Goytre Wharf | A walk by the Brecon Canal and Day Boat hire

Today’s adventure around Monmouthshire took us to the beautiful are of Goytre Wharf. It’s only a 20 min drive from our little house so we decided to take the dogs for a walk by the Canal. The Wharf is well sign posted off the A4042 road to Abergavenny  and there is plenty of room to park. It does cost a £1 to park so make sure that you some cash.
It really is a beautiful area to walk around. There were plenty of people there and children playing by the Aqua duct Cottage. There was also a Sponsored Walk going on so we were very aware to keep the dogs on a tight lead. Not that ours would do anything bad, I just never assume that everyone is a dog lover. We always make sure that kids and Parents walk passed first and if their child wants to stop and pet one of Malamutes, then that is fine.
There are plenty of boats moored up at the side all painted up in pretty colours. We wondered how much one would be to hire, so we walked around to the Dry Dock where they have information on hiring out their boats. You can hire a 5 berth boat for the day for £105 which is pretty good.
 As we walked up the side of the canal, Guinness’ out youngest, was very taken by the ducks who were fighting. We couldn’t pull her away and were busy laughing at her expression. Bless her!

 

We walked back down the side of the Canal, where we were stopped a few times so the dogs could have a pet, and stopped off at the beautiful canal side Café/Restaurant called Canale which is ran as an Italian café. The ice cream is simply wonderful! After a well-earned drink for us all, we walked back to the car and came home where the fur kids had two massive bowls of water and we had a couple of sneaky ciders!

Gingers Antique Dealer | Gingers Abergavenny

Last Saturday, my partner and myself popped into Town and walked past our favourite Antiques shop ‘Gingers' where we spotted a white cabinet outside their shop. It looked a bit tired and worn, but with a little bit of TLC we thought it wold look brilliant in our kitchen. I wanted a County Farm look so I thought that we could jazz it up a bit with a coat of paint and a few nik naks. We have already purchased a beautiful farmhouse table and chairs from Gingers in Abergavenny, so this item would look wonderful.
My Partner is better than me at painting so I left him to do that and also put it on the wall. Meanwhile I got on with making some little hearts. I have a big plastic tub full of fabric that I keep hold of and make things such as lavender bags or ragdolls for my partner’s girls. They also enjoy sewing so I keep plenty of craft items in to keep them busy.
I just cut a template out and then attached it to the fabric, then cut around the template. I made a smaller heart shape template as well so I could add a contrasting colour to the centre of the main piece.
Its pretty easy to do wither by hand or on a sewing machine. The one heart was sewn with the stitching as part of the pattern so both the patterned side was put together then sewn. The other two hearts were pinned so the pattern was on the inside, then machine stitched, turned the right side out and then stuffed with toy stuffing and then hand stitched up.
I haven’t ventured into making outfits just yet as I am still in the beginner stages of sewing, but who knows? At least I can save money making Christmas presents!

You can find Gingers at The Fairfield Car Park/Park Rd, Abergavenny NP7 5TR or call 01873 855073
I did ask him if he was going to build a website but as yet, he has no plans. But you MUST go and have a look around the place. They have all sorts of gems that you can browse and purchase. We are saving up for a Welsh Dresser next month.

Vintage Market at Llanvihangel Court

I didn't know about this wonderful gem of a place until the other day when I saw a blackboard advertising a Farmers Vintage Market . My Partner took me to where this beautiful house is which is only a stone throw from The Skirrid Inn. Llanvihangel Court is a listed building that was built in the 16th Century. The first thing you notice after you have driven up the tree strewn drive way, id the huge wooden barn that also acts as an arch to the cottages that are there. Casually walking around were a couple of Peacocks. I tried to get a photo but I didn't want to get to near because A) the peacock was on private land and B) I didn't want to disturb him.

The Market offers visitors local produce from local business' such as Rowlestone Court Ice Cream,Ty Gwyn Cider and the Tudor Brewery. Also you can route threw vintage clothes and homewares from Townsens Designs and Verry Vintage. The Market is held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month so I am going to aim for this Saturday June 29th.
I do love my Vintage Fairs and I plan to get some fabric if I can so I can make some bunting to finish off my kitchen.

