New is The Year

Here's hoping for Better in 2018!

Christmas Wishes (Bunny Style)

Merry Christmas!

Nadolig Llawen!

Christmas Bakes

Took a couple of days off before Christmas - to brave Morrisons for the food 'shop', and get ahead with the cooking.

Today was a baking day - made some frangipane mince pies . . .

. . . and decorated the keeper from last year's cake bake - very much in the same style too.






Not pushing the boat out too much on the baking front this year, as it's just the four of us on Christmas Day and we don't have any family staying over. 

That said, there'll be the now traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding to go in the oven, Christmas Pud (again held over from last year), and I can feel a post-Christmas chocolate brownie baking session coming on!

Firewood

Having been less than industrious on the wood gathering / chopping front this year (too busy with the hedges!), we decided to buy in some firewood, and on Tuesday evening (just as it started to rain) this lot duly arrived:

Fortunately they were able to back up to the garage and drop the wood inside (Martin was most impressed with their trailer reversing skills!).


So an hour or so this morning (while it was, briefly, not raining)  was spent moving just over one bag full from the garage into more permanent storage in the woodshed.  Will move the rest on another day (if it ever stops raining again!).

Snowy Sunday

In common with most of the rest of the country, today we had snow - perhaps not as much other places - but, actual snow . . .

In fact it snowed for most of the day - even quite heavily at times - although we only ended up with a light covering, and the roads remained pretty clear.





By the evening, when it had stopped, it did all look very festive . . . 



Unfortunately (or fortunately - depending on your viewpoint), it had mostly gone by the morning, although I did have to spend a good twenty minutes or more removing the impacted snow and ice from the car!

Treadmill Torture or Treat?

I had been asking Sarah for many months if we could convert the downstairs bedroom to a gym with a treadmill and exercise bike; currently the room is a magnet for clutter, only getting cleared out just before we have visitors.

I countered all her objections with helpful and practical suggestions such as we could put a sofa bed in the lounge or move the equipment out when visitors arrive and put the bed back.  When even the tried and tested "Gaylord Persuasion Technique" of crying like a girl (as employed by my Ex-Old Drinking Buddy) had failed and I had given up all hope, Sarah came up with the suggestion of putting a treadmill in the Porch.

Not the home gym I had wanted, but then you have to take what you can get! 

After what seemed like weeks of research I finally decided on a model, however Argos then ended their treadmill discounts and so, being a Cardi, I had to wait until they were back on offer.  

Finally, today, a VERY large and heavy box was delivered into the narrow porch.  

Building the machine was not easy in the space available; neither was manoeuvring out the empty box that is large enough to be the put-you-up bed that I suggested could be put in the front room for our visitors!

But here we go - up and running (literally).  

The narrow walls of the porch can feel a bit daunting when running at speed but on the whole I think it will work well as the windows and door provide ample ventilation.

Update (21 December)
The treadmill has now been in place for nearly a month now and is getting regular use by both myself and Sarah. I feel that I have got fitter since it has arrived and my running stamina has certainly improved - and maybe we will make an athlete out of Sarah yet!

Explore Your Archive 2017

Various things have been happening across Wales for the annual Explore Your Archive extravaganza - and this year our 'local' Ceredigion Archives asked people to respond to their collections by 'Making History'.

A special evening celebration then exhibited our responses - with performances, artwork, knitting, music, flowers, poetry, 'shrub', a tattooed knee, and authentically reproduced old recipes (although I couldn't quite bring myself to try the mince pies made with bullock's heart!).

My own 'artistic' effort comprised a piece of doggerel verse:

There once was an Archive by the Sea,

Holding 500 years of County History.

Prints and photos, maps and plans,

Letters and diaries in old-fashioned hands,

Adverts and guides to the County of Old,

Showing how we once lived, what we once sold.

All kept safe and sound for people to see,

To search and discover how Things Used To Be.

