Over-Aroused Dogs and Holiday Don't Go Hand in Hand

You may THINK this is the rule - but there are always exceptions

We get it.

Going away with a hyperactive, constantly-in-a-heightened state of arousal dog is like running on marbles. It’s goes something like this:

The nail-biting starts before you've left home. Will they be alright in the car, or will 4 hours of barking be the radio station?

You pull up to your accommodation only to find there are two other pods very close by and no fence between them.

You groan as you realise it's going to be an inside or on-leash, high pup alert kind of holiday.

"Let's hope they don't have dogs, too", you mutter.

As another dog pops into view, it's off-leash and curious. You brace and ask yourself, is it even worth it?

I know you need a break, and getting one with a reactive dog is H for HARD.

The mental strength you need to manage your dog (and life) to get somewhere can be overwhelming. With so much unpredictability and grey-hair-inducing trauma, it's easier to stay home.

You tell yourself, "just as soon as we iron out these issues, we can go away."

Issues that take time, love and a lot of attention.

In the meantime, you are putting your life on a standstill, let me tell you, there is another way.

You are leaping off the sofa, cushions flying everywhere to grab me and beg to know more, right?

What if you could go away somewhere private, romantic, wild, enclosed, dog-free and full of natural nose-sniffing stimulation?

And have a list of dog-friendly beaches and hideouts that are wild, remote and off gen-pop radar?

The Welsh Farm glamping might just tick a lot of your dog-essential boxes

We have created a beautiful, private and enclosed space. A cosy yurt sits nestled in the middle of an orchard.

It's the perfect place to potter about, stoke up the pizza oven, toast your toes around the outdoor fire and soak for hours in the hot tub.

If your dog is reactive to other humans or dogs, then it is the ideal place to escape.

No stress. No Drama.

Just glamping goodness soaked in peaceful countryside.

The woodland walks on the farm mean you don't have to leave, and a hardly-ever-used Gelliwen hike is right on our doorstep. If you wanted to land and nest for three days, you could.

At the Welsh Farm, your every need is thought of, and every expense is included in your stay, so from firewood to dog beds, we've got you covered.

If you are still not convinced it would work for you and your dog, watch Lorren and Loki's experience here.

Photos by Polka_dot_Loki

Please keep in mind we expect you to be responsible with your dog. We ask all dogs to be on lead around other dogs and people when walking around the farm and in the woods. Please openly communicate with us throughout your stay, especially if you have any issues or concerns.

We want you to have the best experience possible away with your pup!

Check out our review by Dog Furiendly.

BOOK HERE NOW

P.S. Watch our tour of the Country Yurt on Instagram here ⬇️.

Three Wild Family Days Out at the Welsh Farm

It’s the count-down to the Summer holidays. Are you filled with delight or utter anxiety?

Here are our three must-explore destinations:

Beach, woods and castle

Waterfalls and boujee town

Beach and seaside town

We love the summer as parents, and we love our kids. It’s just really hard to manage.

Suddenly our routines are out the window; the juggle (which is a juggle anyway) ramps up to supersonic.

I’ve been there.

Three years ago, I was working my butt off. The whole of the Easter holiday passed without me spending a day with my kids, I didn’t create time for them, and it showed, we were all walking on eggshells around each other. Snappy Crabby you name it.

I didn’t have a break, I was stressed out, and I felt so guilty when I dropped them back at the school gate two weeks later.

Some break I thought.

And I know it’s because at my core, and your core, we want our kids to run free, explore the world around them and have screen-free, unfiltered fun.

Since that god-forsaken holiday, I promised myself that I would plan better. Plan for a lighter workload and plan days out where we can escape away!

We also sneak stays at the yurts or cabin, there is nothing like a glamping experience (especially under canvas) for kids.

Picking up treasures of sticks, stones and pretty leaves, catching bugs, lugging wood in from the wood pile, helping to light fires, picking veggies and collecting eggs from the garden at the Country Yurt.

To top it all off you can run down the woods to find mysterious hidden animals, play sword fights with sticks, wade in the river, build up the dam or create another fort alongside our “Eyore” house.

