St. David’s – Britain’s smallest City
With most of the holiday gang having an unexpected lie-in our planned early departure to St. David's didn't materialise and we ended up being a couple of hours late - much to the drivers annoyance 
However, once we were on our way we were all mesmorised by the wonderful coastal views and sandy beaches which we took in along the way to Britain's smallest city.
The coastal walk around Druidston Haven looked stunning as we slowly drove past and although we couldn't see how to get to the beach, I've little doubt that it was another of Pembrokeshire's hidden gems.
Next stop was Nolton Haven a small but impressively sandy and secluded spot and well worth a visit if only for a bite to eat or temporary respite from the narrow and meandering B4341. One word of advice about the road - try and avoid meeting the Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus service en route, otherwise like me, you'll need to reverse some 50 metres so it can get past!
The real stunner however was Newgale beach whose golden sands seemed to stretch for miles and was quite spectacular and reminiscent of the large sandy beaches of the Gower that I am more accustomed too.
After going through the small village of Solva we had almost reached our intended destination. It had been many years since I - or indeed the rest of the gang - last visited St. Davids and I couldn't help but feel that it had lost some of its quaintness due to becoming more comercialised with an abundance of bistro's and designer chic clothes shops.
Whilst wandering around the "city" the vast array of accents that we overheard - particulary American - gave testament to the commericial changes and I suppose any person with some business acumen would see the potential of certain establishments.
Although the weather was very sunny it was surprisingly chilly due to the blusterly north easterly wind, so we quickly headed for the sanctuary of St. David's main attraction - the Cathedral.
Here is a picture of the ruins of the Bishops Palace, which is adjacent to the cathedral.
Once inside the cathedral, we were amazed by the colourful stain glass windows that decorated the interior and the very impressive organ - which impressively overshadowed the numerous pews.
It's also worth mentioning that the St. David's cathedral website is very informative and well worth a read - especially if you intend visiting or simply wish to know more about its history.
Before concluding our visit to St. David's we took a stroll around the award winning Oriel y Parc Gallery. The gallery won the prestigious 'Rural Areas and Natural Environment Planning award' in 2009 for its use of state-of-the-art green technologies and is a well worth a visit on any day out in St. David's.
Oriel y Parc is the National Park Authority's visitor centre for St. David's and provides you with all of the information you're likely to need for your visit. You'll also find several galleries - including collections of art and treasures from the National Museum of Wales - a café and a shop. But perhaps best of all are the regular events held at the complex for children - all of which are related to the environment and its sustainability.
After returning back to base and relaxing a wee bit (i.e. stuffing our faces with some pukka tucker) we decided to round off our day with an evening stroll along the beach at Broad Haven.
Watching the sun setting over St. Brides Bay was very romantic... even if a wee bit chilly!
Exploring Broad Haven
An early start to proceedings today as I opted to go for an early morning run, the first of the holiday thus far. In typical fashion it was also the windiest day thus far and the hilly terrain provided me with an alternative run out to my usual surroundings.
My 35 minute run took in the main road between Broad Haven and Little Haven, as well as some of the surrounding lanes and tracks - not to mention what I can only assume is Broad Haven football club's home ground?
A quick shower and it was time for us all to have a much anticipated bacon butty breakfast. Not exactly in keeping with the healthy theme I know, but what the heck we're on holiday!
Next stop was Broad Haven beach with our goal today being to walk around the cove to Little Haven - tide permitting (unlike yesterday).
Thankfully a quick check on the Pembrokeshire tide tables via the internet on my mobile meant that we knew we'd have to be well on our way before the low tide at 11:30 am.
Although Broad Haven beach is wonderfully sandy there are enough rock pools near the coves to the south and north ends of the beach to make them an intriguing destination for kids of all ages (including big ones like me).
With the sun beating down on us in what felt like the hottest day of the year thus far and the kids starting to flag it was time to make a hasty retreat to the house for some much needed refreshments - but not without stopping for a dollop of Pembrokeshire's award winning ice cream from Upton Farm first though!
This evening saw a beautiful sunset and the location of our holiday home provided an ideal photograhic opportunity...
