What an exciting start to the week; on Sunday, we had Rali Ceredigion literally roar into the village! The end of the week was slightly more demure, with a produce sale at the Women’s Institute Cottage on Saturday.
Rali Ceredigion
The day-2 stage start of the race was mere metres from our front door. We could feel the revving of engines and peeling tyres in our chests. We tried to capture the competitors – the first few snaps were of empty tarmac because finger reflexes were slower than the vintage cars whizzing past!
The weather was fabulous and we had front row seats… or deckchairs at least. We’ve put together a slideshow of stills and a playlist of video shorts to give a taste of the sights and sounds.
Produce sale
Thankfully, the good weather saw it through to the end of the week, when the local WI held its autumn produce sale and coffee morning.
As my contribution, I made half a dozen jars of spiced runner bean chutney and baked a lemon & ginger ‘visiting cake’ that was inspired by a recipe I found on the NY Times website many moons ago.
Justin provided some potted cuttings of tradescantia, it’s one of the few houseplants – along with spider plants – that thrives in our light-deficient cottage. The event was very well attended and raised vital funds for the Cottage’s upkeep.
We’ve been following this year’s Wimbledon Championships very closely, especially after having recently watched Break Point and feeling like we know some of the main contenders that little bit better.
We’ve scoured the web and have picked out three UK properties – in 3 price brackets – that would make fantastic homes for tennis fans.
The sensitive restoration and redevelopment of the former stable block at Whitehill Country Estate has created eight completely unique one-and two-bedroom properties. Each enjoys their own layout, original features, and distinctive charm, meaning there is something to suit all requirements. Though the smallest of the properties, no.24 is a spacious one-bedroom home.
The house itself is thought to be steeped in history having been built in around 1666 by a family who moved to Goosnargh after their house burnt down in the Great Fire of London.
• Simply stunning 17th century home
• Grade II listed with wonderful features
• Set in 1.5 acres (0.6 ha) or thereabouts
• Tennis court and leisure suite
• Beautifully presented gardens and grounds
• Good access to the main road & motorway network
• Fantastic location close to both the villages of Goosnargh & Broughton
• Preston City Centre is a short drive away with excellent rail links and amenities
A handsome, characterful family home dating back in part to the mid 1800s… The property is situated on a beautiful 2 acre plot with panoramic views over rolling fields and open farmland both to the front and rear of the property.
Justin is a massive golf fan. We’ve been watching a few of the tournaments on the television recently and I’ve been struck by the beauty of many of the courses. Some of them, like the Augusta National, are Technicolor, pristine and the sound of songbirds can be heard on every hole. Others, like St Andrews, are equally beautiful – but in a rugged and windswept way.
I also noticed in the coverage that there are houses overlooking, and even within, the golf course grounds. What golf enthusiast wouldn’t love to live in a place like that? Anyway, it made me wonder, what golf course properties are there available in the UK right now? Well, we found one facing the aforementioned St Andrews in Scotland (with added sea views too). Another in Lancashire that boasts it’s own neo-classical terrace where you can enjoy watching the golf. Lastly, is the luxury option located in an exclusive area of Surrey where past and current residents have included Agatha Christie, Elton John and Gary Numan. Have a look at the three of them below!
This extremely well appointed and designed two bedroomed 1st floor apartment with sun balcony enjoys open views looking over Royal Lytham Golf Course.
• Stunning 1st floor apartment
• Lounge with dining area
• Access on to a sun balcony
• Views of Royal Lytham Golf Course
• Two double bedrooms
• Modern en suite bathroom/WC & dressing room
• 2nd modern shower room/WC
• Garage & parking space
• Gas CH & double glazing
• Leasehold & EPC rating C
9a Arran House is a magnificent duplex apartment situated over the ground and garden-levels of a stately Victorian building, boasting one of the finest locations in St Andrews, overlooking the eighteenth hole of the Old Course, the iconic Swilcan Bridge and West Sands beach
• Finest location in St Andrews, overlooking the Old Course and Swilcan Bridge
• Sea views and a 5-minute walk to the beach
• Victorian listed building dating to 1868
• Duplex apartment over the ground and garden floors
• Drawing room with sea and golf course views
• Open-plan kitchen, family and dining room
• Two generous double bedrooms
• Shower room and separate bathroom
• Private patio garden with golf course views
• Gas central heating, conservation double glazing, EPC C
A stylish and contemporary home set on the main island of the Wentworth Estate boasting impressive views over the 16th fairway and green of the Championship Golf Course
• Wentworth Main Island
• Five bedrooms
• Five bathrooms
• Sauna and steam rooms
• Landscaped gardens
• Roof terrace
• Double garage
• Stylish living
I grew up in Trinidad & Tobago, so feel well-qualified to offer some tips and recommendations for stays in Tobago. Justin and I have also holidayed there together, which we thoroughly enjoyed, and reminisce about often. It offers endless options, whether you like lounging on the beach with a book or prefer doing something more active. We did a combination of both.