After forty-odd years the Archive is still

Collecting these records with zeal and good-will.

Of Clubs and Societies, Council and All,

Stored (away from the sea) at the Old Town Hall.

Generations to come will be able to say:

“So that’s how they did things, back in their day.”

There’s so much in our Archives, from now and before,

Your history is here, come along and Explore!

. . . for which I was duly awarded a medal (along with everyone else - although Martin is now insisting on calling me Muttley!).

It was a great evening - lots of new people got introduced to archives along the way - and a good time was had by all!

'Diff Film Friday

Friday saw me working in Cardiff, and Martin working in Swansea, so we took the opportunity to meet up for a night out in the capital - primarily to see Thor: Ragnarok on the big screen (very good!), but also for a few beers and a curry down Cardiff Bay.

After the film we had a wander around the Bay to admire the Christmas decorations and Snowdogs, before going for a drink (or three) in the Mount Stuart Wetherspoons.

We never quite worked out what we wanted to eat for dinner, so cinema popcorn (well Tesco popcorn) ended up as the culinary highlight of the evening!


It had been some time since we had been down the Bay, so it was great to see that Ianto’s Shrine is still going strong (it actually features on Google Maps!) - and there's a semi-official plaque to his memory now (suggesting that the Shrine has been officially adopted by Mermaid Quay):

The following day we had another wander around the Bay, having breakfast in Wetherspoons with an old friend before heading into town to look around the Christmas Fayre and the city centre shops.

Unfortunately we'd managed to coincide with another International, and it was all far too busy to be enjoyable - so we returned to the Bay for a cuppa in the Norwegian Church, before making our way home.

Rainbow

Walking the prom today and there was the most fantastic rainbow - 'nuff said!

Family Days Out

Had a few days off this week, to spend time with my parents who were visiting.  Unfortunately it wasn't great weather for most of it . . .

Walked the prom in the aftermath of Storm Brian (machines still clearing up) - calling at Ceredigion Museum's new cafe for coffee and cake in the warm and dry.

Picked up the new car - and took it to Machynlleth in the pouring rain, for a wander round the antique shops, and a spot of lunch.

A quiet afternoon in, while it rained out.

And finally, a beautiful sunny, warm (even hot) day, in Aberaeron . . .

Taking them home again tomorrow - at least we managed one nice day!

Changing Cars

Earlier this year our trusty Hyundai clocked 100,000 miles, and since then we'd added another 16,000 or so (mostly for Martin's work).

With the mileage rising, and tyres and brakes coming up for replacement, we decided it might be time to look for a newer model . . .

. . . and last week the deal was finally done.


So today, we said goodbye to our little Hyundai - and not without some sadness, as it has been a brilliant car.

Picked up our new vehicle - a second-hand Peugeot Partner Tepee Outdoor - from a dealer a few miles away in Llanidloes.

We went for this model as it ticked lots of different boxes.


It will primarily be my car (as Martin now has one from work, given the amount of mileage he's doing!) - getting me round town, travelling for work, etc.

It can take passengers (for when we have family or friends visiting), but being based on a van body, it also has a massive boot, capable of carrying a lot of hedge clippings!

There's also the prospect that we can fit it out as an occasional mini-camper van - there are ready-made 'kits' you can get to fit into the boot and unpack into seating with table, or a sleeping platform.  Still considering our options at the moment - but watch this space!

Archive Girls Back on Tour

Finally got our act together for a repeat of our 2015 meet-up - very much a repeat, as we ended up back in the same place on more or less the same weekend of the year!

Went Gruffalo hunting (with the little people) while two of our party did the Parkrun, revisited Ludlow, ate cake, commented (at length) on Strictly, and drank some wine (although most people were in bed and asleep by 10.30pm, so can't say it was a wild weekend!).



On Sunday morning we had a somewhat bizarre visit to the Gobbett Old Breeds Farm, complete with many varieties of feathered fowl, and some very cute goats.  Much enjoyed by our smallest companion!


