Good Morning Everyone,

What a simply glorious morning it is here in Amroth. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the sea is twinkling in the light and the crisp viewing means I can see as far as the North Devon Coast and Lundy Island, which is not always possible. We have had a wonderful September weatherwise here and something that we all so appreciate, after the unsettled summer. Such a shame it wasn’t like this when the children were on holiday from school, but at least all our visitors, who have booked September holidays, have been able to enjoy the lovely September mornings, the sun and the lovely calm windfree days that we have had.

As I was talking to one of our guests a fortnight ago, the sky was alive with the House Martins that come every year to make their nests in our eaves and I remarked to her that they were getting together for their long migration. They sounded like they were almost geeing each other up for the journey. Sure enough the sky was quiet the next day and I knew they had left. The same thing happened last Friday night when I was moving the ponies from one field to another, the sky was so noisy with the twittering of Swallows and there were so many of them, again getting ready for their migration to South Africa. Since then I haven’t seen any but I do hope they have a safe journey, such a long way, and look forward to their return next spring.

Meanwhile the garden is full of Blue-Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches, Greenfinches and the occassional Bullfinch. I have seen the Robins in abundance again and also the Nuthatch, Woodpecker, Jays and we have also had a Lapwing on the lawn. The Buzzards that nest in Colby Woods, we see almost daily as they soar high above the valley and our fields. You can hear their famous call as you are in the garden and sometimes they perch in the big tree near the vegetable patch. I used to see them a lot when we lived in Somerset and was delighted when we came here to have them on our patch again. Of course we get the usual Magpies, Crows, Jackdaws and Seagulls, on the big lawn all the year round but I have a lot of trees and shrubs that bear berries and rosehips at this time of year, teasels and of course the late flowers, which I hope bring more wildlife to our garden and fields.

Yesterday I took an hour off, much to Mike’s (my husband) surprise and went on a Seal Safari boat trip from Tenby Harbour. I have been to Skomer Island a couple of times to see the seals and also Marloes Sands but I haven’t done this trip before and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone , tourists or locals, who are in the area. It lasted an hour and we sailed over to Caldey Island where we saw lots of seals, but also a lone Gannet, who we assumed was a long way from his home on Grassholom Island. There were also so many Shags, sitting on the rocks and diving into the sea on the far side of the Island and the rock formation and cliffs are amazing and make you feel very insignificant when you are at the base of them and they tower above you. We also saw a big flock of Curlews, who were over there and a Peregrine Falcon high on the cliffs and of course several Gulls including the big Black backed Gulls. It was a great trip and a super hour well spent.

News from the Farm.

Jim and Annie, the ponies are fine and beginning to get their winter coats. Annie is all fluffy, as she has a very fine coat, but Jim has a thicker growth and has been sweating in the sunshine over the last few days.  The 2 old hens have decided to start laying again and I have had a few eggs lately.  The goats, sheep and cats are all fit and Wilson (our beautiful old Retriever) plods on very slowly.

I have made some lovely Green Tomato Chutney, Cucumber Pickle (excellent) and picked lots of Blackberries from our fields. I am still digging carrots and beetroot from the veg. patch and still picking runner beans, but I have also been trying to tidy the garden in readiness for the winter but there are still a lot of plants in flower and several butterflies are still visiting them, so I won’t cut them back yet.

Tonight it is the Local History Group meeting and tomorrow the Film club are showing ‘Australia’. On Sunday a film ‘The End of the Line’ is being shown in Narberth, about over fishing our seas and I have meetings on Thursday and Friday, plus my Computer course starts again on Wednesday. So a busy week ahead and I must away

Regards to you all

Ann(Amroth Cottages)

Hello again Everyone,

What a glorious morning we awoke to here at our self-catering cottages in Amroth, Pembrokeshire  and how pleased I am that we are seeing the sun again for our guests. Yesterday was dismal with a sea fret that turned to light misty rain all afternoon, while I know most of you in England had a glorious day! However it was warm and I managed to do some gardening.

Well, the school holidays are over and I really miss hearing the children playing in the garden or asking if they can help feed the animals. We are still fully booked, so hopefully it will be a good month weatherwise for our guests.

Bank Holiday Monday was very windy and we were down on Amroth Beach with our 2 granddaughters watching some people Kite Surfing. It was really exciting to watch them and must be so exhilarating to actually be doing it. Not for the faint hearted I assure you, as one chap was going at a terrific speed and appeared to be so far out to sea I was quite worried in case he got into trouble!!! To see them jump and turn in the air was great but I can’t imagine how tired their arms and shoulders must have been. We then walked along to Colby Gardens where the National Trust had a ‘Hands On’ Craft day for children. It was really fascinating and our grandchildren wanted to try their hands at everything on offer. We came home 3 hours later with 2 hand thrown clay pots, some felt balls to make a necklace, 2 corn dollies, a card and some wools for Japanese braiding and lots of ideas. It really was a wonderful day.

Last Sunday saw me down at Saundersfoot beach for a Rocky Shore Exploration looking at the marine life in the sand and on the rocks, with some marine biologists. It was so informative and interesting to hear their knowledge and learn more about what is around us.

I also attended a Taster Course on Nordic Walking which they do in Saundersfoot and really enjoyed it. It is quite different from pole walking, when the poles are in front of you to steady you. You have the poles behind you in Nordic walking to basically push you along and you get a much better work out. So perhaps I may go on a days course and try to put it into practice. There are so many things on my calendar this month but I just love finding out about everything that goes on in the area and learning more about the glorious place we live in.

News from the Farm

Well this morning was one of those perfect moments that we all so rarely experience, perfect silence in the still morning air. As I was out at the stables, I looked out over the beautiful sea that was twinkling in the early morning sun and there was complete silence. No sound at all, it was fantastic. I remember having that feeling once when I was in Mauritus many years ago and this morning took me back to that time and you somehow feel privileged to experience it. We all live such busy lives and rarely have the time to stop and listen or to hear complete silence.

Anyway enough of reminising, the animals are all fine. The hens are taking themselves to bed before 8p.m. now that the evenings are drawing in, Dick and Harry, the goats, are enjoying the sunshine today and Jim and Annie the ponies are pleased not to be wearing their raincoats (rugs). Wilson, our retriever, has met and approved of the  dogs that are staying in our cottages this week and is gently watching the world go by.

The damsons have been great this year and I have made Damson Jam and Jelly and Damson Chutney and put a load in the freezer. I have also made Beetroot and Ginger Chutney, Beetroot and Orange Jam (delicious with strong cheese) and must now make some bean chutney and tomato chutney. The carrots have been fabulous this year from the veg. patch as has the beetroot, french beans and peas and the tomatoes in the greenhouse have done well.

Now I must away and I am torn between finishing the ironing of the sheets from changeover at the week-end or going in the garden. Anyone who knows me will guess my choice!!! Tonight I am off to the Film night in the village hall ‘The Last King of Scotland’ which I am looking forward to, Saturday sees a Curry night at the local pub for Macmillan, Monday a harvest supper, Thursday an Environment meeting and then a visit to a new Wind farm. So much to do and not enough time, as most of us say I am sure.

Enjoy your day. From a glorious view of the bay on a sunny day in Amroth

Regards to you all

Ann (Amroth Cottages)