Wales, Wordy Wednesday 7th August 2013

As I missed three Wednesdays over the course of the year, I have decided to extend the run; plus it is the perfect chance to share my favourite photographs from the annual trip to Wales with the lovely boyf's work.  This year our whole pack went; the 12 yr old, Megs and Finn.  It could have been utterly fraught from the start; Megs is usually an atrocious traveller and seven hours of dobe-whining could have been the beginning and the end of the weekend, Finn gets car sick and the 12 yr old gets bored, very bored.  As it was, Megs was impeccable. the 12 yr old a dream and Finn, bless him, was only sick once in each direction. Wales itself was as beautiful as ever and, with the dogs and Finn on his first ever expedition, we didn't do the usual big, mad scramble but found a very picturesque river/hill/valley/lake walk instead... all 10km, 1400ft and 6 hours of it! 

Our little gang of happy walkers (the boyf, his Uncle and Aunt, the 12 yr old and a couple of friends) were perfect company for the day but, for me, the dogs were the highlight.  I often compare our two mutts to toddlers and do, quite honestly, think of them in much that way in terms of their needs for care and discipline and in their capabilities to learn and be naughty! I love to watch them in new situations like this; seeing them explore, watching their reactions and growing sense of achievement... I was a proud Mum on Saturday.  Megs always makes me smile, she is so exuberant and into every little thing, and as for my little Finn, he was a joy to watch.  He's not been well with his breathing, so it was a concern that he would even make it all the way around without help, and he has never walked in an environment like this before.  At the start, we had to show him where to walk and the joys of cool river in which to paddle in were utterly lost on him.  By the end, he was climbing rocks, taking a dip in the lake and, the following morning, I woke up to two bright eyes, ears that stood to attention and a little face that said "so, what's the plan for today, huh?"... it was a shame that all I could offer was a ride home in the car!  

Here are my favourite pictures of a wonderful day.

We started off with Gelert, the noble hound after whom the village is named.

The Aberglaslyn Pass.

Megs loves, loves, loves the river; here she was figuring her way down a 12ft bank back to it.

Remnants of the old copper mines that scatter the valley.

The view from the top.

Finn enjoying the breeze.

and a paddle in the lake.

Sleepy, happy pup!

Macy-I'm-sporting-a-fabulous-comb-Grey, Wordless Wednesday 31st July 2013

We've not had one like that in the coop before, it's quite spectacular.

Macy and Stu, Wordy Wednesday 17th July 2013

Well it had to happen, despite all my crossed fingers and hopes of some mix-bred mishap, Stu came out and announced himself on Monday morning.  I'd like to say it was a grand moment, having kept us all on tenterhooks for so long, but the sorry truth is that he sounded rather like a strangled cat and didn't even manage a "doo" to end his "cock-a-doodle" (possibly a blessing in hindsight!)  His saving grace, it was quiet; the girls make far more noise than that.  That said, I'm of no doubt he'll get into his stride eventually; at which point, if I've not come up with a way of minimising the impact, I'm pretty certain I will have some unhappy neighbours.  He's a lovely bird; very bonded with Macy, an absolute wimp when it comes to the other ladies, even Tiny, and now very much part of the family.  If I have no option but to, I will find him a rescue, but I would like to see if we can't make him village friendly first.

Monday night I tried Option A, rounded everyone up and put them in the coop with every crevice and crack covered.  Roosters, I've read, will learn to stay quiet if its dark enough and I'm hoping a "Good Morning" around 7 or 8 am will be acceptable, depending on how loud he is of course.  It was a marvellously peaceful Tuesday morning, even if they all came shooting out like scalded cats at 7 am, complaining and grumbling and not quietening down until I put out a second scatter of corn.  Stu and Macy were a little in shock, as the lowest members of the flock they still keep their distance and I'm guessing a night in the coop with the other girls wasn't a completely calm affair, and he didn't even attempt a doodle.  As I was giving them a little "buck up, you'll be fine" talking to, I couldn't resist a couple of pictures.  Macy is such a sweet thing and Stu just looked rather magnificent!

Peas in a Pod, Wordless Wednesday 10th July 2013

The Insect Wing, Wordless Wednesday 3rd July 2013

What is this? Worldess Wednesday, 26th June 2013

 

I found it in the garden, comes back every year...

