Posts that Didn't Happen: June 2025

And so to June - unfortunately the first half of the month was not so great in the end - I had some back pain for a few days (to the point where I invested in a heated gilet thing), then I got a cold, and then Martin caught it too.

We eventually concluded that I'd probably picked up Covid from somewhere, as we were both completely wiped out - kept having to go back to bed we were so tired - and it certainly lingered for a good few weeks after. 

On a positive note, we had some lovely weather, and inbetween naps managed a bit of garden pruning, and some slow walks on the prom.

And - drum roll please - the water lily in our garden pond, finally decided to flower, after nearly four years of leaves.

By the middle of the month we just about had enough energy for a trip to Aberaeron / Llanerchaeron - had a wander in the sun, a spot of lunch, and checked on progress with the sea defences (still not finished!).

There was another 'birthday' celebration and catch up with old colleagues - this time a 60th for the Department of Information Studies at the University.  

Then towards the end of the month, we took the Van across country again to see family - helping out with shopping and appointments etc., although we wilted a bit in the English heat.

Did enjoy a very pleasant visit to the Elgood's Brewery Gardens, where Martin found enough energy to steer Mum's wheelchair at speed round the maze, before we had a cooling drink in their rather swish on-site bar.

With all this going on not that much of any note happened with the Van, Martin tinkered with the electrics, I made some cloth covers for one set of overhead cabinets, and we pondered next steps . . .

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.

Snowdrop Season

Last time we were at Llanerchaeron, earlier this month, we noted that there were lots of snowdrops coming up in the woodlands nearby, and promised ourselves another visit to see them in flower.

So here we are, on another sunny Sunday, and there was indeed a very good showing:

Had the usual wander round the gardens and farmyard again - still no piglets, although Seren and Tomos were in their stable (I think this is Seren - Tomos was stuffing his face with hay in the background!).

Finished the trip with a wander around a rather chilly Aberaeron harbour, before heading home for tea.

Woodland Walking

A lovely sunny Sunday, so we took a trip down to Aberaeron, walking along the railway path to Llanerchaeron, then round the woodlands there.

Did have a quick wander round the gardens and farmyard too of course!

No piglets today 😔 but one rather mean looking cat, and a snoozing big daddy:

Posts that Didn't Happen - October 2022

October now - and autumn is with us . . .  

. . . giant scary spiders lurking about the house, leaves all over the lawn, and time to decommission the greenhouse and polytunnel, dig up potatoes, and chop more firewood.  

(We've been picking up pallets from my work and while some of the wood is destined for various projects, the less good stuff will add to the firewood stock.)

In other news, we had the chimney inspected and swept professionally - booking some maintenance work on the chimney pot (although that won't happen until next year now).  

We also both had flu jabs, and on one of the nicer weekends took a trip to Aberaeron, walking down to Llanerchaeron and engaging in some fungi-spotting:

Mid-October saw me off to visit family, with a horrifically wet motorway journey, the only saving grace of which was the news that Liz Truss had resigned after a week or so of saying she wasn't going anywhere!

Towards the end of the month there were sunny walks by the sea - where someone had decided to give the 'kicking' bar a crocheted coat!

I also caught my first cold since before the pandemic 😞

Finished October with some more floor cleaning (this time tackling the wooden floors), and hosting a Chinese takeaway for Halloween.

Out and About

A family visit saw us out and about over the bank holiday weekend . . .

Checking out the Aber Cyclefest races in town.










Up to Nant-yr-Arian for a photo shoot with the Kites.



And the now traditional visit to Llanerchaeron - sun shone beautifully, toured the gardens, saw some pigs, ate some cake.

The highlight was probably watching one of the chickens trying to escape the others with his purloined slice of ham . . . a joy to behold!



All in all, it would have been a great weekend - except for the cold from hell which descended on me on the Sunday, and took some shaking.

Holi-Days

A week off and a bit of a 'staycation' . . .

Started out in the cold - icicles on the car and flurries of snow - walking the prom in the sun as snow fell around us! 

Made sure to keep the bird feeders well stocked - although they weren't the only flying things in our skies:
















Martin cooked up a batch of bara brith (here wrapped and ready for freezer) while I made sticky toffee puddings, and cherry brownies - getting the baking done while the rayburn is still on!







Got out into the garden, went for a few walks, and took a trip to Aberaeron - spotting fairy doors on the path out to Llanerchaeron.



Ended the week though in almost-summer sunshine, with a nordic walk looping round the hills across from the house, and some fantastic views . . .

Out and About

With family in town we were out and about this weekend, visiting some of our local haunts.

Not least that perennial favourite, Llanerchaeron - no piglets this time, but there was a very impressive turkey huffing and strutting his way around the farmyard.

Hadn't really seen one close up before, and must say he appeared a very alien looking creature - think he needed to express his dominance as there was quite a lot of feather shaking, and vocal display going on.


Moved on to tour the gardens and lake, and later on went up to some local woodland for a bit of a wander, listening to the birds, and admiring the views:

All in all a nice weekend - the sun even shone for us!

Pile of Piglets

Off to Aberaeron / Llanerchaeron today to enjoy the summer sunshine. Some good wildlife:

Ducks in a row . . .

. . . Apoidea wars . . .

. . . and perhaps not strictly wildlife, but an adorable pile of piglets!

Sleepy Piglets

A sunny April Saturday (still could be warmer) - off to Aberaeron for a bag of chips and walk round the harbour, before going on to Llanerchaeron to see how their gardens were coming on and (of course!) to check for any new piglets.

And piglets there were - all curled up asleep . . .  aww!

There They Are!

Back to Llanerchaeron today, in search of those elusive piglets.  This time there was an actual sign, although initially we couldn't see the piglets.








The sow in the sty next door made a nice picture though - it really looked like she was basking in the sunshine, with a great big smile on her face!

Then there were the hens, who were scratching some nice hollows in the shade of a bush, and generally enjoying life.





Eventually did get to see the piglets - somewhat less in number than the advertised 13 (don't like to think what happened to the missing 5) - but the remaining 8 were plenty cute enough:

No Piglets Today

Off to Llanerchaeron today - all on the basis of this 'tweet':

Was poised to indulge my piglet-fetish - but unfortunately they weren't to be seen (a bit young yet I suppose).

Did enjoy the gardens though - and the fruit cage was just dripping with redcurrants.

Then - almost as if to make up for the lack of piglets - this (admittedly rather scratty-looking) robin flew right up to us and positioned itself for the perfect photograph: