Autumn in the mountains

We're enjoying a long weekend at our very favourite place away, Tyn y Simdde in the mountains of North Wales. I've blogged about it here and here on other visits so won't bore you by raving about the cottage again. Suffice to say it never disappoints and we regard it as "our" cottage as I just can't imagine anyone else being here - even the owners!!!!  (Who are lovely lovely people by the way.) However reading the visitors book I see I'm not the only one who thinks of this place as their own private paradise! ;o)

Anyway, we arrived on Friday night and I soon realised I had left the bag with my crafting supplies in it on the chair at home! Oh no! I'd planned to get a start on some Christmas gifts and had bought yarn especially for these few days.

However I knew there was a savior nearby in the form of Knit One, a tiny wool shop just down the road in Dolgellau. I could buy crochet hooks there and luckily I did have a couple of balls of cotton yarn in my bag so could get on with some snowflakes for Christmas fair bunting.  And as I was on my holidays I couldn't not treat myself to some yarn at the same time - could I?! I went for this beautiful lavender fingering I'd seen on the Knit One blog. Unbelievably its 450m of 100% YAK! and is so so soft. It will be my Christmas project for myself when everyone else's gifts are done and I can enjoy choosing a pattern.

We leave for home in the morning and as usual don't want to go! The weather has been dull but dry and very quiet, making for pale grey days and dark dark nights with no sun, moon or stars to be seen. Yesterday we took a trip to Harlech to see the castle and the new Caffi Castell Harlech I'd seen and heard so much about.

I may be biased towards my homeland, but I don't think there are many cafes in the world with better views - even on a dull day. And the cakes were to die for!!!  Its a very modern building sitting next to the 800 year old castle but I don't think it detracts from the drama of that looming front gate. In fact it rather compliments it as it would be difficult to resist buying a ticket and exploring those high walls when you've been sitting right next to them enjoying tea and cake!

If you are interested you can read more about this castle and other medieval castles in Wales here. You can see some spectacular photos taken on sunnier days too!!!!

One of the best things about Harlech Castle is being able to walk those high walls and on a dry day climb to the top of one of the turrets - if you have a head for heights and the puff that is! I took this photo from there and you can see the lovely sedum roof of the cafe way below.

Anyway, we've had a lovely few days here; seeing Titch explore the great outdoors again, feeding and watching the birds, and enjoying the autumn colours all around us. 

And yes, there was a hint of a sunset on the mountains on Saturday evening for a few minutes, though I have to confess to a slight photoshop enhancement colourwise!  My pocket camera is not the best in near darkness.

See you again next year Tyn y Simdde!

Nantclwyd's Garden

There wasn't much going on here over the holiday weekend - it seems everyone stayed home to watch television.  On Tuesday there was a Food & Drink Fair at Ruthin Castle however so as its just a short walk from my house we went along.  On the way back I wanted to called in at Nantclwyd y Dre as I knew the garden had been restored since I last visited.  The house and gardens date back to the 1400s and after years of standing empty and falling into disrepair it has been bought for the town by the local council.  Inside the house has been restored and completely transformed - each room recreating a different period in its history.

The garden is still a work in progress but I was delighted to find the two storey gardenhouse, which had been completely derelict the last time I saw it, has been brought back to life and turned into the gardeners' bothy.  There was practically no one around so we had the place almost to ourselves and I was able to snap away with my camera without getting visitors from the 21st century in the frame!

And speaking of frames, my very talented and good friend Godelieve very kindly let me use her four photo template here.  Thank you Godelieve!

Edwardian treats

 (Recipe from Richard Hunt, Executive Chef, The Grand Hotel, Torquay)
 

I know the current period favourite is Downton Abbey, and although I wouldn't miss an episode of Downton, my choice for a desert island DVD collection would definitely be Edwardian Farm.  And I would want to add Ruth, Alex and Peter's other historical series Tales from a Green Valley, A Tudor Feast at Christmas, Victorian Farm, Victorian Farm Christmas and Victorian Pharmacy too.  I have the series on DVD but still watch when any are repeated on TV. You can watch on line too.

When watching an Edwardian Farm episode the other week I was reminded I had wanted to try the Devonshire Cut Rounds Ruth baked to offer to day trippers who arrived at the farm by paddle steamer on the river. Even in those days hard up farmers and their wives had to diversify to make ends meet. After a bit of searching I found the recipe Ruth used in the programme and set about trying it out.  A bit more bready than plain scones, the Cut Rounds were yummy filled with my blackcurrant jam and clotted cream.  Add a large pot of tea and some cucumber sandwiches and you have a perfect Edwardian afternoon tea. 

I wait impatiently for the screening of Wartime Farm, which is currently in production.  Ruth, Alex and Peter are certainly not afraid of hard work!