20 Days in to Twenty....

Ian Haughey • Jan 20, 2020

The backdrop in the soundscape is the sound of the sea rolling in 

It is a beautiful crisp frosty morning twenty days in to the twentieth year of this decade. Y Cwt Cwtch looks like an oasis of tranquility looking out over the white countryside, the briefest hint of colour in the low sky indicating the suns arrival to the day.

Heading in to the lane, to walk to Eweston Farm, the stillness of mid morning is refreshing, as I approach the rise in the lane I can see Roch Castle sharp against the low cloud, the sky above the layer of cloud is a sea of electric blue and below the mist is rising from the fields, a shroud around the Castle. This is a mystical scene of legends past.

The dogs are both enjoying the freshness of the day, Coco taking a direct route forward sniffing the air and the verge on her left, whilst Saffie eagerly weaves from one side of the lane to the other, inquisitive, checking out every smell, sound and movement in the hedgerows. 

Having collected fresh hay nets from Eweston Farm, we make the short walk to the field, both horses grazing what grass there is a top the hill, silhouettes in the wisps of mists. They raise their heads towards the field gate as we approach and make their way over, the ground still heavy underfoot despite the frost.

As I’m putting out the hay nets, I’m aware of the stillness, briefly looking up as a Robin lands on a branch next to the horse box to say hello. Having made up the feeds and given them to Mekka and Penny I take a moment to lean back agains the field gate to take in the scene. Both horses are nose in buckets munching their feed, Coco and Saffie are warily sweeping up any offerings being dropped. Both dogs are on full alert as they sweep up the leftovers, a nose in the side or swift bite on the back implanted in their memory banks. The Robin has been joined by a few more feathered residents for a chat. The backdrop in the soundscape is the sound of the sea rolling in towards high tide, washing up on the pebbles at Newgale beach. Bear in mind it’s about a mile down the valley to the beach, but the sound is clear. If you live near to a busy road or motorway you will be familiar to the sound, this is similar however it is less aggressive, I’d suggest even soothing, as the sound rolls in with the tide.  

The beach at Newgale stretches from about 3km and is backed by a large pebble bank. The pebble bank was initially created by a major storm on 25 October 1859, it now acts as a sea defence or storm beach. During the winter it is often breached, and rocks are washed onto the main road through Newgale, in recent times the storms of 2014, the sea washed the pebble wall across the road and a large wave washed the early evening Richards Bros bus into the adjoining field that serves as a campsite during the holiday season. Ten people had to be rescued from the bus that day. The beauty of the weather in Pembrokeshire given the extremes from heavy storms to beautiful still sunny days, the fact that the micro climate of this area can change from one point on the coastal path to another in a matter of a few miles.

From the top of the field the view sweeps down the valley to the sea at Newgale, today its crystal clear and bright, other days the colours from the valley take centre stage as the sun picks them out under grey skies and on some days you cannot see four acres down to the end of the field.  Well, that’s my start of the day, the walk back as peaceful and as uplifting as the walk down, looking up in to the clear blue sky you are literally looking to space and the edge of our bubble with just your thoughts.

Just the turnaround to do on Y Cwt Cwtch before our next guests arrive, a visit to Pembrokeshire is an experience at any time of year, and different every year.

