletter, of which I am on the editorial team. It was so lovely and such high recommendation of Amroth that I have decided, with her permission, to share it with you.  Our guest wrote:

Why is this our 9th visit to Amroth?

We never thought we’d be the sort of people who’d come to the same place year after year—but we do!  We love Pembrokeshire and especially Amroth Cottages with its wonderful views over the sea. We love walking the Coastal Path and there are many interesting places to visit and things to do round about here.

We stayed in Amroth really by chance the first time but continue to come here because it has real charm for us. The village is a small place with an old fashioned feel to it. It is quiet  and you don’t have the busy amusement arcades and so on that you find in many seaside resorts. The little gift shops have become like old friends to us over the years and we love the Pirate Restaurant with its good quality food and friendly service. There is a small food and convenience store and it’s great to be able to walk to everything from the lovely self catering cottage where we stay.

Most of all it’s the beach that we love. It is huge and there’s always loads of space on it. The tide completely covers it twice a day, so it is lovely and clean. This also makes the sand excellent for sandcastles and playing games. We love swimming in the sea and it is super in Amroth, as the beach is sandy (no nasty pebbles to walk on as you get in and out of the water) and it shelves very gradually, so it is very safe for swimmers and young children. One end of the beach has great rockpools and we always have at least one session searching for sea flora and fauna.

Another thing we enjoy is fresh sea food and we’ve found this in the Amroth area year on year. There are so many more things we enjoy about this place.

We have been coming here with friends since our children were 6 and 4, and they are now 14 and 12 and don’t want to stop coming. For us coming to Amroth Cottages and the area is true relaxation. We know what to expect and everthing we want is here. It’s like going on holiday, getting away from it all, and coming home all at the same time.

News from Me!

This is a lovely article and many many thanks to our guests, who don’t want to be named, for letting me share it with you. Might I add that they have watched our lovely retriever Wilson, mature from an excitable puppy to a mature old dog. Their one son has especially loved him and spent ages each time he visits just stroking and talking to him quietly. Wilson has really loved him.

Well, the last 5 days have been wonderful here, blue skies, warm sun and twinkling seas. Everyone at our self catering cottages has been enjoying the seaside and returning home for a barbecue or tea on their patios.

Thankfully, they have cut the grass in our fields, so now I hope they can bale it before we get more rain. I have been digging carrots,  pulling beetroot and picking peas from my vegetable plot and the wonderful fresh flavour makes the effort all worthwhile. I have lots of tomatoes coming in the greenhouse, so we just need more sun for them to ripen. I have made some Beetroot and Orange Jam for the first time and it is delicious with a strong Welsh cheese.

There is lots going on in the area this week. Colby Woodland Gardens have a special day for children on Thursday learning about the Badger, Pembroke Castle have a Falconry display on Tuesday, Harry Potter is on at the cinema in Tenby and the village hall has several activities, but let’s hope the sun keeps shining and everyone can enjoy the beach. I hope to be in Saundersfoot on Tuesday helping to raise money for the Macmillan Nurses by selling Welsh Cakes. Let’s hope it’s not rained off again.!

Must away and oh yes, the animals are all fit and well

Regards to all

Ann (Amroth Cottages)