Elderflower Champagne

This year the hedgerows are a blaze of wild flowers all competing towards survival. The hedgerows are also ablaze with glistening white elderflowers, nothing can describe the distinctive smell that these delicate petals implode on your senses. We love to preserve the smell with this simple recipe:

1 gallon cold water

1/2 lb. sugar

7 elderflower heads

2 lemons

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Bring the water to the boil and pour over the sugar; when cold add the add the flowerheads, lemon slices and white wine vinegar. Cover and leave to stand 48hrs. Syphon off and bottle, using strong bottles. Cork well as this wine is very fizzy, true to its name. Farmers Weekly - Home Made Country Wines

Wild Garlic

Head to the woods to forage for the season's tastiest ingredient. Bringing foraged produce into the kitchen is possibly the most effective way to achieve the Good Life sense of well-being. Wild garlic is a slightly more subtly flavoured relation to your standard garlic. It takes up residence in most corners of the woodlands, often setting up home between the bobbling bluebells. Recognisable by its long pointed green leaves, and white flowers towards the end of spring, it's easy to spot amongst the undergrowth.

To harvest cut the tall green leaves and stems at the base. Unlike traditional garlic, it's the leaves of wild garlic that feature most prominently in cooking. The white flowers and bulbs are edible too, but the leaves themselves taste better before the plant flowers and the bulbs are very small. If you want to use wild garlic in your cooking then Nettle and Wild Garlic soup is a delicious recipe.

• 1 small bunch wild garlic (about 12 leaves)
• 2 large handfuls freshly picked nettles
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 leek, washed and sliced
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• Salt and pepper

1. 1. Fill the sink with cold water and add a large tablespoon of salt. Wearing rubber gloves, add a large tablespoon of salt. Wear rubber gloves, add the nettles and wash thoroughly. Separately wash and thinly slice the wild garlic leaves.
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the onion and leek. Cook gently until soft then add the potato and nutmeg. Cook for a further 5 minutes then pour in the stock. Reduce the heat, cover handsomer for 20 minutes, or until the potato is tender. Add a splash of water if it needs it.
3. Next prepare the nettles. Put a large saucepan of water on the hob and bring to the boil. Get a bowl of iced water ready. Blanch the nettles for 2 minutes in the boiling water before removing with a slotted spoon and plunging into iced water. Drain and set aside.
4. When the potato is cooked whizz the soup with a stick blender until smooth. Add all the nettles and most of the wild garlic, reserving a little to garnish. Blend for a couple of minutes more, then season to taste.
5. Serve with crusty bread garnished with a swirl of cram, a pinch of nutmeg and a few strands of shredded wild garlic leaves.

!0 Welsh Seaside holidays that will be as beautiful as they are action-packed

If you're thinking of a coastal break away with the kids then look no further than Wales. Whether you want to feel the sand between your toes, admire the beachy views or get busy with waterfront activities, it's all here. We've round up 10 of the best places for a seaside holiday. So rather than heading for foreign climes this year, why not find some beach bliss at one of these brilliant destinations?

1.  Gower Peninsula

Photograph VisitWales.com

When you're not marvelling over the beauty of Gower's beaches - there are LOADS by the way - snap up a surfing lesson, tuck into a lovely meal in Swansea's Maritime Quarter and enjoy a scoop of must-have ice cream in Mumbles.

2. New Quay

photograph walesonline.co.uk

Go dolphin watching with an organised boat trip from the harbour, have a browse of the boutique shops and enjoy some of the finest fish and chips going. Mmm, lush.

3.  Tenby

photograph Walesonline.co.uk

You can't go wrong with this golden stretch, perfect for building sand castles all day long. When you do venture away from the beach, you can get the adrenaline pumping at Oakwood Theme Park or take your pick of a collection of castles.

4.  Aberaeron

photograph WalesonLine.co.uk

One of the prettiest coastal towns in Wales, this little gem is well worth a visit. Count the coloured houses that line the streets, have waterside fun at the harbour and enjoy top notch food in the popular Harbourmaster Hotel.

5. Laugharne

photograph Dailymail.co.uk

Overlooking the estuary, it's no wonder that the quirky town and its views inspired Dylan Thomas. Write your own chapter with a visit to the poet's boathouse and the impressive Laugharne Castle.

6. St Davids

photograh Walesonline.co.uk

Wales' smallest historic city is a seaside haven that the whole family will love. Pack a picnic and walk your way around the peninsula, head to the ruins of a medieval palace or go offshore with a boat trip to one of the neighbouring islands.

7. Barafundle bay

photograph Visitpembrokeshire.com

This pristine beach is isolated which means no facilities; so everything you take has to come back up over the cliffs. Swathes of golden sand and crystal clear waters, Barafundle has been voted many, many times as one of the best beaches in Britain and the world; it’s often likened to a Caribbean beach! 

8. Mwnt 

photograph Walesonline.co.uk

Mwnt is an idyllic spot on the Cardigan coast, with sweeping views across Cardigan Bay from the summit of the conical hill (Foel y Mwnt) that rises above the sandy sheltered beach. Mwnt is a top ‘Special Place’

9. Cefn Sidan 

photograph DiscoverCarmarthenshire.com

There’s a lot more to Carmarthenshire than just its gorgeous green countryside,  Cefn Sidan is a long sandy beach in the Pembrey Country Park, stretching from the Gower and Kidwelly,  looking southwards over Carmarthen Bay.

10.  Abereiddy 

Photograph Walesonline.co.uk

Pebbles and extraordinarily dark sand made of pounded grey slate form this rural beach. The same slate gives a brilliant deep blue colour to the water in the 'Blue Lagoon'; a beautiful little harbour - popular spot for coasteering, climbing along the cliffs at sea level, leaping into the sea if you reach an impassable bit. 

Take your pick from the best of the Welsh beaches -there's nothing stopping you and the kids enjoying something special nearer to home. But do remember that if you are seeking for an adventure holiday then please make arrangements with a suitable adventure operator.