Thursday 7th March (Day 1)
Well who knew there was a 6.00 in the morning? Up with the lark and before 7.00am on the District line train travelling to Victoria Coach Station. The plan was a nice breakfast in a cafe before the coach trip to Swansea; the reality was poor breakfast in a cafe. Then the 9.00am Megabus to Swansea, via Bristol, Cardiff Uni, Cardiff Centre, Swansea Uni and, finally Swansea Centre. Not the most comfy of journeys with high winds, rain and a bit of sunshine. On arrival we were met by our dear friends Huw and Peggy and driven to their house. After a cup of tea and sort out we drove to the local shopping centre to look at .... washing machines as ours at home has died and we have been offered a choice of replacements. It didn't help. Back to Pontardulais and a beer and dinner followed by a chat and cards (well a bit of wine also) until just after 11.00pm when we went to bed pretty tired.
Friday 8th March (Day 2)
So, as is usual here, a slightly earlier start than we normally have, but 8.00am isn't really early I suppose. After breakfast we drove to the National Trust's Dyffryn Gardens and house in the Vale of Glamorgan - about a 30 minute drive. This building was owned by the Cory family who started by owning a small shop down by the docks and they expanded into coal and oil worldwide - refuelling ships. Cory himself was a temperance man and any workman / builders he employed were not allowed to bring any alcohol onto the property. They were a generous family supporting many charities and opening several seaman missions. We strolled the garden, which had crocus and daffodils in flower, in light rain. A pleasant stroll none the less. Then at midday the house was opened and we walked around that. The NT have owned this since 2013 and there is still a lot of work to be undertaken. It was still interesting (and dry). Over to the cafe next where we all had some soup to fill us and warm us. Back to the car and on the way back home we stopped just outside Swansea at an electrical store to see if we could sort the washing machine issue, which we did. (Peggy and Huw also came away with a vacuum cleaner as their one had broken.) Then a quick stop at The Range followed by Tesco before finally walking into the house at 4.30pm. Dinner followed and then some more games before bed.
Saturday 9th March (Day 3)
After breakfast it was back to The Range to exchange yesterday's purchase as it was faulty, then Morrison's for bread ....... and gin! After that a twenty minute drive along the M4 to Aberdulais tin works and waterfalls - again a National Trust site. It is a small site with a derelict tin works and a working water wheel. Situated, unsurprisingly, next to a river with the added bonus of the waterfalls. The site goes back to 1584 when a German called Fosse came here to make copper. It then became a corn mill, before becoming the tin works. We spent a very nice hour or so walking around and reading the info boards etc. Then we drove back to Huw and Peggy's for soup for lunch before settling down to watch the Six Nations rugby Scotland .v. Wales (11 - 18) followed by England .v. Italy (57 - 14)! Then it was time for dinner before the evenings entertainment with the neighbours Cheryl and Peter. Laughs galore was the order of the evening and a very late night.
Sunday 10th March (Day 4)
Despite a late finish last night we were up earlier than ever, although only just before 8.00am. After breakfast we decided to stretch our legs and walk to the local park to watch the children play tag rugby. We arrived just beofre 11.00am just as they finished. We returned for a cooked breakfast a bit later. We were then off to a surprise location for our Christmas present. 12.30pm saw us on our way for an hours run to .....somewhere. Eventually we turned off a valley road into the small village of Crai. Then through another, Fellin Crai (Crai Mill) and then onto a no through road which lead us up to a farm in the middle of nowhere. It was here we parked up. We donned our walking shoes, leggings, coats etc to protect us from the elements as it was quite a remote location, muddy with a 'promise' of rain a bit later. A walk around the corner and we were confronted with ....sheep. Jacob sheep to be precise. Big Jacob sheep with horns; above waist high. Six were selected; one for each of us and one for the two farm owners who were to accompany us walking the sheep. These Jacob sheep could have two, four or even six horns. Jet, Jagger, Paintpot and Jigsaw were ours, with Nicola, the farmer's daughter, having Jesse and her dad had Liquorice a smaller breed, totally black in colour as if you couldn't guess. We walked abut two miles with them around the farmland with a stop for welsh cakes and tea on route. The weather, while a bit windy, was actually very kind to us. Upon getting back to the farm it started to rain so we were very lucky. It was a very pleasant, fun and relaxing experience. Clearly something that not many people had done but I can recommend it. On the return journey in the car we encountered rain and sleet, and the hill 'disappeared' in the gloom, emphasising how lucky we had been on the sheep trek. Storm Gareth was upon us. We stopped for a pint at a pub (The Ancient Brittain) before returning to watch the recorded match of Ireland soundly beating France in the Six Nations (24 - 14). Although it appears close it was really one way traffic. A casserole followed and then games.
Monday 11th March (Day 5)
After a busy few days we had a slightly slower start. After breakfast we drove to another National Trust location, about 15 miles away at Llandeilo called Dinefwr. This is a grand house, grounds (with deer), a farm with a rare white cattle breed and a castle ruin which goes back to the 12thc. We started off in the house. While we were in the building Peggy and Huw met two people they knew working as volunteers for the Trust and then a third who offered to take us to some parts that the public would not normally see. The building was used as a hospital in WWII and one part which was originally the servants hallways used for a ward for the injured soldiers. When so used it had 'saucy' ladies painted on the walls similar to those on American Flying Fortresses - sadly now long gone. One part of the hall ceiling looked like ornate plaster but was actually paper mache made in London and transported down. There was also a painting of three children that appear to be too far apart. This is because there were five children in the painting but two died so the parents had them painted out! Then it was time for a cup of tea and a bite to eat before a walk that eventually led us up to Dinefwr Castle which commanded some great views. The grounds, still not yet awake from winters lumbers were designed by Capability Brown and a visit in warmer weather is a must I believe. Back home and then tea and welsh cakes. 6.00pm saw us off to the 'Rack and Riddle' pub, just outside Swansea in Penclawdd for a meal. It was about 25 minute drive and what followed was a great meal which we all enjoyed. If anything the portions were too large, although I managed mine! 8.30pm saw us back for our last night together.
Tuesday 12th March (Day 6)
The traveller's ate a hearty breakfast after a stormy night with the rain lashing down. A big 'thank you' to Hendy council who decided that a noisy street sweeping machine should do the road before 7.00am - twice and s-lo--w-l-y. A good day to travel with the rain and wind. Peggy and Huw dropped us off a Swansea Quadrant Shopping Centre Bus Station to get the Megabus home. The journey London to Swansea return cost £18.67 for BOTH of us. A bargain. For the whole journey to London it was rain and more rain. We had one very slow bit on the M4 which resulted in us getting to Victoria 20 minutes late. Then it was the District line to Hornchurch and a bus home, where we arrived at by 5.30pm As always a great visit to the Rees' accommodation.