The Big Country

We are back from our wonderful week in New Quay, West Wales.  We knew it was going to be good when we drove into the turning for our stable cottage at Crogal and saw this:

and so every morning when we opened the curtains and perhaps sat out on the balcony with a cup of  tea, this was our beautiful view:

 

and in the evening we looked out on the twinkling lights across Cardigan Bay and the Strumble Head lighthouse flashing out its warning.

After a warm welcome from the lovely owner, Liz, we settled into our holiday home.  There were lots of things we wanted to do and see, and the first day we walked along the coastal path to our little private beach:

 

 

Of course we visited the Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre and there was Susan, from the Market Square Quilt Group, who moved to Wales a few years ago - she was more surprised than me because I knew she helps Jen Jones!  There was a lovely display of wholecloth quilts which I really enjoyed.

 

But what I was really on a quest for was Welsh blankets - so we visited two woollen mills.  The first was the Welsh Wool Museum and there were plenty of blankets for me to love!

 

and then we could watch the men weaving them



We also visited Rock Mill, which was built by the Great Grandfather of the current owner in 1890, and is the last of the mills powered by a waterwheel.  Sadly his sons don't seem too keen to take over and it looks like it won't be around much longer, but it was a joy to look around.

We walked up the old stone steps

and into the deserted mill where it was as if time had stood still!

The waterwheel was turning

                       and there were half-woven blankets on the old looms:

                                                       and great baskets of coloured bobbins:

All mod coms, really

What a treat!  And then, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a basket of this in the shop:

Our own Coastal Colours yarn!  I was away when they had a stand here on the farm a couple of years ago so I had to bring one home with me, of course.  And maybe a couple of Welsh blankets.......

We had such a lovely time, and saw so much - we visited Caldey Island

                                                       and beautiful beaches

and pretty churches.....

.......of course, when we went out in the boat at sunset and the dolphins were swimming around us I didn't have my camera with me...

and then on the last evening had an amazing meal at The Blue Bell Bistro in New Quay, and looking across to the cottage where Dylan Thomas lived, we watched the sunset over the bay.