“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!

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!

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 13^th! 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.

Don’t forget,  Santa will be appearing on December 24^th 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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