Llandovery - Gateway to the Fforest Fawr Geopark

Twizy going somewhere silly

Back in 2001 Unesco engaged in the development of a worldwide network of Geoparks and the Fforest Fawr Geopark is affiliated to that network.  So where is it?  Well, all the hills to the south of Llandovery are part of it and this video clip explains it beautifully.  The area is ideal for walking and exploring our history, seeing how the rocks formed our lives and link closely to the industry of the South Wales valleys.  The Level Crossing makes an ideal base for walking trips exploring the hills and valleys either on foot or mountain bike.



Mountain Bikers in the Fforest Fawr Geopark

If you are planning a trip to the Geopark and you want to talk to us so you can get the most out of your stay please email us  at welcome@thelevelcrossing.co.uk or phone on 01550 721155 and you can always follow us on Twitter and Facebook



Twizy - Eco-friendly Tourism

Twizy from Eco Travel Network

Eco Travel Network have kindly offered us the opportunity to 'stable' one of their wonderful Twizy cars for the month of August

 

According to  Autocar “The Twizy needs no government incentive to earn a place among Britain’s most affordable EVs. Part-car, part-scooter, and entirely zero emissions, it’s exactly the kind of machine that, future gazers claim, will populate our burgeoning cities in years to come”. 

 

I feel that all these lovely bits of kit already have personalities said Sally,  the manager at The Level Crossing.  We are looking forward to their arrival just as much as if they were paying guests.  We will refuel and water them and will give them all the TLC they deserve...

You can book a trip in Twizy by emailing us: welcome@thelevelcrossing.co.uk or by calling us on: 01550 721155

Follow Twizy’s adventures on Twitter and on Facebook

 

 

 

Powerpedaling your way round Llandovery

Rachel and Kimberly from Powerpedals

A slight change of pace this week and to let you know that in August we have arranged with Powerpedals of South Molton in Devon to let our customers experience a new range of quality power assisted cycles.  Powerpedals is a family run company with a philosophy that every customer is important to them,  wishing to treat them as they would wish to be treated themselves.  The Level Crossing will drink to that.  Rachel and Kimberly opposite, work for the company that make the machines and kindly offered to demonstrate them for us. 

Rachel was telling me that (if you will excuse the expression ) it all revolves around a patented crank drive system that produces over double the force that a normal assisted drive would produce. This gives Tonaro electric bicycles a big advantage when climbing hills, making it perfect for the local terrain.  These are quality bits of kit and we expect that there will be lots of takers so we advise guests to book on 01550 721155  or you can email us welcome@thelevelcrossing.co.uk 

If you think someone you know may be interested please tweet @TLC_Bunkhouse

Llyn Brianne Dam and Reservoir

The wonderful weather continues for a second week.  What a golden opportunity to explore the upper part of this exquisite valley.  Almost at the top of the hill you come across a viewing area where you can get off your bike or get out of your car and take a look at the Llyn Brianne Dam which is now, after 40 years, 'settling' into the surrounding hills.  You can see the spillway on the right which is dry today but in winter it affords a brilliant spectacle.  People have been known to kayak down the spillway even though it is illegal.   You can see the chrysanthemum spray at the bottom which aerates the water before it enters the Tywi river and it winds its way back to Llandovery and The Level Crossing

Just over the top from here is the dam proper.  An expanse of water that reflects the sky and in spring the banks are covered in bluebells.  This is a wilderness where you can quite literally lose yourself if you go off the road.   I will leave it to you to explore and discover its beauty for yourself. 

Confluence of the Afon Pysgotwr and the Tywi 

 Moving on up the valley we come across places where there is such magic and peace even in this busy world.  Places that seem almost sacred in their untouched state.  I bet people have dangled their feet in these water on days such as these for generations. 

Who stood here last?

 Even the woodlands have a magic about them.  Stark rock faces with just the feintest covering of moss and lichen.  Ivy tangling its untidy way towards the light.  This is of course a haven for bird watchers although I am happier with looking at plants ... they stay still for longer.  You can often see red kites wheeling overhead on the lookout for a tasty meal.  And who is this little fellow?

Someone who came to sing a song for me

Ancient oak forest and ancient hideouts



Timeless

Moving on up the valley we come across ancient oak forest that must have been the same in ancient times.  There are few places that you can go these days where there is no sign of human intervention but this is one of them, just nature and you, take time to savour it.  This area was of course the haunt of Twm SiônCati and I like to believe remains much the same as it was all those years ago.  For a slightly different take on the Robin Hood of the area you might look at this version of Twm Siôn Cati's life



Ancient Oak Forest  - a wonderful place for hide and seek

Twm Siôn Cati and all that

View from the Dolauhirion Bridge

Revisiting the area last week, only  a matter of minutes from Lllandovery I was reminded how staggeringly beautiful the upper Towy valley is.  As you travel North towards the village of Rhandirmwyn  you come across the Dolauhirion bridge which doesnt look much as you drive across it,  but if you get out of the car and look at it from below ... wow,  its magnificent.  It was built in 1773 by William Edwards, builder of other single arch stone bridges in Wales and noteably the one at Pontypridd

View of the Dolauhirion bridge from the river bed

It's absolutely ages since I did my last posting to the Blog and how things have changed.  We are now fully open and the season is in full swing.  Soon it will be Royal Welsh Show week. http://www.rwas.co.uk/royal-welsh-show/ This is a very special week in the Mid Wales calendar, a week when the first crop of silage has been taken and the hay is not quite ready for harvest.  At the Level Crossing we will be welcoming early birds for breakfast to break their journey before they get to Llanelwedd and if you want a meal on your way home we will be open then too.  I will post our menu closer to the day

Our flooring specialist doing a lovely job

Another week and we are a bit closer to that exciting opening date in early May - nearly all the floors are down and the painting is nearing completion - thought I would share this piccy with you of one of the dedicated team thats working on this lovely building.  I should say that the boilers are running a treat - I felt warm in there the other day even though it was almost snowing outside. 

A long way to go but we are on schedule

Work goes on apace with our friendly tradesmen who who live in and around Llandovery.  Haydn Hudson Builders are the main contractors from just up the road. 

The laminate flooring is going down in the upper bunk rooms,  and the solar panels are installed.  All that solar-heat will be stored in two massive cylinders in the ground floor and will be available for lovely warm showers day and night.

We would like to thank the  RDP for its partial funding of this project and we will be posting a full list of funders on the main website at   The Level Crossing Bunkhouse and Bistro

Work is progressing apace

Our new 40 bed bunkhouse and bistro will be open for business in May 2013, providing good quality accommodation and food, and value for money.

 

We are a new business with a social difference - encouraging visitors to this beautiful part of Carmarthenshire, whilst providing employment and training opportunities to the Llandovery community.
Located near to Llandovery Station on the beautiful Heart of Wales Railway, "The Level Crossing" aptly describes both our position and social aims.
As a Community Interest Company, (CIC Regulator) we will benefit the interests of all in Llandovery - surpluses will be used for other good causes in the community.