Carmarthenshire, UK

Mike has taken film footage of Wheatsheaf, Barley and Meadow Cottages to put up on U tube.  Just search for "Bwlch Tre Banau".  This is Welsh language for gap through the hills.       You can take a visual stroll through the cottages and around The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate.     Today we are taking a  drive over to the nearby historic and pretty town of Lampeter for lunch in the restaurant that won The Best Fish & Chips in Wales followed by a stroll 2 doors down from there to Conti's Ice Cream for their delicious home-made ices & a cappuccino or espresso.  Heaven!  Parking in the town is free and a walk through the Lampeter reveals individual small shops, boutiques and bakeries .  Don't miss the traditional ironmongers, stepping back in time to our parent's era - I can never pass it without picking up some useful item for the Estate.

Torquay, UK

Make for the harbour to see the sailboats and cruisers.  For the ladies, stop off in Hoopers, the exclusive department store right on the seafront overlooking the Marina for a coffee and check out the latest top designer shoes, bags and clothes.  Wander  down to Maggie's, a shop that would be at home in Bond Street or Rodeo drive for friendly personal service and the most beautiful small range of hand picked designer clothes & costume jewellery.  Their personal shopper service guides through the collections and if you are just browsing they are happy just to chat about the clothes and the top designers they stock.  For the guys, sip a beer in a waterfront cafe and watch the world go buy and the sailboats slip into the marina before sampling the freshest local caught seafood at No.7 Bistro just along at the crescent.  Halcyon Summer days in Torquay. Stay at the exclusive West Wing Cottage  http://www.torquay.uk.com/ with its extensive lawns and gardens overlooking Tor Bay.

Florida, USA

Anna Maria Vacations has a superb group of properties on Anna Maria Island, Florida.  The island lies in the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida just below Tampa Bay.  Peaceful and friendly with great restaurants and easy access over either of 2 bridges to the mainland to Tampa and Orlando.  Take the children up to Busch Gardens or enjoy a couple of days in Disney then return to the natural seaside pleasures of 7 miles of pristine white sand beaches and a gorgeous villa with its own private swimming pool http://annamaria.com/ A visit to The Sign of the Mermaid restaurant is a must during your vacation - try their prize winning home made Key Lime Pie.

Warm balmy Summer days make it such a pleasure to enjoy the beautiful hills and valleys of Carmarthenshire in South Wales.  Click on http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ to find the best holiday cottage and spend time with your family and friends in this rural paradise.  There are amazingly good top restaurants within easy reach of the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate including The Angel Inn, The Carlton Riverside and The Lasswade. Choose between Wheatsheaf Cottage, Barley Cottage and Meadow Barn or get a group of family and friends together and book all 3 cottages.

Here in the UK, the Devon coastal areas of the southwest are preparing for their sailing regattas.  Dartmouth and Torbay are among the best and include a daring flying demonstration by the Red Arrows with an extraordinary display of aerobatics over the water. The West Wing Cottage is part of a 1923 coastal Lutyens's style Arts & crafts era mansion house that is perched right on the edge of the water.  A divine destination for the best of Britain.   http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Over in Florida they are right in the middle of turtle hatching season on Anna Maria Island.  Turtles lay their eggs in the beach and then cover them with sand and return to the sea. Guess who have booked a vacation property  though Anna Maria Vacations will have the chance to see a turtle hatching.  Just keep an eye on the local press for news updates.   There are a few vacancies left for the Summer so come on down to Anna Maria Island and enjoy nature, sunshine and some real southern style hospitality.  It's easy to organize, just click on http://annamaria.com/

The weather has been really hotting up and this is the year that the Brits are actually going to enjoy holidays in the UK.  Where better than England's glorious South Devon coast or heavenly South Wales countryside. http://www.torquay.uk.com/ 

http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

The 3 bedroom Barley Cottage on the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate  on the western tip of the famous Brecon Beacons is just an hour from South Wales peaceful coastline that has several of the most beaches in the country.  Ealk out of the cottage door for exploring, riding, walking, picnics, waterfalls and swimming should keep all the family busy.  There is an abundance of wildlife, incredible views

Going further afield for your sun, sand and beach? http://annamaria.com/  Anna Maria Vacations have some of the best properties on Anna Maria Island on Florida's west coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

Thinking of going to the Brecon Beacons? http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ for the best holiday cottages that South Wales & Carmarthenshire have to offer. History, superb views and 104 private acres of gorgeous countryside including parkland, meadow, woodland, hillside and riverside to explore. http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Do you want to visit the West Country and Devon's South Hams this year?The sun is shining and the sea is crystal blue, come on down to Torquay to spend some quality time with your family. The West Wing is newly opened and part of a historic 1923 mansion house in a half acre of completely private gardens right on the edge of the water. A unique property with best quality linens and fluffy white towels, elegant new furnishings and a decor that reflects the 20's with a modern twist.

