1205.30 THE BETRAYAL - A TOUCH OF CULTURE

I don't get out much so when Morticia mentioned a trip to the theatre to see John Simm last year I of course agreed. The time came around for the play and we duly went along to the Crucible Theatre (most will know of course as being the venue for World Snooker). Whilst in a nearby pub before the show I was tweeting a friend about my night mentioning that I was about to see a play with John Simm in but couldn't remember the title. Mr Simm actually tweeted me to tell me what show I was about to see...

I'm not about to turn theatre critic and review the show, I've not been to the theatre much in my life which is a shame because when I do I really enjoy it. After the show we saw the cast (there were only 4) in the bar across the square, Mr Simm and one of the other cast even signed Morticia's programme.

1205.07 THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

Last year I turned 40 and failed to complete my 40 B4 40 challenge. I also did very little in the way of celebrating, I didn't fancy a party and although I did go into town for a drink and go for a meal, very little of note happened.

This year I wanted to make amends for me being a misery-guts. I'm not a party person, I've no interest in big social gatherings - What I really wanted was to have special time with my family, my Morticia and my girls. Where better than to spend my birthday in my favourite place in the whole world...

Cei Newydd (New Quay)

The added bonus was that whilst it was my birthday on the Saturday, it was Morticia's birthday on the Sunday. What is normally our destination for our summer holiday was this time a long weekend. We set off early Friday morning and after the usual magical drive through the heart of Wales we arrived at the Hotel Penwig around lunchtime. New Quay is like a dream, when I'm not there it's as if it's not a real place but when I'm there the world outside doesn't exist. It's such a perfect place.

The Penwig is under new management and whilst it still a perfect place to base ourselves it's not the same anymore. We were pleased that the previous manager who met us out on Saturday night.

The departure was a little easier this time around (usually it's like being ripped out of paradise) since we will be hopefully returning again for our full holiday in August.

To spend my birthday here was bliss, it just could never get any better.