19th December 2025 - Candles and more problems with Evri

Thought for the day: "When I was sacked as a human canon ball, I told them they would never find another man of my calibre”

Wet

New project - decided to get some candle wicks as we end up with spare candle wax a lot of the time. Melted some old Yankee Candles and started a new pot. 

In other news, a strange package arrived. appears to be from Iris and Jan. 

Will be under the Christmas Tree.

In other news:

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Evri Unveils Revolutionary Parcel Cannon Network

In a bold move that has left logistics experts baffled and residents diving for cover, Evri has announced it will now deliver parcels using industrial-strength cannons installed at all UK depots.

"With Christmas just days away, there's never been a better time to trial this tried and tested technology," said a spokesperson, standing proudly beside a giant brass cannon outside the Barnsley hub. "We're promising explosive delivery speeds – and we mean that literally."

The company claims the new system will eliminate fuel costs, reduce road congestion, and "get parcels to customers faster than ever before" – though they remained vague on the definition of "to customers" versus "in the general vicinity of customers."

Early trials have seen mixed results. One resident in Rotherham reported her parcel arriving through the greenhouse roof, while a customer in Doncaster found his delivery embedded in a garden trampoline. A third in Sheffield claimed his package landed "somewhere in the next postcode."

Local schools have begun issuing hard hats to children, and sales of industrial netting have reportedly skyrocketed across South Yorkshire.

Critics have raised concerns about fragile items, but Evri dismissed these as "teething problems." A spokesperson added: "We've introduced a new packaging tier – 'Cannon-Proof' – available for just £7.99 extra."

When asked about accuracy, Evri said they were "working on guided projectiles for 2026." But in the meantime, customers are advised to keep gardens clear, install landing zones, and perhaps consider a helmet.

Merry Christmas. Keep your heads down. 🎄💥

In our own Evri challenge - Paypal have decided to take the word of Evri that Susie's trousers have been delivered. And charged her £59.90 for them.
Will have to try to appeal.

Evening meeting of Allied Masonic Degrees at Aberaeron. 
Two Candidates - and a good evening.

TillyVision - enjoys the window cleaning

 Cheers,

18th December 2025 - some Welsh traditions and Googly Eyes

Thought for the day: "Scientists created a dolphin with legs. Animal rights groups want the legs removed but I think that would defeet the porpoise"

Wet

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Nadolig: Welsh Folklore at Christmas 🔥🐴

Christmas in Wales wasn’t just a day - it was a season, when music, poetry and dance were everywhere.

Celebrations stretched for weeks before and after 25 December, full of games, song and performances that linked villages together.

Bands of waits, or carol singers, patrolled towns and villages, sometimes competing in lively rivalries, while morris dancers paraded with torches, and bards recited tales of old.

Ancient Fire and Solstice Traditions 🔥🌿

Some Welsh Christmas customs recall much older traditions. In parts of Glamorgan, multiple fires were lit in a circle with a central blaze representing the Virgin Mary. Livestock could be “blessed” with cakes placed on their horns, and these rituals connected the winter solstice, the sun’s rebirth, and what some interpret as older Druidic ideas beliefs to Christmas merriment.

The Yule Log 🔥

Families saved a piece of last year’s log and burned it with the new one on Christmas Eve - old fire meeting new. It was thought to keep witches away and protect the house through winter. But beware: if your shadow cast by the Yule log had no head, you wouldn’t see another year.

Plygain – Carols at Dawn 🎶

The word plygain means “cockcrow” - the moment Christ was born. At 4 a.m. on Christmas morning, churches blazed with candles, and following a short service, carols were sung in harmony.

Fortune-Telling and Omens 🔮

Ladies looking for love should pour melted lead into cold water on Christmas Eve — it will take the shape of your future husband’s trade. A bright Christmas meant full barns; a cloudy one, hunger.

Mari Llwyd 🐴

The Mari Llwyd is traditionally celebrated from the days after Christmas through to Hen Galan (Old New Year, 13 January). A horse's skull on a pole, draped in ribbons and bells, was led by a rowdy group from house to house. They challenged households to a battle of rhymes and insults, and if they gained entry, you’d better have beer and cakes ready. Some say the skull symbolised death itself, and it was even called the Marw Llwyd (Grey Death) by some; others claim it honoured the Virgin Mary, with Mari being Welsh for Mary.

