Posts that Didn't Happen: October 2025

October was not the best of months weather-wise - but at least I was busy with a bit of consultancy work, while Martin was occupied with constructing cupboard doors for the Van.

In our downtime, Martin was still learning chess, although I'd drifted away from that a bit, having my attention caught by 'miracle' sudoku puzzles instead.

And then there's the Lego . . .  after the Lighthouse in 2023, I indulged in a Christmas themed set in 2024, then in the summer fell in love with the 'Tudor Corner', and seeing it on sale just couldn't resist.

So many an evening has been spent constructing - and enjoying the intricacy and inventiveness of the interiors in particular - just love that cute little loo!

The middle of the month saw us heading back across country in the Van (quite possibly the last Van trip of the year) for another family visit . . .

. . . helped out with shopping etc. (including picking up one of the new  'Geese of March' calendars), and had a very nice family Sunday dinner (meeting up at a half way point between us and family from Suffolk).  

Back home to Wales for a few days then before heading north - dropping off Martin's folks for a visit with family while we had a couple of night's in Chester.

Enjoyed some (occasionally wet) walks around the wall, did a bit of shopping, visited the castle, had a drink or two, and indulged in a very nice curry.

We were slightly intrigued though to find the following messages inscribed in various locations around Chester - at least I knew where my Martin was!

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!

Days Away

In between all the work on the house, we did find some time for a few days away in North Wales. 

First stop Llanwrst - a spot of lunch and a walk in the sunshine by the river:

Then on to Betws-y-Coed for two nights:

• more sunshine
• chips on the bridge 
• too much English breakfast 
• a walk up to Swallow Falls 
• a few beers / ciders in the pub

All good stuff!

Finally from Betws we headed off to Chester for a couple of days . . .

Not so much sunshine this time, but we walked the walls anyway - visited some cool pubs - ate some nice food - and watched the local wildlife:

All in all a good break - needed to get away from the chaos for a few days (we still have a lot of the living room furniture stuffed into other rooms) - before returning to await the next stage of the building works.