Posts that Didn't Happen: May 2026

May came and went, with work in the garden, being one of the major features of the month: planting up the greenhouse tomatoes, and courgettes in the veg plot (and earthing up the potatoes that were planted last month); starting to deconstruct the old fruit cage, and move strawberries into trays; and Martin's first hedge-cut of the year.  The iris in the kitchen courtyard 'well' also flowered - looking lovely!

Early in the month we took the new car on its first 'long trip' to visit the parents - did stop for a charge on the way, but were fully charged for the return journey and did it with 30% still in the 'tank', so happy that it will do the 250 or so miles without a stop.

The whole car saga continued to rumble on however - on a positive, we managed to sell the old car to a local garage, where it will be starting a new life as a courtesy car.  Less positively there was the question of charging the new car - and of whether we should change our electric tariff to an EV-friendly option.

Eventually agreed a price for fitting a proper charger, with us sourcing the charging unit, and the cable needed to connect it to the house supply.  With our consumer unit  on the other side of the house to the drive, we had to order nearly 30 metres (going with 'Doncaster' cable, the leading UK brand). 

[Random pic of a golden slow worm, we found on said drive one day - rescued and relocated to the compost bin!]

When the cable eventually arrived - very late - it was however a cheaper Egyptian 'substitute'.  It was still suitable for the task, and given time pressures (Martin was due to fit it round the house, with the installation date for the rest of the works only a couple of days away) we accepted it with a suitable refund for the substitution.

In the meantime, we'd been in contact with our electricity supplier, who offered us a 'trial' of their EV tariff.  It soon became apparent however that our wider set-up, with the solar panels and the battery, meant that what we gained on cheaper imports, did not make up for what we lost on our exports.  It was only on contacting them to end the 'trial', that we were told we couldn't move back to our original tariff (which was 'closed' to new customers).  Lots of toing and froing, and eventually they did move us back, although not without some billing issues, involving more stress and correspondence until it was finally sorted.

It doesn't all end there unfortunately - see next month! 

In other 'news', bottled last year's Damson Brandy, making jam with the boozy fruit - also 'birthed' a new sourdough starter.  And along the way I finished my latest Lego project - the River Steamboat.

On the campervan front - we did a bit of work decorating the back barn doors - but we really are at the 'tweaking' stage now - just need to get out and about in it!!

The end of the month saw us mid-heatwave and anticipating the arrival of an air-conditioning unit (until the order was cancelled by the supplier!).  The sunshine was lovely - the heat level less so - so it was blinds down / curtains closed as we tried to keep the house cool.

To end on a 'cute' note - here's a baby bunny chowing down on the plants in the kitchen courtyard wall (luckily I hadn't planted anything new there, so I let it enjoy its feast).

Posts that Didn't Happen: March 2026

The month didn't start well, after the Idiot Abroad (aka Trump) started a war in the Middle East, and sent oil prices rocketing - unfortunately our oil tank was by then rather low, so the rayburn promptly went off!  

Then we managed to break the oil monitor when changing its battery (needing to keep an eye on how low the tank actually was) which had to be replaced too :(

In the garden, we decided to have a go ourselves at reining in the yew tree, which had bushed out quite a lot on the side near the house.  It wasn't an entirely successful exercise, as we couldn't get to one top branch, and another branch nearly took out Martin and wooden arch!

Still - it's better than it was - although we now have a huge pile of yew tree branches to deal with.

Early in the month I also headed across country to visit the folks for a couple of days, help out with medical appointments, and take Mum to visit an old friend.  

Stayed with my sister and brother-in-law (who's very into his Lego), and amused myself by hiding a small Lego knight mini-figure in his Home Alone display piece - will he ever notice??

Home to 'fluttering' noises in the rayburn flue.  We assumed there was a bird in there, and ended up partially deconstructing as much of it as we could in the hope that it would find its way 'down'.

Eventually all went quiet, so it either found its way 'up' or expired in the flue - hopefully the former!

In other news . . .  continued with a consultancy project; bought new smartwatches (mine now tracks my swimming lengths, so no excuse for losing count!); indulged in more Lego (adding the Viking Village to last month's Medieval Town Square); and Martin fitted a new inverter to the campervan (replacing a very noisy model we returned for a refund).

The end of the month saw us back across country for a 63rd Wedding Anniversary family party.

Had a lovely celebration weekend with extended family - also took Mum a Wade 'Treasure Trail' set I found online (like the one she remembers her Mum having).

The last day of the month saw us back home, where a shopping trip to town saw our newly MOT'd (if rather old) car, bashed up while parked in a local car park - starting a whole new saga . . .

Posts that Didn't Happen: February 2026

Well - that didn't last long - although in my defence February was pretty much a month where not much happened either - except for rain, rain and more rain!

At least the pigeons seemed to enjoy it . . .

Mostly pottered our time away wandering round town, dodging in and out of charity shops to avoid said rain, and buying things which we may (or may not) keep (been selling a few unwanted bits and pieces online).

Had a cold, then a very dodgy stomach for a couple of weeks after deciding to see if Kefir would improve my 'gut health'.  Too much, too soon maybe, as instead I completely lost all appetite, and managed to lose nearly half a stone in weight!

Indulged in some more Lego along the way, and some jigsaws - and ended the month with a 'happy' family event - celebrating the announcement of a Great-Nephew due to arrive in the summer. 🎉

Lego Land

It's been a bit of a 'Lego' year - which of course leaves me with the question of what to do with all the finished models.  

