Jane Beck and Tregaron Bog - Wales 2017

On Saturday afternoon, I wanted to drive to Tregaron, to visit the shop of Jane Beck. Jane deals mainly in the Welsh blankets and shawls, but often comes across quilts with these, and thus has a selection on her website. I have bought two quilts from her, including a wedding quilt by Miss Jones of Ty Mawr, Brecfa, which I really like.

 

The satnav sucessfully found the shop for us, a bit out of the way like many things in Wales....
The Shop is called Ty Zinc or tin hut....

The shop is crammed full of blankets..

Some new, some antique...

Most are arranged by colour, for use in interior decorating...

There are also coats...

Bags....

 

And hot water bottle covers (very popular).

 

No, I didn't buy this hat, very fetching however...

 

 

Jane at her counter, with little dog Binkey...

Jane also has two shepherds huts for rent in a field across the road, we went to have a look...

After visiting the shop, I could not resist a trip to what we used to call "Tregaron Bog", a part of the scientific journal reading for my PhD in ecology (long ago now). It now seems to be called Cors Caron, the local Welsh name.

 

It is a raised bog, a rarity nowadays but formerly more common. Most have been destroyed so this is worthy of interest.

Grazing by local ponies...

Lakes created by water management, some on former peat cuttings...

...and a Sphagnum pool, testimony to the unpolluted environment in Wales.

Quilt Museum, Lampeter - As Good as It Gets

This year's exhibition was As Good As It Gets, centred on the Rural Industries Board initiative, to alleviate poverty in the Depression years of the 20s and 30s. Clair Claridge was able to provide contacts and information about known RIB quilters, with some of the quilts being loaned by relatives.

Other quilts were made at the same time and give a flavour of that era. The twenties quilts are a bit quieter, whilst the 30s quilts can be rather showy.

 

Of course I was very interested to see three Margaret Williams quilts, as I have a quilt which Clair identified as being one of her designs (made by her or one of her students).

I will show photos here, but will encourage you to buy your own catalog by emailing Jen via her website.

After looking at the exhibition, we went to the deli next door for a lovely lunch. Recommended!

Jen Jones - Llanybydder shop

First stop on Saturday was Jen Jones' cottage shop at Llanybydder. The sat nav wanted to take us in another direction, but I recognised the crossroads after several visits and steered us in the right direction. Hazel was there to welcome us.

The upstairs is very atmospheric, with the better quilts being displayed on beds.

Downstairs, some of the many Welsh blankets and shawls for sale.

Some of the "better" quilts hanging, on sale...

Hanging downstairs, surrounded by woollen blankets .......a moth trap. I too worry about moths....

This cottage is apparently bigger than many of the cottages of that era, it is twice the size of the usual cottage....the smaller cottages must have been very cramped....

Interesting applique quilt top in turkey red fabric....

Downstairs, some interesting bric a brac.....Mike took many photos....

Yet more blankets...

And the tapestry blankets. These are really warm on a bed, and long lasting.

Ceridigion Coastal Path

Last year, we walked from Cwmtydu to New Quay and really enjoyed our walk, so this year we went to the same little village, Cwmtydu and walked along the coastal path in the other direction. The walking was steeper, and the scenery was very good.

Horses and sheep were grazing....

I 

Cardigan Bay stretched out beyond us....the sun was very bright...

There seemed to be more wildflowers about this year.....

Wild flower...

But we did not spot any seals this year.

The end of the walk was 4 1/2 miles away at Llangranog. I was most impressed to see three lifeguards on duty at the small beach. They recommended the Pentre Arms for lunch and we were not disappointed. A good meal with a lovely view.

The walk back seemed very steep...

...and we had both caught the sun. One would think that the walk would be 9 miles, given the fact that the signage stated 4 1/2 miles each way, but our Endemono app said just over 10 miles.

We planned to go in the Lampeter direction the next day, and the weather forecast did not look brilliant...

Penyrrallt Farm - Gypsy Caravan

We had a long weekend in Wales, returning to Penyrrallt Farm near Llandysul in the Teifi Valley. Having left Woodbridge at 1.30, we didn't arrive until about 8.30 - so a long drive! Everything seemed much as before. Last year we were concerned that there was no wifi......having expected this and even looked forward to this, this year with our new phones.....there was perfect Wifi at the caravan.

Our sleeping accommodation..... of course, there is a hut with a nice kitchen, sofa, wood burner (not used), toilet and shower with hot water, so not really roughing it!

As there was still some daylight left, we had a wander around the farm and then down the lane. The farm is an organic dairy farm with a few sheep.

The view across the valley.

The sunset was a nice one. Looking forward to a walk along the coastal path, and a visit to the Quilt Museum at Lampeter...

Weekend in Wales 2017

Tomorrow we will be heading off to Wales - we will once again be staying at Penyrrallt Farm near Llandysul. Plenty of photo opportunities for Mike!

We will once again be staying in this gypsey caravan - so peaceful. The weather report looks mixed - but hopefully some sun!

On Friday, we hope to walk some more of the Welsh coastal walk...it was spectacular last year.

Saturday should see us paying a visit to the Quilt Museum in Lampeter, with the exhibition "As Good as it Gets" - focussed on the work of the Rural Industries Board 1928-1935 . I also have a cot quilt in the side room with the challenge quilts.

I also hope to make a visit to Jane Beck Welsh Blankets at Ty Zinc near Tregaron.

More photos to follow!