Today is going to be a dry day and temperatures back into double figures. It is 8am in the morning and the sun is shining. A cheerful start to the day. Our Housekeeper Amanda called by to see Sarah and her family who are staying in Wheatsheaf Cottage and says that they really like the house and they are very happy. We love to hear good comments. I left them plenty of logs so they can have fires in the woodburner and they are have been out and about exploring the Estate. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Our friend Robbie is on his way to Villa Christina on Anna Maria Island http://www.amisland.com/, stopping
off en-route to visit friends in Orlando and then driving down to the island to spend
a few well earned weeks of relaxing, dining in the local restaurants and
fishing. Fishing is one of his favorite occupations so the island is
idyllic for him. While he is at the beach or over at the pier Annie will be
sunbathing by the pool, catching up on several new novels in a shady area of
the garden and walking over to the nearby shopping center to mooch around
the stores.

Robbie loves the seafood from Publix and Cortez fishing village, Annie loves
the fresh pineapples and watermelons from the grocery store. What they most
enjoy is when Robbie catches a fish in the Gulf, then brings it back and
cooks it on the barbecue grill down by the pool. What is it about catching
your own food and cooking it in the open air? Delicious. A crispy salad
and a glass of crisp white Pino Grigio make the perfect meal.

Catch up on the latest fishing new with the Island's newspaper The Bystander. You can pick it up at the grocery store free of charge.

We are going logging. The cold snap reminds us that Winter is on its way so we are going to get some more logs into the big log shed. Using logs as a fuel source reduces our carbon footprint and by using logs from our own estate reduces it further. Good to know that keeping warm is also keeping green.

Stripe has put on a few pounds and so have I so we are going to venture further on our daily walk around the Estate. I always like to start by walking up the Banc and then sitting on the bench at the brow of the hill. The view from there is always spectacular and always varies depending on the seasons and the weather - from high drama to buccolic scenes reminiscent of days gone by from long ago. Carmarthenshire is unspoiled, the fields are small patchworks of agriculture set against the backdrop of the magnificent Brecon Beacons. The view from the top of the Banc is the most beautiful in Wales.

Long weekends to unwind in Carmarthenshire are the order of the day as far as Bwlch Tre Banau http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ is concerned. For longer periods of sustained sunshine and an equally relaxed environment try Anna Maria Island on Florida's Gulf Coast. Robbie will be arriving at Villa Tuscany in a couple of days. He booked it through http://www.amisland.com/

We saw the fox today lurking around the chicken run. Can't help but think he is a really beautiful colour, similar to Stripe with his russet coat. Both Spot and Stripe took off hell for leather down the field to chase him off. That made them feel very important. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Arrived home late this evening. The fire was lit in the big inglenook fire place in the living room and also in the old kitchen. Wonderful to come home to a crackling log fire when it is cold outside - it is warm and cozy plus it adds such character and atmosphere to an old house. There is nothing like it for that feeling of well being - curled up on on a large comfortable sofa with the flames flickering in the woodburner on a Winter's evening http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/.

http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Snow! We watched the forecast this morning and it looks like we might get a smattering of snow today. The fields and hedgerows of our landscape may get a light sprinkling.I love the snow, so even if it is just a little we will be out walking over the to of the Banc to get the best views out over the Brecon Beacons.

We put on our warm wool scarves and gloves and ventured out in the frosty morning - the sun shone and the frost crystals glistened on the grass. The heaviest frost is down in the bottom field beside the river. Our neighbour farmer Trevor calls it "frost pocket". After, we had lightly scrambled eggs and organic bacon in the kitchen and then read the paper beside the fire. Heaven!

The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate will never be short of water. That's what another neighbour Gareth said to us. Springs pop up all over the place and trickle down the hillside and we have used some of them to feed the ponds.

Annie found http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/on the internet and fell in love with the place. She has stayed in Barley Cottage and Wheatsheaf Cottage and hoped to come back and book again at Christmas if her boss will give her the time off. I spoke to her last night and she tells me that as soon as she gets the OK she will be on the phone to make a reservation.

The postman came by in his red van with a postcard from Robbie in Florida. He found a gorgeous villa on Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast and it seems he is having a great time. I looked up where he is staying at http://www.amisland.com/ He chose Villa Christina. We are looking forward to seeing him when he gets back to find out all about it.

This morning as the sun rose over the hills I walked the dogs over the east meadow and then down towards the river. The morning sunlight sparkled on the heavy dew glistening in the grass and there are still blackberries on the brambles. The weather is due to turn colder over the next few days and there is a possibility of frost. I love frosty mornings when the ground crunches underfoot.

We were just saying the other day that it is only 8 weeks until Christmas. It just does not seem possible, this year has flown by. It seems only yesterday we were out planting the garden. We still have a few runner beans on the vine but the first frost will see them off, so I must have a final pick today. Nothing like fresh runner beans with some Welsh lamb and buttery parsley potatoes. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

We lit the fire and settled down for an evening of reading, catching up on the newspapers that we had not had the time to read all week. Played some board games, had a glass of Tia Maria on the rocks and then an early night. Heavenly.

