Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Bob Dylan

Thats the spirit

Thats the spirit, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Camping trip

Camping trip, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

The camping trip to Devon last weekend was a big success. Jim and Lisa and the kids made a big effort to come over from the Isle of Man and we all travelled down together . . . putting their 10 man tent up in the rain was a bit of a challenge!! Mark and the kids arrived later with their quick and easy pop up tents.. . Gareth arrived on the train and Rick and liz appeared the next morning after a terrible journey. They had a great gazebo and lots of tables and a fridge with them and we set up a little gathering area near their campervan. Cathy and Rhosyn arrived that evening.. . which meant that everyone had made it.
There was a campfire and solar fairy lights. Lots of laughter. Tunes on the guitar. Eggs, beans and pasta. Cricket and dips in the icy river. Hot chocolate.
We left the campsite on the sunday to try and get to a beach. . we finally made it to Putsborough Sands after some tricky driving down very narrow country lanes.. . and then enjoyed a BBQ before we packed up our tent and headed home.
Everyone made a real effort to get to Cloud Farm and it was a memorable weekend. I hope we can do it again sometime soon x

Wilson

It was a very sad day last Wednesday as we said goodbye to Wilson after 18 years of fun and games and lots of bad behaviour!!
When we got back from Tenby and picked him up from the cattery.  . It was obvious that he wasn't very well. So I took him to the vets and he said that putting him to sleep was the kindest thing to do.
I brought him home and we later buried him at the top of the field.

We will miss our crazy cat.
He was, as Ros said  "a legend"
We bought our first house in Cardiff in October 1994 and a month later we went to the RSPCA and collected 2 little kittens. One of them only lived a few weeks . . And who knew that the other one would live for so long.
He survived 3 house moves and being trapped in our neighbours house for 2 nights when they were away.We left him with a friend during one of our trips to Australia. . He was indestructible.

I nearly bought some cat food in the supermarket today.
It will take a while before we get used to him not being around. X

Rosea Nigra

Rosea Nigra, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

While we were away, the hollyhock we are growing in a pot on the decking has shot upwards and produced amazing chocolate maroon flowers.

Enterprise Nationals. Tenby

Enterprise Nationals. Tenby, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

We had a good week in Tenby for the Enterprise Nationals. Unfortunately the weather deteriorated at the end of the week and races on Thursday and Friday were cancelled. Tel and Emma finished towards the back of the results overall. . but Tom and Minnie managed a first place on the Tuesday.
Our accommodation was lovely with great views and Tenby looked great in the sunshine or the mist. I took lots of photos and did some brushes paintings on the I Pad. This just about kept me sane as it was pretty much sailing chat, small talk and discussion for the whole week!!!! Away from the sailing we went to St Davids and Porthgain and out for a meal at Stackpole. We walked the coastal path to Saundersfoot. . which was very slippy and I fell over and hurt my knee!!! I also managed to drag Tel away for a meal to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary on the Monday.

Goscar Rock. Tenby

Goscar Rock. Tenby, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Beautiful Porthgain

Beautiful Porthgain, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

29 gold medals

  " we got on our real bikes
For we are Bradley Wiggins side burned mod god
We are Sir Chris Hoy

We sense a new weather
We are on our marks
We are all in this together "

 "There has been a warm glow and a great pride.
The opening ceremony set the tone. . Suggesting that we should love the country we have become.
Informal, mixed ,quirky. . Rather than the one we used to be.
For we got a glimpse of another kind of Britain.
A place that succeeds brilliantly, not least by drawing equally on its talents,black and white, male and female.
A place where patriotism is heartfelt.
The games have been an escape from reality. . Not for the athletes but for the rest of us. If we d landed on Mars no one would have noticed. Oh we did land on Mars. . I must have missed it."

Words from The Gaurdian
Poetry by Carol Ann Duffy

Its Wenlock. . one of the Olympic mascots

Its Wenlock. . one of the Olympic mascots, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

It was a wonderful day and night for Team GB yesterday.....6 Gold medals and the mascots were trackside in the stadium.

Auntie Edna

I drove up to see Charlotte and Ang on Friday and we went out for a lovely meal and a catch up. Yesterday morning I visited Auntie Edna. The staff are lovely at the residential home and are taking good care of her. She is comfortable and they are helping her with eating and drinking. I spoke to one of the senior carers who has been working there as long as Auntie Edna has been there. . It is good to know that there is someone there who knew her as she used to be. x

Tel the mow

Tel the mow, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Tel did really well to mow the field this weekend. . in between the rain. . it was very slippy under wheel.