The Old Rectory on The Lake

The otters are back!

theoldrectory — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:04:59 +0000

During the last ten days our guests are getting many a sighting of the otters and Michael and Gemma Wood from Portsmouth said they were determined to see them in the wild. A few days ago, doing his best not to wake his wife, Michael got up early and crept out of The Old Rectory on the lake armed with just a point and shoot camera. Walking along the lake he saw two otters playing with a fish way out in the middle – Michael thought then he just wished he had a telephoto lens. But to his astonishment after about ten minutes they began to swim towards him and eventually came out of the water just a few feet away. Michael could even hear them crunching on the fish bones. One – the pup he thinks – hid in the grass and then came out again and joined the mother to play around a rock near the lakeside. It was then the mother spotted Michael and his camera. “She looked at me and started to hiss loudly. I decided not to invade their privacy any longer and leave them to it. What an incredible start to my morning at The Old Rectory on the lake,” he said. We really appreciate Michael sharing his amazing experience and images with us.

The Old Rectory and The Retreat get a makeover!

theoldrectory — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:21:32 +0000

We have been closed for the last six weeks and during that time the whole house and Retreat has been transformed thanks to the talents of an interior designer from Machnylleth. We met Camilla Norburg from The Décor shop (01654 700001) after she had been part responsible for some amazing work at the newly opened Nanteos Country House Hotel outside Aberystwyth. This grade one listed building has undergone an impressive four and a half million pound restoration and we knew instantly after we had stayed there that Camilla would be just the person to give The Old Rectory on the lake a much needed face lift. Sadly we did not have budget of Nanteos but despite this we think Camilla has done a great job here at Talyllyn!

Also many thanks to Smudge and his team of painters (01938 820650), Dyfrig and the guys from DRJ Builders ((01938 820596) and electrician, Ifan Coyne-Davis (01970 871514). Images by Adam (02921 320438).

We forgot to post this on New Year’s Day!

theoldrectory — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:58:34 +0000

2012 has been a memorable year at The Old Rectory on the lake ……. bookings have been up, the weather has been appalling but as always we have so enjoyed meeting and welcoming many a guest. We hope this short video will give you an idea of what has been going on during the last twelve months and as you can see there is never a dull moment!
John, Ricky, Idris The Old Rectory cat, and Marian the Welsh sheep all wish all our friends a very Happy New Year and many thanks for all your support and encouragement. Goodness knows what 2013 will bring!!

Third time unlucky!!!!!!!

theoldrectory — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:03:46 +0000

Yet again Ricky has had to jump into the lake opposite to rescue a driver whose car left the road in the dark and somersaulted into the water. We were just about to leave for the Meironnydd Running Club Christmas dinner when we noticed a car with its lights on stopped just before the hotel – we thought it had parked on the road to take some photographs of The Old Rectory which was as usual lit up in blue. When we drove past about five minutes later the car had apparently gone but as we passed the spot where we had seen it we heard a shout for help. On stopping we realised that behind the bushes in the water was a car with someone still in it! While John sped home to alert the emergency services Ricky jumped into the lake, scrambled through the dense undergrowth and discovered Jodie Smith leaning out of the broken driver’s window. The water was freezing and it was apparent that Jodie was pretty shaken up by the whole experience. Ricky managed to open the car door and helped Jodie out and up to the bank and roadway. He then went back to switch off her headlights, retrieve her possessions during which he managed to cut his face and hands from glass from the broken windows. We then took Jodie back to The Old Rectory on the lake where he and Ricky got out into dry clothes. During the next hour the Police and ambulance paramedics made sure Jodie was unscathed from her frightening ordeal.
We just cannot believe that this is the third time a vehicle has gone into the lake – at exactly the same location! Yet again we were the only ones to see it as the car was below the level of the road and other motorists had gone past without realising there was someone in the lake needing help. We really think a warning sign just before this bend may stop this happening again and hope Gwynedd Council will consider this!

