Camping Again!

Our travels have been somewhat restricted this year largely because of my Mum's deteriorating dementia. Sadly she doesn't know what is happening from one minute to the next. I'm having to bath her but am waiting for social services to assess her for help with personal care. Hopefully we'll get a bit more help before long.

Anyway we're planning a fortnight's camping in the Alps in July with V & P and had a practice last weekend. The teepee has now been replaced by a smaller light tent. We spent the Bank Holiday in the Cotswolds at Folly Farm Campsite. I mention it only to warn you against the place. With over 200 campers the 2 showers and 5 toilets were totally inadequate.

Despite that we had a great time.The Cotswold Birds of Prey Centre, that we visited on Saturday, was brilliant. We learnt a heck of a lot, particularly about owls so here's a photo of Desmond, our favourite owl and also Oddjob the bald eagle who went AWOL during one display but decided to return home during the second one. Sunday was spent at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and on Monday we were too knackered to watch the cheese rolling or woolpack racing and came straight home.

This was a camping weekend by car so we plan one on the bikes in July as a final check that we have all we need and can take it with us.

Elvie

B Road Sunday Ride Out

Did a 120 mile ride virtually all on B roads today, with our friend H. Route here. It was quite taxing but fun. The views were superb but the highlight was our morning tea stop near Grosmont. The Part -y Seal Tea room was a big surprise, a Georgian country house & gardens down a long gravel drive. Inside is an emporium of things chinese plus Belgian chocolates while outside on the terrace we were served the most magnificent cream tea. It was a bit of a struggle finding the enthusiasm to leave but we eventually dragged ourselves away to finish the ride. Had a bit of a blip when nearly home as my left indicator stuck on but it miraculously sorted itself . I'll have to get it checked though. anyway another great day and time now to relax.

Elvie

Preseli Walk

With a cloudless sky at the caravan we decided on a gentle walk in the Preseli's today. LB has strained his knee so it had to be gentle. We parked at Bwlch Y Gwynt (Windy Pass) and strolled to the summit of Foel Eryr. It was decidely muddy with gathering clouds overhead. There were extensive views from the top but a bit hazy so not particularly good for photos. Anyway as it was getting chilly without the sun we decided to abort the rest of the walk and headed straight back to the car! A short walk but pleasant. Once off the hills the sun reappeared so we went back to the caravan and spent most of the afternoon catching up with everyone who had arrived for the weekend. Bank Holiday weekends are great here as the site fills with friends old and new. We're looking forward to a very sociable couple of days now.

Elvie

Ravens Revisited

I wasn't happy with the photos I took of the raven's nest three weeks ago so after today's rain had passed over we went back to the Deer Park to have another go. Well, they have grown! Last time we could barely see the fledglings, now there are three nearly nearly full grown youngsters in the nest. I used a tripod for todays photos and got half a dozen much better shots. There was also a fulmar's nest nearby with three argumentative adolescents on board.


Elvie