It was great getting out on the bikes again at the weekend. Thanks to that rare winter weather phenomenom of mild temperatures without any rain, or to put it another way - dry without being freezing cold, bikers were drawn out on Welsh roads like gnats on a summer evening. A group of six of us had a gentle ride, with plenty of tea stops, to blow the cobwebs away and get our brains in tune again. There were loads of other bikes out and Abergavenny Bus Station was as busy as on a summer Sunday. The bus station may sound an uninspiring destination for a bike ride but is popular with bikers as there's plenty of flat parking and cafe for tea, in the middle of some great roads. It's not too far from home so it's handy for a final cuppa. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo so no illustrations for this post today. Monday was also mild so we took the opportunity of giving the four bikes a really good clean. I'm not sure when we'll be out again but it's March next week so hopefully Spring really will be arriving.

Signs of Spring?

After our lovely relaxing holiday LB and I spent all last week recovering! We were quite exhausted! Today we felt we were nearly back to our normal selves so decided to get back into the routine of country walks. A gentle one to start seemed in order so we consulted our walks book and chose a 3 mile one around the village of Merthyr Mawr. This place is famous for its nearby sand dunes, including the largest dune in Europe but our walk took us through the woods and around farmland. I must admit it's not the most interesting walk we've done and in places was quite boggy but it was a nice start to resuming normal exercise and gave our leg muscles a good work out. The walk started and finished at Candleston Castle, a 15th century fortified manor house which is now just a ruin.

We had the pleasure of a weak sun throughout the walk and with new lambs, catkins and these crocuses about there were definate signs of spring. Rather strange really considering that two weeks ago we'd had the heaviest snow for years and were in the depths of winter! Of course LB and I missed it as we were basking in a tropical summer! Anyway lets hope it truly is an early end to winter as we want to get out and about as much as possible.

Elvie..

More Maldives Photos

Just a few more photos to conclude my Maldivian blog, including a couple more islands. Below is our picnic lunch, under a palm leafed shelter with the Yasawa Princess in the background.










LB is holding probably the smallest fish that he caught but the only one caught by daylight so it's the best photo.


He caught a variety of fish off the back of the boat at night, most of which disappeared into the ships kitchen for later consumption! The one that escaped a culinary fate was a ramora which is not good eating. It was interesting though as these are the ones that attach to the underside of sharks etc hoping for some titbits from the sharks dinner. It had a strange flat bristly plaque behind its head for attaching itself- a bit like velcro I suppose.

Elvie

Underwater Life

I'm not going to write much today but here's a load of underwater photos instead, to show the variety of life in the Maldives. They were mostly taken when I was diving. In no particular order they are a turtle. moray eel, 2 snaps of manta rays, a lovely fat cushion starfish and a new starfish growing from the cut off arm of a larger one, a beady eyed batfish, a white tipped reef shark and masses of fish feeding off the coral in one of the island lagoons.

Elvie

Yasawa Princess

We booked our holiday on the Yasawa Princess through The Travel Collection which is our favourite holiday company. Click on the link for all the details. We spent two weeks on her doing both the north and south cruises. I did the boat a disservice saying it was a bit basic, I love it!

As previously mentioned we were nearly locked out of our room the first night. We got in eventually with the help of four crew! Our wonky lock was replaced the following morning. The cabins are fine, not particularly big but comfy.

There were only 14 passengers each week, which apparently is about average, and 25 crew to look after us and run the boat. With such small numbers we really gelled as a group, which added to the holiday. The crew looked after us really well especially on the BBQ nights when they took generators and fairy lights, a disco and all the food, booze, cutlery, crockery etc to an island for food dancing limbo and races!

Elvie

We're Home!

We flew in to Gatwick last night and got home mid day today. I'm now sitting at the desk with central heating + fan heaters on full, gently rocking to the motion of a boat 5,000 miles away! In the next couple of days I'll post a few more photos once I've sorted through them. The posts I put up whilst in the Maldives were done via my mobile so today is the first time I've actually seen what they look like. Sorry the last photo was a bit blurry and the boat seems to be going uphill!

Thanks for all your comments, particularly Ziyad. I must say the Maldives is an amazing country. The geography obviously makes it unique; I find it difficult to believe that so many small and distant islands can form themselves into a nation. The weather is a big bonus for us holidaymakers but importantly the people are so friendly. Of particular note is their efficiency at the airport, where we were processed quickly, and the lack of hassle when on the local islands. The shopkeepers do hang around outside their shops to invite you in but accept a "No" with good grace and we weren't pestered by people wanting to be "friends". We will certainly be going back again in the future if possible.

Elvie

Desert Islands

Here's a photo of yesterday's bit of paradise. Unfortunately had poor mobile phone reception so unable to update blog last week. Had a fabulous holiday. Details next week when home.

Diving

I've been able to do a fair bit of diving while LB has been fishing or snorkeling. I've seen thousands of fish as well as manta rays sharks and turtles. This turtle swam past about a foot away from me. The camera wasn't on zoom, he really was this close. Elvie

Desert Islands

We've spent most days on desert islands rather than sandbank. Had a fantastic evening bbq on one although I managed to mildly sprain my ankle limbo dancing!

Bliss!

Who'd have thought sitting on a sandbank could be so nice? This was our first stop, last Monday. We've now completed our first week. Have not got internet access so am using the phone to blog. It's less versatile and slow so will do multiple posts to get a few photos up. Elvie