All in a morning’s walk

Come with me on my usual morning spin with my two JRT’s Dotty and Tilly.

We are ready to go! Come on Mam!

We are ready to go! Come on Mam!

It’s a lovely, easy walk straight up into a wooded lane with a stream and up onto gently rolling farmland.

The Dancing Ladies

The Dancing Ladies

I do this walk when I want peace and quiet as it is very seldom used by anyone else – except the odd dog walker and we don’t mind those.

Do you love the signs of age? I love it in green on stream rocks and the base of ancient trees....

Do you love the signs of age? I love it in green on stream rocks and the base of ancient trees….

The old hedges that have been laid to form a natural  barrier for sheep and horses - does anyone know if they are Blackthorn? Anyway - I am mesmerised by their beautiful patterning against the sky.

The old hedges that have been laid to form a natural barrier for sheep and horses – does anyone know if they are Blackthorn? Anyway – I am mesmerised by their beautiful patterning against the sky.

Horses and chickens say hello as we pass and the girls get let off the lead once passed said chickens and they spend ages skipping along, snuffling around in the undergrowth and hedgerows.

P1120821

As for me I keep one eye on them and the other on nature: the trees and their changes, the stones covered in almost fluorescent green lichen and moss.

We run the gauntlet of a clutch of hens and cockerels right at the beginning of our walk...

We run the gauntlet of a clutch of hens and cockerels right at the beginning of our walk…

I love listening to the many different bird calls of which I know only one – the blackbird and just enjoying the freedom of walking at my own pace knowing full well that I will be having a nice cup of tea and toast when I get back…

P1120631

Llantrisant – A Welsh Art and Craft Hub!

At the Llantrisant Art Gallery in the ancient hill town of Llantrisant, South Wales you will be blown away by the range and beauty of locally made arts and crafts. All sourced and curated by Becky Hughes-Williams the owner whose flair for design and style is really magical.

Gallery Owner Becky surrounded by lovely things!

On entering you will be impressed by swathes of colourful and imaginative displays of art, craft and jewellery items in rich and inviting presentations.

A cluster of old-fashioned and arty crafty shops awaits the visitor to Llantrisant

If you are shopping for gifts you will find handmade felted bags, silk and hand-dyed scarves, fun mugs, unique prints, original paintings with a Welsh theme, hosts of  arty cards, hand-decorated trinket boxes, candles and stunning ceramics of all kinds – not to mention artisanal Welsh jewellery.

My animal art and books can be bought at the gallery or online.

But that’s not all! The gallery itself has two further floors where local artists have their open studios. Take time to watch them at their work – be it weaving, floristry, pottery or painting.

Click me to enlarge!

The gallery has had many lives and was originally the first ever workhouse built in Glamorgan in 1784 and has also been a shoe-factory.

The specialist and sweet Tradiotional Toys shop just across the way from the gallery

Sitting in its central position in the famous Bull Ring at the heart of the town the gallery is surrounded by other specialist luxury and art and craft shops such as -

The Dairy,

Indian Summer and

Pink Zebra as well as the old fashioned

Traditional Toys shop.

Horse lovers will enjoy http://www.pritchard-saddlery.co.uk/and for general shopping try the Bull Ring General Stores.

HUNGRY?

Eating houses and traditional pubs there are a plenty so take your pick from O’Sullivan’s Brasserie,

The Bear Inn,

The Cross Keys,

The New Inn and the Butcher’s Arms Gallery (for its coffee shop and interior decor range).

You can enjoy a wonderful morning or afternoon exploring Llantrisant (here is the My Llantrisant Facebook Page link -http://www.facebook.com/messages/227660527334279#!/My.Llantrisant )   (visit the parish church built in the 11th century on a sacred site dating back to the 9th century, and make sure to admire the imposing William Price statue (the pioneer of cremation) that stands in from of the gallery. Take a tour of the Llantrisant castle ruins originally built in the 13th century), buying beautiful gifts and then retiring for a coffee and cake when your feet are tired!

To find out more about Llantrisant just go here!