Blogs from Powys, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe - page 15

Please note that I'm using my new lap top for this blog, its much easier than I expected it to be. Today Alex and I did a circular walk around one of the meres near Ellesmere, called Colemere. It was a gorgeous walk, thanks Kate for suggesting it, and the dogs had a great time - Ruby is staying with us for a week. As it happened, someone had set geocaching clues on 7 points round the lake, and after we'd collected all the numbers we needed, we sat in a bus stop and worked out the final co-ordinates. We did well, as the cache was just where we looked! After we'd had lunch we walked along the canal to look for a cache hidden in a dark tunnel - we'd tried before with no luck, ... read more

It was Alex's birthday yesterday, but I'm not saying how old he is, it makes me feel bad! I can still remember the speedy journey to Shrewsbury hospital vividly enough.Anyway, we went up to Ellesmere lakes with Dad, and after a coffee in the café overlooking the water, we fed the ever hungry geese and had a stroll round the lake. Then off to the pub for a delicious lunch, which filled us all up entirely. You will notice a foxy looking addition to the group, that's our "new" nine year old puppy, Bella, who we were lucky enough to find locally needing a new home. We were looking for another dog after Maisie died 2 months ago. This one promises to be a much easier companion.... read more

As most of you will know, Mum chose and paid for her place at the green burial field 10 years ago, and was adamant that there would be no fuss. So we duly made the arrangements, and as so many friends and relations couldn't make it, Dad thought that the blog would be a good place to show some photos. It was a lovely blue sky day, Sophie, Tom, Tom and Alex carried the casket, goodbyes were said and flowers thrown. It is very sad for us, but a relief for her. By a quirk of fate, the school I worked at for 20 years is nearby, and when Ifor was planning this burial field, he asked if Id bring my class to plant a hedge. Of course, we did, and that's it you can see ... read more

Sunday 19 July 2015 After yesterday's surprise at Covent Garden we should really have a quiet day today, but this is not to be. A further birthday surprise awaits, involving a journey ... somewhere! Once again a time was given for departure and no questions were to be asked. We set off in two cars, Holly the dog happy to be included this time. Motorway driving followed as we headed west from London, negotiating what seemed like pretty heavy traffic and the odd detour. Nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the ride. Possible destinations on the exit signs came and went and still we drove. Suddenly Bristol was a possibility but no, we paid the toll and were over the Severn Bridge in no time. Aha! We must be going to Wales, a part ... read more

Beautiful afternoon, so Dad, Alex and I took some sandwiches and spent a couple of hours at the Llanrhaeadr waterfall, about 40 minutes from home. Alex and I had a couple of caches to find - in the summer there are always some challenges to do, and at the moment its finding caches with more then 10 favourite points. I started off with a coat, but climbing to the top of the falls soon got me warmed up. At the top, there's a path leading up to the Berwyn summit, but we left that for another day. However, once you've done the steep part at the beginning, you feel you can go on forever up there on the moorland. Dad had a busy day, with golf this morning and bridge tonight, as well as a walk ... read more