Welcome to Hillside, (with 10% off)!

Hillside in Fishguard is an imposing dog friendly property that is perfectly suited to a large family looking to spend quality time together in a beautiful place, sleeping 11 in 6 bedrooms.

The property itself is very striking, set perfectly on the 'hillside' above Fishguard Harbour. Hillside is full of traditional Victorian character and has a very attractive manner, this being accentuated with the 10% discount off week bookings for the rest of 2012, excluding the Christmas and New Year weeks.

For your dogs (and children) Goodwick Sands is the perfect place being only a 10 minute walk away, combining sand and shingle with plenty of room to welcome the lap of the clean open sea across the shoreline.

Your family have no limitations to what they are able to explore from Hillside.

The colourful dawn of Autumn is coming, the beaches become desolate yet welcoming, the quaint towns are quieter, yet their doors remain open, the woodland walks and the winding of the Coastal Path are waiting patiently to be discovered during this favourable season.

I love nothing more than putting on my wellies and raincoat (just in case) and setting off for the morning, walking and wandering wherever Flynn and I feel like exploring. Admittedly, I quite enjoy it just being 'us' for a time with nobody else around!

Pembrokeshire is the perfect way to embrace the Autumn in the company of your friends, family and dogs and Hillside can't be beaten for the perfect place to stay whilst you do.

Happy First Birthday Flynn!

Yes it is true, my bundle of puppy fluff is now a strapping, handsome young man embracing adulthood.

On Tuesday 4th September, Flynn turned one year old. 

Without sounding too cheesy, it does only seem like yesterday that we had him!

He enjoyed a cereal type 'dog' birthday cake complete with icing, I have a feeling this may have been a little rich for him as I was standing outside at 2am the following morning whilst he went about his business.

Bless him - behave yourself in adulthood Flynn.

Pawfect Pembrokeshire whatever the weather!

Well the August Bank Holiday in Pembrokeshire certainly lived up to expectation and absolutely tipped down, from dawn until dusk. I have become quite accustom to wearing my wet weather gear during the height of the Summer and Flynn is always soaking from diving in every stream anyway so we feel quite at home with the rain drops constantly on our backs!

You have to take every day as it comes, enjoy being in Pembrokeshire exploring the County and have fun regardless of the weather. Come rain or shine the beaches are still open, the Coastal Path still remains and the great Pembrokeshire outdoors await! And you always feel so snug after having been out in the elements returning home to a warm drink, a bite to eat and a cwtch on the sofa.

A little something special that has really taken off this season is our Private Dining Experience offered through our Coastal Concierge service.

An interesting observation that has come to light upon the arrangement of the Private Dining Experience is that guests that have booked to have the luxury of a chef cook a meal in the comfort of their property have brought their dogs on holiday too. I think we have found a break through...

...Could it be that guests who bring their dogs on holiday, who cannot leave them unattended in the property whilst they dine out of an evening, are happy to welcome the Private Dining Experience into their cottage, so that the dogs can be kept entertained too?!

The Private Dining Experience is a real touch of luxury, your meal/buffet/banquet will be prepared, cooked and served to your party and you won't have to wash up a dish or clean the kitchen.

Don't forget that our Coastal Concierge team are very happy to provide you with dog friendly information prior to your stay, offer advice on the dog friendly beaches, pubs, restaurants and places to visit.

For further information on the Private Dining or our full Concierge Service, please call 01437 772758 or e-mail your requirements to welcome@coastalconcierge.co.uk.

Advice for your Dog Holiday to Pembrokeshire

I have had a fright recently with my young man Flynn, it appears he is allergic to a pollen that has been around during the spell of hot weather we have experienced down in Pembrokeshire over the last few weeks.

He had been coming up in a few little lumps and bumps over his face and the bottom half of his legs and paws last week, I rang the Vet and had them verbally checked out, she had advised me not to be too worried, as long as Flynn was eating and drinking OK and they weren't sore or itchy...

Two days later, after I had taken him out for his evening stroll to the Quay for a swim and play in the grass his face suddenly ballooned to twice it's normally size and he couldn't open his eyes. The reaction had been gradually getting worse during the course of the week and resulted in this final, horrendous episode.

I was so frightened, yet he was still wagging his tail and wanting to wander around like normal!

I now give him Piriton three times a day and he has had a steroid injection.

As the Vet explained, it is so difficult to determine the exact 'something' that Flynn is allergic to, though it has to be something that has surfaced in the recent spell of hot weather. All eyes on Flynn, all the time from now!

Just another quick footnote, please bear in mind that the hot weather can encourage Adder's to come out and you and your dog may encounter a snake whilst walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path or playing in the sand dunes.

