Visit Wales: Ogmore Central Beach

This week we decided to embrace the sunshine (which is very few and far between in Wales) and head to the beach. 

Beach from the surf.

In the Summer season finding a decent beach that allows dogs has always been a challenge. I used thebeachguide.com to find dogfriendly beaches and we headed to the nearest one: Ogmore Central (just East of Porthcawl).

We loaded all 4 dogs into the car and took off; an experience with 3 adults in a 2 door car!

When we got there I was so happy that it wasn't just a pebble beach and there was actually sand! I have experienced my fair share of dog beaches and they're normally the ones people don't care about. Sad I know.

So many shots of great places for dogs to pee... apparently!

I quickly attached the gopro to the dog and away we went.

The beach was huge. If you don't like dogs, definitely do not come here (though I don't know why you would come to a dog beach then...)

The car parking was a bit of a faff, £1 for 1 hour or £5 for anything more... a bit of a rip, so we put in a quid and then kept any eye on the car. 

This is my old man, 10 years old this year! Bless him.

There were reasonable winds that day and the waves grew substantially as the day went on and the tide came in. 

Numerous people told me how brave I was for going into the water in a bikini - not one that was well fitting to be quite honest! This is made especially apparent when The Boyfriend has gone in fully dressed.

Do I look super comfortable?

I had a lovely day and so did the dogs. There were toilets but by the time we were ready to go they seemed miles away, so we just got changed with the protection of towels by the car.

Finding a pub on the way home for food was an experience. We were so lucky that we stopped by the Toby Carvery in Bridgend. They were so accommodating to all the dogs, even brought out sausages for them! I will recommend that everyone go there :)

Chat soon,

Rhiannon x

Visit Wales: Cyfarthfa Park

If you ask any Welsh person why Wales is great 9 out of 10 would comment on the beauty and greenery of this small country. Some may also mention our rich history, both beauty and history can be seen in Cyfarthfa Park and Museum (locally known as Cyfarthfa Castle). 

southwalesgardens.org

Cyfarthfa Castle was built by the Iron Master of Merthyr, Mr Crawshay in the 1800s. Since then it has dominated the landscape and shaped the lives of the iron workers who lived there. In the early 20th century the house became a museum and school, with the surrounding landscape being open to the public.

So anyway, today we took the dog around the grounds today and it was lovely. Having days off and spending them doing wonderful adventures is my favourite thing.

We started off walking around the big lake at the bottom of the hill and worked our way up. Let's be honest most of Wales is walking uphill. We worked our way through the woodlands and found an old couple of ponds with lots of frogspawn and water insects. It was here that the dog decided it was time to jump in and rescue all the sticks. And I mean all the sticks!

We then worked our way back down through the meadows and sat and chillied while (the perfect place for a picnic). While we gradually made our way back to the car we realised we'd spent 2-3 hours just wandering and walking. The weather was bright and sunny but windy and cold, a welcome change from the harsh rain of winter! 

Chat soon

Rhiannon

5 Things to do in South Wales in 2016

They always say to see your own back garden before you see the world, so that's what I'm going to do. 

I'm from a small village in South Wales (UK). Wales is a beautiful place but there are some things I've never done and some great things I want to do again. This year, before I leave to see the world I want to see and do these things:

1. Watch the sunrise from atop Pen y Fan mountain.

Pen y Fan is the highest mountain in the south of Britain. The picture above is from this time last year, always beautiful when covered in snow. Waking up early enough to watch the sunrise is always magical, being on top of a mountain in a beautiful country just adds a little something else. 

As this is completely free I vote everyone do it!

2. The Doctor Who experience in Cardiff Bay.

It is no secret that Doctor Who is filmed in Cardiff. Like all Welsh people I can watch the show and be like "ooo my nana lives on that street" and lets not to forget the obligatory Torchwood photo down the Bay. There has been an exhibition in Cardiff since 2005 and I still have yet to visit! 

'Props on display include an Ood Elder from The End of Time, a fly-headed Tritovore and Lady Christina De Souza's costume from "Planet of the Dead",' (Wikipedia).

At £16 a ticket it's definitely an experience, but one I need to save up for.

3. Spend the day at Oakwood Theme Park.

(photo: instagram @themeparkworldwide)

In 1996 Oakwood opened the Megaphobia ride, what I knew as a child to be the largest wooden roller-coaster in Europe. I regularly went to Oakwood as a child,  and since then they've developed many rides and roller coasters that I'm dying to experience! 

For adults one ticket costs £24. This is a definite day trip I need to put in the calendar. 

4. Walk behind Sgwd yr Eira waterfall in the Brecon Beacons.

(photo: instagram @daniellaaargh)

The Brecon Beacons is a national park in Wales, a title that is well deserved. 

There are different paths and picnic areas to just sit and soak up the beauty. As children we swam in the blue pool (water from under the rock that was so cold you'd turn blue!), hike along the the mountains and see the waterfalls. Sgwd yr Eira (falls of snow) is the a waterfall along the Afon Hepste. It's so picturesque and by all means, you can walk behind it! (as long as you're careful of course).

5. Cycle the Taff Trail.

(Photo: instagram @rhyssavory)

Ok so putting this on the list did result is a small argument from my better (and sadly more sensible) other half. 

I suggested us doing the Taff Trail and he instantly said we weren't fit enough. 

The Taff Trail is a cycle route (also for walking, horse riding and the like) that spreads 55 miles from Brecon down to Cardiff Bay. In flatter countries that is completely cool and I could do that tomorrow. However in Wales, where it is impossible to go anywhere without encountering a mountain, it might be a tad difficult. 

Yet it is something I've wanted to do for a while, so this year I will get it done! The path is mostly off road and suitable for road bikes. Of course it's completely free to do but plenty of food is advised. 

So those are my top 5 things to do in South Wales, for me, in 2016. 

I'm always excited to make a bucket list for the year, and although I may not do all of them, I will definitely do some. I feel so accomplished when I check something off the list.

Do you guys have anything to add to my list? or any ideas?

Rhiannon