As with all good memories, it doesn’t seem that long ago that three writing chums and I set off for the first time on a writing retreat. We knew each other as writers, and we knew each other as friends, but going away with people for a few days is somehow different. We’d had a jaunt to Caerphilly, a day-trip but then we had the real thing. We went to Lyme Regis in Dorset, and had a fabulous time, lots of writing, lots of local sightseeing, lots of absolutely hilarious adventures,, and what is more, fabulous weather. We are still four, the Lyme Four, but only three of us go away and have adventures together, and what adventures we’ve had, Lyme Regis again, Dyffrin in spitting distance of Hey-on-Wye, Port Isaac and St Endellion, Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent, Stourhead in Wiltshire, gypsy caravans near Glastonbury, and most recently Pembrokeshire, the county of castles!
Going to Pembrokeshire brought back so many memories of going there with my parents and my sister who was a wheel-chair user. We had two wonderful holidays, staying in a friend’s bungalow not far from Manorbier, such happy, happy times, and as with much that’s in our past, there’s a tinge of sadness to remember them now. However, this recent trip with my writing chums made new memories which will be added to the mental folder marked Pembroke and will bring many smiles and chuckles as I think about them.
We were staying in a small cottage which, as with many similar accommodations, had its own idiosyncrasies, some more tolerable than others. However, we were warm, there were sufficient writing nooks for us each to settle and scribble, kitchen with all appliances, shower and circular bath and masses of hot water. We had little jaunts each day, but the weather was somewhat grey and damp, so we spent time in various cafés with Wi-Fi, before returning to our cottage. On the way there, we had stopped at Swansea and visited the museum which had a splendid display about the poet, Dylan Thomas. On the way home we visited Laugharne on the River Tâf where he lived for several years and where we were able to visit places associated with him. I loved standing looking over the Tâf estuary, being near water is important to me and I just imagined, sitting and writing – whatever the weather! Apparently we just missed seeing an otter enjoying his lunch of a salmon he’d caught!
As ever, we came home with various writings, many photos, much inspiration, and a lot of wonderful and unique memories!
My featured image is Castell Talacharne (Laughane Castle)
Castelle Caeriw
(Carew Castle)
Lois Elsden 