Posts that Didn't Happen: September 2025

 And so to September . . . 

Started the month with a very nice afternoon tea to celebrate a forthcoming retirement - lovely to catch up with lots of old friends from working days.

Was also offered some damsons (it's been a good fruit year), which are now steeping in brand ready for Christmas . . .

. . . something different from our endless apple crop - unfortunately couldn't pass on any in return as they also have loaded apple trees!

So far, we've chopped and frozen and stewed, made apple cakes and crumbles, given some to family, and still have a drawer full in the fridge . . .

Fitted in a solo visit to family across country - not a Van trip this time - helping out with this and that, paperwork and shopping, etc.  While I was away Martin got on with a few Van things, while we continued to debate table legs and fittings.

Back in Wales for the remainder of the month, with work continuing on Project Van and in the garden.  

The 'pantry from hell' was finally finished and fitted, more or less to our satisfaction, and the (hopefully) last hedge cut of the year completed.

In something of a landmark, the Van table was also sorted - with a removable 'island' leg, and the other end supported on the 'windowsill'.  

It really has turned out well - kudos to Martin for all his hard work.

Ended the month with more work in the garden, as Martin dug out and reconstructed the compost heaps.

While he was doing the hard manual labour, I got on with painting the garden shed (hopefully giving it some protection from the wet weather to come):

Posts that Didn't Happen: June 2025

And so to June - unfortunately the first half of the month was not so great in the end - I had some back pain for a few days (to the point where I invested in a heated gilet thing), then I got a cold, and then Martin caught it too.

We eventually concluded that I'd probably picked up Covid from somewhere, as we were both completely wiped out - kept having to go back to bed we were so tired - and it certainly lingered for a good few weeks after. 

On a positive note, we had some lovely weather, and inbetween naps managed a bit of garden pruning, and some slow walks on the prom.

And - drum roll please - the water lily in our garden pond, finally decided to flower, after nearly four years of leaves.

By the middle of the month we just about had enough energy for a trip to Aberaeron / Llanerchaeron - had a wander in the sun, a spot of lunch, and checked on progress with the sea defences (still not finished!).

There was another 'birthday' celebration and catch up with old colleagues - this time a 60th for the Department of Information Studies at the University.  

Then towards the end of the month, we took the Van across country again to see family - helping out with shopping and appointments etc., although we wilted a bit in the English heat.

Did enjoy a very pleasant visit to the Elgood's Brewery Gardens, where Martin found enough energy to steer Mum's wheelchair at speed round the maze, before we had a cooling drink in their rather swish on-site bar.

With all this going on not that much of any note happened with the Van, Martin tinkered with the electrics, I made some cloth covers for one set of overhead cabinets, and we pondered next steps . . .

Sticky Toffee Pudding Day

With plans to turn the rayburn off next week, time to get cooking . . .  particularly any cakes and puddings that benefit from a longer slow bake, such as bara brith.

Today though, was sticky toffee pudding day - producing a good few batches for the freezer and future consumption.

Yum!

Sights and Sounds in Shropshire

So with tickets booked to see Show of Hands in Shrewsbury - one of my favourite folk groups on their (possibly) final tour - we decided to have a couple of days in the 'big' city (well 'town' if you want to be technical about it!).

After a leisurely drive through mid-Wales, stopping along the way a couple of times - we arrived in Shrewsbury mid-afternoon, with time for a wander round the museum and a few shops, before enjoying a few drinks and a very nice curry in the evening.

The next day we actually got a bit of sunshine in the morning - taking a walk down by the river, and through the gardens in all their autumn colours. 

Along the way visited St Chad's Church - a distinctive and really interesting round building - further distinguished by the presence of an 'Ebenezer Scrooge' gravestone in its churchyard (used in the 1984 George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol.)  

Apparently it isn't a prop, but rather a period gravestone where the original inscription was no longer visible - not sure if was quite ethical to allow a film production to reinscribe it, but it certainly makes a noteworthy addition to the churchyard!

After our musical evening, made our way home the next day via Oswestry, and the British Ironwork Centre - lots more to see than on our last visit - from the original 'spoon' Gorilla, to Marvel characters, and an ecological sculpture park.

The cakes were just as good as last time too - although Martin got a bit of a shock on visiting the Gents . . .

All in all it made for a nice couple of days away - plus we got a bit of Christmas shopping done, and stocked up the wine cupboard at 'English' prices! 😊

Birthday Treat

Off to visit family, for another (slightly belated) special birthday celebration (almost got the full set now) 😊

We marked this one with a lovely afternoon tea - sandwiches (sans crusts), fruit scones, cream scones, lots of cake, and of course tea!  

And maybe a little something to toast the birthday girl . . . 

And here she is . . . looking very jolly!

