"Wales........Wales..........

...........land of the mist and the sea"........ we sang this at school and for me it always brought up visions of schools of whales cavorting through the water. Well, we didn't see any whales, but the 'Land of our Fathers' is impressive and so close to England. It's an hour from where we are to be somewhere 'different' . Different language, different landscape, different architecture, less traffic and a different pace of life. Driving over the mountains we were surprised by a herd of shaggy wild Welsh ponies, they ambled across the road and looked as interested in us as we were in them. We had booked an apartment in Aberdovy or if you are a native Aberdyfi, a beautiful unspoilt seaport village with miles of sand dunes and beaches, in the midst of Snowdonia National Park.
Pippa the dog loved it and ran like a lunatic through the sand dunes, they are full of rabbit holes and so it was doggy heaven. We arrived back in the village and were sitting on the harbourside eating locally made icecream and we noticed large black nasty looking things in her coat...........fortunately she is well protected against fleas and such like, so they just brushed off. At dinner the proprietor of the restaurant asked if we'd had nice day and we told her what we'd done. She said they never took their dogs into the sand dunes because of the 'ticks'.....yukkkkk! The other thing to watch out for if you're paddling is 'weaver fish'...also nasty little blighters that lurk in the shallows and impale unsuspecting waders with their poisonous spines......we also saw washed up on the beach 'man- o -war' jelly fish the size of hubcaps!!!! We felt safe that it was a real 'winter break' and we weren't tempted to take to the water! So we enjoyed the beautiful peaceful scenery, loved walking in sunshine then blizzards and then sunshine again.....oblivious to the pontential dangers surrounding us. Interesting to note that Aberdyfi is home to the first Outward Bound school, the boats in the photo belong to the Outward Bound school...............we do wish you were here, much love xxxxxxxxxx

Life as a servant……….

……….continues and we have just had a visit of 5 intense days by our employer. The standard expected when they are in residence (as I have mentioned before) is equivalent to 5 star. They own a chain of international 5 star hotels and so expect nothing less in their houses (plural!). We have been here just over a year and the initial “awe” is slowly being replaced by a rather sceptical perception of “Disney Land” on steroids. This is very much ‘the country house’ and is very beautiful and we appreciate the experience, but my goodness we have to deliver!!!!!! My epicurean skills have developed considerably and I can now prepare 3 - three course meals a day with flair and flourish and, without having a nervous breakdown. It is a bit like event management, no-one sees behind the scenes!!!! Rod, with the help of our Nepalese gardener scrubs up well and presents silver service for each meal and then I have to deal with the associated linen afterwards while Rod polishes the aforementioned silver. This is around flower arranging, organizing staff, being at the beck and call of rich and famous guests. Meanwhile Rod is the general “goffa” for Sir M and keeping the not insignificant technology operational, no mean feat!
The BIG HOLE is now completely covered by The Big Top and sealed. Huge duct pipes pump warm air into the thing to keep it all at a temperature conducive to concrete work. The whole underground car park facility is to be completed by May and the meadow re-sown and looking untouched ………if we hadn’t experienced a similar scenario last year, with the completion of the house and garden, we wouldn’t have thought it possible. BUT money can do ANYTHING, and if you are not into delayed gratification then “instant” it is. The gymnasium has just been started and that also will be completed, fitted and functional by May!
Meanwhile we continue to walk the dog along beautiful country paths, marveling at the spring growth starting to burst out of the ground and masses of snowdrops are everywhere. We are planning some time away and so may return a little less cynical!!!
We always said this would be a 3-5 year adventure and can see now that this will be so… we are beginning to think about a life back home….come and visit while you can, we have never stopped missing you (and never will)……..xxxxxxxxxxxx