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Spring [ Winter ] [ Spring ] [ Early Summer ] [ School Holidays ] [ Late Summer ] [ Autumn ] Spring is great for walking and cycling. There can be very warm days but generally it is just a comfortable temperature for getting out and about. Up here at the top of the valley spring arrives a little after most low lying places in England. Our borders with Shropshire and Herefordshire allow us to experience their earlier spring just as our trees and flowers are coming in to bloom. The birds get very busy around the feeders at Rose Cottage and there is much activity around the river as well, with plenty of birdsong in the air. Rose Cottage is full of snowdrops and they grow wild along the banks of the roads in places too. The garden begins to wake up with flowering bulbs, the willows and the flowering currant and it is lovely to sit on the patio to listen to the river. This being Wales means that by April the banks are alive with lovely bobbing yellow daffodils, our national flower. They are a sight to behold all around the cottage and along the valley.
Lambing begins slowly in March but by April everyone is busy and there are lambs everywhere. The fields around the cottage fill up with bouncing, fun loving and leggy lambs. The sound of calling bleats and responding baaa-s compete with birdsong and the sound of the river-it is not quiet- but it is peacefully pastoral. The primroses seem to last for ages and are usually still out when the bluebells arrive in May.
Walking in the woods to see the bluebells is a particular pleasure; there are literally thousands of them in many places along the valley.
It is certainly the time to see the artists at work. (There are many artists and crafts folk that live in this area)
The beach at Aberdovey is a joy at this time of the year, (only the very brave go in for a swim). The sands are mostly empty and seem to stretch for miles. Lots of space to run and there are sand dunes for the children to play hide and seek around too. Other places well worth a visit at this time of the year are the Elan valley (20miles away) for walking, cycling or driving the mobility buggy! With a stop off to see the Kites fed at Gigrin farm on the way back it is a great day out.
In May Gryngynog house and grounds (18 miles) is great for walking on the flat and suitable for a wheelchair too. The Rhododendrons and Azaleas are full of their blowsy glory setting off the black and white buildings to great effect.
There is a tea and gift shop too. Powis castle (National Trust) in Welshpool (15miles) opens again on March 1st and is nationally famous for its lovely gardens all season round (and the tea rooms are pretty good too). Back at our smallholding we have lambs too and sometimes our hens have chicks to see.
Events Locally The Wednesday ramblers group continues with its walks every Wednesday beginning 10am (enquiries to 01547 520266) The Radnorshire Wildlife Trust www.radnorshirewildlifetrust.org.uk runs events all year round and there is now the new nature reserve at Tylcau Hill (10 mile drive, or at least as much to walk up over Beacon Hill from the cottage) Farmer’s markets in Knighton happen every fortnight on Saturday mornings. News of local events in the valley is always available in the cottage.
Events 2012 April 28th and 29th Wonderwool Wales-at the Royal Welsh showground (45min drive away) This is a must for all enthusiasts of crafts to do with wool, yarn and natural fibres (like our Alpacas) It is also an event for those keen to learn and develop their skills, from spinning to working with the finished product. Or maybe cut out the learning and just go for the shopping! There are lots of crafts for sale. (Our very own www.first4yarns.com from Knighton is always there of course). Details: www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk May 19th and 20th The Smallholder and Garden Festival – at the Royal Welsh showground. (45min drive) Lots to see and to do. There are rare breed animals and poultry, floral and garden displays, stalls and of course no show would be complete without the food fair! http://www.rwas.co.uk/en/garden-festival April 29/ May 6th/ 13th/20th/27th Bird watching safari Elan Valley (45 mins ) www.elanvalley.org.uk Join a local bird expert on a Landrover trip looking for the typical breeding birds of the area. Suitable for beginners and experienced alike. May 5th/6th International antiques and collectors fair Royal Welsh Showground www.rwas.co.uk May 5th / 26th Wildlife tracking and field skills in the Elan Valley(need to pre book- see www.elanvalley.org.uk)May 31st to June 10th The Hay literary festival at Hay on Wye said to be the largest literary festival in the world-there is certainly lots to see, to eat, to read and to listen to. (Just over an hour’s drive) |
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© Helen J Rickerby 2006-2012 Self catering holiday accommodation in Powys: Rose Cottage, Dutlas, Knighton, Powys. LD7 1YB. |
< Strata Florida is a beautiful place to visit, especially in Springtime!