The Main House is behind two huge wooden gates that were locked but according to their website http://llanvihangelcourt.com/ they do open at certain times of the year for visits. Also check out their Facebook Page for upto date events.

So if you are in the area at any time pop along! I have also listed some great books to help you discover the area.

More Beatles Fun and Vintage Market on Sunday

"IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY, SERGEANT PEPPER TAUGHT THE BAND TO PLAY"

Abergavenny is a bustling Market Town and is described as the gateway to Wales and it doesn't let you down. As you have read, I have recently moved here and I  having been looking forward to the many events that are lined up over the months ahead. There is plenty to do here for the Resident and Tourist alike and I feel lucky enough to have found this wonderful and beautiful Town.

I wrote about the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles coming to Town and it is being celebrated this weekend over the full weekend.  I have written about the events on the Friday and Saturday evenings but at the time, I didn't realise that there was an event on Sunday.

From 10am in the Market Hall, there will be a Vintage Fayre which is put on by Vintage Vision. They promise to have 30 stalls on selling beautiful vintage goods such as clothing, accessories and homeware. Plus a catwalk fashion show, kids play area and if you are feeling peckish, stop by their vintage cafe.
If you fancy a lovely Sunday lunch then head to The Kings Arms Hotel, they serve between 2pm - 4pm and then stop on for more music from tribute band – Lennon and McCartney Come Together which starts at 4pm.

So if you fancy a something to do this Weekend, there is plenty on here in Abergavenny!

This Weekend at The Borough Theatre in Abergavenny, The Beatles

I am going out on the Town in Abergavenny, it is the first time and I am sure it wont be my last. So we are being treated to an Evening of The Beatles. 50 Years ago The Beatles performed in Abergavenny and for the Anniversary and remembering the good old days, there will be an evening of celebration. On Friday John Lennon’s Original Quarrymen will be performing:-

'Each of John Lennon’s Original Quarrymen was a member of John Lennon’s first group, with three of them being founding members along with John.

The Quarrymen play the music which influenced the birth of the Beatles - the skiffle and rock’n’roll of the mid fifties – played in the style of the many similar groups who were laying the foundations of British rock music.'

The show will end with a question and answer session afterwards.

Tickets are £13 ( concessions £11) Doors 7:30pm

Then on Saturday June 22nd, The Cavern Beatles will be performing a 2 hour live show with the favourite hits of the Fab Four. The Cavern Beatles are direct from Liverpool and are officially endorsed by the legendary cavern Club where The Beatles used to play.

Tickets are £18 Doors 7:30pm

Personally I am looking forward to seeing The Cavern Beatles as I have known them for years and I haven't managed to catch up with then in 10 years due to my work. So that is my weekend sorted :)

#beatlesabergavenny

Walks around Abergavenny.

Well as you can gather from my previous post and other related Blogs, we have been moving from the pub into a new place and a new way of life. We eventually finished moving on Wednesday 29th May, but I have obviously been too busy unpacking to write. . On Saturday my Parents came down to see the new place and to go for a walk. When I say walk, I mean a hike for me and a stroll for them (my Parents are fitter them me!!!) We set out only down the road from our house in Llanvetherine and parked outside the Church in the Village. We set off up the hill where we saw a beautiful renovated Gypsy Caravan, it was stunning. It was clearly a place that you could rent for a holiday. I don’t know the people who own the Caravan way but please take a look on their website www.underthethatch.co.uk/accommodation.php?accomid=104. By reading it, the caravan is the very same one that featured in the Wind in the Willows film and you can rent it out for that extra special time away from it all.

