Tenby on Boxing Day

As the days hurtle towards Christmas, the Boxing Day swim comes to mind.  I have been a spectator for several years now and have been thinking perhaps it’s time I took part. Well, that’s that thought over. No definitely not.  I love strolling through Tenby towards the North Beach on Boxing Day, everyone is happy and excited, some wearing new jumpers, hats and scarves (you can tell).  Others have their various fancy dress costumes on or some brave hearts have their swimwear on. Brrrr!! The crowds collect on High Street at the top of the cliff and some down on the North Beach itself.  A bonfire is lit on the beach to provide some warmth for the swimmers. From the top of the cliff I watch as they all start running towards the sea, they seem to slow down, as they get closer to the waves (must be their legs telling them not to be so stupid) Some will just run in and quickly come back out, others dive under the waves for a quick swim and then swiftly exit. Tenby lifeboat, The Haydn Miller and the inshore life boat, patrol the area keeping a close watch to ensure no one gets into trouble. aHAt this point I make a quick dash to Blueberry’s café to bag a seat before the hordes descend for a cup of anything hot to warm up. I normally have a large hot chocolate with marshmallows and a mountain of fresh cream on the top. The café fills up quickly with laughing, happy people. Some come through the door with their teeth chattering but soon thaw out with their hands wrapped around steaming mugs.

I am trying to persuade Billy, FBM Holiday’s very own Ironman to take part.  After swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and then running 26.2 miles, all in one day I’m sure he will find the Boxing Day Swim a doddle. 

If you can’t make it on Boxing Day you must pay Tenby and Pembrokeshire a visit later in the year (there’s always something going on) and book a self catering property through FBMHolidays, you won’t be disappointed. 

Christmas Tenby Style

It’s all very festive at the moment in Tudor Square Tenby, the shops and restaurants are all looking very sparkly. Tenby House bar is literally covered in lights and has a rather large Santa with a rather large behind scaling the wall and is pumping out festive tunes. Looking at people walking past and into Tudor Square you can’t help but notice that it is definitely putting a spring in their steps. Spotted one gentleman tripping the light fantastic all the way to St Mary’s Church. Nice one. On Saturday the 15th December, Tenby Christmas Market takes over the square with stalls including paper craft and button jewellery, handmade wooden plaques, Driftwood crafts, hobby horses and children’s clothes, handmade jewellery and semi precious stones, handmade cards and a glass gallery. Anniebee Bags will be there, with their handmade and customized bags and gifts, as seen on ITV’s Loose Women and featured in Take a Break Magazine. So, to all you men out there, you still have a chance to buy gorgeous Christmas gifts and you don’t need to leave it to Christmas Eve. If you are feeling peckish there will be locally produced Christmas foods, hog roast, artisan bread stall. When you buy something hot and tasty. weather permitting up can eat it sitting, over looking the North Beach with the boats bobbing in the surf and the amazing view of Carmarthen Bay. Of course you can also eat drink and be merry in Tenby’s many restaurants and bars. The street entertainment includes Bell ringers, a choir, Punch and Judy. All in all it is looking like a fun festive day. If you are fancying a festive break this weekend or any other weekend, in Tenby or Pembrokeshire it’s not too late. Check out our property availability on our website FBM Holidays special offers are available. Hope to see you soon.

That's My Life

It’s November and believe it or not I am writing this, sitting at my desk next to a large Christmas tree. Yes, it’s that time of year again. The council vans have started blocking the roads, putting up lights and Christmassy signs. Most of the shops including FBM Holidays have trees or decorations in their windows. Although a little early it’s all looking very pretty and festive, and it’s definitely getting me into my Christmas mode. Sparkly dresses and shoes in Peacocks window. A gorgeous red reindeer sweater stands centre stage in Jago’s window. A must have for all gentlemen this Christmas. Santa and Snowman cakes are piled in the baker’s window and you can buy a ‘Festive Bake’ (a pasty filled with turkey, stuffing and cranberry) delicious, especially when hot. The numerous bars and restaurants in Tudor Square and the surrounding narrow streets are all looking very festive too. My stroll home from work on these dark winter evenings takes me passed the cosy, brightly lit Buccaneer pub, Tenby House, The Bay Tree and my eyes are drawn inside but I reluctantly scurry by and continue on my journey home. There is a definite nip in the air and as I turn the corner onto the Paragon, I can see the lights flickering on the boats in the blackness of the bay, some possibly on their way to Caldey Island. Looking at Tenby, the South Beach, the Harbour and the Esplanade with all its hotels from a boat in the bay at night must be spectacular. Will have to give it a try some time. From many of our properties at FBM Holidays, you have a view of Caldey Island and Tenby’s gorgeous beaches, so it’s well worthwhile taking a look at our website and booking your next holiday or break with us. Just want to have quick rant about the cobbled streets in Tenby. Although they look quaint and lovely much nicer than pavement slabs, there is a down side, my heels! Walking home a couple of days ago with my colleagues, more than four times the heel of my shoe got wedged in the gaps in the cobbles. I had to take my foot out and physically tugged at the shoe to get it out. At one stage it happened in the middle of the road outside St Mary’s Church and I held up all the traffic much to the amusement of my friends and passers by. Laughs and giggles all round. I suppose this means another visit to ‘Dai the Boot’. I reckon he goes around Tenby making the gaps between the cobbles wider to crank up his business, only joking, love him really. So, don’t forget if you would like to meet ‘Dai the Boot’ or see Pembrokeshire’s spectacular beaches and scenery take a look at FBM Holidays website where you will find your perfect self catering holiday property.