Get back to nature
Glass bottom boat
Tobago is a nature-lover’s Nirvana – the sea, the air and the earth are teeming with wildlife – get your cameras at the ready to snap away at all the gorgeous, exotic creatures you’ll encounter.
Glass bottom boat trips – A visit to Buccoo Reef and the Nylon Pool is an essential. Gaze down at the shoals of colourful fish and coral without even getting your feet wet!
World’s largest brain coral, Kelleston Drain, Tobago credit
Diving – Scuba dive or snorkel at Kelleston Drain off the island of Little Tobago, where you’ll find world’s largest brain coral colony. You may even come across a manta ray or two!
Turtle watching – Leatherbacks, Hawksbills and Green turtles visit Tobago to lay their eggs. All three of these species are endangered and protected. Leatherbacks are the largest surviving turtle species on earth. Their nesting season lasts from April to July when they lay eggs on the beach – usually the same beach where they themselves were born. There are specialist guided tours available to experience this wonder of nature.
Clockwise from top left: white-tailed sabrewing, white-naped jacobin, blue-backed manakin, tropical kingbird credit
Nature tours – Tobago boasts the oldest, legally protected rainforest in the world – the Main Ridge Forest Reserve. Here you’ll find (if you’re lucky to spot one) the Ocellated Gecko, Gonatodes Ocellatus, which isn’t found anywhere else in the world. For such a tiny island, there’s an abundance of rare species of birds and butterflies. Local people hang feeders containing sugar syrup in their gardens to attract the hummingbirds.
You’re spoilt for choice with pristine, white sandy beaches and calm, turquoise sea in Tobago. Visit Pigeon Point to sit on the edge of the jetty with your legs dangling over the edge and experience the sunset. It’s one of the prettiest and most popular beaches on the island. Saying that, it’s surprisingly never crowded.
Enjoy the culture & nightlife
No matter what time of year you visit, there’s usually something lively going on. Amongst other events, Tobago Jazz Experience (April), the Heritage Festival (July) and the Great Fête Weekend – (actually 5 nights) live music on Pigeon Point beach (also July).
Local dishes – There’s a plethora of restaurants and street food on the island serving delicious T&T specialities. Trinidad & Tobago is a food-obsessed, multi-cultural nation and its cuisine reflects this enthusiasm and diversity. Dishes such as pelau, goat curry, crab & dumplings and crab & callaloo are hugely popular. Some of my favourites include buss-up-shut, doubles, pholourie, fried bake, boiled corn-on-the-cob and macaroni pie.
Seafood – Being a small island, all the hotels & restaurants all serve freshly-caught seafood & shellfish such as lobster, crab, shrimps, conch, red snapper and tuna. If you’re self-catering, you can buy it from the fishermen, straight off the boats!
Fruit & veg – If you’re vegetarian, there’s the widest, freshest selection of tropical fruit from which to choose. Coconuts, bananas, watermelon, pineapples, mangos, citrus, papaya (called paw-paw). Fresh vegetables and salad are also, unsurprisingly, in abundance (yes, some of these are actually fruits!); avocados (called zaboca), breadfruit, tomatoes, plantain, pumpkin, aubergine (called melongene), okra (called ochro) and fiery chilli peppers!
Alcohol & soft drinks – Nothing quenches the thirst on a hot day more than a cold bottle of one of the local beers – Stag or Carib. There’s also Trinidad-produced rum – mix it with cola, ginger ale or coconut water or make a fruity rum punch. For non-alcoholic options try coconut water, sorrel (if you’re there around Christmas), mauby, soursop, peanut punch and the cocktail, Bentley.
Foodie events – 2018 is the 20th anniversary of the Blue Food Festival. It’s held in October on the north east coast of the island in Bloody Bay, L’Anse Fourmi, and Parlatuvier. The festival gets its name from dasheen, a root vegetable or ‘ground provision’ whose flesh takes on a blue hue when cooked.
Racing – No, not horses or dogs – but goats and crabs! Goat and crab racing happens at Easter in the villages of Buccoo and Mount Pleasant. Get your bets on!
Golf – Mt Irvine golf course is a top quality, well maintained course which has hosted many high profile tournaments. Justin had a very memorable day here, enjoying playing golf amongst the palm trees, then relaxing after his round with a cold beer, looking out over a sparkling blue sea.
The Great Race – An annual 84-mile power boat race from the Yacht Club in Trinidad to Store Bay in Tobago.
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