Please just ensure that you keep your eyes peeled for unwanted snakes that may harm yourself and dogs.

If you see an Adder (or any snake) while out on a walk, stay well clear and keep your dog away from it.

Signs of your dog being bitten can be mild, such as pain and swelling. If your dog is bitten by a snake, try to keep him calm, carry him and seek Veterinary assistance immediately.

Stay safe, well and observant and have a happy dog friendly holiday in Pembrokeshire.

Take the Lead of your Pooch on the Coastal Path

I don't usually like reading sad stories, especially when they involve animals.

Though, in reading our local paper yesterday I was drawn to read about a Labrador, that was on holiday in Pembrokeshire with it's owners, that had died after he had been off his lead whilst walking on a stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, became excited whilst chasing birds and fallen over the cliff edge.

That is so, so sad and such a shame.

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is a stunning place to walk for miles and miles and is a great form of exercise for you and your dog whilst you are on holiday, but care is needed whilst you are exploring the Coastal Path, especially if you and your dog are not used to coastal walking.

Please ensure that you and your dog are safe, by keeping your dog on the lead at all times.

Pembrokeshire is beautiful and offers you and your dog so much to explore and discover all year round.

Please stay wise and be safe whilst walking your dog on the Coastal Path, it's all about having a pawfect dog friendly holiday in Pembrokeshire for you (and your dog) to remember for many years to come, for all the right, happy reasons.

Swim, Swim and Swim some more

Any dog owner can relate to this statement:

Regardless of whether the sun is shining or it is tipping down with rain, your dog still needs to be walked.

If you are a dog owner and cannot relate to that statement, you are soooo lucky! Having said that, I admire Flynn's (and Jed's back in his hay day) enthusiasm, endless energy and constant desire to go out and explore and it gives me a reason to get off the sofa and get some fresh air too!

So in actual fact, I wouldn't change having to walk the dog in the sun or rain - I really don't mind at all.

Jed has always loved the water and if he still could, would be bouncing along the shoreline, paddling around in the streams and rivers to his hearts content, all day every day. Unfortunately, these days his arthritis tells him not to.

Flynn on the other hand is a constant bundle of bounce and play. He is a nine month old Collie, with a hint of Kelpie (Australian Sheepdog) thrown in for good measure (and that extra bit of energy) too. He has grown into a very handsome young man (though is still a very close second to Jedipins).

Last night I became a very proud Mum as Flynn lifted his paws of the stones and swam, swam and swam some more in the river during our evening stroll down the country lanes. He has been teasing for a while now and I have been egging him on for ages to take the next step and last night was the night. He was loving the water over his back, as he became more confident he was actually lunging himself off the bank creating a massive plop and swimming around in circles.

I did have a slight problem when it was time to go for tea.


Flynn wasn't really fussed for his beef chunks in gravy and country casserole biscuits last night, the very enjoyable swimming lessons took presidence!

Dog Friendly Holiday to Porthgain with 15% off!

Tir Deri in Porthgain is a dog friendly bungalow located just outside the popular harbour village of Porthgain.

*Throughout July and August 2012, Tir Deri is offering a sizzling 15% discount of full week bookings*

Sleeping 5 people and welcoming two (well behaved) dogs, Tir Deri is a lovely home from home, comfortably furnished throughout and boasts a large lawn to the front of the property, which is an ideal space for dogs to play, though the lawn is not enclosed.

Porthgain is situated along the rugged North Pembrokeshire coastline in between the City of St Davids and Goodwick. It is pretty place with a thriving community spirit, just what you need when taking a much needed holiday to Pembrokeshire with your beloved dogs.

You could pretty much park your car up on your arrival and spend your whole dog friendly holiday simply exploring Porthgain and the surrounding area on foot. After all, your dogs will be more than welcoming of the walking!

From Porthgain there is ample opportunity to explore the scenic Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, the endless views are amazing and the coastline around here is very dramatic, Aberieddy is a lovely beach and well worth the visit.

The mention of beaches has suddenly sparked me to think about Traethllyfn Beach, which is a marvel that can also be accessed from the Coastal Path between Porthgain and Aberieddy. You will definitely want to take your camera to take pictures of this beautiful bay.

An alternative experience for you and your dogs to enjoy during your dog friendly holiday to Pembrokeshire are the Wildlife Boat Trips that during high season depart St Justinians (near St Davids) on a daily basis. Naturally well behaved dogs are welcomed aboard and can enjoy the journey out at sea just as much as the humans!

For further information in relation to Tir Deri in Porthgain, availability and booking, please contact a member of the reservations team on 01437 765765.