Drove to Totnes. The satnav took us down some windy lanes, in the middle of one of which was a Buzzard eating a rabbit. At Totnes, we had a look around. Got a paper and a coffee. On the high street, we bumped into friend Nick J from Bristol who had been doing sound for … Read more “Saturday: Totnes, Aveton Gifford, Bantham”

We went for a walk. Up to Hay Tor, then along the old granite tramway for a bit and through the remains of a 14th Century village. Lots of Pipits, Stonechats and Wheatears. Buzzard, Kestrel, Ravens. Up to Hound Tor, then along the road to the grave of Kitty Jay, guarded today by cows. Up … Read more “Friday: Tor Tour”

Stopped at Topsham for a wander around and a coffee, then on then to the RSPB Exminster Marshes car park. We walked a mile and crossed the Exeter canal at the lock at the Turf Hotel and had a nice lunch there, sandwiched between the canal and the Exe estuary. Walked back along the canal. … Read more “Thursday: Topsham, Exminster Marshes”

We drove 10 minutes to Talybont-on-Usk and from there did a nice walk. Along the river – saw a pair of Mandarin Ducks – then climbed up through fields and old Oak woods. Up on the hill we found a Great Spotted Woodpecker nest hole with chicks in it. We couldn’t see the chicks, but … Read more “Tuesday: Talybont walk, etc”

We checked out of the cottage. It was a nice place to stay. A part of some old farm buildings, set in a square around a central yard. Very thick walls. There were a few apartments of various sizes in the block but all were empty so we had the place to ourselves. The owners, … Read more “Monday: waterfall”

We went to St Davids and bought some pasties for lunch, had a coffee and then drove down the lane and parked at St Justinians. We got on the 12pm boat. It was a fast rib, with 10 other passengers, and it only took a few minutes to cross the sound to Ramsey Island. We … Read more “Sunday: Ramsey Island”

We drove 45 mins to a layby and parked and then did a walk. We climbed up to the top of the Preseli Hills then followed the ridge along and went up to Foel Cwmcerwyn, the highest point in Pembrokeshire, stunning views all round. We descended through a timber plantation and passed a disused slate … Read more “Saturday: Preseli Hills”

We got the boat from St Martins Haven at 09:45 and did a tour around Skomer and Skokholm islands and out to the Gannet colony at Grassholm. We had lunch at Runwayskiln cafe, just 5 minutes away from the St Martins Haven car park – very nice. After lunch we drove 15 minutes to St … Read more “Friday: boat trip, snorkel, nice meal”

We walked from the cottage through fields to Abereiddy Bay and then took the coast path west. Great views of Choughs and Ravens. There was an old hill fort. Just before Castell Coch we turned inland and went back to Abereiddy. There we heard and briefly glimpsed a Cuckoo. Then we took the coast path … Read more “Thursday: a very nice walk”

We checked out of Twr Y Felin and parked in the car park in St Davids. We looked round the Cathedral. The floor is sloping and the columns are on the slant – though you don’t notice it in the photo. Had a coffee in the Cathedral cafe. We bought sandwiches for lunch in a … Read more “Wednesday: St Davids, Solva”