Party Time!

One of those 'special' birthdays - a party hosted by Martin's sister . . .  wine, food, cake, and family time . . .

Happy 80th John!

Still Living the Dream . . .

'Nuff said . . .

What We Did on the Rest of Our Holidays

Back home in Wales, and plenty to do in the garden as ever - but there was also time to sit in the sun and read, and get out and about a bit.

Took a new route (for me) up Consti one day - following Cliff Terrace round past the radar station.





A trip to Llandrindod Wells - tea and cake by the lake - and a wander round Rock Park and Spa.  Can only imagine what it would have been like in its Edwardian heyday, although the tree stump castle is quite charming . . .

And, on a more active front, we signed up for Leisure Centre membership via the Ceredigion Actif scheme - swimming and gym sessions every week from now on!

(Birth)Days Out

A couple of weeks off, and in between gardening and other things, took a trip out East again for a birthday family visit - with a stopover in Ludlow along the way . . .

Time for a wander, a beer / cider or two, and a curry - the sun even shone for us.

Moved on the next day in time to cook up a frangipane for Dad's birthday, while melting in the heat of the kitchen.

Why is it always so much hotter in East Anglia than it is in Wales?   

Were glad of the opportunity to cool off in the hotel pool a couple of times over the visit!

Day out to Oxborough Hall - this time with the roof mended - beautiful day, although some flying creature took a bite out of my arm (just hoping it wasn't a horsefly).

The flower borders were particularly stunning, although I spent far too much time stressing over passing insects, worrying if anything else was going to bite me :(

Finished the day with a family dinner out that evening - very nice :)

Time before we left to help out with a bit of gardening -  then we were on the road back to a somewhat greyer Wales.  Hopefully we'll see a bit more sunshine before it's time to go back to work again.

Promside

A lovely sunny evening for a walk on the Prom . . . so here are a few of the highlights:



A tall ship on the horizon and paddle boarders out in the bay.



Music by the Castle. . . .

Puss cat sunning himself, and I wonder what that is saying . . . 



Who would live anywhere else?

Living the Dream

Martin is still enjoying his life of leisure . . .

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 :)