Christmas is 100% my favourite time of year. Getting together with friends and toasting the night away with home made mince pies and mulled wine, snuggling up in front of a roaring fire watching Elf, Christmas parties and then, of course, the stories from Christmas parties! Eating, drinking and thinking up thoughtful gifts for loved ones and generally being Merry! I couldn't think of a better time of year!
This year instead of staying with my parents in the countryside, we booked this beautiful little converted stable block in the heart of Wales, Glentrothy Old Stables. Still only a stones throw from my family, we decided to set up camp here for a week of total recuperation! No Internet, no phone signal and most importantly, no noise! I do love London - most of the time- but being a country girl at heart and growing up in 'the middle of nowhere' I like nothing more than the sound of absolute silence.
So heavily present laden - a car full to bursting point- and one very unhappy kitten later we arrived at what I can only describe as a Christmas cabin in the woods, minus the snow of course! The wood burner crackling away, we plonked Tilly down and allowed her to explore her new abode for the week as we set to 'hiding' each others presents around the cottage- some more tactfully than others! Finally, some what exhausted from the long journey and not forgetting, month of pre - Christmas- celebrations, we eventually flopped down on the forgiving sofa, steaming mulled wine in hand and relaxed. . . . !
Off the beaten track, Glentrothy Old Stables is a one bedroom converted stable block on the Glentrothy estate in Llanvetherine- a 10 minute drive out of the market town Abergavenny. Surrounded by the Welsh rolling hills and the picturesque backdrop of the Skirrid and Sugarloaf mountains, the area allows you total escapism.
The property itself is down an impressively long drive through immaculately kept parkland and woodland, over beautiful cast iron bridges and cattle grids; you are literally swept through to your very own piece of Heaven.
On arrival you are greeted by silence and seclusion with just the babbling brook for immediate company. Entering the stable door you are hit with the smell of home, warm and inviting. The interior is as stunning as it's exterior, ample room for 2 + our little cat, a wood burning stove complete with your very own wood shed just outside, two inviting and forgiving sofas which you just sink into - a real must if you are going to relax, games and idyllic homestyle magazines, to make you even more certain that this is the ideal homestyle! The bedroom is built fit for a king with solid wood flooring, a huge Kingsize cast iron bed, heavy silk curtains and beautiful lamps and other interior features dotted tastefully around. The kitchen is country cottage chic, with fun caricature of old hunters and aristocracy gracing the kitchen back wall, again, every appliance is there for all your cooking needs and more. The owners of Glentrothy have put so much effort in to this property and it really does feel as you walk through the door that you are walking in to somebody's home rather than a self catering cottage.
Off the beaten track, Glentrothy Old Stables is a one bedroom converted stable block on the Glentrothy estate in Llanvetherine- a 10 minute drive out of the market town Abergavenny. Surrounded by the Welsh rolling hills and the picturesque backdrop of the Skirrid and Sugarloaf mountains, the area allows you total escapism.
The property itself is down an impressively long drive through immaculately kept parkland and woodland, over beautiful cast iron bridges and cattle grids; you are literally swept through to your very own piece of Heaven.
On arrival you are greeted by silence and seclusion with just the babbling brook for immediate company. Entering the stable door you are hit with the smell of home, warm and inviting. The interior is as stunning as it's exterior, ample room for 2 + our little cat, a wood burning stove complete with your very own wood shed just outside, two inviting and forgiving sofas which you just sink into - a real must if you are going to relax, games and idyllic homestyle magazines, to make you even more certain that this is the ideal homestyle! The bedroom is built fit for a king with solid wood flooring, a huge Kingsize cast iron bed, heavy silk curtains and beautiful lamps and other interior features dotted tastefully around. The kitchen is country cottage chic, with fun caricature of old hunters and aristocracy gracing the kitchen back wall, again, every appliance is there for all your cooking needs and more. The owners of Glentrothy have put so much effort in to this property and it really does feel as you walk through the door that you are walking in to somebody's home rather than a self catering cottage.
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| Pre-Christmas food and stocking present shopping in Monmouth. |
Christmas day was magical, we woke up to a fluffy snoring kitten and two large sacks at the end of the bed- Santa had been! After some homemade cranberry, blueberry and cinnamon tea and a lot of excitement we sat and opened our stockings, Tilly clambering over everything and chasing every rustle!
After smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and creme fraiche topped with chives on toasted crumpets we headed over to my parents house for Christmas lunch and, you've guessed it, more presents! I love buying people presents and start buying months before Christmas, which usually means by the time the day comes everyone has a sack full!
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| Home-made Eton Mess |
And then it was home again for kitten cuddles and Scrabble. . .
And maybe some more eating. . . it is the month to be guilty after all!
The last part of our amazing week away was at my boyfriends parents in Devon. New Year was spent in their gorgeous thatched pub on Dartmoor; letting off party poppers, eating far too many cocktail sausages and drinking champagne, toasting in the New Year and making too many resolutions.
A perfect Christmas.
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