- They have been on earth for more than 450 million years, even before dinosaurs.
There are approx 40 known species of the flying fish
- There are a few fish that fish swim backwards.
- Stingrays use electric sensors to find food.
- Flying fish are attracted to light. and thist allows fishermen to catch them easily.
- Go to the website for more fishy facts!
Skomer 2015!
Skomer 2015!
We stayed for 24 hours on this magical island of Skomer in May 2015.
Breathtaking – can only describe the scenery and wildlife as some of the most beautiful in the whole of Wales. To see bluebells not under trees is awesome. We loved every minute. Sleeping in the hostel is fine and more luxurious than anticipated. Taking all food and drink for the 24 hours was perfectly manageable too. We did have to book the accommodation last year as it is so popular and there is only room in the hostel for 14 overnighters.
Skomer is accessible from the little harbour at Martin’s Haven and for those wanting a day trip boats sail (weather permitting) just three times a day. Contact Dale-sailing for more details. You have to be prepared to queue in the popular weeks ie Whitsun half term.
Looking towards St Brides Bay and Solva from the island. We also saw porpoises from the island and from the ferry crossing. And of course we saw the worlds largest population of Manx Shearwater returning around half eleven at night from their days feeding in the Irish Sea. What a fabulous noise they made!!
There are 3 breeds of rabbits on the island and they are quite tame. Watching their antics in their natural habitat was great fun!
The little boat arrived to pick us up the next morning and take us safely back to the mainland – the crossing to Skomer is quite short and only takes about 15 minutes. Experienced crewmen know the seas well and don’t take risks if forecasts are poor. so crossings can be cancelled at short notice.
We think you will love Skomer 2015 too! Come and stay at Old Oak Barn in June and have a look for yourselves. We currently have two short breaks available around June 6th and June 21st. Phone on 01994230716 for more details.
You can see more pics of puffins in our other blogs!
Top things to do on holiday in Carmarthen
Top things to do in Carmarthen
Besides the lovely beaches dotted around the coastline from Pembrey to Amroth including the famous sands of Pendine we can recommend some great places to visit while staying at Old Oak Barn
Check out this Trip Advisor link which lists the following as being worth a visit!
And we are only a few miles from Pembrokeshire which has so many beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery over the Preseli Hills and lots of popular visitor attractions for children of all ages many of which are open all year round. We know the area well and are on hand to help you plan the most of your holiday in Wales.
Free entry to Gardens of Wales in January
Free entry to Gardens of Wales in January
This January the National Gardens of Wales are offering free entry during the week and charging only £2 at weekends. Why not visit this month to take advantage of this annual offer. There may not be an abundance of flowers as in the photo above but there is still a lot to see! In addition to free entry during the week there are 3 special weekends organised. The Gardens are only 20 minutes or so from Old Oak Barn and our visitors always rate them highly.
Saturday & Sunday January 10-11 – Antiques Weekend
Saturday & Sunday January 17-18 – Woodcraft Weekend
Saturday January 31: Snowdrop Day – talks and walks and buy-your-own snowdrop collection
February Events at The Gardens of Wales
Saturday February 14-Sunday February 22 – Going Flat Out for Pancakes at half-term
Cookery, pancake races plus lots more full-on half-term fun and games.
Sunday February 22 – Seed Swap Sunday
Bring along some seeds and swap them with fellow growers and take part in lots of talks and activities around the subject of ‘growing your own’.
Friday February 27 – Star Party
Come and join the Swansea Astronomical Society in the stunning surrounds of Lord Foster’s Great Glasshouse for an evening of star-gazing. The SAS’s stellar experts will be giving talks, too, and helping you with any difficulties you are having with your telescopes at a series of special one-on-one clinics. 6pm-9pm.
Llandeilo!
Llandeilo!
Christmas shopping in Llandeilo is not to be missed! But this pretty market town is worth a visit all year round and has lots of great little independent shops to browse. There is also the Antiques Centre at the far end of town and Dynevor is only 5 minutes from the main street too. There are lots of lovely cafes and restaurants with The Cawdor and The Angel being worthy of a visit for a special treat!
