The penultimate stage is almost now complete with the deck and side rails/balustrade in place, with just a few finishing touches to do. Then it will be all about building some steps to ease access to the bridge, until such point that I can formulate a plan to construct ramps up to both ends so I can get equipment across more easily.
When we first moved here back in 2018 the footbridge over the river was a simple construction using telegraph poles that had seen better days, but was still serviceable with care as there were no handrails to speak of. Then in October 2018 along came the floods and kind of finished the job, especially as the river actually went over the top of it for a short while. So the decision was made that we had better get something better installed, that could take lawnmowers and stuff across etc…
OK it took a while to research and cost up the options available, but in the end we went for a wooden bridge made from oak timbers for the more traditional look and feel. The next stage after much discussion was how to do the foundations in such a way would keep the bridge safe and secure even if we had another big flood. So concrete foundations were installed at great personal effort, as Jeff and myself constructed the hoarding to form the concrete foundations, 6.5 tonnes in total and yes that is the cement lorry in the field.
Then after measuring the actual gap to bridge, it was just the long wait for the timber to turn up on site so Alwyn (local carpenter) could get cracking. The three support beams duly arrived weighing in at around 1/2 tonne each and are 16″ x 4″ in size, or in metric 400mm x 100mm. The pictures and video below tell the story….
So now all we have to do is make it so we can actually cross it, then build the ramps that will lead up to each end…
This year saw the first Hay Harvest from this field, after many years of just having sheep running around, our decision earlier in the year to let it grow and give the land a rest has meant that in June our grass was quite long so decided to let Gareth cut it for his silage and a few bales for ourselves. Over the course of a week two tractors came to cut the hay wizzing around the field to produce rows of cut grass as photo above and first two photos below, then a day or so later it was turned and spread before channeling back into rows to make it ready for the baler (3&4), baler in action late one evening (5) resulting in 62 bales by about 10pm (6), then a day or so later wrapping them (7) which was fascinating to watch, see video…
We have managed to make some time in our schedule and decided to try out one of the lovely beaches around here that guests rave about in Cardigan Bay. We parked in the free car park at the top of the village, which proved to be a wise decision and would recommend approaching via the B4334 as yes it is narrow in places, but way better than the other way. Then walked down to the beach front where there is a choice of cafe and pubs but to a more discreet level than that found at New Quay and the beach is exceptional, plus very explorable and it is possible to walk around a rocky outcrop to the second beach at low tide. Although you can also get to it via some steep steps from the main beach beside the cafe, over the top and down some even steeper steps the other side, it has got a handrail so not too bad.
It is also possible to make a number of circular walking routes starting from Llangrannog, we chose to venture north to Ynys Lochtyn which is a stretch of land that reaches out into the sea, that gave us a taster of some glorious views that can be enjoyed on the Cardigan Bay coastline.
The other weekend during the sunny weather we constructed a fire pit down by the river and got the chain saw out on the trunk from a fallen tree to make seating and a table, all a bit last minute as we wanted to make best use of the weather before it returned to normal. We were joined by some of our guests to enjoy a few beers and discuss life, universe and everything kind of stuff whilst listening to the waters running by us. Later the same evening with the fire still going, two late arriving guests quietly enjoyed an evening on the river bank after a hard days work.
The idea, for when the warmer weather returns properly is to offer our guests the chance to enjoy this tranquil spot either by themselves or when we have events/parties on site. Logs would be available on site to purchase.
We have recently been exploring a bit more and having taken on a bit of dog walking we decided to try somewhere very local called Long Wood, which has a number of circular routes of various lengths and some fantastic views, old hill fort and other stuff all set up by the Longwood Community Trust. Well worth the explore from the starting point either in Lampeter or near Langybi.
