Surbiton Probus Club
Late Summer
Weekend Break 2009
The Late Summer Weekend Break will be
based at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel (left) in Carmarthen, South West
Wales, on a
dinner,
bed & breakfast basis.
The break departs Thursday, 10th
September and returns on Monday 14th September.
The basic
price is £299 for a minimum of 40 passengers, or £319 for a minimum
of 30 passengers.
Proposed Itinerary:
Thursday; To Carmarthen with a lunch stop at
Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans.
Friday: Visit to St. David’s and Tenby.
Saturday: Visit National Botanic Garden of
Wales – At Extra Cost - £5.50 p.p.
After lunch to Swansea,
explore the Maritime Quarter, Waterfront Museum etc.
Sunday: Visit Aberglasney Gardens – At
Extra Cost - £6.50 p.p.
After lunch visit Dinefwr
Park & Castle (NT).
Non NT Members at Extra
Cost - £5.30 p.p. Group Rate.
Monday: Depart for home visiting Brecon
Mountain Railway – At Extra Cost
£6.75 p.p. Group Rate.
After lunch continue journey home.
Alan Neale
CARMARTHEN
Thursday, 10th
September, 2009 saw the start of our four night break based in
Carmarthen at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel. An early start on a bright
early Autumn day, 7.15am saw almost all the 25 booked for the trip
duly assembled awaiting the York’s Coach. Tim, our driver, was right
on time and we were off before the scheduled departure of 7.30am.
After a reasonable
trip around the M25, we kept moving - just, we joined the M4 and
headed for breakfast at the Reading Services. Suitably refreshed our
lunch stop was at St. Fagans, (Museum of Welsh Life), lots to see
and nice gardens – all free compliments of the Welsh Assembly! After
lunch it was full speed to Carmarthen arriving slightly ahead of
schedule.
The Ivy Bush Royal
Hotel proved to be excellent, very friendly helpful staff, good food
and accommodation and well geared to coach parties.
Friday we visited
St. David's with its magnificent cathedral and the ruins of the
Bishops Palace. After lunch we made our way to Tenby via Pembroke,
as we crossed the toll bridge at Pembroke Dock I was able to see
where I did my trade training in the RAF in 1948 – certainly brought
back memories. It used to cost 1d to cross by ferry where the toll
bridge is now. A leisurely time was enjoyed at Tenby; I know that
some of our party enjoyed a walk on the beach and a paddle in the
sea.
On Saturday we
first visited the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, a lovely
setting with lots to see. There was a vegetable show in a marquee,
imagine the size of the leeks! We could have spent more time here
but in the afternoon we travelled to Swansea to the maritime quarter
and the Waterfront Museum. Things have certainly changed since I was
last in Swansea; the museum is superb and again Free! The setting of
the waterfront area is lovely with lots of yachts, eateries and
people enjoying the sunshine.
Sunday was a
fairly leisurely day with no long journeys. First we visited
Aberglasney Gardens, a lovely peaceful setting and most enjoyable.
There was an exhibition by the artist Frances Payne, mainly wild
flowers. This is where things went wrong, I was held in an arm lock
by my Wife and forced to buy a painting. Later we journeyed to
Dinefwr Park & Castle, a National Trust Property. The house has a
very interesting exhibition showing how it was in years gone by and
I personally spent a lot of time there. I never got to the castle
but I understand that the views from the castle where well worth the
climb.
Monday, all packed
up and ready for the journey home. We visited the Brecon Mountain
Railway and after the train journey had a pre-ordered lunch at the
Station Café. After leaving the railway we got a bit lost in the
Valleys but eventually joined the M4 at Newport. One quick comfort
break after crossing the Severn and we arrived back in Tolworth
nearly an hour ahead of schedule.
The weather
throughout was fine with lots of sunshine, we were so lucky and of
course this helped to make our trip most enjoyable. As the organiser
I hope everyone agrees.
Alan Neale