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by Ian Haughey 22 Jun, 2020
Additional information relating to Covid precautions We want you to feel as safe as possible during your stay with us at Hillcroft Escapes, to that point we have put a few things in place for you; * Please follow all Government guidelines, especially those relating to visits in Wales. We will provide the latest updates prior to your arrival. * We will endeavour to conform to our ethos where possible, reducing plastic use and waste, recycling and the use of environmental friendly products. * Your accommodation will have been vacated a minimum of 24 hours before your stay, like wise it will be vacant for a minimum of 24 hours after your stay. * Self Check in, there is a key safe and we will rotate keys between stays, sterilising the key safe and key after each stay. * We will use available PPE equipment when in the accommodation. * We always take pride in ensuring cleanliness, however we will focus on all surfaces and items in your accommodation. * We provide bedding and towels, however if you wish to bring your own please let us know. * We will rotate cutlery and crockery between stays, However if you wish to bring your own please let us know. * We will put fresh hand soap and washing up liquid in reusable dispensers that can be cleansed after each stay. * We always want to welcome you by providing a few local items of welsh cakes, drinks, milk, tea and coffee, if you prefer us not to, please lets us know before your arrival.
 * Self Check out; * When you leave we ask for your help, normally these are tasks we do, after all its your break away, but in these times we are asking that you; * Put all bedding in to one pillow case. * Put towels in to another pillow case. * Put all recycling in to the main bins which we will be near to the car park entrance; * Plastics and tins into the Red Bin Bag * Cardboard into the Blue Bin Bag * Paper into the Blue box * Bottles in to the Green box * Anything else or your unsure, there is a Bin with a grey bag, just put it in there. 

