Posts that Didn't Happen: June 2026

June brought sunshine, birthdays, family visits, jigsaws, cycling, and (of course) the continuing EV 'saga'!

By the end of the first week in June we did have a new EV charger fitted - yay!  Unfortunately, it left our admittedly rather crowded consumer unit cupboard in a bit of a mess, which we were less happy with.  Cue more toing and froing (with the electrician this time), leading to a return visit to finally sort things out.  In the end we were happy, but it did seem to take a while to get there.

On a positive note, had a good birthday - walked into town, enjoyed a cider in the sunshine, got arty with the phone camera, and rounded the day off with a nice dinner.

Mid-way through the month and we were off to visit family while my sister and her husband were away for her 'special' birthday trip.  

Helped out with stuff for the parents as usual, and looked after a rather 'greying' Marci-Moo, who is a sleepy old lady these days, but still enjoyed her evening walk.

Most of the last week of June turned heatwave hot - regretting the lack of that air-conditioner (none to be had now for love nor money!) - although on one day, a sea mist gave us some relief in town, before it burnt off again - who'd have thought this was the same day!

Also took delivery of a belated birthday present (having finally decided to order myself the jigsaw table I'd been pondering for months).

Now I have the space for up to 2,000 piece puzzles, and get to sit down while doing them if my legs are tired!

Finally, the end of the month saw the National Cycling Championships back in town - another opportunity for a cider in the sunshine, before applauding the winners over the line!

Christmas Things

 And on to Christmas . . .

Didn't have to do much food shopping / preparation this year, as off to stay with family across country for the Christmas festivities.

The local farm milk vending machine had a lovely idea though - and those tiny milk bottles always make me think of the milk we had in primary school back in the day (and longer ago than I care to think!).

Nice to spend time with parents and family - had a lovely dinner, and a crisp sunny walk with the dog on Boxing Day morning, taking in a festive postbox topper along the way . . .     

And yes, she'd have been in there after the geese given half a chance!

Back to Wales, and another topper (a giant Christmas bauble mouse house) on display in Welshpool on our way through.  The work people put into these is just amazing!

Home to reheat the house, unpack the bags, and plan for round 2 with family here.

Hope you all had a good one!

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.

The Order of the Slipper

Time to head across country from Wales for a few days - to dog sit and visit with family - while my sister and her husband travelled to Wales for a short break to climb Eryri (the mountain formerly known as Snowdon).

Waved them off and enjoyed a couple of days of sunshine, dog walks, and helping out with shopping, household tasks, etc.

Was honoured to find one day that my slipper had made it to companion status on the sofa!

Still, lovely to be home again - back to our own bed and a beautiful sunset on the prom.

Home from Home

For a while now, we've been toying with the idea of buying a van, and converting it into our own 'camper' home from home.  We've watched umpteen YouTube videos, trawled our way through autotrader looking for likely base vans, and even drawn up possible layouts.

This would obviously be our biggest retirement 'project' yet, and as part of the continuing research (we do a lot of that!) we decided to take ourselves off to a proper Motorhome Show, to get more of a feel for how the professionals organise the available space.

It was certainly an experience - we'd never been to the NEC before, and there was plenty to see (and it did give us some ideas) - but my it was busy!  

Getting into the car park wasn't too bad, but getting out again was another matter - it took us a good half an hour just to get to the exit!  Glad we did it, but if we go to the NEC again I think we'll be letting the train 'take the strain'.

Of course, being half way along the M6 we couldn't pass up the opportunity to continue the journey to visit family in East Anglia.

Good to see everyone, catch-up and help out with a few bits and pieces.  And of course, any visit to 'home' there wouldn't be complete without a picture of Marci Moo with a shoe.

Playing Ball

I could probably have titled this 'Autumn Sunshine' as that was really what it was about - a lovely sunny Sunday, and a trip out to Aberaeron and Llanerchaeron to take advantage of same.

But then in Aberaeron, there was this dog on the beach enjoying life with a ball . . .  although it (the ball that is) did look a tad deflated!

And at Llanerchaeron, the current generation of boisterous young pigs - no piglets today - were busy nosing a ball around their pen.

All in all it was a beautiful day, and Llanerchaeron was looking lovely in its autumn colours, with the ancient apple trees, covered in moss and bracken, glowing green in the afternoon sunshine.

Last Day Before Lockdown

Well now we're supposed to be "socially distancing" - limited trips out and about, pubs and restaurants closed, even the leisure centre has shut its doors (no more swimming for the time being).  The prom was very quiet yesterday on a sunny Sunday, although elsewhere people hadn't really taken the concept on board, with  'unprecedented crowds' visiting some areas of Wales!

Today (one of my non-working days) was just as nice, so with Martin needing to pick up a work vehicle in Aberaeron, I went along for the ride (and to drive our own car back).

Had time for a short wander round a largely deserted harbour - except for a man and his two dogs, who were enjoying the water - and the local jackdaw population squabbling over scraps . . .

Back home again, and tonight Boris was announcing a 'lockdown' - now we have to stay at home and can only go out for essential shopping and a single solo exercise session.  At least we have the garden, and some rural country lanes for our daily wander . . .

A Shoe of Her Own

Visiting with family for a couple of days - time for a catch-up, to enjoy some early Spring sunshine, and help out with a few domestic tasks.

Went shopping, turned out the cupboard under stairs, did a bit of gardening, etc., etc.

Dad had a day out with his cronies, and the 'granddog' Marci came to spend the day with us (although without her Granddad she had to nab one of his shoes for company!).

Managed to separate her from the shoe long enough to go for a walk, although she was very insistent on the route to be followed!

All in all a nice and productive visit - until next time . . .

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!

Old Friends and New

Visitors this weekend - old housemates / friends from my University days, and a new friend in the form of our first canine visitor, a border terrier called Wilf.

The sun shone for the most part, walked the prom, kicked the bar, nice lunch out, the returned home to Skype our missing housemate in America - Wilf kept wandering behind the tv trying to work out where she was!  Barbecue tea, lots of wine, more reminiscing, even a Buffy episode or two.

Great to see everyone - house seems empty now without the pitter patter of doggie paws . . .