To begin at the beginning

Saturday 27 June 2015

“To begin at the beginning: It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black….”

Yes, the start of Under Milk Wood and our wonderful start to a wonderful week - a long hoped for visit to Dylan Thomas's fabled Boathouse in Laugharne.

and on the way, a cruise across the magnificent Severn Bridge (at a steep fee though I have to say!)

past Porthcawl and the mighty Port Talbot steelworks, memories of the 70s . . .
and finally pulling into the charming Laugharne and spotting the famous Brown's Hotel

 and the Three Mariners - both Dylan Thomas watering holes.

 off through the village streets that Thomas walked

 opening out onto the blissful bay

and our first glimpse of the boathouse - right on the edge of the estuary

No pics allowed inside, but a fascinating display of family photos and memorabilia and a welcome cafe down in the basement with fresh warm scones and bara brith, washed down with a thirst-quenching cuppa.

 And walking back, we spotted the shed where Dylan wrote so prolifically

Sadly no time to visit the grave - that can be saved for another time as we'd definitely like to explore this region more.  Just round the bay is the famous Pendine Sands, where world land speed records were set.

But it was onward and westward to our luxury B&B for the week - Yr Hafan, just outside the little hamlet of Llanrhian - with amazing hosts Jeff and Alison - and a reunion with our sixers - now eighters - for one glorious week of sunshine, fun and fresh air!

I have no photos from the first night but we kicked off to a great start with a meal at the Sloop Inn at Porthgain.  Porthgain is a fascinating harbour in itself - surrounded by old brick works - more later.

Watch this blog for a day by day unfolding of 'what we did on our holiday(s)' (with apologies to Fairport Convention)

So I think a blast of Meet on the Ledge, from Fairport's album 'What We Did On Our Holidays' will be perfect here - as a tribute to our great friends and a wonderful week to come . . . click below and listen - one of the amazing songs of our era

So what did we do on Sunday - click here to find out and follow the awesome eight on their adventures.