One of our favorite days out is to drive down Highway 41 to Myakka State Park. It is only about 40 minutes drive from Anna Maria island and is one of the oldest and largest state parks. Covering 58 square miles of lakes, wetlands prairies, hammocks and pinelands, visitors can enjoy watching wildlife from a boardwalk that stretches out over Upper Myakka Lake or take to the treetops with a stroll along the canopy walkway. You can walk or drive slowly along the main paved road that travels through the park. Pause at the bridge to look down onto the lake to see alligators sunning themselves on the banks and gliding through the waters. Along the route catch glimpses of deer, wild boar and Florida birds. Go boating, freshwater fishing, kyaking or canoeing, ride on the State's largest air-boat and from May through mid-December take an tram ride through the park's back-country. Take some burgers or steaks in a cooler and cook out on the barbecue grills provided in the picnic area. Eating out in the fresh air beside the lake, food never tasted so good. If you don't want to cook out, then just take a quick trip to Publix grocery store before you leave - take a whole cooked lemon pepper or barbecue chicken, one of their house salads and some delicious breads and pastries. This is a day out that all the family will enjoy. Writing this reminds me of the time we went out to the park when it was flooded after a massive rain. We went out onto the boardwalk and on our way back were concerned to see that a small alligator, about 3 feet in length, had parked himself on the end right across our way off. We waited for about 5 minutes and threw a piece of vegetation in his direction to scare him off. He slid off the boardwalk and swam away. Just as we were passing the spot where he had been, one of our party who is a real prankster was lagging behind suddenly started screaming and running. Nobody looked back, we just all took off together through the flooded banks as fast as our legs could carry us. Of course it was nothing and we all ended up with the giggles. I still laugh about it now. http://www.amisland.com/

Marsha emailed me from Florida to say that her new web site was now up and running. We lit a roaring fire in the inglenook fireplace down in the lower living room and spent some time going though the new site. It is really quite informative. http://www.amisland.com/

Received a lovely email from Sarah and her family saying how they enjoyed Wheatsheaf Cottage and their visit to Carmarthenshire. It is so rewarding to receive positive comments about The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

I have just looked on the internet and find that the gallery has moved to The Bridge Gallery, The Corner House, 38 Quay St., Ammanford. As this is just across the Llandeilo bridge and a further 15 minutes drive I will try to make time to visit them today. It's worth skipping lunch for! http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

I have to go down to Llandeilo this morning so will stop off at my favourite coffee shop by the church for some of their reviving cappuccino and one of their delicious cakes or pastries. An art gallery just up the main street has many pieces of artwork that I covet. The Bridge Art Gallery in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire West Wales showcases the work of Welsh watercolour landscape artists. I will drop some very large hints in the Bwlch Tre Banau kitchen with suggestions for Christmas.

The landscape and wildlife prints of works by Wendy Powell Jones, Jenny Keal and David Bellamy are evocative of days spent walking in the Carmarthenshire hills http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/.

Sunrise is beautiful here at Bwlch Tre Banau http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/,the sun comes up over the hill to the East and lights up the sky. It's quite a sight to wake up to, bathing the landscape with silvery pink and golden light. If there is mist in the valley below it is like a carpet over the trees and then as it lifts, dissipating in the morning sunshine.you can gradually make out the ancient woodlands beneath the haze. It is a sight not to be missed and is well worth rising early for.

A red kite was swooping over the chicken run today. I think all our chickens are too big for him so perhaps he was looking field mice. He is such a beautiful bird. A few years ago one was living near the road between The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ and the small village of Siloh and often when I drove down through the canopy of trees he would fly into the road in front of the Rangerover and fly in front of my vehicle for about 50 yards before veering off. This went on for quite a few months, then one day he was gone and I have not seen him since. It was an incredible experience.

This area of Wales is home to one of the smallest distilleries in the world. The Penderyn Distillery is located in the Brecon Beacons National Park and draws water exclusively from its own well. Only this water is used in the distilling and blending process and is a key ingredient in their malt whisky. The distillery also produces gin and vodka, plus a Merlyn Liqueur that sounds delicious

I found this description on their website
"Rich warming creamy texture and fudge toffee is overlaid with the tingling aroma of fresh clean spirit. Gradually these give way to vanilla, hints of banana and exotic fruits – and even rose petals – all lingering gently in the background.

In the mouth the fruits are more intense and intermingle with the vanilla. When swallowed the combination of fresh cream and complex spirit produce a mysterious depth which is difficult to describe but encourages the next mouthful."

Sound magical - perfect for serving at Christmas at Bwlch Tre Banau http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/. Wales has some superb products including Welsh wine and a fine selection of local cheeses sold in the greengrocer/delicatessen in Llandovery. Succulent Welsh lamb and Welsh Black beef raised in the gently rolling hills of Carmarthenshire is second to none. Our free range eggs and vegetables are second to none.

The postman rolled up in his red van with a postcard from Florida sporting a cheerful picture of an idyllic beachfront property http://www.amisland.com/ I have put it up in the farmhouse kitchen to remind me of the time we spent on Florida's west coast. Anyway back to reality, must go and feed the chickens and pick up the new laid eggs.