Guest blog - from sister!

My brother Vic, sister in law Una and my 3 nieces moved to Bronllys Farm in 2002

We visited many times, staying in the family house on the hill, watching the house grow through many renovations, typically spending Christmas and New Year’s catching up.  I don’t feel we’d properly appreciated the sea view though: the family hub and general gathering place is the huge kitchen /dining room at the back of the property!

There are happy memories of “getting out” in all weathers, dashing to a coffee shop or to drag a dog or two along Pembrey sands for a windy blow through.  

What a revelation on our first official trip as summer holiday home guests with family occupying both Bluebell Cottage and Gower View self-catering units..

You really do “wake up to this” as described on the website, the cottage is perfectly perched for an uninterrupted view of the sea and over to the Gower on a clear day.

During our week, we discovered some hidden delights of local Burry Port. There is a little beach near the lifeboat station just a short car or bike ride away, perfect in case of an unexpected change in the weather

It was not crowded and there’s free parking. That’s if you’re brave enough to negotiate the potholes down to the jetty (a great swim at high tide) This was very exciting for the 7-year-old grandson in the dark one evening.  If you’re not so keen on sand there’s rocks to clamber over (bring rock climbing shoes) and of course plenty of beach when the tide’s out.

Twlight dip from Burry Port boat ramp

I’d never particularly thought of looking at a tidetable before, but we became more interested through the week as we wondered if we’d able to “catch” the high tide.

Also, a first for us was to bring the bikes along and navigate the Millennium Coastal cycle paths, easily accessible from across the main road and a little cut through. A good playground and the Pavilion Café are situated there too.

A family cycle ride with recommended café stops could take in the paths to: Burry Port, Pembrey park, (lovely through the forest) onto Kidwelly. Then perhaps carry on another 4 miles to Ferryside. One day we did “one way” and caught the train with bikes at Burry Port and disembarked at Ferryside. We found a nice little beach there too, right next to the station. Some recommendations for stops might include;

Burry Port:          Caffi Lolfa was a hit, fab breakfasts.  Nik the Greek @ Whitfords (just opposite) was great for an evening meal.

Caffi Lolfa in Burry Port

Pembrey Park:  Daisy’s little café, lovely cakes there and some sweet animals outside

Kidwelly:             Time for Tea, a nice little tea shop with a covered outdoor area

Ferryside:            The Post Office Café, Pryd O Fwyd, looks ordinary from the outside but you order your tea from the Post Office counter and go and sit in the restaurant. By evening it becomes a restaurant  

You never know who you’ll meet out cycling?

We haven’t had many visits to south Wales without venturing across to the Mumbles on the Gower, about a 40 min drive from Bronllys. This time we discovered a treasure trail which took us to never before explored back streets and up to the castle, looking down at the views of the town and coast. Do have a look at this website, it has trails suitable for 6- 106-year olds ….  all around Britain. It includes great clues and maps and is good entertainment for all the family www.treasuretrails.co.uk

We always enjoy a walk, or this time a cycle ride along the prom. It has become very difficult now to walk by Verdi’s Ice cream parlour and restaurant, next to the pier. We always wonder if we’ll order an Ice cream Sundae or the best vanilla custard slice you‘ve ever tasted. Just a little hint, if you need to share the slice, tip it up on its side (custard showing) and slice through that way for a clean and fair cut.   

Back to Vic and Una’s…The age group of our party from ranged from 3 – 58 and there was something for everyone:

·         the brio train set in Bluebell cottage,

·         greeting the goats on their daily stroll into the woods

·         gatherings in the cool new outdoor BBQ & seating area outside the Shepherds huts 

·         Cluedo by torchlight

·         People watching: who could make it up the hill on their bikes/in vans and on foot? 

Regarding the hosts, Vic features daily. He likes nothing better than to chat to guests about the local area, often with some local quirky stories thrown in.

Grandson was very excited to stay up late for an atmospheric game of Cluedo