Catch Up

I could use this blog to do many things. I'm sure it would be therapeutic but slating someone for being a liar will do no good otherwise so i shall stick with the happier side of life ~ mostly.

We had quite a winter. A proper winter, in fact. It's no good moaning. Yes it did last a bit long but there's nowt we can do about it so let's just get on and take it and embrace the good side that it brings.
We've had an amazing spring and my face glows regularly having caught the sun. I've already used some sunscreen. that is very early in the season tho' there is advice to be had now that says that it should be worn during the cooler months of the year as well.

So the thing that has caused the most jaw-ache from grinning so much is being out in the car with others who own the same model (various MKs.)

On the last sunday in March (on a liar's birthday as it happens) 10 mx5s and 13 people collected at Knighton Community Centre car park and were then led off by me[thev trusted me... wow!]
The route included Beguildy - Llaithdu - Bwlch y Sarnau - Pant y Dwr - Tylwch - Llanidloes - Clwyedog Dam - Machynlleth - Aberystwyth - Devils' Bridge(Pontarfynach) - Cwm Ystwyth - Elan Valley Visitor's Centre .... and farewells across the A44 running east.


By the clwyedog dam


Looking down on 9 MXs as one had bid us farewell in Aber.

~Ystwyth Lead Mines ~

It had been a very long day. Less for me since the start point was home and some people didn't home until pretty late in to the evening.

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The days were extending and the sun was shining gloriously so earlier this month on a grey start to a 12th - a monday morning i met up with Ali and her Arizona, Eric, in Leominster.
Despite slower traffic here and there we had a great run.
Down the A49 to Hereford. Across to Credenhill and up to Lyonshall - Kington - Crossgates - Rhayader - Elan Valley (dams and upper valley) - down the A470 before hanging a left towards Llanyre - Crossgates (lunch) - A488 Monaughty - Presteigne - Shobdon (airfield) - Mortimer's Cross - Lucton - Richard's Castle - finishing outside Ludlow Castle

Eric and Storm at the Craig Coch (top dam)

Castle Square, Ludlow with St Laurence's tower in the background

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I finally had a run out with the official owner's club - South West Midlands group - who had arranged to drive to and tour Abbey Cwm Hir Hall
52 rooms of amazing splendour that changes thro' the seasons and every room is decorated for christmas.
The time and effort put in to this place is really extraordinary.
The Hall
^^^ link to the website

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Abbey Cwm Hir Hall :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::some of the interior decor


..................................... One of various gramophones

the splinter group that are the Dot COMers
Eric, Snowy, Stealth, Storm & Petrel with their
respective owners stood alongside

Before we exited to find a pub for some grub and fluid.
Thanks to them and the rest of the OC and Paul and Victoria(the hall) for making it such a lovely day.

Mazda in the Mountains and more

We really have enjoyed some damn fine weather in the last few weeks.
I'd go as far as saying that we've had great weather this year.
Winter is meant to be cold. Spring is meant to be green and lush. Summer is meant to be warm and growing warmer.
Other than a few minor not-so's this has been so.
I have taken odds and sods of leave in the last few weeks that has given me time to drop some fuel in Storm and go out enjoying the landscapes of mid Wales

Taken close to Gigrin on the edge of the A470 Rhayader




Storm overlooks the Elan river close to the entry to the top dam of the
Elan valley Reservoir system




A Bunch of 5s approach in ribbon formation
Elan Valley

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Above was on sunday 31st May 2009
Below was wednesday 3rd June 2009
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Dylife Gorge nr Llanbrynmair
-creating following the last ice age

Borth - shrouded in a sea mist

Ystwyth Valley - close to the head

Storm enjoys the views - as do i
The Elan Valley

Snowy Snowy Land

It's cold out there.

Britan is still under the white stuff in the main
and there could be more to come before it's all over.



Il Catto is not so keen on it's loveliness

This is more her thing.
Relaxed on the stairs in her crazy way ¬

On the other hand Storm beds in under her winter blanket

And.... being Six Nations opening weekend.....
Come on Wales!
Cymru Am Byth!

The Spirit of... human not-so-kind

He sits on the fence. It was, as ever, a lucky catch.
He's beautiful. He may not even be a he but i can not tell one way or the other.
Christmas approaches fast.
Whilst i do enjoy it it is not for the fact of being a Christian - for i am not. Dragged up as one yes but not practising as i can not do the god thing. The basic principles behind what Jesus supposedly taught i give a hearty thumbs up. In fact they're really quite buddhist in outlook.
And, the side of Christmas that has me spinning with confusion and frustration is the terrible commercialism that now goes with it.
It seems to have a stranglehold and even holds on to those that try to disentangle themselves from it's grip. I take the frosty grip of winter quite happily in comparison. A beauty not seen in summer

To disengage tempts insult to others who we love.
"Well it's like this mum/dad/auntie etc. I don't wanna give you anything and i don't want you to give me anything". It looks simple but it isn't and, after all these years, i am
1. used to it
&, stupidly,
2. enjoy giving and receiving.
Seeing loved ones faces light up cos you've got it right gives a warm glow. It's probably a selfish warm glow but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
The trouble within the commercial insanity is that it brings about huge greed. Those seeds are sown in the very young and it becomes a vicious circle.
And the stupid knock-on effect is the poverty that comes about from splashing out on what can not be afforded and do it wilfully.
Humans are stupid creatures.
All those brains but no idea how to use them properly.

We bring the insanity upon ourselves yet are always looking outwards at who to blame.
We're back to that word responsibility again.
I can't say that i stand head and shoulders above people in this matter. Far from it but maybe i am awakening. Maybe i will get it right - one day. And before it is too late.

10 days and counting