You'll find that our trips are about PRESENCE & CONNECTING & BEAUTY.
In contrast, there are other trips with the intent of diving into history and ticking off 'must see' sights.
Woven through these marvelous places and walks will be meaningful, guided conversation and reflection as we recognize the soul beauty of the others with whom we travel. We will be staying in different locations and types of lodging. Our underlying intent is to travel slowly with deep presence to Wales,
ourselves and one another.
Serendipity is a key travel companion as moments arise that can't be scheduled and yet provide sweet, rich experiences.
Therefore, please consider this our 'working itinerary.'
In contrast, there are other trips with the intent of diving into history and ticking off 'must see' sights.
Woven through these marvelous places and walks will be meaningful, guided conversation and reflection as we recognize the soul beauty of the others with whom we travel. We will be staying in different locations and types of lodging. Our underlying intent is to travel slowly with deep presence to Wales,
ourselves and one another.
Serendipity is a key travel companion as moments arise that can't be scheduled and yet provide sweet, rich experiences.
Therefore, please consider this our 'working itinerary.'
Day One:
We will already know each other as the trip will begin on our first trip zoom call in spring of 2023! Meeting in real life will be wonderful as we all arrive in Cardiff, Wales by air or by train. Our driver, and all around wonderful wise walking friend, Sue, will join us. She'll take us to our first accommodation on the sea on the scenic Gower Peninsula. oxwichbayhotel.co.uk If everyone's travel plans work properly, you can take a chilly dip in the Celtic Sea or beach comb before we gather for a light evening meal and head to bed early to fight off jet lag and dream of what's to come!
We will already know each other as the trip will begin on our first trip zoom call in spring of 2023! Meeting in real life will be wonderful as we all arrive in Cardiff, Wales by air or by train. Our driver, and all around wonderful wise walking friend, Sue, will join us. She'll take us to our first accommodation on the sea on the scenic Gower Peninsula. oxwichbayhotel.co.uk If everyone's travel plans work properly, you can take a chilly dip in the Celtic Sea or beach comb before we gather for a light evening meal and head to bed early to fight off jet lag and dream of what's to come!
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Day Two-Three:
Onto The Grove of Narberth, an award winning hotel in West Wales. grovenarberth.co.uk . We will stay at The Grove for two nights, reveling in a bit of luxury after spending our days out and about. There are so many wonderful options from beaches, to cliffs, to hill walking. Historical sights are common in Pembrokeshire and we will see at least a few. We might visit a local farm or experiment with new art forms. Expressing creativity, sometimes long forgotten, is part of our trips. Watercolor, lino block carving/printing, wool, sketching, clay.... We will see what interests our group and what emerges. Our challenge is to consider all the options and craft a soulful and well paced trip for our participants where each one can get a bit of what she needs just by BEING HERE. grovenarberth.co.uk
Onto The Grove of Narberth, an award winning hotel in West Wales. grovenarberth.co.uk . We will stay at The Grove for two nights, reveling in a bit of luxury after spending our days out and about. There are so many wonderful options from beaches, to cliffs, to hill walking. Historical sights are common in Pembrokeshire and we will see at least a few. We might visit a local farm or experiment with new art forms. Expressing creativity, sometimes long forgotten, is part of our trips. Watercolor, lino block carving/printing, wool, sketching, clay.... We will see what interests our group and what emerges. Our challenge is to consider all the options and craft a soulful and well paced trip for our participants where each one can get a bit of what she needs just by BEING HERE. grovenarberth.co.uk
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Day Four:
We will bid farewell to The Grove and head towards St. David's, the smallest city in the UK. Wales is full of castles and, depending on your interests and timing, we may visit Pembroke Castle. A lunch of savory local dishes and fresh welsh cakes could burst into reality. Our lodging for two nights will be at the lovely Twr y Felin hotel. This is a modern accommodation with sea views amidst much history. https://twryfelinhotel.com Our hotel is a short walk from the Wales Coast Path and from town. Take a deep breath, feel the breeze and watch the jackdaws play on the roof or grab at glass of wine at the downstairs bar and settle into a cozy chair with your friends. Shops will be open in town on Saturday for those that love browsing or stopping at the pub. If the weather is fabulous, we might head to Whitesands Bay and explore the wide sandy beach. We intentionally build flexibility into our days so that each person can create the trip she wants and needs, be it time for writing, running, drawing or sitting quietly, hot drink in hand.
We will bid farewell to The Grove and head towards St. David's, the smallest city in the UK. Wales is full of castles and, depending on your interests and timing, we may visit Pembroke Castle. A lunch of savory local dishes and fresh welsh cakes could burst into reality. Our lodging for two nights will be at the lovely Twr y Felin hotel. This is a modern accommodation with sea views amidst much history. https://twryfelinhotel.com Our hotel is a short walk from the Wales Coast Path and from town. Take a deep breath, feel the breeze and watch the jackdaws play on the roof or grab at glass of wine at the downstairs bar and settle into a cozy chair with your friends. Shops will be open in town on Saturday for those that love browsing or stopping at the pub. If the weather is fabulous, we might head to Whitesands Bay and explore the wide sandy beach. We intentionally build flexibility into our days so that each person can create the trip she wants and needs, be it time for writing, running, drawing or sitting quietly, hot drink in hand.
Day Five:
The tiny city of St. David's which has been a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years. Its status is ensured by the magnificent 12th century cathedral which some consider Wales most holy site. While in St. David's our legs will be stretched and souls filled up on a hike to St. Non's Chapel and holy well. We will have easy access to the Wales Coast Path for those who wish to walk and enjoy more moving vistas along the sea cliffs. It will be Sunday, so services at the Cathedral, morning prayer and Evensong, will be rich options for those that wish to attend.
The tiny city of St. David's which has been a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years. Its status is ensured by the magnificent 12th century cathedral which some consider Wales most holy site. While in St. David's our legs will be stretched and souls filled up on a hike to St. Non's Chapel and holy well. We will have easy access to the Wales Coast Path for those who wish to walk and enjoy more moving vistas along the sea cliffs. It will be Sunday, so services at the Cathedral, morning prayer and Evensong, will be rich options for those that wish to attend.
Day Six:
We hope to enjoy some Wales Coastal Path walking as we head to our home for the next four nights near Cardigan. Sue knows all the best places and we will rely on her to help choose our explorations for the day. There might even be time for high tea before we arrive at Fforest Farm. Our home will be an ancient farm house and converted stables, now outfitted for comfort and coziness. This will be a 'retreat within a retreat' as we relish the breezes, bird calls and so many flowers. Bring your hiking boots or Wellies, for we'll be living the Welsh farm life surrounded by the magic of the Wales countryside. In the evenings, we will gather around the fire in the private pub or in our farm house. Wood smoke, local beer, and homespun art will be part of our time at Fforest Camp. www.coldatnight.co.uk We will drive to MWNT on the sea to hike and see the Church of the Holy Cross which dates to the 13th century. It is surrounded by the lush green of the coast in a spectacular setting. Bring your cameras, journals and rain gear! More art, more conversation, more time for yourself will be in order.
We hope to enjoy some Wales Coastal Path walking as we head to our home for the next four nights near Cardigan. Sue knows all the best places and we will rely on her to help choose our explorations for the day. There might even be time for high tea before we arrive at Fforest Farm. Our home will be an ancient farm house and converted stables, now outfitted for comfort and coziness. This will be a 'retreat within a retreat' as we relish the breezes, bird calls and so many flowers. Bring your hiking boots or Wellies, for we'll be living the Welsh farm life surrounded by the magic of the Wales countryside. In the evenings, we will gather around the fire in the private pub or in our farm house. Wood smoke, local beer, and homespun art will be part of our time at Fforest Camp. www.coldatnight.co.uk We will drive to MWNT on the sea to hike and see the Church of the Holy Cross which dates to the 13th century. It is surrounded by the lush green of the coast in a spectacular setting. Bring your cameras, journals and rain gear! More art, more conversation, more time for yourself will be in order.
Day Seven - Nine:
Fforest Farm is within walking distance of Cardigan, a small homey town with its own castle. We will have three days for walking, making art, poking around Cardigan and experiencing individual and group reflection times. Homemade, delicious meals are part of the charm of Fforest and we will cook at least one dinner together ourselves! The barrel sauna is worthy of sweating or you might enjoy homemade gin in one of the world's coziest private pubs. It's at Fforest where we relish the spaciousness for art making. You might try art journaling and watercolor or printing. If your creative juices aren't flowing, walking to Cardigan to explore this center of Welsh culture or the castle is an option. A huge highlight of our 2022 trip was a day on the beach creating a massive sand mandala. We will be watching the tides and the weather to recreate this amazing experience in 2023!!
Some scenes from hiking around Pembrokeshire:
Fforest Farm is within walking distance of Cardigan, a small homey town with its own castle. We will have three days for walking, making art, poking around Cardigan and experiencing individual and group reflection times. Homemade, delicious meals are part of the charm of Fforest and we will cook at least one dinner together ourselves! The barrel sauna is worthy of sweating or you might enjoy homemade gin in one of the world's coziest private pubs. It's at Fforest where we relish the spaciousness for art making. You might try art journaling and watercolor or printing. If your creative juices aren't flowing, walking to Cardigan to explore this center of Welsh culture or the castle is an option. A huge highlight of our 2022 trip was a day on the beach creating a massive sand mandala. We will be watching the tides and the weather to recreate this amazing experience in 2023!!
Some scenes from hiking around Pembrokeshire:
Day Ten:
After a cosy breakfast at Fforest Farm, we'll pack up and head back to Cardiff for departures. You might choose to fly to Amsterdam for a few days or poke around the capital of Wales for a couple of days. You can catch the train in Cardiff and head to England and beyond where your journey can continue. We will bid farewell with full hearts, new friends and a longing for Wales that will likely stay forever!
After a cosy breakfast at Fforest Farm, we'll pack up and head back to Cardiff for departures. You might choose to fly to Amsterdam for a few days or poke around the capital of Wales for a couple of days. You can catch the train in Cardiff and head to England and beyond where your journey can continue. We will bid farewell with full hearts, new friends and a longing for Wales that will likely stay forever!
More images of Fforest Farm just because it's full of charm.
Bydd bendith yr Arglwydd yn mynd gyda chi. (The blessing of the Lord go with you.)
Itinerary note: Because the world and the weather are full of surprises, this itinerary is subject to change!
This will be an active trip. Participants need to be fit and ready for walking between 3-5 miles a day on the coastal trail and around towns. NOTE: We are choosing trails that are scenic and not very rugged. Your knees will thank you.
We will travel by chartered van and occasionally other transportation.
You'll need to be able to pull your own CARRY-ON SIZED luggage and feel comfortable navigating cobble stones,
uneven and sometimes soggy ground. Wales can be moody and rainy and
we believe there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.
We will provide packing guidance if traveling light is new to you. Come join the fun!
We will travel by chartered van and occasionally other transportation.
You'll need to be able to pull your own CARRY-ON SIZED luggage and feel comfortable navigating cobble stones,
uneven and sometimes soggy ground. Wales can be moody and rainy and
we believe there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.
We will provide packing guidance if traveling light is new to you. Come join the fun!
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
traditional irish blessing
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
traditional irish blessing