I say alleged - the Skewen farmer visited a farm in Brecon on Wednesday, FMD was diagnosed and the cattle killed on Saturday. MAFF say the average incubation period is 3-6 days!

At least Swansea have not knee jerked into closing any more Gower footpaths. Even so most people I have talked to were not aware that Three Cliffs had been opened and can be approached from Southgate, Shepherd's at Parkmill and North Hill Farm.

We are continuing to list open and accessible attractions in the area as well as details of Foot and Mouth (FMD) and the effects on Swansea and Gower on our website. 

Whatever the weather Advantage Gower will continue to bring useful information to help us all win and maintain visitors throughout the year. We welcome feedback so that we can provide just the right amount of information to encourage visitors to come to the area and stay longer once they have arrived.

IN THIS EDITION

Holiday Activities at Clyne Farm Centre
Adopt a Pony Days
The most beautiful park in the country?
Spicy Eating

Next Edition Activities for Everyone

Holiday Activities at Clyne Farm Centre

FREE TASTER SESSIONS If you want to give your guests something to cheer about then why not send them to our FREE activity taster sessions. Booking in advance is needed but there are a limited number of places. The only conditions are:

• booking in advance on 01792 403333
• limited to ages eight and upwards
• limited to guests staying with you for five days or more

Activities Can include archery, indoor climbing, orienteering and horseriding

Times Monday 30 April 9.30am to 12.30pm 

At last we've had some surf for our surfing day and Simon's special super soft beginners boards ensured that everyone stood up - just a bit! Wetsuits are also provided even for very small people

Our other activity days revolve around our range of outdoor activities including archery, indoor climbing, orienteering, horseriding, climbing and abseiling, rock hopping, caving, canoeing and Challenge Valley - the muddiest assault course in the world!!!!! 

After the success of last weekend (Andrew from the Glevdon Park and Michelle who gave boy friend Paul a surprise birthday activity weekend and who stayed at the Alexandra Guest House on Mumbles Road joined the group) we again have a weekend special of Gorge Walking and Climbing on Saturday followed by an on-site day on Sunday

ACTIVITIES for week beginning Monday 30th April 2001

You can find further details of our full or half day activities (Details) or holidaying in our very popular self catering cottages. Details on our website.

Adopt a Pony Days 

Now that both Clyne Common and Clyne Valley Country Park are fully operational we are able to offer our usual riding routes. Adopt a Pony days continue to be very popular as they are a great way for parents to have some time to themselves while the children come to us and look after a pony for a day. 

Full details of our hacks and lessons are on our web site as well as pictures of the horses and staff. 

Thought of the Week Five weeks ago we highlighted the absurdity of animals roaming the commons and roads of Gower and still it is happening with no justification. Delve into the MAFF website and you will see that they recommend their removal. They also recommend the opening of footpaths across open or fenced moorland even if animals are present!

The Most Beautiful Park in the Country? 

This week marks the beginning of the May long Clyne in Bloom. If you've never visited Clyne Gardens it has the most stunning display of rhododendron and azaleas collected by Admiral Vivian of Clyne Castle. 

During May there are brass band concerts every Sunday and a Red Cross tea tent most days. Parking is always a problem other than alongside The Woodman at Blackpill so I'm suggesting a start and finish at Clyne Farm Centre. To get there turn off the Mumbles Road at Blackpill following signs for South Gower. Clyne Gardens are on your right and the first turn after the gardens is Westport Avenue. Follow Westport Avenue to its highest point and you will see the sign for Clyne Farm Centre on your right. Follow the sign through the houses and the Centre is ahead of you. The Office and Coffee Shop are on the left of the farmhouse.

To start the walk retrace your steps down the track to Westport Avenue (you could attempt the bridle path to the rear of the houses on Westport Avenue but a combination of erosion, lack of maintenance and rubbish tipped from the houses do not make for a pleasant walk)

At Westport Avenue turn left and walk down the hill before taking the first left into St Catwg Walk. Fifty yards into St Catwg Walk there is an entrance into Clyne Gardens. Just inside the entrance is a pet cemetery. Follow the path down the hill keeping to the left past the old walled garden, the little garden room and the castle itself which is now a university hall of residence. You pass over a small stone bridge which is the remains of an Italian garden. Here the display of trees and shrubs start in earnest. As you round the first corner on the path look out for the carved face on a dead tree carried out only last year as part of a craft display. 

About 100m down the hill are a number of forks in the path to the right. Here its best to explore yourself and enjoy the sent and sight of what Clyne has to offer - formal shrubs, wild bog gardens and a stone tower for children to climb.

You can either continue to the lowest part of the park - take a look at Clyne Chapel once the private chapel of the Vivians and now a possible venue for the christening of Catherine Zeta Jones' son Dylan (read why it will not be in our on-line newsletter inCLYNE).

After exploring the central area of the park its just a matter of retracing your steps to the top but this time keep to the Mayals Road side of the central area until you come to the Japanese bridge built by the Admiral for his daughters and walk back to the pet cemetery.

The walk up Westport Avenue is quite a steep climb so stop at the Centre for a cup of tea and admire the view of North Devon over Swansea Bay.

SPICY EATING

Indian Restaurants have come a long way in the past twenty years and the Bombay Spice (01792 402402) in Mill Lane, Blackpill is certainly one of the better ones. First it is not in a long narrow shop but the tables are well spaced out around a central fountain area. There's a small bar (good for waiting at for a take away!) and attentive young staff.

Although it is well patronised most evenings booking is not usually needed. Takeaway prices are 10% lower than menu prices.

To combine a visit with the Clyne Gardens walk drive into Mill Lane and the Bombay Spice is about 100m on the right. There's a large car park. Walk back to the Mumbles Road and turn right into the main Clyne Gardens entrance at The Woodman Inn. The main display area is just inside the park past the Lodge. 

NEXT EDITION 

• Activities for everyone
• Walk of the week
  

Geoff Haden
Clyne Farm Centre
Westport Avenue
Mayals
Swansea SA3 5AR
www.clynefarm.com tel 01792 403333 fax 01792 403339
geoff.haden@clynefarm.com 
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