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
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.
Aberglasney Gardens
Aberglasney GardensMonday, 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
