Cycling with Willis

We have for the last 20 years or so always had two dogs, so when we lost our lovely Sam recently we did think we would probably get another one. However that has all changed now. One small dog is so much easier to manage we have discovered. Willis has been everywhere with us recently and today we were able to go cycling with him too.  We have been unable to do much cycling in recent years ‘because of the dogs’ – not liking to leave them for more than a few hours at home and  never taking our bikes on holiday with us – but that hopefully has all changed now.  Les had the idea of getting a child’s buggy to go behind his bike and taking Willis with us.  A quick EBay purchase and we had the very thing.  We took him out for the first time today along the Wales Coastal path – and he loved it.  So we are now planning our next bike based  dog holiday – watch this space! Needless to say he drew a lot of attention from the holiday makers, most commenting ‘well I have seen everything now’.

A good bye to a great dog

Animals have always been a big part of our lives. This week we had to say good bye to our lovely Standard Poodle Sam. He was nearly 15 which is an excellent age for a large dog, around 105 in human years.  He was the fourth dog we have said goodbye to and it doesn’t get any easier.    We now have just our Border Terrier Willis left and hopefully he will be with us for a long time yet as he is only three.  The temptation to get another dog is great as we have always had two.  But one is so much easier to manage, so I must stay strong and avoid all places that have puppies and rescue dogs, and try not to be tempted again!!  

How old?

When guests ask how old our house is, we point then in the direction of our stained glass door. It says 1855, but we know  the house is older, it's just that the deeds only go back that far.  We have seen it on older maps. There is also a farm opposite with a similar name that is mentioned in the Doomsday book - so who knows. 

An ingot of stamped Roman Lead was found about 300 yards away where it probably fell off a cart on route to Greenfield Docks.   (Now it resides in the Grosvenor Museum in Chester). So there may have been a house here then!

It's just a good job we have made a few improvements since then!  In fact as I type this Les is busy in the Lilac Room making some improvements.

Snow Joke !

Maybe I jinxed it in my last blog, when I said that good weather was on its way. Well I did say hopefully.   The start of the Easter holidays and we are knee deep in snow!  The forecast isn’t much better for the country but at least here we are lucky.  Our roads are clear and we have no problems getting about, we haven’t had our electricity cut off and its business as usual in the B&B.

 

 

However saying that it has had an effect on business and we now find ourselves with empty rooms for the Easter weekend. The last time I remember snow at Easter was when Les and I went to Cornwall for the holiday weekend.  We were camping and had pitched our tent in the sunshine and the next morning we woke up to snow.  That was about 30 years ago, so it doesn’t seem like a regular event.  So here are a few pictures just to show you how deep it has been. 

And if you fancy a break next weekend we still have availability.

Three months in already

Nearly mid March already and I wish I could say the winter was a distant memory. But unlike last year when we enjoyed lovely warm days in February and March, this year it has been a different story.   Although we have had lovely bright sunny days, they have been so cold. But this just increases my belief that the good weather is on its way.  

Already we have snowdrops and miniature daffodils out in the garden and the crocuses are making their usual colourful display.  They are always a welcome sight after a cold winter, but wrapped up and enjoying the open fire is defiantly one of the benefits of cold days and evenings.   The other thing that makes the cold weather enjoyable is ‘food’! A homemade soup, pies and stews with dumplings and warming hot puddings, is there anything better.

 

However as Easter is only two weeks away, I have had my warm and sunny hat on today, trying to work out some nice new recipes for our guests for the coming months.   It is very easy to get comfortable with the things that we cook regularly but new dishes are always a challenge and it’s sometimes a complete surprise how they turn out and taste!  
 

Breakfast too sometimes needs a rethink. The pancakes we cooked on Shrove Tuesday were so successful we are think of putting them on the breakfast menu all the time, what do you think?  A welcome change to a full Welsh breakfast or not!   Maybe we will trial them over Easter and see how popular they are. Watch this space.

Last year seems forever away!

Les and I enjoyed a few days in Venice at the beginning of December.   Then our daughter came home from Canada.  Then it was Christmas.  Then New Year.  Then both my Mum and Dad were in hospital and I had to go south for a few days. Then we had to ferry our daughter around for interviews for a new job (which she got) and find her a new flat (which she has found).  All the time trying to finish my tax return, decorate the hall and finish a few jobs in the house and garden.  Today we went to see the film of Les Miserables and it’s still only 11^th January.  So forgive me for not writing anything for so long but Venice was fantastic, its lovely to have our daughter home, we had a good Christmas and New Year, both my parents are  doing OK,  I haven’t quite finished the tax return, and I loved the film.  Lucky for us it’s a quieter time of year business wise but we are now back to normal again and Celyn Villa is open for business.

Three weeks to go!

It’s already the beginning of December and I haven’t blogged for ages.   I am typing this whilst cooking (multi tasking at its best) making minces pies and sausages rolls, some for us, some for the freezer and some for guests.

I was thrilled to hear the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby.  I was thrilled that is, but since the news broke and the world seems to have gone into baby frenzy I am now already bored with it all.   How awful it must be to live your life under the spotlight so much when everything you do turns into an item of news.  I remember when I was first pregnant those first few months were so precious that we wanted to keep the secret as long as possible.  It’s such a shame because we need good news amongst the doom and gloom of other news items.   After the dreadful floods last week in St Asaph, which is only a few miles away, and the sight of water rushing through people’s homes, it makes us very grateful that we live on a hill.  It must be so awful to have your home flooded at any time but particularly at this time of year with only cold weather to look forward to and Christmas just around the corner.   I used to love the winter when I was young, looking forward to snow but now the thought of it horrifies me.  A sure sign of getting old perhaps!

But this time of year has so much to offer. Christmas for me has always been family time and I am looking forward to this Christmas particularly as it will be the first we have had at home for three years. Some of the family will be here with us and the most exciting thing is that our daughter will be back home.   She has been in Canada for nearly a year and I can’t wait to see her. Well actually I can’t wait to give her a cuddle.  I have ‘seen’ her every week via the wonders of Skype; we have been able to chat and see each other but to actually see her in the flesh and hold her will be fantastic.    

I have made the cake which is currently being ‘fed’ with the odd drop of brandy, most presents have already been brought and delivered and I even managed to get my overseas cards posted in time.  Les is busy in the ‘shed’ painting the doll’s house he has made for our great niece and with only three weeks to go till the big day I feel quietly confident that we will be ready.  Whether you believe in the true meaning of Christmas or just enjoy the holiday it is a great time to get together with friends and family, eat and drink too much and generally have a good time.  What would we do without it – it would be a long dull winter with nothing to look forward to.  Perhaps that’s why festivals, holidays and celebrations were created to give us the punctuation that the year needs.  Whatever the reason I hope it will be great for everyone.