Posts that Didn't Happen - March 2022

And on to March . . . 

Started the month with the death of my old Kindle, and the setting up of a new one with lots of enhanced features - the backlight will be particularly useful for reading at night!

Some baking - with my own version of Malteser Chocolate Cupcakes, which went down a treat.

And lots of 'Folly' related activity . . .

Martin had finished construction on the new wood storage round the back of the Folly so I painted it with wood preserver.  While inside the Folly I'd got the skirting boards stained and varnished and various 'gaps' sealed and caulked - plus a bit of additional 'cosmetic' pointing on the feature wall. 

We also got a 'garden path' laid down to the Folly - 'inlaying' the slabs by removing sections of turf - which handily could then be used to re-turf the 'scar' from the trench that was dug for the electric cabling back in December.

A path that will come in very useful in wet and muddy weather!

So, Two Year's On from the start of home-working and I was nicely settled in the Folly, with a proper desk set-up.

With the decorating done, I'm also beginning to move other bits and pieces in - next job, getting it fully furnished!

Lockdown Baking

Flour continues to be in short supply in the shops, as we all indulge in lockdown baking - so far I've made savoury bacon muffins, sweet potato and cranberry cake, and the latest offering:

Danish Dream Cake - very nice, but not good for the diet!

Christmas Day, Kingfisher and Cormorant

And another Christmas Day rolls around - family visitors, mulled wine, too much food, all the usual things. 

Never did quite get to the cake (this year's theme - the Welsh Dragon) - had more than enough with dinner!


In fact it was down to the prom later to take in the evening starling 'show' (and walk off dinner) - along the way spotted the kingfisher on the shore, and captured a rather blurry photo!



This cormorant stretching its wings came out a bit better  . . .

. . .  and of course the starlings themselves:

Silver Wedding Weekend

Five years on, and it was up to the Lake District again, to meet up with some old schoolfriends - this time for the Silver Wedding 'Do'!



Lots and Lots and Lots of Cake - and some fun activities too . . .


There was time for a wander round Kendal while we were there - think we spotted an otter in the river - and a day trip out and over to Keswick, with windsurfers on the lake, and ever more tourist shops and cafes.



Then it was home via Oswestry, and the British Ironworks Centre.

Stopped for tea and cake, and a tour of the very impressive Sculpture Park, although I think my favourite was the dragon in the car park  . . .




A bit of a packed weekend, but lovely to see everyone - the sun even shone on us some of the time - might stay away from cake for a bit though :)

Midwinter Miscellany

Well the Christmas celebrations are already fading into the past . . .

Too much food was cooked (and eaten).

The 'Cake' finally got decorated (although after Christmas Day) with fruit, nuts and marzipan - and managed to incorporate a bunny along the way.




Family visited for a few days, and we're already missing the pitter patter of doggie paws (well I am anyway).








Martin spotted the first of the snowdrops in flower in the back garden - doubtless with more to follow.


Finally our festive entertainment has included the farmer's ongoing battle to manage his flock's access to the 'greens' in the field opposite:


The stuff on the left hand side obviously looks much more tasty, and he's had to reconstruct the fence at least twice and shoo the sheep back to where they don't want to be with much beeping from his quad bike.


The fence (now securely electrified) seems to be doing its job for now, but there are regular mass gatherings where they look like they are preparing to storm it to achieve their goal, so watch this space!

Holi-Days

A week off and a bit of a 'staycation' . . .

Started out in the cold - icicles on the car and flurries of snow - walking the prom in the sun as snow fell around us! 

Made sure to keep the bird feeders well stocked - although they weren't the only flying things in our skies:
















Martin cooked up a batch of bara brith (here wrapped and ready for freezer) while I made sticky toffee puddings, and cherry brownies - getting the baking done while the rayburn is still on!







Got out into the garden, went for a few walks, and took a trip to Aberaeron - spotting fairy doors on the path out to Llanerchaeron.



Ended the week though in almost-summer sunshine, with a nordic walk looping round the hills across from the house, and some fantastic views . . .

More Cake Please!

Long weekend ahead, and stopped for tea and cake in the sunshine  . . .

Unfortunately for the local sparrow population we'd eaten most of it . . .

Say It With Cake

For a while now we've been running our own version of the 'Bake Off' in work, with the proceeds from entry / tasting going into a pot for charity.


Having had a good first round ('lemon') with my mini lemon meringues, I managed to hold on to the lead (if not 'star baker') over the succeeding rounds ('vanilla', 'berry', and 'chocolate') - so I got to choose the charity.

So here was an opportunity to say a proper thank you to the RNLI for their help this summer.

Thank you also to the other bakers - and everyone who put their hands in their pockets to buy a cake.

Ready to steer clear of sugary treats for a bit now mind you!