Friday, 18 September 2026

18th September 2026 - Romany Steps, and puppy family fun

Thought for the day :"I hate people who use metaphors that are physically impossible. They make my blood boil."


Wet

So, posters out for next weekend ...




Early morning start.  Dishwasher onto the trailer and taken to the Cardigan recycling center.
Go there early just after 8.30am - but no-one arrived until 9am, and they did not open the gates until 9.15am. Note to self for the future.

Off to Jewsons, and took a ton bag of 20mm "clean" stone.  Cost £58 on friend's account - though paid
via card.
Used about half, and Dave came up and spent an hour screwing the non-slip boards onto the existing wooden steps at the Romany Cwtch for Charlotte.

Took another hour to barrow the stones down - but all done in the end. 





Also did the fairy lights for Charlotte as well

In other news, Tilly is sitting on Toby - he doesn't seem to mind.


And Ziggy is accepted as part of the pack - they all look comfortable.


This evening has been a meeting of Athelsatn at Aberystwyth. A pleasant meeting - but the road was closed at Llanrhystyd on the way home - apparently due to road surface work, and the diversion was not well signed.  Journey home took and additional 3/4 hour.

But home at last and having a cup of tea 


Cheers 


Thursday, 17 September 2026

17th September 2026 - Guitars, Rivers, and Dishwashers

Thought for the day :"A young couple bought a low Japanese bed. It's good to see young folk getting their futon the property ladder."


Wet

Didn't quite get around to getting the beer garden and shed sorted ...   Day sort of went away from me.
Early,  took the kegs back to the Brewery and Ordered for next week,   and took my broken guitars toi Marc for repair - but he hadn't arrived yet and everything was shut...  So Guitars are still in the back of the car.

Getting in the car - this strange fungi was at the door...


Fencing guys found a wasp nest in the undergrowth and though I had the spray to take the nest out, it was in the round and did not work the way that it was meant to - so they gave up for the day and decided to come back tomorrow - I sprayed the nest again this afternoon - hoping it is clear tomorrow

A few of the plants that are out at the moment...








Spent some time helping Charlotte next door with her fairy lights. Looking to help with the steps tomorrow ...   May have to be up early to get some stone gravel.

New Dishwasher arrived today - and fitted in - will have to take the old one to the dump. Didn't want to pay £30 for taking it away  as well as the £20 delivery charge.

In further Fight against Regulations, the river authorities called today to say that my flood defences have to be removed as the area is in an SSI - site of Scientific Interest.  We thought it was only further upstream by the caravan - but they say I have to only add a barrier after applying to the group and getting it authorised. All that work !!  
But apparently I am able to apply for grant to restore the banks ....
We shall see!

Cheers




Wednesday, 16 September 2026

16th September 2026 - Fencing and Beer Garden

Thought for the day :"I used to know a teenager called Sabrina.......talking of witch."


Dry / Wet


So, had a response from the Council today and they are adamant that provision of alcohol and soft drinks makes us liable under the Food Provision regulations.
Under EU regulations, it seems that Alcohol and Soft drinks are defined as food.
So I registered today. We will see what happens now. 

"Your unique food business registration application reference is
NR0QB9 - R7YVK2 - LPM4C1"

Still cannot see how it is relevant, and to keep to the facts I have had to state that we started operating in June 2022.  So Not sure whether I will have a liability.  Again we shall see.

In other news - fencing progressing well - I think it is taking longer for them than they thought, ground a bit harder - more roots, more difficult - but very happy 






So, got off my backside today and started on the beer garden ready to work on the shed - which really needs a lot of sorting..





Toby a lot better - in fact really is showing no discomfort from the op at all , but we are still keeping him on the lead when walking and keeping him a little quieter
 

Cheers 




Tuesday, 15 September 2026

15th September 2026 - and Fencing and Carpal Tunnel

Thought for the day :"I was going to tell you a joke about Evrii, but you probably would not get it."


Wet

Finally got the photographs from the Provincial Athelstan Meeting last weekend.



A good meeting enjoyed by all.

In other news, Toby is recovering well though still keeping him quiet and he is a little peeved that he has not been off the lead. Better to be safe than sorry.

Up early to meet the fencers who are fencing the riverside for the next couple of days and then the rest of the garden. 

Took some photos of the work at the end of the day.