Aderyn Pig Llwyd – The Grey-Beaked Bird 🐦

The Aderyn Pig Llwyd, a smaller, mischievous cousin of the Mari Llwyd, also went door to door. A horse’s skull on a pole, decorated with ribbons and tinsel, was carried by a man in a fantastical robe, with a groom keeping it in check. The “bird” would kick, rear, and curvet, performing antics for laughter and contributions, accompanied by men bearing burning brands.

In other news...

Let the shenanigans commence!

Maya need better glue - one fell off in the rain ...

Talking of rain - a wet walk today ..

TillyVision

Cheers

 

17th December 2025 - Wet One! And Christmas Trees

Thought for the day :"I didn't order anything from Amazon today and the delivery driver knocked on door to see if I was ok"

Wet

Surprise visit from Nancy and Wren today in the rain.

Searched all over the homestead for the large 6ft Tree that we used to use in No 41, and on the third occasion out in the wet I remembered that it was behind the trailer tent as it was too heavy to put anywhere else. The cardboard box had disintegrated but as it was not a real tree the remainder had not suffered.  Bagged it up and let Nancy take it for the house in Narberth.

Also got another three bags of logs from the bottom of the lower quarter and used the wheel barrow to bring another barrow load into the living room.

Dogs had four trips down to the lower quarter so decided that they had dome enough walking in the rain - particularly after Toby decided to jump into the Lower Quarter pond - closely followed by Tilly who had to be hauled back out as she could not get up the mud bank.

Wild and Windy - so no photos today ...

Just a TillyVision with Wren 

Cheers 

16th December 2025 - Pinned Post and Christmas Decorations

Thought for the day ;"I filed my nails today with an emery board. It was awful, but I liked it…"

Dry

After the weather over the last few weeks, it was pleasant to have a day of sunshine - though cold.

Today was a day to start thinking of Christmas Celebrations. Now, normally it is practice of the house to leave all Christmas decorations until Christmas Eve, and leave them up for 12 days...

This year we will be spending Christmas with Nancy and Family, so it will be necessary to have the decorations up before Christmas Eve. So today was a good day to try to find where everything had been stowed away.

Boxes found and stacked on the stairs

Christmas Wreaths found, and in fairness they would normally be out by now as it is not inside the house.

 

And an assortment of Christmas Trees, though the large 6ft one that we used to use in Llanelli in the bay window will be going to Nancy's for this year.  Just need to find where I have stored it - I remember it being to heavy to put with the others in the roof area.

Pinned Post - 16th December 2025

Two months since Tilly arrived at our little haven here in West Wales. Now we get a daily TillyVision, along with the Daily Blog, the Thought for the Day, and Birthday Cards.

The weather has been wet and depressing, and work in the gardens has fallen back to almost zero.

The bar area and beer garden is wrapped up against the storms, the grass is still growing but too wet to put the tractor on it - can't get up the hills which is a bit sad as there is a rather a lot of firewood to bring up.

We also have a number of trees that still require to be reduced. That work is not getting any easier, and the weather does not help.

So the day is now fairly standard, let the chickens and ducks out, empty the humidifier in the yurt, breakfast, walk the dogs, admin, get the coal in, fetch wood, clear the fires, watch a bit of television, bed.

Life is steady, regular, seems a bit like retirement! Sure it won't last! Sunny day today and the mood changes completely. Will not be long before we are back in Spring and counting the jobs that need to be done.

But today was a day to get the decorations out and put the Christmas wreaths up.

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for the New Year. Hoping for a good one for all.

Cheers

15th December 2025 - Moving the Bird Feeder and Openreach

Thought for the day :"For Christmas I received a jar of cherries in brandy. I am grateful not just for the cherries, but for the spirit in which it was given!"

Wet

So we have a rat. Well we have a lot of rats. However, at the house we have a very bold rat that likes to launch itself from the rocking chair on the patio and get onto the bird feeder sticking on the window. 

The final straw yesterday was for Susie to see that the rat was stuck in the bird feeder. His head caught and unable to free himself, and she had to assist.

