catch up

Phew...it's hectic here, and beautiful, and fun and hard work; even though most of it's being done by others.

However much I scrub my nails or wash my hands there always seems to be a greyish tinge to them. No matter how many times I shampoo my hair, I can still feel the grit of childhood holidays in the little wooden cabin on the sand-dunes of Talacre, where everything was powdered with a generous dusting of white sand. 

Maybe it's just in my head like Lady McBeth's "dam spot".

The kitchen ceiling is a spaghetti junction of cables dangling overhead, we still have no central heating and it takes a week for washing to dry. But I am in my element here, and bit-by-bit things are coming together. 

We painted the front door F & B Hague Blue. At first, mildly shocked at the turquoise tinge to the liquid in the tin (nothing like on the shade card). Relieved when a second coat mellowed to a more subtle petrol blue and now that it's finally hanged in place sealing all the draughty holes, it's kindled a warm smile to the old stone wall. 

We accepted a Bonfire/Anniversary supper invitation, and had a fun evening with bubbly and amazing food next door. It was good to get to know more neighbours. 

I was rescued again, and taken to this amazing market where we bought delicious Alex Gooch bread and had breakfast here. 

We crossed the borders once more traversing the Brecon Beacons National Park. A coliadascope (whoops) kaleidoscope of changing colours...orange, rust, green, sage...Epic scenery. The photos don't do justice. I was too busy 'oohing' and 'aahing' as we drove through the misty weather to look down and reach for the camera until  the best bits had whizzed by. I wanted to paint it, or knit it and probably will do so at some time. Once in the capital Cardiff, we met up with H and friends. Ate Lebanese food here and then watched her friend perform in this opera here, extremely impressed at the amazing big voice and stage presence that we never imagined belonged to her childhood friend. 

We had an unexpected visit from the man that had sheltered with us. He arrived with his girl friend and father, bearing a scrumptious hamper of local produce that we've been guzzling ever since.

In-between we've visited auctions and bid on bargains, loosing some things, but winning others. Painted and plumped, cooked and eaten more sandwiches than you can imagine and forged more friendships that will hopefully last a long, long time...

How about you...I've missed you...what have you been up to? 
debx