Red the Dragon Visits Tenby Museum & Art Gallery

Joe's Ice Cream in Solva

We could spend weeks in this lovely summer haven, but we’ve got more miles to cover so we head out again  hugging the coast as we make our way toward St. David’s. Somewhere along the road, we realize that we never did find that Joe’s Ice cream stand we heard about from Victoria, Beverly and Tracey on Facebook. It sounded so scrumptious, that we actually think about going back. But just then, we pass a Joe’s sign in a little town called Solva. Red flies out of the car and heads straight for it, and I am so glad we stopped. Not only is Joe’s the most luscious ice cream I’ve ever tasted, Solva captures my imagination with its quaint main street full of art galleries and craft shops. Our Facebook friends John Burns and Sue Wilson were right to recommend it.

Raul Speek Gallery in Solva

 We wander past an inviting wildflower garden bursting with color as it slopes up a hill and toward the old town chapel. Inside, we find the work of Cuban born artist and musician Raul Speek. Paintings full of passion merge tropical colors with local images. The marriage of a vibrant Cuban aesthetic with the mystical Welsh coast casts a seductive spell. Raul’s paintings echo the day-dreamy charm of Solva. Red has to summon all his dragon powers to avoid the fate of two cats lulled to sleep by Raul’s enchanting painted fish. The magic of this shop lingers over us as we make our way toward the town’s Quay.

We admire the tiny harbor dotted with sailboats and families on holiday. I am tempted to take a cruise around the little islands off Solva’s coast, but after all that ice cream, Red has a dragon sized craving for fish & chips. Even the chance to see a live lobster pot on a Solva Boat Trip can’t pull him away from lunch. So we stop at a cottage restaurant called ThirtyFIVE, where you can sit by the harbor and dine on crab and lobster caught on their fishing boat. The food is fresh, humble but delicious. Next time we come to Wales, we’ll stay above ThirtyFIVE in the Feliniog Bed and Breakfast. It promises some of the most magnificent views of Solva’s harbor. But for now, it’s onward down the road and into St. David’s to see the Cathedral.

St. David's Cathedral

It’s amazing how a few miles can yield a dramatic change in the weather. The patron saint of Wales shines over this day with glorious clear skies in St. David’s. The sun is out, the heat is on and what seems like a thousand flower garden cafes are brimming with hungry travelers. There are families picnicking, hikers, fishing enthusiasts, boaters, swimmers and of course, pilgrims. In fact, it was once said that two pilgrimages to St. Davids equaled one to Rome. One glimpse of the stunning cathedral and we understand why. Its ancient walls hold the spiritual heart of Wales, carved into the ornate oak ceiling, reflected in the jeweled glass windows, and renewed in the services held here each day.

Red’s sharp dragon eyes catch ghost-like figures cast across a few stone pillars in the cathedral. It turns out they’re not ghosts at all. Rather, he’s haunted by a pair of blurry painted images, once vibrant religious renderings designed to inspire worshippers. Their muted presence reminds us that across the centuries, the saints, clergymen and devotees who dedicated their lives to this cathedral still live on in its walls. Stepping out into the late afternoon sun, we’re awestruck by the silent majesty of St. David’s. It makes us long to experience one of nature’s cathedrals, and so the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park beckons. We head out to witness sunset atop its stony hills.

Dina's Head Trail

 Dina’s head is an easy two-hour hike circling from the eastern edge of Fishguard Bay to Newport Bay and back. Ascending up hills of pink heather and onto soft green cliffs, we watch the mists roll up the rocks from the beaches below. Scenes of children playing in the sand give way to groves of lazy cattle and sheep grazing contently on sweet grasses. Red is in dragon-heaven and thinks he just might make this his new lair. But much as we want to camp here for the night, we’re due in Aberaeron for dinner and an overnight treat at one of the finest spots in town…

Kids at Pembrokeshire Fish Week with a freshly caught crab

With just days to go till the seriously fishy festival begins (26 June – 4 July), we asked Cathryn Nicholas who works on Pembrokeshire Fish Week to tell us a bit more about what’s going on.

“There are over 250 events taking place this year so there really is something for everyone.

If celeb. chefs are your thing then join Mitch Tonks and Matt Tebbutt on Saturday 26th June as they cook up a feast of fish in the new bistro style restaurant marquee.

See Val Warner cook up some fresh Pembrokeshire seafood at Torch Theatre

Valentine Warner of ‘What to Eat now’ will be at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on Wednesday 30th June where he will entertain and encourage you with seasonal fish and shellfish dishes from the Welsh Coast.

