The children are back in school, there’s no getting away from the shorter days and whether we like it or not, the countdown to… THAT time of year is here! Let’s make the most of the tail-end of 2015.

Fill that pantry with locally-grown produce from our local country markets; Friday is a great chance to get your pick of the crop at Newcastle Emlyn and/or Llandysul and they have everything you need to make the one-pot stews and casseroles that really hit the spot and boost our immune systems at this time of year. For a midweek market, don’t forget Llangrannog on a Wednesday. Find out about them all here https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/cardigan-and-teifi-valley/events/markets

If you’re looking for one more bonfire to warm the cockles of your heart or just can’t resist fireworks and a hotdog, Aberporth will have their bonfire and firework display on Dyffryn (the big beach) on Saturday 7^th. You can find out all about it here https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/cardigan-and-teifi-valley/events/feature/aberporth-bonfire-and-firework-night

The bootsale at Beulah has promulgated that it is now CLOSED FOR THE WINTER. This means that if you’re wanting to buy or sell, you’ll have to look a little farther afield – how about the very well-organised and fully-serviced Ffos Las boot sale at Trimsaran which will be open this Sunday the 8^th November and again on the 22^nd. Get the info here https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/cardigan-and-teifi-valley/events/feature/ffos-las-racecourse-car-boot-sales

If you fancy heading a bit further out of the area – don’t worry, not enough to need your passport – Castell Henllys have started a Knit and Natter club on a Tuesday morning. £5 gets you cosy clecs, cake and a cuppa. A great way to make new friends, share expertise and maybe even knock up a couple of items off of your Christmas gifts-to-buy list? Just a suggestion! You can read about it here https://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/pembrokeshire/events/feature/knit--natter

As if anyone could forget, Tuesday 10^th November is Cardigan Fair Night and the town will be full of stalls, rides, market-traders, flashing hats and PEOPLE! The rides will be open on the Monday evening for children with special and additional needs but the big day itself is always the 10^th. Bring your pocket money – I’ll race you to the Dodgems!

This is now probably the quietest time we’ll have before Christmas takes hold so it’s a great time to check your boiler and heating systems, water pipes, put the garden to bed and store up as much energy and peace and quiet as you can as my next few blogs will be filled with winter fayres, Christmas markets and all things festive. Put the kettle on, get cosy and catch up on the downtime whilst you can :)

See you next week!