Well, apart from the audacity of the rat, we are also losing the lid to the feeder on a regular basis, and it is obviously also eating the suet pellets.

It was clearly time to move the feeder. 

With it in a new place - it did not take the birds long to find the new place.

In other news, the river is very high at the moment - but not breaking the banks

And a random photo of Tilly.  It seems that she cannot keep her ears down. One folded over!

And TillyVision for today

In other news, the Chief Engineer for Openreach installations of Fibre has acknowledged receiving the video and photos and states that he will walk up the route before Christmas. Though I am not sure why he thinks that the installation has to be done from the fields, and they may need to wait until they are frozen..  Watch this space.

Cheers 

14th December 2025 - RCC - Maurice Conclave

Thought for the day :"After the vasectomy I thought I couldn't have kids but when I got home, they were still there."

Wet

Got up early to let the chickens out and empty the Yurt, and walked across the fields - Dogs seemed to be happy to curl up for most of the day as the weather got colder and wetter.

Posted today on Facebook, was a picture from the Red Cross of Constantine meeting last Tuesday at Carmarthen..  

Most of the meeting was regarding the role of the Grand Sepulchre Guard - with an old friend Geraint who has been Captain of the Guard for the last several years.

Regular Meeting of the Maurice Conclave No. 446 on Tuesday 9th December 2025

held at the Masonic Hall, Spilman Street, Carmarthen

The Conclave was opened by the Sovereign M.P. Kt. Alec Walker all business leading up to item

6. To receive a talk from the Divisional Eusebius regarding the Divisional and The Grand Sepulchre Guard.

In the presence of Right Illustrious Knight Nigel L. Angell, JP, Intendant General of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Division, and Ill. Kt. Steven Waters, P.G.Prefect (Divisional Marshal), P. Kt. Peter B. Turner (Divisional Recorder), Ill. Kt. Iain Sewell PGPrefect, (a founder member of the Maurice Conclave). (Acting Captain of the Divisional Sepulchre Guard) Ian D. McIlquham, Guard members Tony Jones, David Tiddy. All of whom carried out their duties impeccably. In attendance were several Grand Officers, Divisional Officers, Members of the Conclave, and their guests. It was particularly noted that several attendees had travelled across South and West Wales (a round trip of almost 150 miles) to be present at this significant and memorable meeting.

Introduction / Summary by the M.P. Sovereign

The Sepulchre Guard is one of the most distinguished ceremonial bodies within the Red Cross of Constantine, rooted in the traditions of Christian knighthood and the legacy of Constantine the Great. Membership is a high honour, recognising dedication, character, and commitment to the Order’s ideals. The Guard enhances major ceremonies—such as installations and investitures—by adding dignity, pageantry, and solemnity. Its members serve as custodians of tradition and symbols of the Order’s identity, especially when supporting the Grand Sovereign.

Service begins at the Divisional Sepulchre Guard, with the opportunity to advance to The Grand Sepulchre Guard, where members participate in national events and the most prestigious ceremonies. Leadership is provided by the captain, who maintains discipline, oversees ceremonial performance, and ensures the Guard upholds the highest standards of Masonic excellence.

V.Ill.Kt. D. Geraint Puw, P.G.H.Alm, delivered a very interesting and informative talk on his experiences, enjoyment, and duties as a member of the Grand Sepulchre Guard.

V.Ill.Kt. D. Geraint Puw P.G.H.Alm joined the Maurice Conclave in No. 446 on 3/05/2003 taking the Sovereign’s chair on 28/06/2011. With his first Divisional office that of Divisional Deputy Marshal commencing 26/02/2011 starting before he had been Enthroned as Sovereign of the Maurice Conclave an office he held until 27/02/2016. Thereafter accepting other Divisional Offices to date.

The application was made by R. Ill. Kt. Roy Saunders unknown to Geraint which came as a complete surprise. Rising through the ranks, Geraint progressed from Deputy Captain to the pinnacle appointment of Captain of The Grand Sepulchre Guard, a role he has held since 5 July 2016. Last evening, he spoke in a warm and sincere manner about the immense enjoyment he gains from his duties as Captain—particularly the organisation of Guard members to attend ceremonies throughout the UK and abroad whenever called upon. He also expressed what a pleasure and honour it is to work alongside V.Ill.Kt. P.A. Norman, P.G.H.Alm, Grand Marshal, and M.Ill.Kt. Graham L. Flight, G.C.C.,

The Grand Sovereign and himself a former member of The Grand Sepulchre Guard. Geraint received a field promotion to P.G.H.Alm from the Grand Sovereign on 02/07/2024.

