THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A RELAXING WEEKEND

The Bar at the Dolacouthi Arms

The Bar at the Dolacouthi Arms

Idyllic setting in the Welsh countryside, cosy bars with real ale and a friendly barman, delicious home made food and gorgeous B&B rooms. You may say I’m biased as the Dolaucothi Arms is run my by brother David and his partner Esther but I’ll let the pictures do the talking…ok I may rave a bit more too! Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to stay thinks this is a great place too, just click here to see what they have to say.
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Esther has done a great job filling the pub with treasures found at local antique shops and auctions. In the summer fresh flowers fill vintage vases in every room and in winter the log burning fires keep everyone nice and toasty.
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David and Esther, what can I say. I love my little brother to bits and Esther is lovely and never ceases to amaze me with her artistic creativity and amazing culinary creations. They gave us a keg of ale for our wedding present, need I say more!
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The National Trust Dolaucothi Gold Mines are just up the road. In use from Roman times till the 20th Century you can still have a go at panning for gold today! Keep your eyes open in the pub and you may spot some gold mine memorabilia!
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One for the Whisky lovers out there..you know who you are!!

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So on to the food…not only did I get to photograph it but I ate lots of it too so I feel fully qualified to say it tastes even better than it looks. David and Esther are committed to supporting local producers and source all sorts of  wonderful products that find their way onto their enticing menus. Take a look at their Facebook Page to find out when their next highly recommended Pie Night is!
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Its Pie Time!
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Ohhh and the puddings! Go on…you know you want to!
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After all that good food and a few pints or glasses of wine the last thing you’ll want is a long drive home, but Da Dah! what have we here, some beautiful bedrooms finished with gorgeous vintage touches. The beds are VERY comfortable. I had the pleasure of staying in one of these rooms and slept so well. Giving their guests a really comfortable and relaxing stay is high on David and Esther’s list of priorities and these beds do just that!
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Yes, not only do you get proper coffee, a range of teas and yummy biscuits in your B&B room you also get a generous drop of port!
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Once you’ve enjoyed a long lie in and soak in a hot tub with stylish vintage taps its time for breakfast. Just take a look what awaits! Oh I love photographing food, yum yum!
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David has put his green fingers to good use in the garden which was full of flowers.  A couple of tents popped up at one point as YES THEY DO CAMPING TOO! Oh and the pub owns the fishing rights of the river at the bottom of their garden and have lots of ideas for great local walks.
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Thanks guys for a fantastic week!

 

If you are tempted here is their website

www.thedolaucothiarms.co.uk

 

If you missed the links earlier here they are again…

Alistair Sawyday’s Special Places to Stay: www.sawdays.co.uk

Like David and Esther on their facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheDolaucothiArms

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dolaucothi-gold-mines

Don’t miss the beer and music festival next summer! 

So where is it again?  The Dolaucothi Arms is in the village of Pumsaint on the A482 between Lampeter and Llandovery. See the website for directions.

 

Still dreaming of those puddings!!!

 

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Tell us what you think of Dave and Esther’s pub, if you have a minute please pop your thoughts into the comment box below!

 

A fun Christmas portrait shoot with Chris in the woods near the Dolaucothi Arms in Carmarthenshire. We had a great time trying out our beautiful new equipment until in typical Welsh fashion it didn’t just start raining but hailed giant chunks of ice down on us and we had to make a run for it!

Don’t know what I said but must it have been good!

Loved this Norman looking rock on a stick!

If you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise !!! View full post »

Loved this shoot. The Troodos Mountains are incredible.

Full of gorgeous little villages and amazing walks through Pine forests and those views!!!

Marilena, dressed in her fabulous long black coat made the perfect model.

 

Want to find out more about this wonderful place? Take a look here www.mytroodos.com

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Our next stop was an abandoned hotel with gorgeous light spilling in just as I like it! More sightings of Marilena’s amazing red tartan trousers too!

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Want to see some more? Stick around for the slideshow!

Lastly I just want to share this beautiful image of Marilena with her Grandma who gave the best hugs ever!

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Introducing  an amazing organisation working to help people suffering from Domestic Violence. The charity, known as The Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family or ‘SPAVO,’ offer services from free helplines for adults and children, to councilling and a shelter. They also do run training workshops and outreach activities all over Cyprus which according to Dr. Marilena Kyriakidou of the research department “aim to challenge peoples’ understanding of domestic violence by discussing myths associated with violence within the family.”

18,000 cases were handled the last 18 years

1 in 10 People calling SPAVO ask to be hosted in their Shelter

In 2013, they offered 314 individual councilling sessions with an average of 26 sessions per month.

We received such a warm welcome from everyone at the charity. The whole place had a great atmosphere and the staff were so friendly and dedicated. We wish them all the very best with their amazing work.

Visit the chariries website www.domviolence.org.cy/  to find out more about the charity’s work and ways to support it.

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