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://www.amisland.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.

Choosing a holiday by the sea or in the countyside need not be an issue. Spend some time in both places http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ Carmarthenshire is home to 3 holiday rental cottages near the Brecon Beacons is South Wales. Easy access from the motway and set in stunning countryside with unsurpassed views.

For unrivalled sunshine and a relaxed and friendly environment http://www.amisland.com/ you cannot beat Anna Maria Island on Florida's west coast. Fly direct to Tampa. The island lies in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast and is accessed by either of 2 bridges from the mainland.

Torquay's premier vacation rental, The West Wing Cottage http://www.torquay.uk.com/ has one of the best positions on the South Devon coastline.

http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ Our guests have been enjoying some really good weather recently. All the trees and shrubs have been bursing into bud and house sparrows are nesting in the eaves. I thought the swallows had arrived early but on closer inspection it turned out to be the sparrows. We have been clearing out the wood store and I sorted out some chunks of oak that had been trimmed off when making large beams. We used them on the fire last night and the heat they throw out is enormous. Nothing like relaxing in front of a glowing wood fire at the end of a busy working day.

For your holdiay in Wales

The sun is shining on the swathe of golden daffodils that line the driveway. Yesterday we sorted out the raspberry canes and weeded around the gooseberry and blackcurrants. The grass is growing in the parkland to whizzed around with the large drive on mower. There is nowhere prettier in the UK than Bwlch Tre Banau and its great holiday cottages - glorious to be out in the sunshine.

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This morning the sun is shining so it is a great morning to take a look at the gardens to see what needs doing after the winter. I still have some snowdrops in the large stone trough by the back door, although it is pretty shady there because of the year round clematis growing over the pergola. The first show of daffodils lines the drive and, when they are over, a second wave will emerge taking us right through to April.

The ducks, chickens and eggs that roam in the meadow have started laying. It seems a bit early but it must be the result of the fantastic couple of weeks of bright and sunny weather we have just experienced, getting nature off to a quick start this year. During Spring at Bwlch Tre Banau it is fun to watch everything spring to life - birds starting to nest in the hedgerows and trees and fullsome pink blossom on the peach trees in the greenhouse.

The orangery http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/the-orangery.html is the perfect place to unwind at the weekend with the newspapers, a good book or some sudoko. For computer buffs we now have really fast satellite broadband in the cottages so while on holiday you can keep in touch with friends, family and business. Isn't modern life great, you can be in a haven of peace and tranquility but still make sure everything in your life runs smoothly and efficiently while you are away. Real freedom.

When you make a reservation at The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate near the Brecon Beacons in one of Listed Heritage's delightful cottages http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ don't miss a visit to nearby Llandeilo. I was there yesterday and its winding streets are dotted with an eclectic collection of small shops, restaurants, coffee shops and galleries. One of Wales prettiest towns by far with a far reaching history, Llandeilo is a great place to splend a few hours. Stroll down to see the river, visit National Trust properties, enjoy a first class lunch and take home some naughty chocolate treats from the little chocolate boutique on the main street. Explore the back streets to find more very small individual shops of every type and description. Its rare to find such a gem. Don' miss it when you stay at Wheatsheaf Cottage, Meadow Barn or Barley Cottage http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/the-properties.html

At the moment we have primroses, daffodils, snowdrops and crocus emerging around the estate. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/the-estate-views.html The pink heather on the rockery is in flower. The sunshine over the past couple of weeks has signalled the start of spring, but a sharp frost will nip it back a bit if it occurs. Wales is beautiful in the Spring. Lambs gambol in the fields and hillsides, the hawks, kestrels and red kites swoop overhead in the sky and the verdant rolling hills stretch out towards the Brecon Beacons. Often the very highest peaks in the Beacons have a light dusting of snow. We have been really busy preparing another delightful holiday cottage right on the bayfront at south Devon’s beautiful and elegant resort of Torquay http://www.torquay.uk.com/