New gate for the Wizard's retreat.


Fence posts in place and postcreted






The old tree house was taken apart by the guys - which was a good job as it was too heavy for me 
Job for Chris and myself tomorrow to clear it and put the rubbish in the flood relief scheme.
Also the Laurel Branches can all go into the gully.
 


In other news, today was a trip to get my carpal tunnel looked at in Aberaeron..
A simnple steroid injection - we shall see what affect it has..








Cheers 





















Cheers 

Monday, 14 September 2026

14th September 2026 - Monday and Toby goes to the Vet

Thought for the day :"Who ever said, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind," never had a snake disappear in the bedroom."


Wet

So Toby had an early trip to the Vet this morning and was really good on the lead going in.

All finished by 1pm, and  spent the rest of the day sleeping and not really wanting any food or anything.

Tilly was a little confused, but glad to see him back. Difficult keeping her from being too active.. hard but managing.


In other news, decided to stop the Limited Company for the Crimson Moon. It is getting more expensive to keep and more administrative  and harder to comply with - as it turned out, it was very easy as we had never used the company, never  did any accounts or records, and only cost £13 to strike off.

Also fighting City Hall on another field.
Susie had a phone call from the Council today, stating that as we served alcohol - it was classed as food and that we would have to register as a food business. Spent the day looking up the legislation and though I may be wrong, I cannot see how it can be relavent to us.

Had the details - sent the following in response

Thank you for the attached email following your phone call with my wife this morning.

I have examined the documentation and cannot see its relevance for our situation.

We are not a business.

We are a domestic household, Ffynnon Wen, Rhydlewis SA44 5QY, and have developed our gardens into ornamental walkways which on occasion in the summer months we open to the public free of charge in order to raise money for a charity chosen for that particular weekend or day.

As ancillary to the Gardens, we provide refreshment in the form of beer, cider, country wine and meads, and soft drinks, and on occasion some live music entertainment.

We do not provide any food, and have no means of preparation. This was a specific decision as though we have put a makeshift bar in the rear gardens, and small stage area, there are no facilities for food, and as a retired couple we have no wish to be involved in the complexities of food.

We raise funds for a specifically chosen charity when open through a charity pot upon the bar, and proceeds from any sales are calculated and proceeds after costs are donated to the charity of choice. There is no financial gain, and we remain non-profit.

As alcohol is sold, we comply with licensing though purchase of a TEN on each occasion and my wife is a personal licensee and responsible party for licensing laws.

Our situation may best be described as an occasional garden party where funds are raised for charity.

The “Pop Up” tavern is named Crimson Moon in nostalgic memory  of a mobile re-enactment bar that we used to run before retirement, and is decorated accordingly. I understand that this may have implied a business interest which does not exist.

The relevant information sent to me relates to food, food production, health and safety, staff issues etc. which I cannot see applies in these circumstances.

I am happy to discuss further and am happy to receive your guidance, as I have spent the entire day reading the relevant licensing documents from your website, and from the office GOV.UK sites which seem to imply that Food and Alcohol are separate issues, as they have separate licensing restrictions and separate licensing regulations. I believe that we have complied with all the licensing requirements under the Licensing Act, and that the Food regulations do not apply to our situation. 

While I understand that registration is free and automatic, since we have no facilities or intention to provide food, we would be unable to comply with any regulation if registered.

Yours faithfully

Iain Sewell

We shall see what happens 
Still waiting on the Environmental Health regarding commercial waste..




Cheers 










Sunday, 13 September 2026

13th September 2026 - Sunday

Thought for the day :"Just so everybody's clear. I'm going to put my glasses on


Wet 


Catch up day with the computer getting birthday cards sorted and stuff.
Walked the dogs in the rain - they seemed to enjoy.




Cheers 




Saturday, 12 September 2026

12th September 2026 - Provincial Athelstan

Thought for the day :"Thinking of changing My Energy Provider from Red Bull to Lucozade."


Wet


But a good weekend in Chester / Connah's Quay for the meeting of Idwal Foel Court and the Provincial Grand Court. Much was eaten and drunken !

And had a lift which was so much better as well.




But ...  Nancy posted this from the Brandywine LARP at Weston Park, and I am assured that it was not started by anyone form the bar - or known culprits, but by one of the Musicians there.


Seems that this is to be my legacy - ho hum



Cheers