In the evenings you layer on the fleeces and wrap up by the fire to toast marshmallows and star gaze. Before snuggling down for bed.

It’s the magical world of wild living with comfort, glamping.

But let’s say you’ve experienced all the Welsh Farm has to offer and you need to escape.

Fifteen minutes away is Llansteffan Beach

Llansteffan ticks a lot of boxes, get there early because parking can be tricky. The beautiful little village sits on the mouth of the estuary and boasts a playpark, fish and chips, pubs, beach, woods and a castle.

When the tide is out, we recommend walking around to Scott’s Bay and then back through the woods up to the Castle. If you want to make it a longer walk, head up the valley from Scot’s Bay and you have a round route back to the castle.

From the car park, head right along the beach, as you pass the slip that leads to the castle, there is a shell beach along the cliffs, where we crunch around and race to find the biggest shell, at low tide sea weathered cockle hunters seek their bounty.

From there, carry on around the beach and just past the first set of steps up the cliff, there is a natural paddling pool, perfect for splashing and cooling off in the summer heat.

The round walk to Scot’s Bay continues on, but you may just get stuck by the pool for the day!

If you can make it to the castle then don’t miss the chance to play hide and seek in the ruins. You can go almost anywhere, including up towers and into “dungeons”.

Car Park: SA33 5LW

Download 5 mile Scott’s Bay round walk map here.

Ffynone Waterfalls

Photo credit Andrew Dally @amdally

26 minutes away, this magical 1.5(ish) mile walk will make you feel like you are in a fairy glade. Or you can opt for longer circular routes listed at the end of this section.

This other-worldly waterfall is just South West of Cardigan, so you could pop by for a dolphin boat trip, or to explore the vibrant local independent galleries and antique shops that give Cardigan its boujee, laid-back artisan vibe.

It also boasts unrivalled culinary delights with Cwrst, The Copper Pot, El Salsa street food, Fforest Pizza Tipi and plenty of fresh fish.

Cardigan is a whole other blog post!

Do not visit Ffynone Waterfalls without a picnic - and we will get to why.

These waterfalls are little-known and far less popular than Cenarth Falls or the Gwaun Valley Falls. Local dog walkers are your company as you explore and we found everyone friendly and ever so helpful. If you do come across a local person, ask them about the legend of Ffynone…

According to the Mabinogi (legendary Welsh stories compiled in the middle ages), Ffynone Waterfall is the gateway to Annwfn, an underworld that lies much deeper than our own.

It is said that Pwyll, King of Dyfed, swapped places with Arawn, King of Annwfn (the underworld) for a year and a day using the portal at Ffynone Waterfall…

You can read the full story here https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm

There are two car parks as you reach SA37 0HQ, take the one on the right, on slightly higher ground. Towards the rear of the car park is a gate and a track, follow it past the old houses (don’t turn left) and you will get to Ffynone waterfall.

There is the perfect picnic spot, you can climb up behind the falls and leap or “bog hop” from mossy tuft to mossy tuft. If you ask me, the scramble up beyond the falls is the magic and the perfect place to get out your picnic.

However, the pool is deep enough for a wild swim. So rolling out a mat and enjoy a feet up mini-feast, or dipping in and out of the pool on a hot summer’s day may appeal more to you….

And you can leave the kids to scramble around and up behind the falls.

But be careful, you may feel like you’ve fallen into Annwfn, the underworld, after a few hours in this beautiful and remote treasure.

Ffynone Falls Walk map 1.56km use points 1 & 2 only here

Ffynone Falls Walk 11km map here

Rockpool at Wisemans Bridge

I think by now you have gathered that we like water.

Wisemans Bridge (SA69 9AU) is dog friendly all year round and has limited parking. So if you choose to spend a day here, leave early, settle in and enjoy yourselves!

My favourite thing about Wiseman’s Bridge is simple. It never gets overly busy. The car park is small, so direct access to the beach is limited.

Because it’s dog friendly all year round, many people come down to walk their dogs and leave or pass through from elsewhere, which makes it a very underrated beach.

There is a pub, beach shop, public toilets and beautiful walks from the beach. The beach itself is pebbled at the top and sandy with rocky areas as the tide goes out.