Most guests often do help by using the recycling bin in the accommodation and we usually sort the recycling in to the main bins, but if you can, please do help.
 * Food waste, use the Compost Bin in the accommodation, it will have a food waste bag, please tie and put into the small Green Bin.
 * ensure you have taken everything else you brought with you, with you. * Leave the key in the door
by Ian Haughey 07 May, 2020
We have had many discussions with customers, Airbnb and Cool Camping over the last few weeks about what post-lockdown camping might look like, what social distancing measures will be needed and whether generally consumers will have the confidence to book. Although we should have more details from the government imminently about a timetable to lift restrictions, we are already discussing two initiatives to help boost customer confidence. All being well you will see these initiatives in the press in order to drive late bookings for summer (assuming camping will resume then). Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee Firstly, a scheme to help customers book in the confident knowledge they won't lose large sums of money, whilst providing absolute upfront clarity on refund policy. This will help avoid any admin headaches in the event of restrictions being re-imposed at short notice. Though this policy will be optional to all businesses we feel that it is a good compromise for you and us and one that we will adopt. If you opt in to this scheme, customers will be able to book with the following Guarantee Policy for 2020: A low deposit of 10%–25% to secure the booking, we think this will be 15% - 20% The balance payment will not be due until 7 days or less before the holiday (in case of late changes to Covid restrictions) No refunds, but complete flexibility to move bookings for up to 24 months and not lose any money. This will be seen as a promotional boost on coolcamping.com in order to help customers who are looking for clear, consistent policies at this time in order to book with confidence. Secondly, AirBnB are also actively driving new initiatives and it is well worth checking their website. Don't forget you can book directly with us here, either through the website or give us a call. Our regular Customers have taken advantage of moving their stays here during this lockdown period. Deposits 15% The balance payment will not be due until 7 days or less before the holiday (in case of late changes to Covid restrictions) No refunds, but complete flexibility to move bookings for up to 24 months and not lose any money.
by Ian Haughey 19 Mar, 2020
As many of you who have been on this journey to Pembrokeshire with us know, Y Cwt Cwtch, our shepherds hut, was to perform two tasks. Firstly, we had every intention of living in it whilst we renovated Hillcroft, unfortunately we arrived in the worst winter for 10 years and couldn’t site the Shepherds Hut on the land. We could not clear the land with machinery as the ground was too soft and would cause potential damage to the environment. To that point we moved into Hillcroft and are we glad that we did. Living in a space enables you to make better decisions on the way you live in it. In essence, a freshen up and moving in was the best plan. So come the spring we started clearing the land and deciding on the best way to make use of it. The winter helped us decide on the groundworks needed to drain the land and create a useable all year round space. The temporary Stables went up and a hard standing area for vehicles and trailers were put in place. Secondly, the next step was to locate the Shepherds Hut. When we decided to open up Y Cwt Cwtch, our Shepherds Hut, it was a key intention to share this piece of Pembrokeshire with family and friends. This locating phase took a considerable amount of time and loads of discussion. We even sat out on deck chairs just to get a feel for the view points and practicalities of a certain position, but we feel it was worth the time and effort to get this right. For us it was important that Y Cwt Cwtch could be a place where you could feel a million miles away from anywhere, a place that reflected tranquillity but also where you could interact if you so wished. For us it is possible to spend days out at Y Cwt Cwtch without ever popping in to Hillcroft, it feels that natural. When we opened it up to Airbnb initially we were apprehensive, a space that suited our needs may fall short for others. We were perhaps a little to defensive, from the first guests back in June 2018 to today when I write this March 2020, so many people have loved staying at Y Cwt Cwtch. Some have taken advantage of the location primarily as a base to visit Pembrokeshire, enjoy the coast and the places to visit. Some have literally arrived, parked the car and spent everyday in and around the Shepherds Hut, enjoying the cosy hut during the storms, bathed out in the sun or sat around the fire pit under starlit skies, it has become a special place for many different reasons and more than we will ever know. Today, we see changing times, difficult times for many and for ourselves. Y Cwt Cwtch has become our main income source backed up by seasonal working for us both locally. We have listened to the advice being offered from Government, AirBnB and also Cool Camping who we work with and looked at what we can do to help during these times, and to see how we can manage too. We have a number of bookings for Y Cwt Cwtch and by all accounts our Guests want to come here, they see it as a place where they can relax, where they can enjoy the outdoors and in relative isolation. We were reminded that one of our regular guests has actually never met us! We have decided that we will remain open however we are going to manage the bookings with our own take on self isolating; We will leave at least 48 hrs between guests going forward, this will allow us to leave the hut for a good 24hrs before going in to do the change over. Those that know us will appreciate that we keep Y Cwt Cwtch to a high standard and that will not change, we will focus a little more time on handles and surfaces. We will still provide the basics, fresh laundered bedding and towels, though we will remove any toiletries and would ask that you take back what you bring with you please. If you do need anything during your stay you know you only have to ask. A number of shops, local suppliers, cafe’s, restaurants and pubs are offering take away & delivery services and to that point we are happy to facilitate where we can. We will provide regular updates for you when you arrive. AirBnB and Cool Camping offer further information and guidance on their websites which you may find useful. Take care, stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you here. Ian & Liz
by Ian Haughey 25 Feb, 2020
This week we saw the first real sign of Springs imminent appearance in 2020 here at Hillcroft Escapes. Snowdrops near to our summerhouse, Spiggy Holes , have started to sprout and the buds are starting to reveal their white flowers. With the crisp blue skies, whispery white clouds and a chill in the air, you can feel Winter making way for the arrival of Spring. It’s also a point in time for us to get Hillcroft ready for a busy time ahead, valentines, half term, and a leap year have already made a positive impact for February. Now our focus turns to Easter, but especially March edges towards Puffins making an appearance down here at Skomer Island as they ready for the breeding season. Indeed many of our guests have enjoyed visiting Martins Haven and taking the boat trip to Skomer Island to see the Puffins at this time of year. Personally this is the time of year to tackle new projects and maintenance to ensure we are confident our guests will enjoy their staycation. This year we have our Summerhouse to get prepared and ready for the season. A lot still to do but it is all the nice stuff, decorating and furnishing. Once this is done we will be focussed on the wooded coppice area where we really need to do some tidying up. It’s such a lovely area to spend time in and we want to ensure that we are attracting and supporting the wildlife whilst managing the flora and fauna effectively. Part of this is the planning of a pond, or preferably a dip pool, that will make use of our grey water from the Summerhouse and drainage water. More news to follow on this. Following feedback we have received we have looked at a couple of options to help our guests get the most out of their visit to Pembrokeshire. So for this year we have put together a walking Adventure package to help you get the most out of your trip to the Pembrokeshire Coastal path. For those visiting for the first time check out our Introductory Adventure package. If you have visited the area before our Bespoke Adventure package may be more suited. Either way, check them out and give us a call or drop us an email if you want to discuss in more detail before booking.
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