Peniarth Isaf

Family News November 2008

1st November and Sue is away with the girls on a 'keep fit' weekend at Shrigley Hall. Leaving me in survival mode. Luckily my mate Graham (similarly bereft) was around to cause trouble. Last time we were left to our own devices we set off to climb Rodney's Pillar in the dark and had to braille our way down using only the light of the pub in the distance to guide us. So we decided to set off this time up Llanymynech Rocks before the sun went down.



We parked at the foot of Pen y Foel and joined the Offa's Dyke path into the quarry. It is a few years since I took groups from school to climb here but it was good to see the place was still being used.



My hero Charles Darwin used to come here to collect fossils and sure enough we did a bit of poking around and found a fair few crinoids. What's with these scary black mountain sheep up here? No wonder they say keep your dog on a lead, the poor little pooches wouldn't stand a chance.



We made our way up to the top in time for a glorious sunset over the Meifod Valley. After a bit of aimless wandering and a few false starts to the way down, Graham worked out that if we could only find the 18th green we must be somewhere near the clubhouse and our way down to Pant. The thought of being benighted or worse the shame of being airlifted off Llanymynech golf course spurred us on to eventually grope our way back to the car in the dark yet again.



The big project this month is insulation. We have been clearing Homebase of all their Ecowarm stuff made from recycled plastic bottles. Much better that the fibreglass that itches like mad. So far we have done three out of our four separate lofts.

The other job is to bubblewrap the inside of the greenhouse which was costing us a fair bit to heat last year. Taking all the plants out and scrubbing all the glass took a couple of days and two more to put up the bubblewrap.



Latest bruggy news, this Brugmansia sanguinea has flowered for the first time this year! Brings a bit of colour to the front porch here. The most fiddly part of the job was cutting slots in the bubblewrap for the bench and shelf with all the brackets behind it. Really pleased with how it turned out in the end.



And the other exciting news is that Sarah has been offered a couple of part-time jobs to ease herself back into work. One is with the Wellcome Trust as part of next year's Charles Darwin Bicentenary. The other is with the Nuffield Foundation, liaising with the Universities of Manchester and Lancaster to place school students into Science Research Projects.

So Sue and I are up to Manchester to babysit Eddie for a day or two each week. We did have a good time the other day taking him to his baby and toddlers group. Where else can you get two hours of play with all those lovely toys, a painting class, snacks for the little ones and tea and biscuits for the adults, plus a singalong at the end, all for a pound. We loved it!



Less good news about Mum H struggling with a severe stomach bug and eventually taken into Arrowe Park to be rehydrated. She is normally as tough as old boots but this seems to have taken it out of her.

So from hospital visiting we were back on Saturday night to play bridge with Richard and Ruth, Ann and Graham. We are gradually getting better.

Dave is also struggling with a long illness but still has good days to enjoy. Like the family get-together last weekend. There were 19 of us this time, swapping christmas presents and catching up with the latest news.



Eddie with his Great Grandad and Dot. All very confusing to him!



More little ones in the family. Eddie's cousins Katie, Oliver and Ceri. Congratulations (the news is out) to Joanne, expecting her second, a brother or sister for Oliver next year.