Tenby Life

Whilst walking to work one morning I started thinking how lucky I am to live and work in Tenby. After leaving my home I walk across the road and can see the immaculate Gilroy Phillips Gardens. The flowers and plants always look their best, especially the palm trees that give the garden a tropical look and feel. I then follow the town wall down to the Belmont Arch and get a glimpse of Tenby’s South Beach. Gorgeous, whatever the weather! Just a few more steps and there it is, St Catherine’s Island and Paragon Beach. Absolutely stunning! All I can hear are the waves lapping on the sand. Mind you on a windy day the waves thunder up the beach and smash into the rocks and you are blown back two steps for every three you take. My journey then takes me along winding Cob Lane with its quaint little cottages, I then turn the corner and there it is, FBM Holidays, my workplace and Pembrokeshire’s leading self-catering agency. Yesterday Tenby was wild. The wind was blowing at gale force and looking out of the window of FBM Holidays you could just make out the outline of Caldey Island. Huge waves were smashing into and covering Giltar point. Very scary but a magnificent sight. I tried to walk from the FBM Holidays offices, just a couple of hundred yards up to Tudor Square for our sandwiches and cakes and managed only about fifty yards before I was buffeted back and couldn’t walk forward at all. Thought it was better that I go back to the office and I was blown back down the road just managing to grab the handle of the door to FBM before I was whisked all the way down to the harbour. Don’t worry we didn’t starve, Gizelle drove me the two hundred yards in the company car. All was well. The weather calmed a bit later that afternoon and believe it or not from our window at FBM we could see surfers taking advantage of the massive waves rolling onto the South Beach, either very brave or stupid. A good friend of mine, Ann Purchase, who sadly is no longer with us, lived on Caldey Isand and told me that several times during the winter period she would get the boat from Caldey to Tenby in the morning to go shopping, and because the weather can change so quickly, the return boat would be cancelled and she wouldn’t return home for several days. Now that’s what I call a shopping trip. Tenby is a different town today. Blue skies and just a light breeze, people strolling around, walking their dogs and taking in the breathtaking views. Normal life has returned to Tenby. Just a quick mention of Tenby Blues Festival, which was on the weekend of the 9th, 10th and 11th of November. Tenby was very busy and the atmosphere was brilliant. Lots of happy people drifting from bar to bar listening to different bands, singers and guitarists, during the day on Saturday, Dales Music Shop was playing blues music into the street, again, this created a lovely atmosphere and the weather was kind. Well done to all the sponsors (especially FBM Holidays), organisers and artistes. Gold Star. So, if your planning on coming to Tenby for next years Blues Festival or whatever reason you are visiting Pembrokeshire make sure you book your self-catering holiday accommodation with FBM Holidays. Simply the best.

Ironman Wales Official Accommodation Providers

Debbie here. Just to let you in on our fantastic news. FBM Holidays are proud to announce that we are now IRONMAN Wales Official Accommodation Providers. With over 100 properties in Tenby alone, IRONMAN Wales competitors can be assured of locating the property that matches their needs of quality, comfort and high standards together with close proximity to the IRONMAN Wales course. Work 9 till 5 or live abroad? Not a problem, booking is easy with our 24/7 interactive website, where you can book your ideal property online in just 3 clicks, when it’s time to pay the your remaining balance it couldn’t be easier, just follow the steps on our pay balance function. FBM Holidays would like to wish the very best of luck to all competitors in the 2013 IRONMAN Wales. Why not try the course before the big event and stay for a weekend in one of our properties? For more information please visit our website or call +44 1834 844565 for further details. We look forward to welcoming you to Pembrokeshire in 2013.

