Our week that was: Apple Day

We’re into October – summer has had her last hurrah – no more unexpected yet very welcome hot, sunny days. Thoughts are turning to what to do on my birthday next month, what we’ll do for Christmas and whether I’ll leave filing our online tax returns to the last minute… again!

This weekend, I attended the 2^nd annual Apple Day organised by the Hafod Walled Garden Group. The garden is located within the National Trust-owned Hafod Estate, a place we often go, but never to this hidden area that’s down off the signposted walking routes.

I saw the event advertised on their Facebook group, and organised to attend with a friend from the village. We both wanted to learn how to make apple cider vinegar. We filled a couple of large trugs with apples (many of the gardens in the village are laden) and set off.

Before long we were part of the conveyor belt of people – chopping apples, putting them through an electric shredder before finally extracting the juice with the manual press. All very physical work, but very enjoyable!

When all the apples had been turned to pomace, we set off back home, each with a litre bottle of fresh apple juice under our arm.

One of the Hafod Walled Garden Group members has posted some lovely photos of the day on her Instagram account – you may even catch a glimpse of me in there somewhere!

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Property Spotlight: Aberaeron

There are some lovely towns along the West Wales coast and Aberaeron is one of our favourites. It’s an attractive Georgian town; home to little independent shops, a great chippie, a couple of fab ice cream outlets and one of our favourite pubs, Harbourmaster.

According to the Rightmove website, there are only 27 properties for sale in the town. Here are the three that we like the most.

We particularly love Glasfryn (the mid-range home); it’s located in Aberarth a small village just north of Aberaeron. Not only does it boast a decked patio area that directly overlooks the river Arth, it also has a sweet little annex that can be used as an office, artist studio, summer house, gym… lots of different purposes!

£170,000 – Hendref, Aberarth SA46 0LL

• Quaint character Welsh period cottage
• 2 bed accommodation
• Recently refurbished
• Double glazing and electric heating
• Sun patio
• Private parking
• 5 minutes walk to sea front
• Only a mile or so north east of Aberaeron

£299,950 – Glasfryn, Aberarth SA46 0LR

• A most charming comfortable and quirky three storey stone Welsh cottage
• 4 bed accommodation
• Double glazing and central heating
• Delightful spacious garden bordering river
• Studio/workshop
• Private forecourt parking
• 5 minutes walk to sea front
• Only a mile or so north east of Aberaeron

£595,000 – The Vicarage, Panteg Road, Aberaeron SA46 0EP

• This is first time ever that the property has been on the open market for sale
• 5 bed former vicarage
• Set in lovely mature walled grounds of 1.2 acres
• Walking distance to harbour-side and town centre amenities

Out & About: Ynyslas

It’s been a long while since we did one of our ‘Out & About’ posts.

There’s been a big house move and lots of DIY jobs to do recently. Then, of course, the Covid restrictions we’ve had to contend with this year. So, all in all, it hasn’t been the best time for getting out and exploring. However, when time and opportunity allows, we still head off for walks or a short drive somewhere.

We have lots of new things and places to discover. One such location that’s been on our list since we moved to Wales is Ynyslas.

It’s a stunning area that encompasses a multitude of habitats for wildlife… and people!

It’s part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve which serves to protect the landscape here.

There’s both sandy and pebble beaches, dunes, salt marsh, raised peat bog and grassland contained within it.

We arrived on a perfect sunny day, received a warm welcome from a warden and parked on the beach car park (normally £2 all day, but free on this occasion).

There are a number of way-marked trails that you can take – or just ‘freestyle’ and wander around.

Some people appeared to unpack chairs from the car and just plonk themselves right where they parked. However, you didn’t have to move far to get a bit more space if so desired.

We walked the 2½-mile ‘Ynyslas Trail’ which took in the dunes, beach, estuary and salt marsh, thus giving a nice taster of the scenery and various habitats. (It also means that you’ve ‘earned’ your cup of tea or ice-cream at the end).

Having done that, we spent a couple of hours on the beach taking in the fabulous views both out to sea and inland.

We really loved the place… and it’s less than half an hour’s drive from our new house.

We’ll be returning often to explore further or just relax with a picnic.

A day out in Aberaeron

Justin’s mum and sister came to look at our new house yesterday. After a potter around and cups of tea, we decided to go for a drive – and show them one of our favourite places that’s on the doorstep. Well, not quite doorstep, but only 30 minutes drive. The place in question is the small harbour town of Aberaeron.

It’s a lovely destination to visit, whether just for an hour or two… or for a much longer stay.

There are pretty, brightly painted houses everywhere you look.

These provide the perfect backdrop for an equally attractive harbour area where boats are moored.

The first time we came here there had just been severe flooding in the area, and it was quite a scene of devastation. Large pieces of debris had been brought downstream by a raging river torrent and smashed into the small sea craft (as you can see at the left hand side of the photo below). Many vessels were affected, particularly closer to the mouth of the river. It must have taken some clearing up. It’s back to its gorgeous best now though and we had a very nice couple of hours in the sunshine, taking in the fresh sea air and having a bite to eat.

There’s no shortage of places to eat or have coffee. Pubs, restaurants, cafés, fish & chip shops and ice cream parlours. Personally, we’ve sampled meals and coffee The Harbourmaster, ice-cream at The Hive and fish & chips at The New Celtic . They all come highly recommended!

In addition to the various catering establishments, there are also some lovely little independent shops. These include interiors shop Seld, which we always like to have a mooch around when we’re there. There’s always something to tempt us. And there’s more temptation just round the corner – Manor Farm Barn Antiques stocks some fabulous country furniture.

Aberaeron also has food, garden and craft festivals. In fact, one of our recent trips coincided with Feast – Aberaeron which was going with a real swing when we arrived.

You can find bustling spots or quiet corners. Whichever you choose, just sit, take it all in – and enjoy.

If you’re ever driving along the Ceredigion coast road, be sure to pull the car over and take a break here. Or make it the destination for a section of the coastal walk perhaps. Or even book a cottage for a week and spend a few days discovering the various attractions of the town and surrounding area.

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: Ceredigion