Tag Archives: DevilsBridge

8 Family Holiday Walking Tips

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Even if you’re  not on a walking holiday, heading out with the family can be a great adventure and a fun way to build happy memories together.

Whether you are out for a stroll in a field, heading for the beach or exploring woods here are some great tips for your outing:

  1. Relax! If you walk too far or make it too hard, you’ll put children off. Make sure the first walks are easy and close to home. At Tynrhyd Retreat there are 13 acres to explore so need to travel!
  2. Exploring. Children love investigating new environments, let them wander and discover new things as you walk. Avoid pushing them to getting to the top of the hill or in a set amount of time. The more children can find and experience, the more likely they are to want to do it again.
  3. Make it fun! Looking at the sky and fields can get boring. Explore nature – take a guide book of flowers and birds, make tree bark rubbings, play a game of I-spy as you walk, or pretend to be characters from their favourite book!
  4. Collect Treasures! Encourage children to collect what catches their eye – pebbles, shells, leaves, make a walking treasure box for them to keep. It’s amazing what takes their fancy!
  5. Tell them it’s An Adventure. What sounds better, “We’re going for a walk” or “We’re going on an adventure”? Select a wiggly route or one with an exciting destination e.g. beaches, ice cream outlets, tourist attractions.
  6. Picture Perfect. Take lots of photos of the walk, ask the children to have a go too! You can make a picture scrap together when you get home of your happy memories.
  7. Be prepared. Depending on the distance and location you are exploring, essentials include water, snacks, small first aid kit, waterproof jackets, map, compass and binoculars. Check the weather. Pack the essentials in a rucksack and if you have very small children or babies you could make use of a backpack carrier for them. Layer up for warmth and a must is comfortable walking shoes or boots.
  8. Tell us all about it! We’d love to hear about your walking adventures, what you discovered and the pictures you took! Pop us an email on holidays@tynrhyd.com and we’ll share it in our social media and web site!

The Dramatic Disappearance of Arthur

Holidays in Wales, , ,
april 2019
It was a Friday night like any other. #Arthur had his evening time crunchy bits and a last belly rub before we said our meows and he went off to do whatever it is he does at night.
Saturday morning became late afternoon and there was no sign of Arthur.

At this point there was no cause for concern. It’s not unheard of for him to spend whole weekends watching films and eating Chinese food with guests in the Barcud apartment, attending 70’s themed disco’s in The Barn or hot tub gatherings with the Farmhouse and then being returned back to me on Monday morning.

However, Sunday afternoon arrived and the current guests said they hadn’t seen him since Friday. No crunchy bits or belly rubs for two days…I don’t think Arthur is built for that kind of life. I spoke with the other cats, Caddie and Midnight, but they hadn’t seen him since Friday either. I pictured myself writing a eulogy for part six of my blog.
Monday morning came and I’d convinced myself that I’d driven Arthur away with the wrong flavoured crunchy bits. Maybe he preferred tuna to Turkey. Maybe I’d rubbed his belly anti-clockwise (not his preferred direction).
It was time to call Lynne and break the news. Work at Tynrhyd came to a halt and I was instructed to check every hedge, road, pond, lake, river, field, hill and shout ‘ARTHUR’ as loud as I could in every direction. Nothing. I tried to stay positive for Lynne, telling her he may have met a female and could be drinking Sangria’s on a beach somewhere in Spain. Lynne reminded that not only had his motivation for a female been removed, but due to the new Brexit regulations for animals travelling abroad he’d also recently had his passport revoked. He must still be in the area I thought.
On my way to a local cat sanctuary, with my megaphone out of the window, I received a call from Lynne. ‘GOT HIM!’ After calling in support from every known person in #Aberystwyth, Lynne had a phone call from Debbs of the Vale of Rheidol Railway – one of the team had discovered a Facebook post of a cat found in a house in Devils Bridge, Carmarthenshire, United Kingdom . We celebrated like we’d won the World Cup. HE’S COMING HOME, HE’S COMING HOME…ARTHURS COMING HOME! People lined the streets in their Arthur t-shirts waiting to welcome him back to Tynrhyd.
However, as the lady answered the door of the house claiming to have Arthur, it seemed there had been a misunderstanding. It turned out Arthur hadn’t actually been found by the lady; he had only been spotted…on Saturday playing in the bushes. His whereabouts now unknown. In a twist of events we were back to square one and all leads were now cold. He could be anywhere. I walked back to van and prepared myself to call Lynne. As I climbed in and began to close to door…I heard a noise.
‘MAAAAAAAAAAW’ was the sound that came from the distance. A sound that can only best be described as a kitten trying to make the noise of a husky. ‘MAAAAAAAW’ again. It was a distinguishable noise. He must have sensed I was close. ‘Arthur?!’ I shouted as I followed the Maaaw’s and re-enacted the end of Lethal Weapon 4 where Danny Glover is trying to find Mel Gibson trapped underwater. ‘I HEAR YOU ARTHUR!’ The noise got closer as I clambered over fences, now fully James Bond. In the distance I saw his head briefly pop up over a fence. Two gardens and a farmers’ field later…Arthur was found.

