Brandy Galore!

Finally got around to bottling last year's Damson Brandy (note to selves, don't leave it as long next time, the damsons were practically disintegrating).

And as Martin had been blackberrying, we now have Blackberry Brandy steeping too . . .

Should be ready for bottling in time for Christmas :)

Calm . . . Storm

So, Friday morning saw us out walking the prom, before the promised 'Great Summer Storm' of 2019 - a lovely sunny morning, and some views of the harbour from across the gap (strangely something I'd never walked across before):

And here we have the prom on early Saturday afternoon - doesn't look that bad, but at times it was so blustery I could hardly walk into the wind, and there were some very impressive waves (although I failed to get a picture of any of them). 

All very unseasonable for August!

Monster Marrow

And this year's marrow season has started . . .

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.