Walked up to the Devils Pulpit on Offas Dyke today in bright sunshine and could see all the way to the Beacons- amazing. Tintern Abbey looks dramatic way down in the valley!

So enjoyed a 10 mile walk along the Wye Valley today from Tintern to Monmouth show ground. Perfect spring weather 18C and glorious sunshine. Blue sky! Splendid wildlife and wildflowers, a few kayakers and many people wearing pink for the charity. Excellent.

The charity Duck Race scehduled for Tintern on Monday has been postponed as there is too much water in the Wye ( and more seriously too much debris to make it safe for the kayaks who steward the ducks). Watch this space for the new date- dem quacky ducks gonna race before too long!

Vanilla Cottage special SPECIAL! 06-9 July 3 NIGHTS SHORT BREAK £399 for three people and one dog
£299 for two people only.

Congratulations to Dr Catherine Jackson who ran the London Marathon today (in aid of Debra, a childrens skin condition charity). You know we think you are amazing and bonkers, not necessarily in that order, and we want to say a big WELL DONE.

Enjoyed an excellent walk today with friend and gorgeous English setter following the Hidden Histories of Tintern Trail. Very interesting leaflet and QR codes make it easy to follow the route, lovely sunshine was enjoyed (despite showers predicted we didnt have any) and the scenery is stunning with bluebells, anemones, violets edging the route and spectacular clear views in all directions.Fair set me up for the ironing afterwards!

Spilled handwash so yesterday washed the doormat at Abbey Cottage and left the washing machine working while I cut the grass. Returning to the open back door at 3.50pm (guests arrive at 4) I was greeted by a sea of froth coming from every orifice of the machine and right across the kitchen....well at least the floor was demonstrably clean!
( thanks to our arrivals for having a sense of humour!)

We dont usually have short breaks availabile in July but we have one at Vanilla Cottage this year! Special ! 06-9 July 3 NIGHTS SHORT BREAK £399 for up to three people or two people and one dog. Be quick!

A very Happy Easter to all our guests and friends around the world. On Sunday we spent a peaceful day with Church and then chocolate cake in the garden ( supervised by the two oldie horses who know full well how to cadge grass and chocolate whether its good for them or not!). What will Monday bring?

Morning off today. Cottage sheets already on the line in the sun and now off to meet a friend and her fabusetter for a walk in the woods and up over Trellech Beacon.Day starts well!