arthur rescue
Arthur is now back safe and well. We would like to thank the kind people who looked after him for the weekend and the lady from Aberystwyth Cats Protection who conveniently arrived in the middle of this saga and luckily had a cage to take him home in, due his previous bad form as a car passenger!

Sudd Cymru/ Juice Wales Weekend Retreat

Sudd Cymru English

Mashing pomegranate and figs and separating the vital juices from fruits and vegetables for their healing benefits, were used for profound strength and subtle form.  The first record of man’s attempt to juice fruits and vegetables appears in the Dead Sea Scrolls dating from before 150 B.C.  Freshly extracted fruit and vegetable juices are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and more and the idea is to flush your body clean to restore your health balance and bring vibrancy and energy alive in your body.  Rhiannon Taylor, Wales’ first practicing qualified Natural Juice Therapist has a real passion for educating first and foremost the people of Wales of the benefits of eating healthily.  She has successfully completed a comprehensive course covering Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition and Juicing as well as an intensive theory and practical academy which is now recognised as ‘The School of Natural Juice Therapy.’  She is an independent therapist who actively practices ‘Juice Therapy’ through her own business, Sudd Cymru (translates as Juice Wales.)

Rhiannon Taylor of Sudd Cymru at Tynrhyd Retreat
Rhiannon Taylor of Sudd Cymru at Tynrhyd Retreat

Continue reading What has the Dead Sea Scrolls in common with New Year’s resolutions? →

Some things in life are worth waiting for….

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“Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar have spent many years watching the night skies, waiting for the stars to reveal a sign of great things to come. As time goes by they have grown impatient, as well as old and grey! However, one night a brand new star appears and they begin an eventful journey which ends with the realization that some things in life are definitely worth waiting for!”

These guys were used to dark skies and would often sit to observe the starry sky while they watched their sheep by night.  It’s unfortunate that our lives are so often filled with such busyness, running around from pillar to post without much thought or time for the inspiring celestial activities above.  I’m sure you’ve heard of the underworld but what about looking upwards?

Yes, I’m one of the majority of those people who have never taken much notice of the sky line except for the occasional trip to the beach with friends following a celebratory meal at an end of a special era in our lives! We start to reminisce and look up to the stars and wonder where we will all be in 10 years time!

So, this cosmos, sky line, outer space, celestial; interstellar; meta galactic universe, call it what you may! Does it matter what goes on? Is it effecting us? Are we missing out on something?

In a word, Yes! I won’t get into the scientific explanation of it now but since Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s Elan Valley Estate in the Cambrian Mountains has achieved International Dark Sky Park status only this summer, my interest in the world of stars and planets has awaken!  Elan Valley has become the world’s first privately owned, but publicly accessible park to receive this accolade. Yes, really, and it’s right on our doorstep!
ElanValleyAstronomy Logo

This 45,000 acre estate is now protected against light pollution  for the benefit of those who live there, as well as for visitors and the wildlife which exists there. It’s a fantastic playground for newbies as well as professional astronomers!

 

 
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Night at Craig Goch, Elan Valley

Living in the beauty of the Cambrian Mountains, I never realised that we are the fortunate few (10% of the UK population) who truly experience dark skies at night. With the Christmas festivities fast approaching I shall definitely be looking upwards and to the Elan Valley for exciting planetary activities.  In fact, you are all invited to join the Elan Valley Astronomy Group at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre to the Geminid meteor watch this Sunday, December 13th! I know my family can’t wait to get there! Why not make this a new, educational hobby for the family?

