Where Do You Go?

So, where do YOU go to? - Now that reminds me of the lovely 60's song by someone who, incidentally, lives not far away from me- Peter Sarstedt - 'Where do you go to, my lovely'. Remember it?

What I mean is this - Where do you go when you want to take your thoughts off to somewhere else just to get away from the days turmoil? Don't we all have 'that' place we head off to for a bit of 'thought retreat' from time to time?

Above is a couple of photos of where I take my muddled thoughts from time to time.. . It's an achingly beautiful little cottage miles from anywhere called Pwll Pendre. Not only can I recommend it as somewhere beautiful to take your mind whilst travelling on the 6.30am to Victoria but this is a place one can actually go to for your holiday - in real life folks!
Pwll Pendre is a picture book Victorian cottage which sits prettily by the edge of a small pool (yes, with ducks!) on the beautiful Hafod estate near Cwmystwyth, mid Wales. It is most certainly one of the one most dramatic and beautiful landscapes we have visited during our trips to Wales over the years. This cottage is just so perfect for the ultimate ‘get away from it all’ break or holiday and is accessible only by quiet forest tracks – how rural is that?! We regularly entertained ducks for breakfast, and enjoyed feeding the woodpecker in the tree outside - and of course woke to the sound of bleating sheep each morning! Like all 'Under the Thatch' properties Pwll Pendre is expertly 'looked after' by a local housekeeper - thus keeping employment opportunities in the locality.
We enjoyed a fantastic peaceful week here last summer..miles away from a mobile/TV signal -thus no Internet..which is utterly perfect if one is seeking to truly 'get away from it all, enjoy the beautiful scenery and, well, and just get to know each other again (that’s if you want to of course!).
Pwll Pendre is one of several stunningly beautiful properties on the books of a thoroughly nice Welsh company called ‘Under the Thatch. Headed up by the talented, and so-very-nice Dr Greg Stevenson who has made it his life’s mission (well, one of 'em, he's talented remember) to remain green and ethical whilst renovating and sustaining old traditional Welsh properties. As well as knowing one is staying in an ethically managed and sustained property is is great to know it comes at a sensible price too - so refreshing these days. Having personally booked holidays over the years with Under the Thatch , it is a joy to see Greg and his devoted team receive the accolades their hard work so deserves. The Sunday Times place Under the Thatch as No. in the Top 50 Fabulous Places to Stay in The World! - The Observer goes on to say 'A gorgeous collection of places to stay in Wales' . Greg says,"We're delighted that our work has been recognised - particularly when we were presented the 2007 Ethical Travel award in the prestigious Guardian/Observer awards (and named again in their 2008 awards). We were also presented with an award in the Wales Sustainability Awards and also won the Best Tourism Business in Ceredigion and the Best Environmental Business in Ceredigion for 2007 (Ceredigion Business Awards).

Greg and his team offer a wonderful array of unusual properties to stay - From the traditional rustic cottages, a 'Showman's Wagon' to Romany caravans (more on staying in one of those in a few weeks time!) - even a renovated train carriage could be your holiday home on a spectacular cliff top setting, or try the delights of staying in a Yurt in a sleepy glade. Under the Thatch are never short of ideas to tempt.

So if you are looking for a 'real' short break or holiday I can guarantee that once you've stayed in one of these delightful properties, you too will be taking yourself off on a 'thought retreat'!

I wonder where Peter Sarstedt goes to? - Where do YOU go ?

-Molly