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!

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.

Folly Finishing

Back in September last year, we had some final work done to render the outside of the Folly - just leaving the job of giving it a coat of paint.  And with the last couple of days being fine and sunny, it was time to tackle that job, before another winter passed us by. 

So here we are . . .

. . . one Folly with a nice bright white finish - long may it last :)

Archive Girls On Tour Once More

This time it's taken us four years for what we always intend to be an annual archive girls reunion - of course the Pandemic did rather interrupt proceedings, and we'd only ever really managed a biennial event anyway!

Another new location (mid-Wales, a quicker journey for the Aber contingent), with Hay-on-Wye selected as our main 'day out' as a result.

Visited the fully refurbished Hay Castle, lots of bookshops (obviously), and enjoyed the last food market of the year, all on a gloriously warm and sunny October Saturday.  

For once I didn't buy any books, but did come home with a box of very nice cider!

Dinner out at the local pub on Friday night, then cooked-up a feast on Saturday while watching Strictly (as is tradition).

Finished our Saturday night toasting marshmallows sitting around the outdoor fire pit, glasses of wine in hand.

All in all a lovely couple of days - goodbyes were said on Sunday morning as everyone had places to be, but looking forward to (hopefully) doing it all again next year!

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.

Rainy Days and Sunshine

After the glorious start to the month, normal service has resumed, and the last week or so has been distinctly cooler and wetter, and even quite stormy at times.

Took advantage of the occasional sunny spell to get out and about, including a trip to Aberteifi (Cardigan), for a wander round the town, a browse through a few shops, and lunch by the Teifi (sans otters - except for the statue!).

Then today, during a break in the clouds, had a short trip to Aberaeron for lunch, followed by a peek at Cei Newydd (Newquay), before it started raining on us again.

While it looks quite nice in this pic, the sea outside the harbour was really choppy, and so this was one of the few occasions we didn't see dolphins. 😔

Hoping the autumn months still have some sunshine to send our way.