After a bite of lunch at the Ludlow Food Centre, it was time to say final goodbyes - date already set for next year!

Aberporth Amble

It was raining when we woke up; it was raining when we made the decision to drive to Cardigan, catch a bus to Aberporth and walk the Aberporth to Cardigan leg of the Coastal Path. It was raining when we got in the car and left the house.  However the Met Office had forecast that the weather would improve . . . 

As we arrived in Cardigan it was still raining hard, hard as it only can on the wild west coast of Wales. Faced with the thought of a 7 hour walk in the rain and extremely muddy paths we opted instead to spend the day looking around Cardigan. I think it is fair to say that we are fair weather walkers!

The Met Office were nevertheless proved to be spot-on with their forecast, but by the time the weather improved the bus we'd planned to catch had gone, and the next bus was not for several hours.

In other words, we'd literally 'missed the bus' on our travel plans for the day.

We had a pleasant couple of hours wandering around Cardigan with an al fresco lunch in a café by Cardigan Market but it is not a big town and we were soon ready to move on.

Decided to stop off in Aberporth as the sun was still shining and we had read online about a small cliff walk to the neighbouring hamlet of Tresaith - which forms part of the coastal path (and would have been part of our planned walk).

We had never been to Aberporth before and was surprised to see a nice beach around which a working harbour is operating. During our short visit, the tractor was busy transporting boats down to the sea.

The path that we planned on walking started the other side of the harbour behind the town houses.


Taking us over the cliff, we passed a number of converted railway carriages, which appear to be being used as holiday accommodation.




The walk over the the cliff itself was extremely pleasant and very popular - it seems that many, like us, had taken advantage of the break in the weather to stretch their legs.


As we descended into Tresaith we could clearly see the waterfall (the River Saith apparently) cascading over the cliffs onto the beach - couldn't resist taking a closer look as it is a sight to see, probably helped by the high levels of rain we have experienced this summer.  In Mid Wales rainfall is not a reliable indicator of what meteorological season we are in!

There was time for a refreshing pint in The Ship Inn before heading back the way we came to Aberporth.

The climb out of Tresaith is the only part of the walk that has any ascent of note but it is no harder than others paths we had travelled along the coastal route.

On the way back to Aberporth were lucky enough to see the Cardigan Bay Dolphins, but from the top of the cliff we were not close enough to get a good photo.

The return walk to Tresaith from Aberporth is only 6km, a fraction over 4 miles, and made an enjoyable and mostly non-strenuous walk.


Fortunately it is one we will be happy enough to walk again when we return to walking the Coastal Path proper.

Tomato Harvest

The tomatoes have done pretty well again this year - pots of tomato sauce are finding their way into the freezer, and we're finally harvesting the cherry tomatoes:

Must try to remember to plant them a little earlier next year - would be good to have some to eat in the actual summer months!

September Travels

Still on holiday, and still plagued with less than brilliant weather, decided we might as well make the best of it and headed northwards to visit friends in the Lake District.

Started with a couple of nights in Chester - where we reasoned that at least there would be things to do if it stayed wet.


On our first afternoon / evening the weather was actually pretty good though, and we got to wander the walls in the sunshine, before revisiting some of our favourite pubs from our last visit.



The next day the weather was a little more mixed - did get quite wet at one point, but soon dried off.

Did some shopping, walked some more bits of the wall, and enjoyed a free falconry display in the Cathedral grounds (where the gyrfalcon being flown went off script chasing pigeons - although the falconer did eventually manage to entice it back!

Moved on, on a wet Sunday morning, to Milnthorpe in Cumbria to visit with friends (and belatedly celebrate another 50th birthday).  Arrived early afternoon, and after hellos and tea and stuff, decided that we would brave the weather  and go for a short walk in the Sizergh Castle grounds.

As it turned out it wasn't that 'short' - we were out for close to 3 hours - got a bit wet at the start, dried up around the middle, and took a short break at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Brigsteer for a pint.