Also in attendance was P.Kt. Alan R. Hulbert, a current member of The Grand Sepulchre Guard and a Knight of the Division of South Wales and Monmouthshire. Alan appeared in his mantle by the grace full consent of The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign an impressive sight—Alan gave a brief and enjoyable talk on his experiences as an active member of the Guard. In addition, R.Ill.Kt. Roy Leavers, K.C.C., a former member of the Guard, now also a member of Maurice Conclave was present and fully endorsed the comments made by both Geraint and Alan.

“Founder member V. Ill. Kt. Iain Sewell second on the right of the Sovereign commented that he believed V. Ill. Kt. D. Geraint Puw had raised Maurice Conclave No. 446 to high regard throughout all Divisions of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, owing to his wonderful work as Captain of the Guard.”

Put the chrysanthemums in pots into the Polytunnel so they can over winter. That was about enough work for a day !!

Susie a little brighter today and managed to bake a ginger cake.

Have a TillyVision

Cheers

13th December 2025 - Nancy Birthday and Rocket

Thought for the day :"just opened a door on my advent calendar and a bailiff was stood there!!"

Dry 

Morning at the Community Hall for a cup of tea and a bacon bap.

Update in the Broadband Fibre installation and Sandy Edwards our local volunteer rep informed me that the chief engineer was stating that they could not sort us out due to the road slippage. She was also of the opinion that the poles could not be put in for that reason. Told her that the poles were already in place and had been for a couple of months, and that there was clear access to the house.

Took some video to show the lane up to the house and the distance to the slippage passed the house and why it would not affect the work at all.

Link to video of Lane Accessibility

Later Nancy and Family visit here for Nancy's 49th Birthday

They bring Ziggy of course but also Rocket and sadly Toby and Rocket did not get on well enough.

They may end up getting on but probably not before Christmas!

Cheers 

  

12th December 2025 - A visit from Ben & Louise

Thought for the day ;"If anyone is spending Christmas on their own this year, let me know. I need to borrow some chairs."

Dry 

Road trip this morning to Tesco - forgot to get the stir fry sauce and the chicken for the fajitas, so picked up some reduced price cinnamon candles for Christmas, some febreze and some batteries.

Some mixed corn for the girlies.

On the way back popped in on the Stuchbury's and Ben and Louise were there so they popped up to get some spring water form the drinking spring.

Took a while to get the water clear - two 5 litre bottles thrown but then it came out clear as a bell.

Showed them around the gardens and the new stage area, and Tilly was excellent - ignoring the chickens and the ducks correctly.

So a few zoomies around the lower quarter and Tilly discovered that you can't walk on the green stuff  on the pond and found out that she can swim !!  She got out quite quickly and I think she had a little bit of a shock.

Foggy this morning and the mists are closing in again this evening.

Cheers 

11th December 2025 - Chain Saw Days again

Thought for the day :"I bumped into an old friend the other day. They said, "Watch where you're going you idiot"

Wet

So, got a chance to look at the falling tree today ...  Chain Saw was required - managed to clear all the ivy off and bring the tree down without knocking the fence down. reduced and logged 

And caught sight of a chicken on the roof - a bit grainy 

TillyVision

 

Saw this again ...

Cut Backs for Christmas...

The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree, which never produced the cash crop forecasted, will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance;

Two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are, therefore, eliminated;

The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French;

The four calling birds will be replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked;

The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals, as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks, appear to be in order;

The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day was an example of the general decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure  management that, from now on, every goose it gets will be a good one;

The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. The function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes, thereby enhancing their outplacement;

As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility. Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching;

Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps; 

Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords, plus the expense of international air travel, prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant as we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year;

Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right to the bottom line;

Overall we can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and related expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorney's association seeking expansion to include the legal profession ("thirteen lawyers-a-suing"), a decision is pending.

Deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to remain competitive. Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

Cheers