The 'Lighthouse' has its home on the storage chest by the french doors - but 'Rivendell' is a bit more problematic, given both its size, and relative fragility (all those trees).  In the end decided to house it in one of the display cabinets - where it's protected from knocks (and dust!).  

With the addition of some lighting (thanks Martin!), I can still see and enjoy it (although I had to separate it into its sections as it was still slightly too big to fit when connected as a whole).

'Tudor Corner' currently sits at the end of the sofa - but may yet find its way to the same cabinet (just one shelf down).

Then there's the seasonal 'Christmas' display (including the 'Lighthouse' which has been displaced by the Tree) which incorporates the new 'Alpine Lodge' alongside last year's 'Holiday Main Street':

Have to keep an eye on things mind you, as a certain person finds it most amusing to swap things around when I'm not looking:

Posts that Didn't Happen: November 2025

And finally November (after which normal service shall resume!)

Another month of rather mixed weather, so nothing really happened Van-wise (every time we thought of doing something it would start pouring with rain!).  Although we did have at least one rather gorgeous sunset down on the prom:

In other news, I may have overdone it on the Lego - had already indulged in the Christmas Alpine Lodge set (which I'd had my eye on for a while, as an addition to last year's Holiday Main Street), then talked myself into the LOTR Rivendell too.  

(And of course then I saw some other Lego sets I'd been looking at on sale, and the rest is history!)

Life otherwise just pottered along . . .

. . . did a bit of 'work', sorted some stuff for charity / sale online, gave blood, ordered new glasses, participated in an ONS survey (vouchers for which mostly funded the Lego Santa's Sleigh!)   . . . and completed my Rivendell mega-build.

Later in the month, there was the usual trip across country to visit / stay with family, this time with some added dog-sitting for one night.  She was very good, spending most of the time asleep, as she's a bit of an old lady now.  Although she still managed to take us on a nice long woodland walk!

Diverted to Stratford-upon-Avon on the trip home, got to admire the Christmas lights, enjoy an evening out, and a bit of shopping.  Then home again to think about putting up our own Christmas decorations.

Posts that Didn't Happen: October 2025

October was not the best of months weather-wise - but at least I was busy with a bit of consultancy work, while Martin was occupied with constructing cupboard doors for the Van.

In our downtime, Martin was still learning chess, although I'd drifted away from that a bit, having my attention caught by 'miracle' sudoku puzzles instead.

And then there's the Lego . . .  after the Lighthouse in 2023, I indulged in a Christmas themed set in 2024, then in the summer fell in love with the 'Tudor Corner', and seeing it on sale just couldn't resist.

So many an evening has been spent constructing - and enjoying the intricacy and inventiveness of the interiors in particular - just love that cute little loo!

The middle of the month saw us heading back across country in the Van (quite possibly the last Van trip of the year) for another family visit . . .

. . . helped out with shopping etc. (including picking up one of the new  'Geese of March' calendars), and had a very nice family Sunday dinner (meeting up at a half way point between us and family from Suffolk).  

Back home to Wales for a few days then before heading north - dropping off Martin's folks for a visit with family while we had a couple of night's in Chester.

Enjoyed some (occasionally wet) walks around the wall, did a bit of shopping, visited the castle, had a drink or two, and indulged in a very nice curry.

We were slightly intrigued though to find the following messages inscribed in various locations around Chester - at least I knew where my Martin was!

Project 'Lighthouse'

Having finally given in to temptation, and purchased the Lego Lighthouse I'd been looking at for months - and with the nights very definitely drawing in - it was time for the big build.

First job, open the box, and layout the contents - lots and lots of numbered bags of Lego pieces, and a couple of very hefty instruction books!

And then it was time to start building - from the 'ground' up:

At one or two 'stages' a day, it took near enough a week to finish the 'build' - I really enjoyed putting it all together though - and the finished lighthouse looks great - plus it works!

Just Life

Well, the rest of September has been pretty uneventful on the whole - just life really . . .

As ever the garden has needed a lot of attention, with Martin focusing on the annual 'autumn' hedge cutting, and me strimming back my 'still-not-a-proper-meadow' (although I have now invested in some Yellow Rattle seeds, which are supposed to suppress the grass and allow the wild flowers to thrive - so fingers crossed for next year!).

Started my next Welsh class - moving up to the Canolradd (Intermediate) level, with two online classes a week.

Continued with my swimming three times a week (other things permitting), and some home Zumba sessions too.

Also indulged in a Lego set - the brother-in-law is a huge Lego fan, and I finally succumbed to this Lego lighthouse, when it came on offer.  Haven't started it quite yet, but have been doing a few jigsaws again.

Martin managed to fit in a fishing trip or two, and of course we've been out and about walking the prom when the sun has shined on us.

Socially, we had a trip across country to visit family, and I had an online meet-up with old university friends (one now living in the US). 

Said goodbye to our Peugeot diesel car along the way - we've been looking for a van to convert into a camper for a while now, and although that search continues, it didn't make sense to continue to run two cars in the meantime (in light of the car insurance renewal quote anyway!).  

We were offered a decent price for the Peugeot and so let it go - that just leaves us with the petrol Astra we acquired when my Dad gave up driving back in 2021, which will do until we go 'electric'.  Still sad to see it go - especially when it comes to tip runs with the garden clippings!

So, nothing terribly exciting to report - but pretty good all the same.