The Old Rectory on the lake is awarded a Gold Ward for the second year running!

theoldrectory — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:59:43 +0000

For the second year running we have been awarded a Gold Award by Visit Wales – to say we are pleased to gain this prestigious recognition is an understatement! In a letter from the Welsh Business Minister, Edwina Hart, she writes:- “The Gold Award winners are examples of accommodation businesses that are setting an exceptionally high benchmark of quality and exceed customer expectations in all respects. I wish you every success for the future.”

The Visit Wales Gold Award scheme has been running since 2007 and rewards outstanding quality, exceptional comfort and hospitality in the serviced sector in Wales.

The Old Rectory on the lake makes the front page of The Times.

theoldrectory — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:05:50 +0000

Exciting Times!!!!!! The Old Rectory on the lake was on the front page of The Times on Saturday October 20th and we got two more pictures inside – one full page!

We had been asked by Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to stay to join 49 chosen other bed and breakfast accommodation providers to to take part in an overnight offer for The Times readers club and to our amazement and utter surprise we were heavily featured in the paper. Our great friend, photographer Adam Dorogdi, zoomed up from Cardiff where he is now living and working, and was lucky enough to be here on the most amazing of autumnal Sundays. After getting up early Adam managed to capture the exact image requested by the picture editor in London. The one they used was cropped a tad but the ensuing publicity has done us no harm at all with alreday many an enquiry and booking. Below are some of Adam’s images from that most memorable of shoots.

The great pictorial otter hunt!

theoldrectory — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:48:45 +0000

During the last few weeks quite a few of our guests have reported seeing a single otter at various locations in the lake. These sightings- normally in the early morning – have also been confirmed by Phil Wood, the lake’s ghillie. We then set folk a challenge and promised a bottle of wine to anyone who successfully caught this delightful creature on camera as we have yet to do it! The first bottle has now been claimed by Robert Elliot from Surrey who stayed in our Rectory Retreat for a week with his wife Lizzie. They both saw the animal on various days and Robert managed to take a photograph of him as he popped his head up having swum under our boat by the jetty. We thank Robert for allowing us to use his image.

We get out 300th review on Trip Advisor!

theoldrectory — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:03:22 +0000

Weekend guest Dave Owen from Coventry gets the dubious honour of being the 300th person to leave a review on Trip Advisor after staying last weekend. We are so grateful to him and his partner Debbie for helping us hit this pivotal milestone.

We are now rated by Trip Advisor as the top Bed and Breakfast in Wales!!!

theoldrectory — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:44:28 +0000

The champagne will flow after we have served supper tonight as Trip Advisor has just advised us that The Old Rectory on the lake is now the top rated Bed and Breakfast in Wales! That’s out of a list of 2,129 other establishments. We just cannot believe it and appreciate we will probably be knocked off this illustrious position as the season progresses when other places – probably much better – than us get more glowing reviews but please forgive us while we savour this amazing moment.

The Old Rectory nearly IN the lake!

theoldrectory — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 17:00:11 +0000

It all happened yesterday when after 24 hours of solid rain of more than five inches Talyllyn burst its banks. Mercifully we are set high up but the Tynycornel Hotel opposite was marooned for over 24 hours. Staff and guests were trapped for the day unable to get in or out after the level of the lake rose by over six feet blocking the B4405 which goes down the valley to Tywyn, the road was closed again further down the valley at Bryncrug. During Saturday night three cars came to a standstill in the flood waters just by the Tynycornels lakeside boat sheds but luckily the occupants managed to escape and wade to safety. One passenger had to smash the window to get out as teh force of the water made it unable to open the nearside door. The flash flood was caused by water cascading into the lake from the surrounding mountains and the outlet under the bridge at the end being unable to cope within hours it was completely submerged and the water then started backing up. We have been here for over six years and we have never seen the flooding this bad. The gated lane our side of the lake was also impassable. However it’s all receding now but still an exciting time!

For more pictures of a dramatic 48 hours do look at our Facebook page.