If any of the following sounds familiar, please join in….!
“If you have a telescope or binoculars that don’t seem to work as you think they should, the “instructions” seem unfathomable or you simply need some advice on your scope, bring it along and we’ll see what we can do to assist you.  From 9.30pm onwards if skies permit, we will hold a Geminid Meteor watch from the overflow carpark grounds. Please bring sun lounger/chair, red light torch, clipboard, pencil and wrap up warmly…it could get a tad chilly!!!  (We’ll supply sky chart to plot your meteors on.) “
Please register your intent to join on either or both parts of the evening by calling the Visitor Centre on 01597 810880.

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It’s Christmas time!

Don’t forget,  Santa will be appearing on December 24th 10am-4pm, at the Visitor Centre and who knows we might see a few shepherds watching their flock…and the stars by night! Hope to see you there!

 

 

Grab your families and friends and start planning your next dream holiday together at our stunning country retreat. Experience an absolutely stunning time at Elan Valley and make it a special holiday to remember!  We are taking bookings now for 2016 and 2017 already…!

Tynrhyd Retreat
Devil’s Bridge
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 4QX
wwww.tynrhyd.com
Enquiries/ Bookings – Call us on (01267) 667 604
E: holidays@tynrhyd.com
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Why on earth would you go for a holiday in Hell?

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Why on earth would you go for a holiday in Hell?

Hell is a tourist village on Grand Cayman Island in the Caribbean.  Apparently years ago a Dignitary from another country visited the Island and noticed the strange-looking lava rock formations and said they looked like Hell and so the name stuck!
Place names are always an interesting topic! Many places around the world take on similar names for towns and cities such as  Bangor in North Wales, Ireland and France.  From the weird to the wonderful you do wonder sometimes how on earth they been named! From Puddle in Cornwall, UK to Prickly Bottom in Tasmania, Australia- Devil’s Bridge seems much more exciting and interesting!

Devil’s Bridge is a term applied to dozens of ancient bridges, found primarily in Europe. Most of these bridges are stone or masonry arch bridges.  They represent massive technological achievement and each of the Devil’s Bridges has a corresponding Devil-related myth or folktale.
The Ceredigion Devil’s Bridge,  Pontarfynach, in Welsh,  literally means  “The bridge on the Mynach” which refers to the river Mynach.  On the edge of the village you’ll see the unusual road bridge from which the village gets its English name.  The original bridge was constructed by the monks of Strata Florida, at what time is unknown, but legend says it was built by the devil.  The bridge has been thrown across a chasm 114 feet above the first fall and 324 feet above the bottom of the cataract.  So the what about the myth?
Well, it goes like this….
Old Megan Llandunach, of Pont-ar-Fynach
Had lost her only cow;
Across the ravine the cow was seen,
But to get it she could not tell how.

In this dilemma the Evil One appeared to her disguised as a monk.  He offered to cast a bridge across the chasm if she would promise to give him the first living being that should pass over it when complete. To this she gladly consented. The bridge was thrown across the ravine and the Evil One stood beyond bowing and beckoning to the old woman to come over and try it but she was too clever for him.  She noticed, instead of a foot, he had a hoof.

In her pocket she fumbled, a crust out tumbled,
She called her little black cur;
The crust over she threw, the dog after it flew,
Says she, “The dog’s yours, crafty sir!”

All myths inspire imagination but if you are looking for a break with a difference this is the place for you!
Are YOU counting down the weeks until October half term?
Are you running from those constant dates in your diary?
Come and stay at Tynrhyd Retreat, luxury accommodation and forget about all your stress and myths! Book it now and line up a beautiful holiday with your besties for a real escape and give yourself and the beauties in your life a relaxing break from it all.  A peaceful retreat where you can snuggle up in front of a real fire, go for a lovely Autumn walk, check out the local luxury chocolate factory or dip into the Swim Spa XStream Hot Tub for a while.  Whatever you chose to do, this will be well spent quality and fun time at your home-away-from-home!

Email: holidays@tynrhyd.com to book now!
Get in there fast for October half term!
Check out your next dream holiday at www.tynrhyd.com
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I wonder..do you know of any other devilish myths or interesting names of places you’d like to share?