Technology...it's magic

I should be a child of technology, having lived through some of the most enormous technological changes that “man” has seen. And although I use gadgets competently, being wedded to my laptop and GPS (and coveting an iphone), secretly, I’m still entranced by the magic of it!  And so I was genuinely awestruck when high up on the Watkin Path on Snowdon, we were able to “Skype” with Nerea using Andy’s iphone. It was actually thrilling to see her “live” in her Spanish kitchen and share with her the stunning scenery surrounding us in the Welsh Mountains.  Technology IS amazing

Yr Wyddfa via the Watkin!

Another path up Snowdon, another cloudy summit.  We’ve journeyed up and down the wretched peak from all but one direction now (Crib Gogh remains aspirational) and despite reaching the summit on at least half a dozen occasions, we still haven’t had a view!

But despite the lack of a panorama, our recent ascent route up the Watkin Path was surprisingly interesting, taking in the famous Gladstone Rock on the way.  Typically, the pillow of cloud hovering over the whole massif briefly lifted once we were at the turn off point on our descent of the South Ridge. We’ll be back!

Bodnant Gardens...with Grandma

Our holiday in Wales lived up to expectations with even better weather than we dared to hope for.  As always, we packed a lot into our week, although we still found time to sit, relax and chat around the meal table each evening.  Although we’ve been visiting Wales for almost 20 years, it’s the first time we’ve visited Bodnant Garden, high above the Conwy valley. We were rewarded with some glorious displays of fiery autumnal colours and a delightful, unexpected saunter back into summer on the Rose Terrace, where a large number of blooms were still sharing their fragrant beauty. 

Nerea; one month on!

We Skyped with Nerea yesterday and all her ”family” joined in. It was wonderful to see them all looking so happy with Nerea very much part of the group.  We’d sent  Imanol and Yokin a post card each from Wales (thankfully of the 3 cards we posted, it was only Nerea’s that hadn’t arrived!) so they wanted to say “hello and thankyou”.  The friendly atmosphere was palpable over the computer; the children were affectionate with Nerea and she’s able to spend a good deal of “happy” time with them, leaving us delighted that all the arrangements have worked out well 

Bryn Dowsi

We love our annual pilgrimage to Wales for Bryn Dowsi has become a very special place to us over the many years we’ve been visiting with Richard and Mavis. Although people say “familiarity breeds contempt”, for us, it’s the effortless way we settle back in that makes it all the more appealing although this year will be different as Nerea won’t be with us and it’ll be a first visit for Sheila, Andy’s mum.  Our visit always has a restorative feel; a battery recharge before the winter months ahead,.  Good weather is welcome but actually, it’s the company that matters

The green eyed monster has an eye on the sun!!!

I’ve cycled to work wearing gloves this week so it’s official, and not just on account of feline indoor positioning, that the weather is getting colder. I don’t consider jealousy to be one of my particular deadly sins but lately, I have to admit to feeling a little green eyed on hearing from Nerea that she’s been basking in a Vitorian Park, reading her Kindle with her sunglasses perched on the end of her nose while enjoying 30 degrees of warmth and sunshine! I consider Autumn to be a glorious season but oh, how I’d love it to be warmer

Brian

We had to have our beautiful cat Brian put to sleep on Saturday after he suffered a saddle thrombus, resulting from a blood clot.  He was hale and hearty upto the last moment when his back suddenly became paralysed. Although it was upsetting to see him distressed, thankfully, we were at home so we could get him to our lovely vet immediately. We fussed and talked to him as he slept away peacefully.  He was a much loved cat who lived his life as a cat should, free to come and go, eat at leisure and sleep in the sun