Back home

 We had a lazy Monday, popping to a garden centre local to where we were staying, we had the most amazing lunch, I got these plants, the begonia which is a houseplant was reduced to £3. The other 3 were on a get the 3rd plant free.

We did bring treats back with us. Bara Brith, the fruit is soaked in tea before baked into the cake, Welsh cakes which are dropped scones and apple crumble biscuits, which looked to good to leave behind.

I had loads to pick from the garden, tomatoes, a cucumber, runner-beans and carrots, 2 are huge, a nice harvest. We had 20 mm of rain whilst we were away, so my garden looks good.

We walked along the water edge a couple more times on Monday, by teatime the rain arrived, along with new neighbours next door, who had 2 small yappy dogs, they barked at everything, so we were ready to head for home on Tuesday morning. We consider ourselves very lucky to have warm sunny days, it rained overnight twice, each morning it dried up quickly.

Our car journey was mainly motorway, M4, A34, M3, M27 and a total nightmare, heavy rain and water everywhere, it was a slower journey that our trip out, very poor visibility the whole time, we were both glad to get home.

We had a few issues whilst away, I tripped over a rock on Friday, fell and banged my knees and ear, luckily I was carrying a soft bag with 2 fleeces in which broke my fall. Hubby was shut out of our bank account on Saturday, they informed him by text, our Halifax account is now Lloyds bank, hubby had to reset a transaction, which the bank stopped thinking it was fraud, it's sorted now, it took almost an hour, he had to repeat himself to 3 different departments. 

It's great to be back home, we did a shop at Lidls on Tuesday, this morning daughter had my car to do the school run, we then drove to the garage to collect her fixed car, rest of the day is at home with hubby relaxing.

Lazy weekend

 We have done very little whilst away, gental walks, meals out, here at Ogmore Castle about 30 minutes drive, a perfect hour out, no rain. I did get half way across these stones before losing my nerve.

Our accommodation is on the shore line, these huge beaches have rocks, rock pools and dunes, vast sandy beaches, loads of places to walk. Plenty of people watching, dog walkers, people swimming, loads of crafts of different types on the water, we are having long warm sunny days.

Plenty of time to read, I ensured I had my favourite authors to read, another taken from the David Raker PI series, his latest case to find a patient who has disappeared from a private clinic which becomes linked to another historic missing man case and the disappearance of 3 women a project covered by Raker when he was a journalist. Book 67 read this year.

My second book by Lindwood Barclay, a mother from New York takes her son away from the city for the summer, it also tells a back story, so you think you know what is going to happen, a new shop opens in towns selling train sets, strange things start happening.  Book 68 read this year.

We are staying in Trecco Bay, near Porthcawl, South Wales, it's  a huge holiday park, we are on the edge away from the centre and all the noise and people, our accommodation is beside a walkway and the beach, it's perfect for sunrises, we walk 20 minutes to see sunset. We are resting and reading alot, no cooking. 

Today is our last full day, we have no plans as yet, just having a lazy breakfast together, should be another dry day, 

Away from home

 

Today is our 40th wedding anniversary,  we became a couple in 1984, when hubby moved in with daughters and myself, we married in 1986.

We are away from home for a long weekend,

 relaxing and enjoying each other company.

A perfect sunrise this morning, seen from our accommodation, we can sit and watch everyone else enjoying the beach and water, it's a perfect spot for lovely walks.

Seeing red

 I arrived back home late afternoon on Monday and took a walk around the garden, this beautiful dahlia is now blooming, I purchased it last month, after the initial bloom faded the plant showed no signs of growth, suddenly it has a growth spurt and loads of buds.

This pelargonium is in a big mug shaped pot on my outside table, it's loving the hot summer. 

This rose is its third lot of blooms, it's was struggling until I popped it in a big pot in a sunny place.

A deeper red in this pot, with two shades of pink.

This Gaura is from a cutting, only small this year, such a pretty shade of pink.

I had a great time with daughter and children, the accommodation was really good, plenty of space inside, not too hot, the kitchen was fully equipped, we only used the cooker top for breakfast bacon, the toaster, kettle and dish washer. The site has been extended, our area was only added in the last year, the club house area was very busy, the pools were full, other than having lunch in the restaurant, and the children having time in the arcades, we stayed at our accommodation, the children loved the hot tub, they spent most of the days in the water. Daughter took Will and Molly to a china painting session, I stayed back with George, who loved having the hot tub to himself. Molly went dancing with mummy each evening, Will was not interested in going, George would hate the crowds.