This makes it a perfect beach for rock pooling. So don’t arrive without buckets and nets! Or buy them from the little beach shop.

From Wiseman’s Bridge you can walk to Coppet Hall and the famous seaside town of Saundersfoot, also known as little Tenby. There you can indulge in delicious food, try your hand at crabbing and don’t forget to find decadent brownies on the beachfront! \

So, everything you could possibly want.

Oh! And this whole cove often has perfect conditions for paddle boarding. Either bring your own or hire one for around £12-15/hour from Coppet Hall here.

Which is the most exciting? Let me know!

Cariad Mawr

Xx

Five Simple Ways to Pick and Use Wild Garlic at the Welsh Farm Glamping

Tangy earthy and we say wild garlic is better for you than an apple

Forage without ID books, maps, courses, planning and excessive research.

Here is what's in this post:

• My wild garlic glade a short walk from the Welsh Farm

• Link to a traditional wild garlic pesto recipe

• My own take on wild garlic pesto - I don't use pine nuts

• Simple ways to use wild garlic pesto & flowers

Wild Garlic foraging and glamping

It is the wild dream right?

Living off the land, being self-sufficient… having local knowledge, walking out into fields and woodlands, picking natural foods and using natural methods to invigorate, re-energise you and, dare I say it - heal you inside and out.

Imagine preparing earthy, wholesome food that is partly wild and feels like you are adding years to your life with every bite.

Pop 💦

That was your bubble. As idyllic as that life is, it is unachievable for most of us. What with work commitments, financial ties and pressures, the children.

Your dream is pushed back - maybe - for retirement.

Shelved up and inaccessible.

Or is it?

A few years ago, I decided I couldn’t do it all.

I have no time to learn detailed differences between mushrooms or what bark I can boil. But I do know a few easy plants and recipes that would make me feel like I was touching the dream, enjoying the pieces of it that are possible to achieve in life’s chaos right now.

And you can too.

Wild garlic is one of the easiest plants to find and identify, and you can use it in so many ways!

Throughout spring, you can find them in woodlands, and along rivers oozing their pungent aroma.

You literally can follow your nose.

So on a dog walk, if you smell the garlic, find it and pick some fresh little leaves and a few flower heads. A little goes a really long way.

You know you have the right plant, as when you crush the leaves in your fingers, it erupts with a deep, rich, garlicky scent that is undeniable.

Finding wild garlic

Wild garlic glade Welsh Farm

Common near wild garlic glade

River by wild garlic

Here is a what three words location for my beautiful garlic glade! It’s down at Meidrim common, which you can walk to on the lane and then footpaths from your glamping hideaway at the Welsh Farm.

///acoustics.tanks.riches

Here is a little explanation of which leaves to pick.

Once the garlic is picked and washed.

My favourite thing to make is pesto. Here is a traditional recipe.

But I like to play around with things and be creative. And also, I like to use ingredients I have as cupboard staples. I’m the worst at remembering to buy things not usually on my shopping list.

Embarrassingly that does include washing up liquid and toilet paper.

For my pesto this year, I switched out pine nuts for cashews. I always use olive oil. I used half a lemon, as I didn’t have a whole one. And because I bought parsley thinking it was coriander, I popped some parsley in. 😂

A nice little tip here, parsley takes the bitter edge off the garlic.

So that shopping mis-hap was meant to be!

Then I added parmesan, more oil and a little water, until I have the consistency I want.

Beth's wild garlic pesto

The whole process takes 5 minutes, 10 at a push.

And I bet you’re thinking right now, “I know where I can find wild garlic locally…”

So go pick some! Another week and it’ll be gone.

Make a pesto pasta, smother a focaccia in it, make it into a dressing, enjoy it in a wrap.

And do not forget to pick some heads to sprinkle the flowers over a spring salad. The sun means we are all going to be BBQing over half term, especially if you on a wild romantic adventure at the Welsh Farm. Make a salad with some wild garlic flower garnish…

It's an impressive show-stopper if I ever saw one!

Bon appetite!

Cariad Mawr x