The walk back to Sizergh took us up to St John's Helsington with its expansive views over the valley, before heading back, in the rain again.

We'd all got full waterproofs on, so the rain hadn't been that problematic - unfortunately one of the last gateways on the way back to the car park, was completely flooded to above boot level, so it was a bit squelchy getting back to the car.  (The boots were drying out with newspaper in them for the remainder of the visit!).

Had a very nice celebratory dinner out that night at the Black Labrador in Underbarrow - and a day pottering about Ambleside, etc.  Before saying our goodbyes, and making our way back to Wales.

Stopped off at Chirk Castle on our way home - hadn't been there for years, and had an enjoyable couple of hours or so wandering round the property and its gardens.

All in all a nice few days - despite the weather!

Bonfire

We've been accumulating hedge debris, and odd bits of wood round the back of the woodshed for longer than I care to  remember, and to be honest it had all got a bit out of hand . . .

Martin's recent hedge-chopping activities had only added to the pile, which had gotten so large we couldn't actually get to any of the outside wood storage areas.

No pictures were taken, but here you can see the subsidiary pile accumulating on the other side of the fruit cage - a mix of rotting pallets and hedge clippings . . .

So with time on our hands (two week's off, and our first reasonably decent day weather-wise since Saturday) we decided that today was the day to tackle the wood-pile.

We started by sorting, chopping and discarding the twiggy bits not worth keeping.

One load made it to the tip before we decided we were on a highway to nothing, and had the bright idea of putting a match to the smaller pile by the fruit cage / compost heap.

A slosh (scarily) of petrol later, and we soon had a fine blaze - in fact it was hard to keep up with it as it turned out that even relatively fresh leylandii burns very very well!


So we now have a pile of ash, and the external wood storage area is satisfyingly clear and tidy.

A good day's work!

Ceredigion Coastal Path 5 - New Quay to Aberaeron

We are starting to get further away from home on our Coastal Path challenge; started today's stage with a fortifying sausage bap in Wetherspoons Aberystwyth, before jumping on the X5 bus to New Quay (taking advantage again of the free bus travel).

We arrived in a very sunny New Quay and the first thing we saw was a café serving really nice looking cakes, (which left both of us regretting having eaten at Wetherspoons).

Neither of us had been to New Quay for over 5 years and so we took a few minutes to have a look around the small town before heading off down the sandy beach.

At the end of the beach there was no obvious sign post directing us to follow the river, however, a friendly local pointed us in the right direction.


We also got a brief history lesson on how we would be walking past the ruins, currently being rebuilt, of the house in which Dylan Thomas started writing "Under Milk Wood."


This was not the only time we had to ask for directions, going through Gilfach holiday village we needed assistance from fellow coast path walkers.

I think that Gilfach have missed a trick by not opening up a café, as by then a nice cup of tea and a cake would have gone down a treat, although the blackberries made a pleasant nibble.


As you would hope, the view of New Quay got further and further away as went along, annoyingly though the view of Aberaeron did not reveal itself until late into the walk!


Walking along the cliff path, the sea looked the amazing clear blue-green teal that we associate more with the Mediterranean than with Mid Wales.




Aberaeron, Journeys End and where we caught the bus back home.

Overall it was a very pleasant walk, if I am being picky I would say that the weather was a bit oppressive and sapped our energy; or perhaps it was too much red wine the previous evening!


This section of the walk was advertised as moderate with no major challenges. Overall it was easy enough, there was some large steps on the walk, which proved a challenge for Sarah with her shorter legs and made her regret leaving her walking poles at home.

For me the biggest challenge was probably the marshy area of the field right in front of the Ceredigion Council building. Sarah wisely opted to walk around it!
























The final stats from my GPS recorder:

Distance 10.6km
Duration: 3:15
Moving Time: 2:45
Calories: 1207
Ascent: 271 meters