2412.03 LIGHT AT THE END OF THE BEGINNING

In my previous post I mentioned a few things about the last few months which have been a whirlwind of challenges, testing our resilience as a family. From unexpected family issues to car troubles and a broken television, life seemed to conspire against us.

1712.01 SANTA CLAWS

Christmas?

I've bleated on about this many times, probably every year. I make no secret that I there are aspects to this time of year that I hate.

1708.10 UNDERPANTS AND CAR WASHING

It's come around again. It's time to pack for our annual pilgrimage to Wales.

1608.13 BRACE YOURSELF WALES...

The time is upon us. It's time for our annual holiday. A lot of people I know get 3 or 4 a year but we just get one shot at this so it has to be right.

06:20 - It's an early start. The car is loaded and (hopefully) everything is prepared. We have a long journey ahead, it's a journey I really enjoy. The actual milage is about 200 miles but the miles are through Snowdonia National Park and some of the most breathtaking areas in the UK.

Rags said I should be good at Tetris. 

We were a little behind schedule getting underway leaving at about 6:55 but I expected that since I wanted to delay going to bed until I'd seen the Olympic Men's Team Pursuit Track Cycling final which resulted in a gold medal for Team GB and made Bradley Wiggins the UK's most decorated Olympian.

08:32 - We've stopped at Chester services off the M56 as we usually do. Looks like the place has had a makeover. 

Next stop will be in Wales.

10:26 - We've  stopped for food at Bala Lake just on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. Time to break out the picnic. We shared our food!

Rags feeding the ducks

10:54 - Time to carry on our journey, I get a break from driving as Morticia takes a turn (I'll be back at the helm before Aberystwyth). Time to sit back and enjoy the view.

We took a comfort stop in Machynlleth then continued through Aberystwyth at with point I took back over driving duties.  We then continued following the coast to our destination. 6½ hours on the road and 196 miles travelled. Finally at the place in the world I feel most at ease in.

Time for a pint of Brains! 

1608.12 IF IT'S NOT PACKED IT'S NOT COMING

This week has been stressful. Preparations for our week's holiday has been the forefront to our activities.

As well as the packing and prep my thoughts are with a colleague from my team at work who was bitten by an unsavoury type whilst going about his duties (can't really go to much into this as there are strict rules about what I can share).

This morning we started by getting the car wash at our local Eastern European hand wash establishment.

Then Morticia made a few sandwiches for the journey...

...yes, we could probably survive the whole week on these.

The cases were finally closed. Morticia asked if I'd got enough underpants to which I pointed out that I only had 1 arse and had packed enough for a week and a half anyway. Morticia always packs for all weather and occasions, even though she'll probably only wear a third of what she takes.

Financial matters have been dealt with via online banking (so there will hopefully be no interruptions to our break).

The last job is to buy cat food (our cat, Angel, will be well looked after by Morticia's dad) and fuel up the car...

...now all that is left is to shower and get to bed. Early start tomorrow.

1608.09 PACK and PREPARE

My holiday is almost upon us and all that is left to do is prepare and pack. For me this is easy, get my clothes out and chuck em into the suitcase. Then buy the supplies we will need such as the toiletries and food. Easy! Not for Morticia, she's stressing about the whole affair. Ok there's making sure the laundry is all done (I do my share with that) and the cat is catered for (Morticia's dad will be popping by to feed and check on her). If we all remain calm everything will just fall into place ready for our departure.

My daughters on our first visit to New Quay,
Wales back in 2004

We are off to Wales as we have done many times before. In fact, except for a couple of years in 2013-14, we've visited the same place every year since 2004. People often judge us on this fact but it's a place that invokes a certain feeling of contentment and inner calm that I never experienced anywhere else in the world (or at least the bits I've been too).