Bwlch Tre Banau http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ is the perfect place to kick off your shoes and relax.

the red kite was circling over the chicken house for ages today. I think that the chickens are all too big for him. Good job that we do not have any chicks roaming around as he would have them for lunch in a flash. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

I was in Villa Rosa looking out over the water and saw a family of dolphins coming in towards the dock - they were chasing fish and throwing them up out of the water. They are so fast it is unbelievable. http://www.amisland.com/

The three of them were around the dock for about 3 or 4 minutes and then they went off towards the intercoastal waterway to deeper water.

Woke up early this morning and looked out of the bedroom window and saw a heron standing beside the carp pool. I hope he is not considering raiding the pond for his breakfast. We have put a few strands of line around the edge of the pool to stop him from leaning in and spearing them. He is such an elegant, beautiful bird - graceful in flight and on the ground.

Yesterday, we were sitting in the living room working on the web site and there was a tapping on the window. It was a blue tit trying to pick the putty out.

We have a cheeky robin who lives in the orangery and sings up a storm and a tiny wren who spends a lot of time in the lean to greenhouse. I suppose they are both quite a good source of food for them. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

The swallows left some time ago. You don't immediately miss them and then you suddenly realise that they are no longer swooping over the ponds and busying themselves about the courtyard. Then you know it is the onset of Autumn and Winter.

Woke up this morning, the sun was shining and there was a slight mist in the valley. The countryside looked so beautiful that I rushed in to get my camera to try to capture some of that early morning sunlight - somehow it never looks so good on camera as it does in real life.

So lucky to live at Bwlch Tre Banau. See what I mean at http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Today we are due for some sunny spells so the grass is still growing. If it carries on we will have to give it a final cut before Winter sets in. Last night we had a roaring log fire and curled up to watch TV with Spot and Stripe curled up on the mat in front of the grate enjoying the warmth. The only time they wanted to move was when I went to the kitchen as they thought there might be a few delicious morsels to sample.

I see on BBC Wales they are switching off the streetlights in the towns to save money. Here on the estate we have movement lights so that when you walk out the lights come on so I wonder why they don't consider that concept.

We always carry a good torch or lamp if we are out for a late stroll around. Sometimes the moon is so bright that you don't need any extra light, but if goes behind a cloud then you do need some extra light. The countryside is just as beautiful by moonlight as it is by day. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

To the lovely girls who asked if Spotty and Stripe would be here when they visited, I am sorry to say that they will on holiday themselves in sunny Torquay. However, next time they visit we will make sure they are around.

Well that was a busy day. Margaret and Derek came up and rubbed down the woodwork in the lean to greenhouse and refinished it. Diana went up to the goose enclosure in the top meadow and used some mesh to encircle the small saplings. Hopefully this will deter the geese from chewing on them over the Winter. I would hate to lose them after having to carry buckets of water to them over the long hot summer the year before last just after we planted them. So far we have planted nearly a hundred oak trees, plus an assortment of pines, willows, rowans, ash, birch, chestnut, sycamore and beech. A few years ago we planted two rows of beautiful glowing copper beach down the main driveway and this summer they were starting to look rather pretty. Can't wait to see them next year! Another tree that really likes it here in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, is the fig tree. We have planted 3 of them so far and they are all thriving. As I have a particular weakness for fresh just picked ripe figs they have been a good choice.

All you people out there who live in cities and towns need to come on out to the countryside to relax, visit the local pubs and restaurants, enjoy family evenings together by the fire and explore the hills, meadows and woodlands of Bwlch Tre Banau http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/.

There are 2 tiny yellow fluffy chicks over in the hen house. Hatching out in October, they are really late so we will have to keep them in for a while until they feather up a bit. I feed them on a few chick crumbs and refill their water dish a couple of times a day. Spotty, the Jack Russell terrier is fascinated by their antics and always comes with me to see them.

The ducks from the pond just down the hillside track up every day so I leave some rolled barley out for them with a container of water. I'm sure they could survive on the duckweed but they have developed a taste for the barley and I love to see them waddling along every morning. The fox has nabbed some of them but the 3 that are left are wiley and so far have defeated any of his efforts. They are a mixture, one is a large white Aylesbury, another is an Elder and the last one has an interesting pom pom of feathers on its head but I can't remember its name. Perhaps someone will remind me http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/.

The sun is shining and it is a perfect Autumn day. As it is Saturday we are going to get up a little later, have a long lazy breakfast in the conservatory with some home made blackcurrant juice, my own bread, eggs from the hen house and some of our neighbour Lil's famous strawberry jam. We had so many strawberries this year that she made pounds and pounds of jam. I don't know how she does it, but the colour is rose red and it is not rock hard like many others. Actually the best way to eat it is with clotted cream and just baked scones.