We visited last week and were struck by the beautiful window displays.
If staying at Old Oak barn you can drive to this popular market town in about 30 minutes.
Narberth Food Festival 2014
Narberth Food Festival 2014
27 – 28 September
The annual Food Festival is being held this coming weekend in the nearby town of Narberth.
There will be lots going on!
Saturday 10am – 6pm £3.50
Sunday 10am – 4pm £2.50
Weekend Ticket £5.00
Under 18s FREE
Food stalls – Live music – Street Theatre
Talks & Tastes – Chef Demonstrations
Free children’s activities
Old Oak Barn is booked up but there are plenty of other places you could stay – why not go to Tenby for the weekend or choose a stylish B and B in one of the many local towns or villages. The coastline is superb at this time of year.
New photos of Old Oak Barn self catering holiday let in Carmarthenshire – open this winter for short breaks!
We have some great new photos of Old Oak Barn taken in November on a crisp sunny afternoon. They complement the new Old Oak Barn 360Virtual Tour which was taken on the same day.
The first photo shows how sunny the south facing patio is at any time of the year. The highly scented white jasmine was still in leaf and will need a good trim soon!
The photo above of the kitchen shows how spacious this room is. With two windows and a stable door it is always light and airy.
The large main room is a wonderful space to relax and enjoy company of friends and family. The hand crafted alder floor was sawn from timber grown in the woods on the farm. Wifi is available in every room and so far has been very reliable and visitors appreciate the fact this is included in the price.
Two bedrooms are more than comfortable and both are simply furnished too. Both have veluxes and high ceilings but are warm and cosy all year round with underfloor heating from the biomass boiler which uses sustainable wood we produce ourselves from managed woodlands either here or in Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire.
The delightful bathroom overlooks the shrubbery and down to the little stream at the back. In May you can almost smell the bluebells if the window is open. Warm floor to hop on after a shower or a bath is lovely and there is plenty of space in this room for extra bits and bobs.
The views from every room are magnificent and give an indication of the lovely rural setting of Old Oak Barn.
Down at the bottom of your private garden is a patch of lawn with a washing line and two small swings suitable for little ones. 
We are open all year round for holidays and short breaks including long weekends out of the main season. Currently we have a few days available between Christmas and New Year for those wanting to get away and discover Carmarthenshire for themselves, 26 December until 30 December – please phone.
We are very child friendly and can promise there are lots of good books, toys, games and puzzles for all ages. A small selection of DVDs and CDs is also available.
Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2013. 22 – 28 June!
Pembrokeshire Fish Week is a seriously fishy week and is now surely one of the best fish festivals in the whole of the UK!
You can ask to be sent a copy of the latest brochure!
There is loads to do that week and visitors will love to travel round the county sampling the delights of locally caught fish. Join in the celebrations taking place all over the county that week – visit the website for more details. From Fishguard to Pembroke, Milford to Dale, from Haverfordwest to Little Haven, from St David’s to Newport or Freshwater West, from Cardigan to Broad Haven – there are so many events going on you will be spoilt for choice!
Here is a sample of some interesting fishy facts!
Last minute Easter space at Old Oak Barn in Carmarthenshire.
Last minute space to see the primroses coming out at Old Oak Barn!
We have reduced the rate at Old Oak Barn our holiday barn self catering let near St Clears to visitors wanting a last minute deal before or just after Easter!
Come and visit this lovely part of West Wales and stay for 7 nights for £450 down from £525.
Aberglasney Daffodil Festival will be ending on Easter Sunday – Spectacularly set in the beautiful Tywi valley of Carmarthenshire, Aberglasney House features one of the finest gardens in Wales. Aberglasney Gardens have been an inspiration to poets since 1477. The story of Aberglasney spans many centuries, but, the house’s origins are still shrouded in obscurity.
Or you can enjoy the beaches nearby!
There is lots to do in the area. Watch this space as more events get added.