Happy campers

Lots of interest in the holiday cottages today, have been busy replying to emails this evening. I think they will get booked up earlier this year than last year. There are loads of great comments in the visitors books that I have posted on our web site 

The holiday cottage in Torquay has booked out early this year. We still have some weeks available so if you want to experience one of the Devon's best coastal cottages go straight to our website

News Update from Florida

I heard today from some guests who stayed in Villa Christina. They loved the new look - we jut employed a professional decorator to create the light and bright island beach decor. and the result is so pretty. They can't wait to come back again in the fall for another week in paradise.

Here in Carmarthenshire the snowdrops carpet the secret woodland just across the meadows and the daffodils are starting to push up beside the main driveway. Prince Charles also loves Carmarthenshire and has bought a similar small country estate just down in the valley below the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate. In a few weeks lambs will be frolicking in the fields in the pale spring sunshine and catkins appear in the trees and hedgerows. Wheatsheaf Cottage is waiting for you.

Daffodils are also peeping through in the gardens of West Wing Cottage down in Torquay, South Devon. The climate there is always warmer than the rest of the County and indeed most of the UK. The beaches surround the waters of Torbay and the cottage is perched right on the edge of the water. It is a dramatic and beautiful position for a delightful holiday cottage. http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Christmas at the farm

Christmas here on the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate was beautiful - the landscape was a snow scene worthy of a picture postcard. Guests in the cottages enjoyed roaring log fires and each cottage found a Christmas tree waiting for them on their arrival. A truly traditional family Christmas was had by one and all.

West Wing Cottage at Torquay also enjoyed a brisk, crisp Christmas Day. Reservations there have started early this year but there are still a few weeks left during the Spring/Summer/Autumn. Guests wanting to spend some time on the "English Riviera" can see the cottage and check availability at

For anyone looking for warmer climes just look at our sister website http://www.amisland.com/http://www.amisland.com/

Beautiful houses and apartments on Florida's pristine white sand on western coast, just below Tampa Bay enjoy a divine climate and a friendly, laid back atmosphere, great restaurants and plenty to see and do.

September has been divine at the Bwlch Tre Estate http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ the pale morning sunlight illuminates the view down over the hillside to the valley below and out to the Black Mountains on the far horizon. Down in the orchad it is full of apples, pears, damsons and plums. Fat, juicy yellow and red raspberries are growing in profusion. Guests staying in Wheatsheaf Cottage, Barley Cottage and Meadow barn are invited to pick some for their supper

The English Riviera is equally enjoying some superb weather. You can rent the west wing of a beautiful 1923 Lutyens influenced mansion house right on the seafront with half an acre of elegant private lawns gardens for your own use http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Over on Anna Maria Island the beaches are peaceful, the pelicans are diving gracefully into the Gulf, and the sandpipers run in and out of the gentle surf that laps the sands.

No blogs recently as we have had a really busy Summer here in the beautiful Bwlch Tre Banau Estate. Guests have enjoyed the cottages and left some lovely comments in the visitor books - it is really helpful to have feedback and find out what they have particularly enjoyed during their visit. The main comment is that they love the cottages and are absolutely amazed at the beauty of the situation and the views.

The property West Wing Cottage http://www.torquay.uk.com/ is also receiving rave reviews - again the situation and views are unsurpassed, albeit this time of the calm waters of Torbay on the English Riviera.

On the Carmarthenshire estate http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ the apples and pears are ripening in the orchard, the blackberries in the hedgerows are plump and juicy and the plums have been made into some delicious preserves. The new geese in the meadow are growing rapidly, they are only 5 weeks old and already are larger than the chickens. Hillsides are dotted with this Spring's lambs, now grown fat and happy on the summer grasses.

Anytime now is mushroom gathering season, so we will be searching all the meadows for field mushrooms.

Postcard From America - received a lovely email from a lady who stayed in Villa Rosa- she loved everything about the waterfront house and aims to be returning to Anna Maria Island soon http://www.amisland.com/

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 and Chips in Wales followed by a stroll 2 doors down from there to Conti's Ice Cream for their delicious home-made ices and 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. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

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. http://www.torquay.uk.com

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. http://www.amisland.com/

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://www.amisland.com/