Or book in at Bluestone’s fine dining restaurant, the Carreg Las for Bluestone’s flavours of the sea. A night hosted by Mitch Tonks and Matt Tebbutt, with Bluestone’s chefs displaying their culinary skills with a six course menu that showcases the best seafood our local waters have to offer.

On the other hand if it’s the great Pembrokeshire outdoors that you’re eager to hit then why not try a coastal kayak and seaside lunch with the Sea Kayak Guides in the north of the county or a fishy coasteer with Celtic Quest Coasteering off the cliffs of Abereiddy.

TYF will be showing people how to catch fish sustainably off a kayak and then demonstrating how to prepare it. They hope that you’ll be catching mackerel, bass or maybe even mullet to take home for your tea!

Sea Anglers and Coarse Fishermen will be in their element with two major competitions. The Stena Line Sea Angling Competition on Sunday 4th July and the Coarse Fishing Championships at Llyn Carfan from Monday 28th June – Friday 2nd July. There are big bucks to be won from both so if this is your sport then get hooked and get involved!”

There are loads more events taking place throughout the week from demonstrations and competitions, locally-caught fish barbecues, children’s activities, live music to walk about entertainment.  See the full listing here www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk.

Find out more about Pembrokeshire and where to stay when you visit.

What to wear Coasteering

Off surfing, sea kayaking or coasteering?

They’ve gone all ‘Trinny and Susanna’ over at Preseli Venture.

Not only do they offer a guide on the essential kit for activity holidays in Wales but also let us know what not to wear !

You can follow their fashion tips and other adventures on their Facebook page

A holiday cottage in Wales is a good bet for a cost effective short break.

While you may not be able to cook like Gordon Ramsey, you can always use our quick guide to help you find some of the best locally sourced produce to get your Pembrokeshire holiday cottage alive with smell and the colour of welsh produce

You may even want to try one of Bryn Williams Welsh Black Beef dishes from The Great British Menu!

We have taken many of the suggestions here from the winners of the Wales True Taste Awards – a government published guide to the best food and drink Wales has to offer.

Pembrokeshire Farmers Markets

A great place to begin stocking up your holiday cottage is a visit to a local Famers Market such as Haverfordwest Farmers Market or Pembrokeshire Farmers Market.

Farm Shops in Pembrokeshire

Get the best, fresh local produce by taking a trip to the numerous farm shops and outlets littered across West Wales, here are a few…..

• Pencrugiau Organic Farm Shop
  Pencrugiau
  Velindre Farchog
  Crymych
  Pembrokeshire
  SA41 3XH
  Tel 01239 881265
• Priory Farm Shop
  Priory Farm
  New Hedges
  Tenby
  Pembrokeshire
  SA70 8TN
  Tel 01834 844662
• Welsh Haven Products
  Whitegates Farm
  Little Haven
  Haverfordwest
  Pembrokeshire
  Tel 01437 781552
• Wendy Brandon Preserves
  Felin Wen
  Boncath
  Pembrokeshire
  SA37 0JR
  Tel 01239 841568
• Taste of the County (True Taste Retailer of the Year – Winner 2007)
  Contact: Hugh Scale & Martin Duffy
  The Farm Shop, Bethesda Cross,
  Saundersfoot,
  Pembrokeshire
  SA69 9DS
  Tel: 01834 812911
• Pembrokeshire Cooked Ham (Reserve Winner 2007)
  Gwaun Valley Meats
  Contact: William Evans
  Tel: 01348 881295
  Email: gwaun@btinternet.com
• Pembrokeshire Platter/Crab Quiche
  Claws Shellfish
  Contact: Neil & Christine Viles
  Tel: 01646 601010
  Email: clawsshellfish@tiscali.co.uk
• Pack of Organic Mince Beef
  Pembrokeshire Coast Organic Meat
  Contact: Philip Rogers
  Tel: 01834 813239
  Email: info@pembrokeshirecoastorganicmeat.co.uk
  Web: www.pembrokeshirecoastorganicmeat.co.uk
• Princes Gate Spring Water
  Contact: Nicola Merriman
  Tel: 01834 831225
  Email: nicola@princesgatespringwater.com
  Web: www.princesgatespringwater.com

Events

2008 Pembrokeshire Fish week – 21st – 29th June 2008 will give you a chance to sample and buy locally caught fish and shellfish – from the nearby Pembrokeshire coast.

The Pembrokeshire Fish week is also full of family-friendly activities located around the nearby coast and waterways. Activities include

• cookery demonstrations with celebrity chefs
• fishing and boat trips
• children’s workshops
• fishing competitions

More information can be found here

Tell us more

Just a few food ideas for your self catering holiday in Wales. If you have any more suggestions leave them in a reply below.

Useful Links

True Taste Wales

Holiday Cottages in Wales

Wales Holiday Information