Travelling further afield then don't miss out on Florida. Over 30 island vacation properties to choose from. Want to be on the edge of 7 miles of peaceful white sand beach, have a holiday villa with its own private swimming pool. Visit our website at http://annamaria.com/

http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ Summer is here! The infrequency of the blogs has been caused by some marvellous weather here in Carmarthenshire. I have been out and about on the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate enjoying the scenery and the sunshine. Yesterday we relaxed in the garden and were serenaded by the birds, the distant lazy hum of the bees in the Catoniasta by the pond and the smell of new mown grass - there is nothing better in this world. A few clouds drifted by the the azure blue skies and Stripe and Spot lazed in the shade.

Love the West Country? If you enjoy Devon and in particular the incredibly beautiful South Hams area try http://www.torquay.uk.com/ our newly opened West Wing of a 1923 mansion house. Half an acre of private garden to enjoy perched on the top of a cliff on the edge of the crystal waters of Torbay.

Want to try further afield, we have some new properties http://annamaria.com/ including Great Palms, Palm Villa, Sunrise Cottage and Sunset Cottage. Anna Maria Island lies off Florida's west coast on the sparkling Gulf of Mexico.

What a superb morning, the sun is streaming in through the window. Guests arrived at Wheatsheaf Cottage yesterday and I took them over some new laid eggs for their breakfast this morning. Today Ann & Robbie are travelling up from the westcountry for a little R & R. If the weather stays like this there is nowhere better in the world than The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate in Carmarthenshire.
http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/


We came back from Devon last weekend and spent time working on the grounds, the orangery and the greenhouses. Everything is growing -shrubs are bursting into flower, the roses and the grapevines are in leaf and climbing and there were two beautiful black & white wagtails cavorting in the courtyard in the sunshine yesterday. What a terrific place, it never fails to amaze me.

Talking of Devon, down in Torquay http://www.torquay.uk.com/ the weather was sunny and warm and the sea sparkled in the bay. Sailboats and tiny fishing boats dot the water. Although I say Carmarthenshire is divine, the South Hams area of Devon also enjoys superb scenery and the views from the West Wing Cottage are panoramic - looking out over the crystal blue waters of the bay from the seafront gardens is an experience not be be missed.

Over in Florida hibiscus are starting to bloom in the gardens http://annamaria.com/the pool heating will be switched off and the weather is really starting to warm up. Pelicans and white cranes are seen on the beaches and soon will be the start of the loggerhead turtle seasons. Nature really is amazing on the island - sea grapes, palms and sea grasses fringe the beach and boaters are out in the intercoastal and the Gulf of Mexico enjoying the sunshine.

The carp pond is fed by spring water and at this time of year the water iris are starting to grow around the edge, protecting the fish from the heron. They should be starting to come to the surface soon to feed. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ The pond is also home to a myriad of wildlife including a couple of frogs who languish in the shallows enjoying the spring sunshine. When you walk by they hide under the nearest stone or just freeze, thinking that you can't see them if they don't move, floating suspended in the water.

Down at Torquay http://www.torquay.uk.com/ the driveway has just been repaved with brindle pavers and it is lined with daffodils, shrubs and trees emerging from Winter into Spring. The lawns are greening and the flowers in the borders appearing. I never fail to be bowled over by the expansive view of the water that unfolds as you walk through the French windows onto the terrace.

On Anna Maria Island in Florida http://annamaria.com/ it is time for the white flamingos to arrive in the bay. They don't stay around for long and the flock is an incredible sight to see. Take aboat trip with Captain Don Meilmer out around the island and explore the intracoastal waterway. Ask him to take along a barbeque grill and cookout on a sandy beach or small island. Just pick up a few steaks, a salad and some crusty white mountain bread and you have a feast to enjoy in the sunshine. Washed down with a cold beer or a glass of Californian wine, this is outdoor dining at its best. Anna Maria Island is all about the sunshine and the water.