As we trekked on, my ankle throbbing (I know, I am a wimp) we eventually got to our goal. And what a view! OK we have only just moved here so we can be forgiven for that, but the Castle we came across is simply stunning. The White Castle is a few miles from Abergavenny and is one of the "Three Castles", alongside Skenfrith and Grosmont, the total walk is 18 miles. This was on a short 3 mile walk which was perfect for me as I am so unfit at the moment. We expected to find a small ruin but were amazed by our find. The White Castle is about a mile from the village of Llantilio Crossenny and sits low on the hillside. It dates back to the 13th century, the Welsh form of the name, Castell Gwyn, is said to derive from a local ruler of early Norman times, Gwyn ap Gwaethfoed, but the original name of the castle was Llantilio Castle, and the alternative - first recorded in the 13th century - refers to the white rendering which is still visible on parts of the exterior walls. Although the Castle is in partial ruin, a large amount of the Towers do remain and are open to visitors to walk to the top of and look at the incredible view! Although I can’t do heights, I have no idea why, it started when I was 18 when I tried to run down the Eiffel Tower like I did when I was 13. To get to the White Castle, you cross a modern bridge has been built by the Cadw. They maintain and look after the Castle. My partner and I plan to take his kids up there when they come over in the next few weeks. They love walking around old ruins, I didn’t mean their father! It will be really exciting for them to come over to Abergavenny now as there is plenty to do over the next few months. They were so bored in the Pub and we can now enjoy fun family days out together. I just hope this lovely weather holds out for picnics by the river and more walks around Abergavenny

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The Skirrid Mountain Inn and Llanthony Priory Hotel in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

Well seeing as my other Blog was about my Past, I thought I had better post something about what is going on as I have now moved away. When one door closes another one opens and all that. 

We have moved to a lovely little Village in Monmouthshire near the Town of Abergavenny. The views here are amazing and the Town is always bustling with activity. Yesterday (Tuesday) we went into Abergavenny Market. It was heaving there and so busy that we struggled to park. I don't mind that, I love to see a thriving Town. We pottered around the place as we weren't in a rush at all, it's so nice to slow down now and again. We needed to get some bits and pieces and as our fridge was bare after the move, we decided to see what the Market had to offer. There are stalls after stalls full of crafts, cheeses, bread, cakes, vegetables and meat. We purchased some eggs off the local farmer who had a stall there, 12 for £3.00 and free range. Massive Eggs as well so I will only need to use one in my baking, we then decided to stock up on the meat as our place is remote and we thought we had better get into the habit of freezing food. Yes, I know it's only the start of Summer but be prepared and all that, besides it is meant to be BBQ weather this weekend and we couldn't miss out on the BBQ Ribs they were selling at £5 a bag and I mean a carrier Bag! So stocked up on fresh fruit/veg and meat (meat will last a month easily) we drove back to our little place dropped the lot off in fridge and freezes then went out for lunch at The Skirrid pub. The Skirrid is about a 10 minute drive away from us, approx. an hour walk through the lanes. My other half's Mom and Step Dad own it, so it will be pretty much or local haunt. Haunting is what goes on in their pub and what it is well known for. It’s over 700 years old and is reputed to be Wales' Oldest Inn as well as having hung the last Welsh man. The upstairs, which is now letting bedrooms, used to be a Court and where the 'Hanging Judge' Judge Jeffrey’s would sentence people to death for stealing a loaf of bread! You can go in and ask to view the rooms and see the Prisoners Cell. We then went on a little drive up to Llanthony Priory. I went there in 1991 on my first Bike trip. OK, I was a pillion and my backside ached for hours afterwards. I was also a vegetarian at the time and there was nowhere to eat by the time we had arrived, Nigel (RIP) had got us lost on the way from Stourbridge to Llanthony Abbey and a 2 hour journey turned into a 4 hour. Very painful when you’re sitting on the back of a ZZR in the middle of February! I remember that we set up a camp fire in the middle of the field, went to the Pub, which I know now as the Half Moon, and went back to the tent famished. One of the lads had brought bags of steaks as he worked in a Butchers, and proceeded to cook them on an axe. That was the end of my Veggie days!!

Anyway, the sun was shining yesterday and I took some photos on my HTC phone and I must say they came out rather well.

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Its a totally stunning place to go and look at and its free entry as well. The Priory also has a Hotel on site and you can go downstairs to the bar which is basically like a cave. They also do lovely meals and teas and coffees as well as Traditional Ales.

(Images from the Llanthony Hotel Website http://www.llanthonyprioryhotel.co.uk)

So if you are in the Area and need a meal or accommodation then give either of the Skirrid Inn or The Priory Hotel a ring. Have a look at the ruins, stop for a coffee and just stand still for a while.