We set off from Birmingham on Saturday morning, arriving at Llanthony Priory near Abergavenny just in time for a couple of hours of horse riding. We then drove a further two hours to arrive at Pleasant Valley, near Saundersfoot on the south coast, not for from Tenby. We stayed at a truly fabulous B and B, Pen Coed B and B, probably one of the best we've been to. The house's owner, Tracy, has set up two beautiful rooms on the bottom level of her house. My first thoughts were "palatial!" - the rooms are gorgeous but what really makes this place great is the attention to detail - the fluffy white towels wrapped with a bow, electric sockets next to the bed (no fiddling around behind the bed head to plug in your charger!), and the most amazing bathroom. Tracy is a perfect host - super friendly without being intrusive, plus she knows exactly what you want, about a minute before you do.
We went to Saundersfoot, a cute little seaside village, and had good fish and chips at Mermaid on the Strand. If it's fish and chips you want, you'll be spoilt for choice.
We stayed at Pen Coed B and B for two nights. Breakfast was served in our room - I can confirm that whether you go with poached eggs on toast, or fruit, yoghurt, honey and croissants, both options are excellent.
By day we dodged rain drops and peered through fog and did a lovely walk along the Bosherston Lily Ponds Circular Walk. We had planned to have lunch in the fabulously quirky Druidstone Hotel at Druidstone Haven, but it was packed and no one was volunteering to give up their seat and go back into the down pour.
Instead we found a little cafe in an art gallery in Slova, Lavender Cafe. Freshly made crab sandwiches were delicious, and whilst we have no idea whether they were authentic, Welsh cakes with butter were yummy.
We returned back to our "suite" at our B and B cold and wet, but we definitely didn't sit in our room watching the re-run of the Jubilee flotilla, eating kebabs. No siree, not us...
On Monday the sun made a truly wonderful debut - blue skies all day. We drove north and out to the coast at Trefasser and then to the lighthouse at Strumble Head - the views (particularly from the latter spot) were magnificent.
We made a brief stop at Lower Town, a gorgeous little village, especially in the sun. Because it was almost 2 hours since breakfast and almost certainly another hour until lunch, we had ice cream from the little van in the car park - honey & ginger ice cream in a waffle cone was divine. Sitting by a stream eating it in the sun, only made it taste better.
A little more driving through the pretty countryside and we popped into Pentre Ifan Neolithic Burial Chamber.
Obviously we'd worked up a real appetite by this point, and upon walking into the country lodge that is Fforest Cafe, I immediately forgot that I'd eaten a croissant and ice cream and promptly ordered a slice of chocolate Guinness cake. Y sat smugly eating her watercress soup with spelt bread and Welsh cheese. We were both happy.
Our third night was spent at the Harbour Master at Aberaeron, a brilliant pub with rooms by a gorgeous little harbour in the quaintest of fishing villages. We joined the locals, sitting outside in the evening sun, drinking cocktails. Perfect! I loved everything about the Harbour Master - our lovely room, delicious dinner, incredibly friendly staff.
We set off from Aberaeron and made a really interesting stop at Llanerchaeron, an 18th century National Trust property.
We made one final, quick pit-stop (oh god, more cake) on our way home; the tea room at Glansevern Hall Gardens caught our eye as we passed and, for somewhere chosen purely for convenience, it was pretty good. I heartily recommend their sausage rolls!
We thoroughly loved Wales - can't wait to get back.
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