The dogs, Stripe & Spt, have put on a bit of weight so we are going to get back to a good regime. Just lately we have slipped a bit, getting up later, not doing so much active work and spending too much time on the computer. Today we are going to walk over the green road to visit our neighbour Trevor for a cup of coffee, Might pick a few of the last blackberries on the way. That's a good couple of miles and we can walk and talk while enjoying the countryside.

Yesterday we planted out the big greenhouse with 4 different types lettuce, carrots, beetroot, parsley, and other vegetables for the Winter. It will be interesting to see how it fares over the winter months. Normally we only plant in the traditional growing seasons, but with the warmer winters it may well give us year round vegetables as well.

Woke this morning to go mushroom hunting. We were talking with Trevor our neighbouring farmer to see if he had seen any this year while inspecting his sheep but he has not spotted any at all. We have had loads of horse mushrooms popping up in the large greenhouse but they do not have the flavour of field mushrooms.

Loads of scarlet rose hips and hoar berries in the hedgerows add a touch of colour now that the leaves are starting to turn and the paths and drive ways have drifts of autumn leaves that will need gathering up. I might take the American blower out and make short work of this task. The small tractor and large rolling brush will clear the drive. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Only a few weeks now until our Anna Maria Island Florida holiday. If you want to see where we are going take a look at the gorgeous new web page at http://www.amisland.com/

Apparently it has all the new features including online booking, up to date availability calendar and the house, Villa christina, looks divine. I told a friend about it and they phoned to tell me they booked Villa rosa as it was such a good deal in November.

I have apples and pears from the orchard stored in the garage and made a smashing dessert with pears poached with just a little water and a sprinkling of demerara sugar. Remove pears, reduce syrup, add a good splash of Courvoisier and allow to cool to just warm. Toast some almonds in a dry pan and sprinkle over. It is quick and easy

Annie phoned. She is going over to Florida soon. Last night she made a reservation on http://www.amisland.com/

The web site is interactive and you can make the reservation right there online. Judging from the photos every property they have for rent is gorgeous. Annie said it was so hard to choose, but in the end it boiled down to Villa Serena and Villa Tuscany. In the end they plumped for Villa Tuscany as it is least expensive and leave loads of dollars free to spend in the local restaurants and attractions.

She says to expect a postcard next month letting me know how she is getting on. Apparently November is the least expensive times to go over there, both for flights and accommodation, yet it is also the nicest weather. Not too hot, the weather is settled, plenty of sunshine and the island is peaceful. She says there is a white sand beach running the whole 7 miles of the islands coastline.

In the meantime they are coming up to Bwlch Tre Banau http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ this weekend, so I can catch up with all their news. They are booked into Barley Cottage as I have already rented Meadow Barn and Wheatsheaf cottage.

I'm sitting by a crackling log fire, relaxing watching the X-factor. It was a really busy day, we went down to Mumbles on the coast, about an hours drive. I have never been there before - what a perfect place for a day trip. Lots of small, pretty shops and along the seafront is a great array of restaurants. We stopped and had an early dinner in Patricks, arguably the best fillet steak we have ever tasted and the desserts were divine. Definitely one to add to the list of Best Places to eat. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Had a great evening last night. Some farming friends came up from the West Country and we had an uproarious evening of tall tales, Dartmoor ghost stories, reminiscences of growing up in and around the village of Chagford high upon Dartmoor. Fuelled by a couple of bottles of wine, a good dinner of our own roasted free range chicken, crispy roasted potatoes & onions laced with chopped rosemary from the rockery by the back door and vegetables freshly picked from the kitchen garden.

One of the highlights of the evening was the story of the bumptious DEFRA representative who called at the farm, flashed his DEFRA identity card and demanded to inspect all aspects of the land. The farmer said he could go everywhere except the top field. The DEFRA rep said that he was legally entitled to go anywhere he wanted on the farm. 15 minutes later the farmer heard screaming from the top field and looked over the gate to see the DEFRA rep running across the grass with his best bull in hot pursuit.

The farmer shouted over the gate "Show him your card!"

The Carmarthenshire hills and mountains are very similar to Dartmoor and so are the respective farming communities. They are resilient, incredibly hard working and have a sense of humour that sees them through adversity and uncertain times. it's like being a member of a private club that you can only join through shared experiences. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Woke up to the sun streaming through the window and the remains of a rainshower glistening on the garden. When I look out it could well be Spring, everything is growing. Bearing in mind it is the end of September we have been so lucky with the weather this month. I hope it continues on into October. I trimmed back the honeysuckle around the walkway unter the pergola and brushed up the bricks. The rose that Cassie gave me for my birthday is blooming for a second time. It always comes out in June and is a pale pink edged with a raspberry tint but it is unusual for it to bloom a second time. Called "Birthday Girl" it always reminds of her when I walk past it on my way down to the greenhouses.

I cut long strands of mint and took them into the lean-to greenhouse to dry in the sunshine. Why buy mint tea when it is so easy to make your own. I should have enough for the Winter as it is prolific. Can't wait until the "Chagford" mint really gets going next year. The leaves are huge and fluffy looking and the smell and taste are divine. Mint also looks great mixed in with cut flowers and makes the room smell divine. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/