A blast

Jonathan came down for the weekend. On Saturday evening it was over to Kingsholm to watch Gloucester play the Exeter Chiefs - a great game with Glos deservedly winning. Jonathan was impressed by the noise Glos supporters make - a very partisan crowd.

On Sunday Jerry, Luke and Nic joined us for a three and half hour blast on the mountain bikes - it was up Crippets, over to the Colespourne and back to Shurdy via Leckhampton. A great ride out thanks chaps.  

Snowdonia

After a frantic week I managed on Saturday, to get myself ready, pack my bags and shoot up to the Midlands to pick up Jane and Richard to drive over to Southern Snowdonia for a week in the hills.  We unpacked our stuff, and in the stillness of a quiet cottage, I heard Jane shout 'Richard have you packed the walking boots?' 'No' was the very clear response. Back in the car for a five hour return drive to pick up the boots!  Could be worse we could have been in Scotland.

Sunday - we walked across the railway bridge to Barmouth on a lovely sunny day.




Monday - we walked the hill behind Barmouth, the Panorama walk - originally a favourite victorian route. Fabulous views  across the estuary and over to Cadair Idris - a spectacular mountain with wisps of cloud blowing up and over its flanks.

Tuesday - we drove over to Snowdon, stopping on the way at Betws-y-Coed to do a bit of shopping for outdoor gear.   We parked up at Pen-y-Pass and took a gentle stroll up the Miners Track until it met the Pyg Track.  The wind was howling, the top was shrouded in low cloud and intermittent hail bit into our faces.  It was great - you need a bit of extreme weather in the hills.

Wednesday - the sun was shining and there was a chill in the air.  After an unexpected snow fall overnight the high peaks were dusted in white and looked inviting - it was definitely a good day for a blast up Cadair Idris, one of Snowdonia's finest peaks.  A fabulous day with far reaching views across the National Park to Snowdon and hazy views across the sea to the Llyn Peninsular  - Barmouth could just be seen down at sea level. 

On the summit I nearly lost my phone.  I put it on the ground and it slid away on the snow shooting down a crack in the rocks.  After removing a number of rocks and reaching in up to my shoulder I managed to just grab it.

It was Jane my twin sisters first time up Cadair Idris - she enjoyed it despite the vertigo inducing drops down the sheer cliffs that rise up to the summit.

Thursday - A restful day with a couple of low level walks and a trip to Aberdovey to see if a gallery in the town would be interested in selling my Snowdonia paintings - we're going again on Saturday to see the owner.  Saturday - dropped in on the gallery and showed the owner my pictures.  All went well and I'll be putting a few in the gallery later in the year.  Let's see what happens.

Friday - it was bit overcast in the morning so decided to try the 'New Precipice Walk'. Not a bad old walk but at the beginning it's a lot forest walking which can be a bit bleak in overcast weather.  However, once we'd got out of the woods and the sun started to shine the views over to Cadair Idris were great.

Andy and Sabine

Andy and Sabine came over for the weekend.  Initially we'd planned to go for a megablast on the bikes but following 'a series of unfortunate events' Andy left home without the bikes.  No worries we had a fabulous walk across Cleeve Common on a beautiful sunny early spring afternoon, stopping for light refreshment at the Rising Sun.  On Sunday it was great to cook a roast, something I don't do very often.

We spent the weekend chewing the fat, reminiscing about our teenage years (Andy also knew Christine from when we first met) and talking about their impending move to France for a new phase of their life together - an exciting adventure awaits.  A happy weekend.

Damo's gaff

Old bud Dale came down for the day. We walked from Cowley through wind swept fields, high up on the Cotswolds, where the wind howled all the time with spots of snow and hail flecking the air.

A quick sandwich and a cup of tea at The Cotswold Diner (a small road side cafe in a converted single decker bus) refreshed us, before we headed in the car to Belas Knapp, a 5,500 year old burial mound near Winchcombe.

Then onwards to Toddington to stroll around Toddington church and view from a far, Damian Hirst's gaff - Toddington Manor.  It was shrouded in tarpaulin, but you could get a sense of how grand it was.  I hope he finishes it, as it takes someone with a vision and money to restore fantastic buildings like this before they crumble into dust.

Very nice

I went up to Jane's on Thursday for my Birthday. We the 'twins', took mum out to Bridgnorth for the afternoon, very relaxing. We ended the day with a takeaway curry.

All day Friday I chilled at Jane's and drove back home in the evening.

On Saturday I went for a spin with Nic, two and half hours exploring farm tracks in the wonderful Cotswolds - it was lovely.   In the evening I was invited for tea with a friend and a wine tasting evening.

William was home for the weekend which is always a joy.  A fine few days.

War Horse

On Saturday Jane came down and we, Jane, Little Tim and Jess, drove to Bath to pick up William and then head to Bristol Hippodrome to watch an evening performance of War Horse.  It was really fantastic, the puppet horses are so good that they suspend belief and I'd recommend it to everyone.

The weekend was marred slightly by me picking up a bug of some sort - on Friday I just could't get warm, all Friday evening I was up with Deli Belly! so on Saturday I was shattered - but I dosed up and sat through the performance.  Thanks Jane and Jess for looking after me on Sunday.

Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, the National Theatre's internationally-acclaimed production of War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical experience. 

Chilly Cleeve

On a bitterly cold morning we joined Nic and Luke for a blast around Cleeve Common. In the shadows the frost and a light dusting snow could be found, other than that the tracks were muddy and slippery - a fabulous morning.

William heads back to Bath today after a really busy but very rewarding week for him.