Business Traveler, July/August 2020

J U LY A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m 4 0 D E S T I N AT I O N S My interest in seeing Pembroke had more to do with the Greatest Knight William Marshal who after a very successful career of jousting chivalry and many a battle became the trusted senior military advisor to three kings of England He was also influential getting bad King John to sign the Magna Carta establishing rule of law for the king as well as his subjects Williams life of adventure started at age six when his father used him as collateral a hostage for a deal with a rival kingdom When his father broke his word it was legal for young William to be executed as a consequence On one occasion he had the hangmans noose around his neck but his captor just couldnt muster the nerve to kill an innocent boy A year later Williams captors were besieging his fathers castle to get restitution As part of the bargaining they put the young William in a catapult and threatened to return him to his father by launching him up and over the castle walls Again his father did not relent after all he had five other sons and losing the youngest was not a big deal Frustrated with the situation and not able to pull the trigger his captors released William without harm Later his father confided in young William that he was certain all along that no one could execute a 6 year old boy the ploy succeeded With my history itch satisfied I head back to Tyr Y Felin for dinner Tonight it would be venison tartar for an appetizer followed by the local sea bass Everything was fresh and delicious After dinner its off to Tyr Y Felins sister property Roch Castle Hotel Just 20 minutes east of St Davids Roch Castle was built in 1195 part of a series of border strongholds Restored in 2009 as an exclusive hotel the property now features just six good size rooms and a large common area The adjacent outdoor parapet high above the surrounding land offers miles of broad vistas of countryside and sea The property functions more as a B B but full service catering is available for corporate events That night as I enjoyed a whisky and a cigar out on the parapet with 30 mile an hour winds swirling and whispering around the castle giving off an eerie sense of the history and purpose of this place transporting me to ancient times Interestingly Roch Castle has a crest and motto Bid Ben Bid Bont meaning Be a Leader Be a Bridge What great inspiration for an engaging intimate and inspiring company retreat I cant wait to return with our staff at Business Traveler The next morning its Day 3 and time to head back to Heathrow for my flight to Berlin What a great experience it was to escape to Wales an enriching personal use of three days and two nights filled with new insights wondrous landscapes cultural and historic learning And the people all generous welcoming and helpful always going the extra mile to show me hospitality and ensure my delight BT IMAGES The Tyr Y Felin the words mean windmill in Welsh Hotel Accomodations at Roch Castle A three course dinner at Blas Restaurant at Twr y Felin Hotel Roch Castle has a crest and motto Bid Ben Bid Bont meaning Be a Leader Be a Bridge