My favourite Tenby businesses

Debbie here, still loving living in wonderful Pembrokeshire, Tenby in particular. Below you will see some of the establishments I visit quite frequently. Found a brilliant salon for anyone who loves having beautifully painted nails. I have had several appointments at Ruby Ruby, in The Mews in Tenby, and every time loved the result. I can’t take my eyes off them when I leave, so much so that once, whilst gazing at the gorgeous new colour I had chosen, I managed to trip and break the heel on my shoe. Oops. If you are unfortunate enough to break or damage a nail whilst on holiday in Pembrokeshire the friendly staff will, without hesitation, do the repair. They also do various beauty treatments if you feel you need pampering after a long session on the beach or a boat cruise around Caldey Island. Can recommend Stacey in particular for her girly chats whilst she is busy making your nails and hands look gorgeous. And with regard to my broken heel, ‘Dai the Boot’ a little gem in ‘Tenby’s indoor market, repairs shoes, bags, belts. On entering his shop you are hit by the chaos and feel a bit reluctant to leave your much-loved shoes or bag with him. But, as you will see when you return to pick them up he knows exactly where everything is. Amazing!! If asked he will repair the items, if he isn’t too busy, while you are having a cup of coffee in the café just outside his premises. So if you are unlucky enough to break a heel or damage your shoes whilst visiting Tenby, definitely pay Dai a visit, our local hero, made famous on the BBC programme Tenby 24/7. Once a year he hosts a charity auction selling locally caught sea bass. It all happens outside the Hope and Anchor public house in St Julian’s Street Tenby. During the day local fisherman take part in a sea bass fishing competition and Dai sells everything that is caught at the auction for charity. Lollies of Tenby is a wonderland of sweets and chocolates. Situated on the Floral Corner on Tenby High Street you just can’t walk passed, the smell of the chocolate draws you in. As well as handmade Belgian Chocolates there are jars upon jars of what I like to call ‘old fashion’ sweets. Sherbert Lemons, Pineapple Chunks. Cola Cubes to name but a few. You have to call in when you are in Tenby for an experience that will take you back in time, if you are of a certain age. Whatever your reason for visiting Tenby, FBM Holidays has the perfect accommodation for you to enjoy discovering all that Tenby and Pembrokeshire has to offer.

My Favourite Coffee Shops in Tenby, Pembrokeshire

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Debbie and I will be writing this blog to hopefully entertain and inform you about this beautiful county of Pembrokeshire in which I feel very privileged to live. I love socialising in coffee shops and restaurants and enjoy nothing more than a trip to one of my favourites and don’t mind sharing the very best that Tenby can offer with you. A lovely setting and convenient location, St Theresa’s Restaurant, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, is definitely a place for wonderful food and efficient friendly service. It is opposite the famous Five Arches in Tenby town wall. Having eaten here several times and never been disappointed I can whole-heartedly recommend it, especially if you love freshly cooked, homemade chips. Mmmm. During the day you can have homemade cakes and sandwiches in their café, which is just below the restaurant. If you indulge a bit too much the Tenby South Beach is just a couple of minutes away, and you can enjoy this wonderful setting while walking off the wonderful food. Café Aromas, situated just outside the Tenby Town Wall is the place to go for delicious coffees. Mustafa is the best barista in Tenby. If you’re not a lover of coffee their tea is delicious too. They also offer a good selection of light meals and cakes. Definitely worth a visit. As you walk down South Parade, Tenby, just after the Five Arches you come across Mykonos, Greek restaurant. Wonderful Greek food or British if you prefer. You walk through the town wall (there is a doorway) and up the stairs to find a quaint Greek Theme restaurant. The food is fantastic and Mustafa (yes he also works in Café Aromas) will make your evening complete with his friendly banter. While strolling around Tenby on a Sunday afternoon I have my usual visit to Blueberry Café on my mind. Do I have a delicious cappuccino or hot chocolate with layers of fresh cream and marsh mallows on the top, or possibly a special milkshake blended with ice-cream to make it thick and creamy with an extra scoop of ice-cream floating on the top and then, yes there’s more, a deep layer of thick fresh cream. Probably the latter today. If you’re looking for fresh takeaway sandwiches, cakes, pasties, small pizzas, coffees, teas, all excellent value for money, Greggs in Tudor Square Tenby is the place to visit. If you are a regular visitor like me every 8th hot drink is free with their loyalty card. Of course Tenby isn’t short of pretty places to sit and eat your takeaway. Plenty of seats snuggled amongst the flowers and shrubs on the hill overlooking the Castle Beach or on the quayside in the harbour, next to the little Fisherman’s Church. You can also enjoy spectacular views overlooking Tenby North Beach, sitting at the top of the cliff. However you take your coffee, don’t forget FBM Holidays has the perfect accommodation for you to enjoy discovering all the coffee shops and snack bars in Tenby whilst you are on holiday