CEI NEWYDD: MORE CYMRU AND CARAVANS

t's with a heavy heart that I leave this place, a place so deeply embedded in my soul that a piece of me feels torn away and remains here. I dream of the day I can truly become one with this land that I hold so dear.

What truly enhances the second part of our stay is the delightful fact that we've extended it by an extra two days this time.

2304.21 SUMMER IS COMING

So we conclude our celebration of the victory of summer over winter and I look forward to enjoying a long and pleasant summer.

1812.02 CHRISTMAS PRELUDE

Christmas has come around so quickly this year, my head is still spinning from the last on. Isn't it time Christmas was like the Olympics? Then we'd have a few extra years to catch up.

1808.23 MY POSTCARD FROM CEI NEWYDD

Bore da! It's time for my annual post card from my holiday in my beloved New Quay on the Welsh coast. I'll be brief since I don't want to waste too much time...

1805.09 WEBCOMIC: CHUNKS!

Been a bit out of sorts recently so drawing has been pretty much down my list. Hope you enjoy my little comeback.

1609.05 A GOOD DAY

I can safely say that Sunday was a good day.

I've been disappointed by my cycling this year so I was kind of apprehensive about going on a hilly club ride. I almost went on the novice ride because of my lack of confidence in my ability. I might have done that if I didn't have a particularly hilly sportif coming up in a couple of weeks and I needed the training. I'm glad I went along, I was a bit slow on the climbs but there wasn't anything I couldn't manage. In fact I loved it, I've missed this type of ride.

Me with the lads up on Green Moor

I got back home just after lunch time and suggested that we go out for food. Morticia and Rags were up for the idea so we drove out (after I'd showered and changed) to Bakewell and enjoyed a pub meal in the Red Lion. Afterwards we were treated to an aerobatic display by the Red Arrows (who were actually performing for the nearby Chatsworth Country Fair).

Red Arrows in formation 

After feeding the ducks and the fish in the river we left Bakewell. On the way home we dropped into the Strines Inn, a 16th century establishment (the building actually dates back to the 13th century) where Morticia used to work many years ago. It's also haunted.

Image: http://thestrinesinn.webs.com

Morticia got chatting to the barman and mentioned the ghostly goings on when she used to work there. He was very interested in her take on the building and they shared stories as I just listened in. Rags was taking in all the curios and pictures on the walls. By this time (it wasn't particularly late but it had gone dark) the pub was empty except for us and the barman offered a tour of the upstairs rooms (it is after all an inn in every sense). I declined and let them go off. It was then I realised I was alone in the bar of a haunted building!

Inside the Strines Inn

We came away having had a great afternoon out, for me the whole day was great.