Woodham Skies, Wordless Wednesday 19th June 2013

 

Wordless Wednesday, 12th June 2013

 

Alicante, Wordless Wednesday 5th June 2013

Finds, Wordless Wednesday 22nd May 2013

Raindrop, Wordless Wednesday 15th May 2013

I have an excuse! Wordy Thursday, 9th May 2013

As, thanks to the horse wrangling excitement of Sunday and a fair amount of stupidity (in hindsight) since, I spent half of yesterday afternoon in A&E.  I have rib sprain and a couple of torn ligaments for good measure; I know that because I felt them go... As I said, stupidity!

So, no photos yesterday but one today of my beautiful "feel better soon" flowers from Mum and Dad.  Thank you both xx

"What's going on then?", Wordless Wednesday 1st May 2013

Magnolia, Wordless Wednesday 24th April 2013

It's the lovely boyfs birthday, Wordless Wednesday 10th April 2013

Happy Birthday!  With lots of love x

Bulgaria...a very Wordy Wednesday, 3rd April 2013

We got back yesterday from a rather wonderful trip to Bulgaria which proved to be something of a surprise for a non-skiing vegan, who doesn't like the cold!

I had an idea of what to expect, having been to Romania, and our drive from the airport in our trusty bright red Yaris, having just been stung 20lv for a 1lv taxi fare - I think the lovely boyf is still fuming - was everything I imagined it would be. Dark forests, sweeping plains and rugged mountains swathed in snow and fog: broken up by farms that give you a glimpse of how the technology obsessed West lived before we became industrial and the first signs of that move to industry, making its stamp on the landscape in a way that the Victorians would have no trouble recognising.

Our resort, and hotel, was another world entirely; pushing its way, with palpable urgency into the 21st century. 5 star hotels, free wifi and satellite TV, combined with broken pavements, half-finished buildings and the odd dog roaming the streets. That said, the last day of the holiday we found the old town, which was beautiful; twisting cobbled streets and quirky houses with red tiled roofs; quite different to the brasher, newer areas and perfect for exploring.  Skiing though is the lifeblood of this place and, even now, at the very end of the season, it supports a community who will, in a few short weeks, up and leave for their non-ski life elsewhere in Bulgaria. When the slopes close, so will the vast majority of the town. We saw whole shops and restaurants being emptied, right down to the shop fittings and furnishings; all packed into the backs of vans, ready to be set up again elsewhere.

Eating in Bulgaria was a lovely treat.  Local restaurants were mainly BBQ houses but the plentiful meat dishes were accompanied by wonderful salads and vegetarian sides, including Greek Potatoes for which I now have a bit of a thing, and I ate very well; with a great deal less explaining than expected.  Every house in Bulgaria is covered in vines, and everyone makes their own wine... a pasttime I could very easily take up.  Not once did we have a bad glass, and the glasses themselves were mini fishbowls; just perfect for a good red wine.  You know there is a real appreciation for the wine when the glasses are as great as these ones were!

As for the skiing, I'm kinda hooked :o)  Even 2000m+ up a mountain when you have no head at all for heights.  I don't think I'll ever be a great skier, but two days with the lovely Mia, "forward darlink, forward!" have left me comfortable with the idea of blue runs... unlike the lovely daughter who is apparently already on red runs!  I accomplished far more than I thought I would and got a real buzz in doing so; I can see how it becomes addictive.

So, all in all, a wonderful few days.  Quite different to what I was expecting on all levels and all the more liberating for it.  We came back as relaxed as we were energised; a great post-holiday combination!

March Snows, Wordy Wednesday 27th March 2013

We have snow in March, the same day last year it was 21C... I don't think anyone is particularly enjoying it, and I could not resist a shot of our wood pigeons looking extremely grumpy and put out!

Red Noses, Wordless Wednesday 20th March 2013

Our last Red Nose outing for 2013 :o)

Mould, beautiful mould! Wordy Wednesday 13th March 2013

I wouldn't necessarily say I'd think mould beautiful, but my gourds have taken on a fascinating life of their own which I am very taken by!  Grey mould (top pic) is now hollow, I just need to work up the pluck to don HazMat style gloves and wash the no longer helpful mould off!