New postcards

16 new postcards have just been added produced, taking the range to well over 400 different postcards in all. The new cards are widely spread over Wales, with a few from the Llangollen area, from the Anglesey coast, from north Pembrokeshire and the South Wales waterfalls.

A little different are two postcards with multiple pictures on a black background, which I think are quite striking. One shows 3 of the many magnificent waterfalls from the Upper Neath Valley area

Bwa Wen - the White Arch

This limestone sea arch is to be found near Rhoscolyn on Anglesey. It is not as well known as it should be, partly because it is easily possible to walk right past it without seeing it! Known locally as Bwa Wen (shown on the OS map as Bwa Gwyn), the White Arch is located at map ref. 259762. You do have to walk to the edge of the cliffs and look over to see the arch. For the confident, it is possible to scramble down to the viewpoint I have taken this

New greetings cards

Just three new greetings cards to report this time, though there is a range of over 200 to choose from now. The picture of Cnicht with a bluebell foreground that is also the front cover of the 2010 Wales Calendar makes a cheerful scene – just the sort of place to linger and soak up the spring sunshine and spring scenery. Also spring-like is a card of a lovely local garden, Llwyn in Pensarn.

My personal favourite new card

Llangattock escarpment

Llangattock escarpment proudly stands high above the Usk Valley near Crickhowell. It looks to be a striking natural feature, but was actually formed by extensive quarrying in the 18th and 19th centuries. Both stone and lime were shipped out via the nearby Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. In fact, stone from here was used to construct the canal. A tramway transported the stone down to the canal.

The quarrying ceased over 60 years ago, and the area soon became quite

2010 Calendar for Wales

Although it barely feels like 2009 has started we have now got the 2010 calendars in stock. The front cover of the 2010 Wales Calendar features Cnicht , taken in early May when the bluebells were in bloom. Standing on its own, this great little mountain is worth a climb without requiring too much effort. Looking at its shape it is easy to see why it is known as the Welsh Matterhorn. Our youngest son first climbed it at the age of 2.  

Summit 2 Summit

As some of you are aware, the summer of 2007 Abi and Ali climbed the Welsh 3,000’s on Abi’s 16th birthday. This raised £4,500 for ‘the Children of Tien Sian’, a childrens’ crisis centre in Krygyzstan. Thank you to all those who took an interest in and supported them.

To celebrate Abi’s 18th and Ali’s 50th birthdays they are attempting another challenge - to climb to the highest point in each of the 22 Welsh counties in 4-5 days.

2010 Snowdonia Calendar

With its infinite variety of vistas, Snowdonia never ceases to amaze me. From the snow capped peaks of Snowdon (December) and the wintry blasts of the Glyders (February) to the sunrise colours over the Dwyryd Estuary featured on the front cover. This picture was taken from Borth y Gest, a favourite amble not far from Porthmadog. The beach at Porth Ceiriad (August) found at the end of the Llŷn Peninsula is well worth a visit too. With its fantastic stretch of unspoilt golden sand, as well as cliffs, caves and rockpools, it is a great place for . . . (More . . .)

News snippets

I have come across a few school teachers over the years who have been using my calendars as a teaching tool. Some have been buying significant numbers on the website at their own personal cost – who says that teachers are not as dedicated as they used to be? If ever a teacher wants at least 24 calendars for educational purposes, please ring me for a ‘trade price’ rather than paying the internet price. There are times well after New Year when I have too many calendars left – these will eventually