Peniarth Isaf

Family News October 2008

Summer moves into Autumn but there is still plenty of colour in the garden.



Although with the nights becoming ever more chilly, it is time to start moving the more exotic and tender plants into the greenhouse for the winter. Starting with the Red Banana, look how it has grown! It took the two of us a great deal of bending and groaning to lift the pot into the wheelbarrow for transport round the house. The plant seemed to fill the greenhouse on its own.



Next the citrus, but not before we had celebrated harvesting the first of our home-grown limes for a well earned G&T. This one is Tahiti Lime, also known as Bears' Lime



Torrential rains in the first week saw us escaping to the Anglesey sun yet again. This was the view from Capel Curig on the way through.



Full of enthusiasm we returned to Snowdonia the following day to walk to Llyn Edno in the Moelwyns but were thoroughly defeated by the usual drizzly mountain clag above and the bog underfoot. When you are retired there is just no need to torture yourself in less than ideal conditions.

Later that week we did mange a stroll to the waterfall at Llanrhaeadr.



Halfway down the 240 foot drop, the water flows through a natural arch of rock.



And then it was off to Manchester again the following weekend when Sue was singing with the Halle in Bridgewater Hall. This time they were doing Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony.

The same weekend we had a trip out to Dunham Massey and immediately got roped in to plant bulbs. Thanks to Rita who gave us an excellent guided tour of the house.

Perfect weather for walking round the deer park. Here's just one little critter lurking in the bushes.

Finally got the last of the tender plants under glass, and rewarded with a spectacular display of Bruggies and ginger lilies coming into flower. Yes you do have to crawl on your hands and knees to get in!



Mid October and guess what we've got.... BUS PASSES. Arrived in official looking envelopes from Powys County Council, little credit card thingies with our photos on the front and a posh red dragon on the back. You can tell we are really excited.

Apparently there are rules that all pensioners have to follow.

1 Always push in.

2 Be really slow getting on the bus just to wind everyone else up.

3 Moan A LOT about the bus being 30 seconds late.

4 Take up all the good seats with shopping, dog, trolley etc.

5 Sit next to the full paying passengers and chat whilst they are trying to read.

First was a trip to Shrewsbury on the D74 Tanat Valley bus from Llansantffraid. We've not been on a bus for years but it was surprisingly well used and very easy. Next time we are off to Chester and it seems we can even get as far as Manchester FREE!

18th October. Congratulations to neighbours Ken and Wendy celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

And another good night in with friends Ann & Graham and Richard & Ruth, learning to play bridge.

Good luck to Tim and Leah moving house on the 22nd. They are leaving Ingersoll to live in Woodstock. Apparently Simon is already loving it at big boys daycare and Tim is only five minutes from work at the new plant.

Strictly Come Dancing has reached Llanfyllin with our weekly Salsa classes at the Old New Inn. It could be our imagination but we seem to be getting it together at last??



Our very own applefest at Peniarth Isaf with another bumper crop and a fair few gallons of cider bubbling away already.

My latest screen saver. This fine specimen of a common toad was hiding in the greenhouse when I opened up the other morning.



The other thing we have done this month is to take the bikes to Brooks' in Welshpool to have a good service. First outing was a thoroughly enjoyable ride around Lake Vyrnwy on a sunny autumn day. This is the Afon Eiddew that runs into the top end of the lake. A scene reminiscent of the maritme rainforest of Canada and yet only half an hour's drive from home.



31st. Sue and the girls off to Shrigley Hall for a keep fit weekend. Could be a good time to go fishing again!