Monday we had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, it was lovely to sit outside, it felt so cool with a lovely breeze, we all agree we show a united front to our little ones, their dad might not be present in their lives, but grand parents are.

It's pure joy to be home, I slept well last night, we have nothing planned for today, just a lazy day at home, Wednesday I will pop to daughters to sit for an hour, then Molly is coming for a sleepover.

There is rain in the forecast, its cloudy and muggy, no rain here yet.

Noisy break

 Daughter booked a get away in the same holiday park as last year, under an hours drive from home, so I'm half way through a 4 day break, hubby elected to stay home with Lilly. The children loved the hot tub, with cool water, they are having more fun than at the big pool. Mummy and I have our dip later.

The evenings are cooler, thank goodness, this lovely sky on Friday evening, we are not expecting any rain, once again it will miss us.

The park is peaceful, we have an enclosed deck for George's safety, we are not using the main pools they preferred the hot tub, we spend time in arcade and it's a rest for daughter as well. Again we saw so many people show so much kindness towards George and his siblings. We went out for a cool drink and football was on the big screen, George loves football and was stood beside 3 men, after checking with us they got him a chair to sit on, on when they got their drinks they got George a juice and crisps, strangers showing so much care, 

This break is much needed, the relentless heat has kept me inside, I have little desire to go out, plus the kerfuffle with next doors lies against such a lovely man, who, keeping to all the rules to do a job of trimming back all the overgrown stuff, most of her plants are now taller than our bungalow.  I'm feeling so much better, plus it's much cooler and better for sleeping.  

Llandudno and Conway

 Just a few photos along the seafront after the rain.

Later in Conway, beautiful sunny day.

The expected arty shot.

We are having fun, doing a few different things, staying dry, we are eating out all the time, our apartment has a full kitchen which we are not using. A lovely birthday meal was enjoyed but hubbies older sister, who was completely surprised on us being here.

Last look

 From the top of Battersea chimney, the old power station is now a shopping complex and newly built up area, there is a glass lift inside one chimney, we were lucky only 6 people in our's loads of room to view London..

Inside 

loads of the old mechanics of the building on show.

Iconic view, 

old and new

Fun on Tower bridge, 

we walked across the two towers under the top section.

Uber water taxi,

a great way to get around.

Millennium bridge, we walked across twice.

The Golden Hinde

Poppies at Traitors gate, 

Tower of London.

My birthday lunch was in China Town.

Liberty's

This is my final London post, I took so many photos, we made so many great memories, we planed our day to walk away from our hotel and then jumped on the underground to get back, its much easier now you don't have to purchase tickets, just tap your card at beginning and end of every journey. 

We do love to walk everywhere, we again found lovely spots, things not always in any guide, different places to eat, our hotel has a brilliant restaurant, we did not use it preferring to find different places when out and about. Nothing beats turning a corner and finding a treasure, we stumbled on The Golden Hinde.

Thanks to Steve

Our trip to London was brilliant, 4 days gave us plenty of time to wander, we averaged over 16,000 steps each day, Steve on his blog Shadow and Light found this statue on his walks, situated close to St Paul's cathedral. Well worth the walk to find it, a friendly local told us it's only here for this year, afterwards it will be replaced.

On another post Steve took an evening cruise, we have had many lunchtime cruises, the night cruise was much nicer, so many landmarks lit, here is just a few. This was just after 6pm, so not too late.

So thanks to Steve, we had two different adventures, its good to see a different side to the capital city. We caught the lunch time National express coach home for a much needed rest, no plans for the rest of the day, my knees and feet are happy to be still, a takeaway for tea and an early night. More photos next time. 

Thank you everyone for my birthday wishes, it been a fun week, I know I am blessed to be able to have such a good time, the weather was kind, we did not use our coats at all, my scarf and gloves were not necessary,  just a few spots of rain on Friday. It was cool enough to walk around in just our fleeces, sadly most of the Christmas things were starting next week.