| Are you taking a trip to Wales in Great Britain and | | | | accommodations. Most rooms come equipped |
| looking for a truly out-of-the-way place to stay? | | | | with a small color television with a few channels, |
| The Llanerchindda bed and breakfast might just | | | | coffee and tea maker, hair dryer, and central |
| be your ideal spot. There are others, of course, | | | | heat. There is a nice lounge area downstairs as |
| but my wife and I certainly enjoyed this location | | | | well as a patio with a great view of the valley and |
| and hosts. | | | | countryside. It provides a spectacular view of |
| What a perfect, out-of-the-way place to simply | | | | Cynghordy Viaduct. The viaduct was built in just |
| rest and relax, do some trout fishing, or do some | | | | 14 months in the middle 1800's for the railroad to |
| extreme four-wheeling - all in central Wales. The | | | | cross the valley and it is still used for railroad |
| place is called Llanerchindda Farm and is fairly | | | | service today. |
| difficult to locate on a map, much less find it on | | | | A full farmhouse breakfast is served buffet style |
| the ground. It is located outside of a small | | | | each morning, including eggs, ham, sausage, |
| settlement called Cynghordy, which is near the | | | | tomatoes, toast, yogurt, cereals, juices, coffee, |
| town of Llandovery. | | | | tea, etc. Light lunches are available as an option. |
| Llanerchindda is a family business run by the | | | | Traditional three course dinner meals are served |
| Hadley family. Martin, his wife Lynn, and their twin | | | | in the main room, also at an extra optional charge. |
| sons Mark and Andrew are the guiding forces | | | | These dinners are outstanding, mostly prepared |
| that pour their heart and soul into this place. Each | | | | by Lynn herself, or at the least, her recipes are |
| contributes in whatever needs must be | | | | used. We tried two different, complete meals and |
| undertaken at the time, from cooking or cleaning | | | | they are quite filling and delightfully scrumptious. |
| to washing off the muddy four-wheelers. Even | | | | Lynn has a self-published cookbook of her special |
| the flower boxes must be picked out and | | | | Welsh recipes available for sale on location., which |
| "cleaned up" every day. They have a staff of 4 | | | | make terrific gifts for friends and family back |
| or 5 helpers as well. | | | | home. |
| The location was an old farm house converted | | | | The surrounding area provides an abundance of |
| into a bed and breakfast a number of years ago, | | | | activities for UK or European guests on holiday or |
| with a primary emphasis on 4x4 driving activities. | | | | a quick weekend. American visitors can find |
| A swift moving stream through the property | | | | history and small shops galore. The nearby town |
| provides an abundance of water hazards as does | | | | of Llandovery has a rich and ancient history and |
| the steep, almost-mountainous terrain. There are | | | | culture. The Romans took advantage of the hills |
| straightforward tracks, deep wallows, muddy and | | | | to build a fort. Later, the Normans used the area |
| steep climbs, and river sections. Although it is only | | | | to build a church. The "Church of Mary On the Hill" |
| 50 acres, the site is even utilized by the Welsh | | | | still stands on a hillside, watching over the town. |
| 4x4 Emergency Response teams for training. The | | | | The grave of William Williams, the famous |
| official name is "4x4 Response Wales" and is part | | | | preacher and religious songwriter, is located in the |
| of a national 4x4 network across the UK. The | | | | town. And of course, the expected castle. |
| Welsh club that trains at Llanerchindda was even | | | | Unfortunately, the town's castle consists mostly |
| named Club of the Month in the September 2009 | | | | of ruins, but it is worth a short visit. There is a |
| issue of Land Rover Monthly magazine. | | | | small town Heritage Center as well. Services for |
| The B&B can actually cater to as many as 35 | | | | most wants and needs can be found in |
| guests, utilizing serviced rooms or self-catering | | | | Llandovery. |