Broad Haven here we come
Phooo wee, it's been a long day but alas we're now tucked up and un-packed in our humble abode for the week in sunny Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire - the St. Brides Bay version not the other one!
Without doubt Broad Haven is a popular place mainly thanks to it being great for sun worshippers and water sports lovers. It's expanse of golden sand - which links up with nearby Little Haven at low tide - make it a great place for young families and it is widely considered as one of the finest beaches in St Brides Bay.
So eager with excitement, the house of DDWT was up at 7:30 to get ready for a proposed 13:30 departure (as we were unable to use our cottage/house before 3pm). For once we actually left on time and had a relatively easy journey with no tantrums and very little traffic, the only hold-up really being the road improvement scheme on the A40 near the Blue Lagoon Water park.
The accomodation was great and we could see why it had been given a 5 star rating. The bottle of wine provided by the owners was also a nice touch!
After unpacking, we ventured out for a walk down in order to get our bearings and check out the beach - especially with the sunset fast approaching. Although a chilly wind ensured we didn't stay very long - but long enough for DDWT Junior to 'fall' into the sea and drench himself!
With the sea air still fresh in the lungs, I then had the misfortune of drawing the short straw of deciding whom was going to do the grocery shop. I ended up in the Tesco superstore in Haverfordwest - they get everywhere don't they - and as usual lined the pocket of Tesco far too much. At least it was a short drive of only 5 miles away.
So here I am having got back around an hour or so ago and everyone is ready for bed - it's been a long day!
Holiday time!
I took great pleasure in strolling out from work at 3:30 today, happy in the knowledge that I'm now off for 2 whole weeks. How lush is that 
If this current warm spell of weather keeps up I'll be a very happy bunny indeed and it'll be just what I need. For lots of different reasons (not just work) the last 3 or 4 months have been hard going - typified really by this week's events - and I've felt a little jaded and off colour. Hopefully the next 2 weeks will give me the chance to recharge my batteries and spend some quality time with the family - or at least that's what the plan is!
Beale Park and Bracknell
As I'm having a couple of days off we decided to make the most of it and headed off to Berkshire for a break.
Our first port of call was Beale Park - a wildlife park and garden - some 6 miles from Reading. I'll give the lowdown on the park when I add the pics to this post.
After the park it was time to head off to our hotel in Bracknell - a Travelinn I hasten to add. So now we've stuffed ourselves silly at the adjoining Brewers Fayre, it's time for an early night - in readiness for Legoland tomorrow.
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Quackers
Our plans for the day pretty much went out of the window due to the non-stop rain. Even the excitement of getting the Swans fixtures by wap and teletext at 10 am failed to raise spirits that much.
In the end we bit the bullet and thought sod it we'll go out on the bikes anyway.
Mind you DDWT Junior didn't seem bothered either way as he was too busy feeding the ducks and getting us to draw dinosaurs with him.
With the weather unrelenting we spent the rest of the day in the pool. Quote of the day goes to DDWT Junior who told his new blonde acquaintance Charlotte that "You can't stay with me, you have to go and stay with your mammy and daddy" - quality!
Tis time to do the packing now as we have to be out of the villa by 10 am - which is a pain in the bum when you've got a nipper in tow. We're all a little subdued though as it's hometime tomorrow unfortunately.
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Soaked to the skin
An earlier start to our day today as Mrs DDWT had an appointment at the Aqua Sana. So whilst the Mrs had an 'Elemis' skin specific facial (£46 for 55 minutes), DDWT Junior and I went for a long walk. We spent most of the time playing racing sticks at some of the many mini waterfalls along the cascade walk. We also parted with a £1 of hard earned dosh for the lookalike Swansea Bay Summer Festival windmill (see attached pic).
The rain duly arrived this afternoon and co-incided with my first (and last?) holiday run. In fact it chucked it down for the 31 minutes 20 seconds I was out and consequently I was like a drowned rat on my return to the villa. The heavy rain also ensured that we spent this evening in the pool plaza - rather than on the bikes. We had a bargain though with the pool staff giving DDWT Junior a dolphin - foc!
Excitement is building ahead of tomorrow as the League One fixtures are announced - and with them our plans for next seasons weekends away
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