Family time in Wales, June 2022

I was so excited about seeing the family again after three years. The time seemed to pass very slowly in Amsterdam, waiting for the final flight to Cardiff. After 45 minutes sitting on the plane after boarding, we were off! I was very lucky actually to be flying, as so many flight had been cancelled.

Home again, to my Welsh home in the pretty village of Llantwit Major. Home to the ever-growing family, mainly females. Poor Ben and Darren are hugely outnumbered ! 
Three generations together here, with a further generation (me) taking the photo!Bethan, new mum, Betsi 6-week old, Daisy and Ceri ( believe it or not, grandmother!). Some of family missing!

Meek, Peaches and Molly, belonging to Ceri, Daisy and Bethan respectively.

All dogs are great characters, but possibly Peaches being the youngest is the most entertaining and energetic! Except, when there are unexpected noises she digs her heels in and will not move! Poor Ceri had to carry her quite a way because of the tractor in the adjacent field!

It is great to have true family time, with no real pressure to be anywhere at any set time. It is so restful walking along the quiet streets of Llantwit Major at the weekend, past the pub, The Old Swan Inn, where Mark used to work in his late teens.Three pretty pubs surround the village square, a typical setup for many small village and towns..

The weekend festival, Three Streams, provided the locals with music, dancing and poetry. My sister Annie was involved with the Ceilidh band and Oasis World Choir. Toe-tapping music and colourful cloaks!

Days always include walks around the town pond, local lanes, picturesque old stone church.

Or to the clifftops and beach. The perfect weather, in the mid twenties, 15 degrees cooler than Sardinia, is far more suitable for me!

Leaving dogs behind, Ceri and I had a lovely day out walking through lush forests, reminiscent of the West Coast of NZ with all the ferns, to a small reservoir , Brombil reservoir.

A day trip to Cardiff is always enjoyable, even if we don't buy much. It's always interesting to compare prices, fashion, to people watch and to walk through the beautiful arcades in the city centre, rather like walking back in time. Sadly, many shops are now closed following the Covid lockdowns.

Back home, it's time to do some chores, certainly not made easier by Peaches, but definitely made far more entertaining!

It is so good to be 'home' again.