13th April 2026 - Monday and the Beach

Thought for the day :"My friend has just set up a budget accommodation service in the Middle East. Low Rents of Arabia"

Dry

Always feel better when the lawns are cut.  Just about dry enough this evening. Tilly was intrigued by the funny car driving around her garden.

Had to go into Newcastle Emlyn for Susie's prescription so took the dogs and we came back via Pets and Ponies to collect some more suet pellets - Cheap Cheap will be happy, we have been out since before the Tavern, and then on to Cwm Tydu, where Tilly had her first experience of waves 

and even the lane looks good in the sun

Remembered to do the TENS for the May Bank Holiday - am well within time 

Cheers 

12th April 2026 - Sunday Morning Coming Down

Thought for the day :"New Chocolate bar has been released called: "Courtroom". Currently available only in trial size."

Wet

Sort of a lazy day but the temperature has gone down seriously.

Used the electric heater yesterday as I ha been away Friday and Saturday, and the sun was shining enough to fill the battery, but decided that I really needed some warmth in the kitchen today so lit the coal burner.

Struggling with the fire in the living room and found out why tonight. There is a air opener inside the fire that had jammed shut and seized - so though I was opening the outside flues - there was no air getting into the fire.

    

Much warmer this evening.

But needed to finish clearing the tavern beer garden. Have been a bit remiss in finishing the job but wanted to take photos of the technical set up of the new sound booth before closing everything down.

Here is my record of the settings for future reference.

But managed to get all the wiring and speakers and kit under cover and cleared the table back under the tarp.

Situation

current settings

connection to USB and laptop

lower settings 

top setting

outputs

list of settings for all wires

And so, walking the dogs and time for a nap ...

Cheers 

11th April 2026 - Bridgend for John Benjamin Lloyd Court

Thought for the day :"My first attempt at making a model car was a complete triumph."

Wet

Early start leaving the dogs with Nancy and heading down to Bridgend to act as Master for the John Benjamin Lloyd Court of Athelstan. A lot of additional work filling posts at the last minute and adjusting some of the floor work to assist Anthony who is not active on his feet at the moment.

But all in all I was very happy with the ceremonial - brining in the past Deputy PGM of the Monmouth Mark degree.

Sarah kindly let the girlies out this morning so just had to get back in time to put them away for the night.

Temperature dropping fast tonight and it is very cold - will have to light the fire.

Caught on the third attempt - not so good at this fire lark any more 

But took a few piccies of the garden as I put the Girlies away ...

Tilly was very good with the car and very excited to get to Nancy's. Toby is still reluctant but got into the car with no hesitation- even jumping in on the way back.

But both so delighted to be back in the garden and ran riot for a short while. Not sure Tilly realised she was coming back !!

Cheers 

10th April 2026 - Stop over with Nancy

Thought for the day :"I was voted 'least likely to succeed ' by my sixth form class. I hate being a teacher."

Wet

Took a walk up the donkey trail as usual and the sloe is in blossom

And down by the bridge Johnny has planted a lot of willow that is catching well 

And the bluebells are looking good 

Though we still have vandals on the lane as the road barrier has now appeared in a tree

 

Put the birds away and heading off to Nancy for the evening so she can look after the dogs tomorrow while I am in Bridgend - an adventure for Tilly who has not ben in the car since Christmas
Fingers crossed

Cheers 

 

9th April 2026 - Chris Day - clearing the Parking Lot

Thought for the day :"Trained Pets are awesome! I had a goldfish that could break dance on the carpet. But only for like 20 seconds. And only once."

Wet 

Chris came over for my first day home alone ..

We decided that we would carry on with the parking area as it was raining and the car port provides cover 

and the result 

tops cleared to allow the flowers to return 

Much more space

Sadly had to stop as the Chain saw is not oiling properly and the casing has overheated so the cover will not fit properly - looks like a trip to Tremaine tomorrow!  

And gong down to put the girls away this evening, the garden is really coming to life 

 

Cheers