~ Snippets of Summer ~ Part One ~ Two Walks ~

Early on in the summer, there were two walks on consecutive days along the Coastal Path with my friend Jude, and Tilly's old friend Dilwyn.

Tills, on the left, and Dills

In Solva three years ago

It was the first walk we had done together since Tilly became ill over two years ago, and she was terribly missed. Dilwyn is so lovely; he gives me even more love than he used to, whenever he sees me now. He knows that I miss our darling girl.

Solva harbour...there is a woolen mill in the village, where Jackie Morris often goes to sign her books, which are for sale there...I love giving them as gifts.

What time can do...

There were mysterious caves...

 and seals far below us...

I love that they are as curious about us, as we are about them....

....and this belly roll...

You can hear my friend, Jude, speaking....

There were orchids galore...

and my first introduction to squills...aren't they beautiful...

there were a few Sea Campions that had not yet 'gone over'...

Choughs were paired up and nesting....

These ponies were so quiet and peaceful...I had precious moments of stroking velvet noses, and whispering love words into curious ears.

We visited St Non's Chapel, which is a ruin, and I cannot find the photo I took of it....maybe I only imagined taking it....it had that kind of effect. I did take this image though. The stone is propped up in the corner of the ruin. If you visit the link I've put above, you'll see more about all of it. The modern chapel had swallows flying in and out with great acrobatic speed to feed their babies. They nest there every year, and the Irish nun we spoke to puts newspapers on the floor underneath, and leaves the door open permanently, until the chicks have flown :~)

 We drank from St Non's well....and it did 'do' something for me...lifted a heaviness that has been there for some time.  I noticed that I was happily busy throughout the summer....without effort. I liked it. It is time to visit and drink again.

An unexpected and pleasant surprise, was coming across a little hut along the trail, which provided teas, delicious home~made cakes and ice~cream. We had Earl Grey tea, blueberry oatcakes and toffee fudge ice~cream. Mmmm.

This little one was one of a family of Finches who were quite happy to ask for us the share our goodies....and we were more than happy to do so....he was within easy touching distance here....my camera would not focus well.

A, what was once typical, Welsh cottage. I miss them. I stopped to look at this one and dream of the slower and quieter time I knew 'back then'.

The Blue Lagoon of Abereiddi is rather lovely, and quite well known now. 

Some of the ruins at its entrance...

There were so many of these along the path...I moved most of them away from where feet might have squashed them....

I think they turn into this. Isn't that the cutest :~)))

I liked the interesting gothic looking rock formations....

and the monster profiles...

These two days did me so much good. I cast aside all worries and 'round~and~round' thinking and allowed myself to just be ~ breathing in everything I saw, smelled, touched, tasted, heard and imagined. Another walk is imminent....I can't wait.

On Thursday, a little bee was on our windowsill, obviously exhausted. Whenever we see this we offer honey to hopefully revive them. 

It worked this time :~))) It had been feeding for about ten minutes here, and soon after I stopped the video, it started to buzz, and was soon flying out of the window....smiles all round.

On Saturday, Our Boy had his 20th birthday.

It was a great day. We bottled the Lemon Balm wine....and drank one of them! :~)) We're not used to it, so we got sozzled!

Cheers.
Iechud da.
Cariad mawr.
H x

~ Memories ~

Mam and Dad, my brother and me @ 1961

She was so beautiful.

My chickens used to come in for  a visit. 1991

Mama cat ~ Peaches, being cwtched into by her two daughters,

Puddy Cat and Smartie Pants

Three beautiful cats and a Kitten. My lovely Reliant Kitten car. 

I wish I had kept it.

My gorgeous Bohemian Man. Christmas Day 1992

Our Wedding Day 1st July 1993...as I wrote elsewhere:

What a fantastic day that was. Rode to Cardigan on the motorbike, carrying our trilby hats in a bag on my back. I was hugely pregnant and we giggled all the way through the ceremony....scandalising the registrar and his assistants :~) Our 'reception' was, seven of us descending onto Cardigan Arms chippy for whatever and chips. More giggles and lots of laughter, and we haven't stopped laughing together since. Best thing I've ever done. Most years, we manage to go back to the chip shop on our wedding anniversary.

I loved being pregnant....every moment and new development was a wonder~full experience.

and I really did get huge!

We compromised when it came to the birth, as the hospital was so far away. I had a fantastic labour....five hours from waters breaking to birth. Two hours to get to the hospital, and three hours in a birthing pool with midwives and nurses that were willing for me to have essential oils vaporizing in the room, and for My Man to be in the pool with me. I spent the whole time on all fours, draped across his knees, and having my back massaged at intervals. After the birth though, I got into trouble and had to be whisked to theatre, so, I was very glad that we had chosen to be in the hospital.

 

One of the very best feelings as a mother

Our first home together was my large static caravan. Immediately 

after Our Boy was born,I returned to studying massage. I had a college certificate from a couple of years before and had tried to 

study for my recognised International Certificate, (ITEC), while I was pregnant, but my brain turned to mush! The couch you see here, (below), is the vintage doctor's couch I used while training. I used to practice on six people a week in that tiny space....not including extra sessions for My Man, and baby massage for Our Boy :~) We'd installed a Rayburn stove and it was always toasty warm.

Our Boy being introduced to his first typewriter. 

We have lived in many places where a sink 

was used for a bath

This one, (below), was in a single room we lived in for one and a half years.

It was large and had a Rayburn stove, (how we love those), which gave us our source of heat, hot water, and cooking. We had been

living in our camper van,(Betty Ford),

for the previous eighteen months, so were used to an even smaller space. 

The second hand bookshop we used to have as a business in

Cardigan,and where I had a therapy room for giving treatments. We had a bookstall in the market too, where we had an honesty box. 

He has inherited our great love of books.

 

Motorbike love....

If you visit here Jude, look at how my jacket pocket looks like an eye :~)

~ Mother's Day and New Moon ~



I'm happy to say that Our Boy isn't seduced by commercial hype,

and this sweet little note taped to a cup of tea he brought me ~ along with

two slices of lemon drizzle cake ~ means more than any shop-bought card

he might have purchased :~) It will be glued into my daily journal, bringing
a smile to my face and filling my heart as I do it.

He made a little Welsh rhyme at the end of the note for me too:

'Caru Ti Mam Bach Fi'

doesn't rhyme in English, but it translates as:

'Love you my little Mother'

It is the hardest, most rewarding, gut~wrenching, emotional~roller~coasting, testing, tear~my~hair~out~frustrating, filled with so much joy, pride and love, work I have ever done.

I wouldn't change it for anything, and I love, love, love being a mother to this young man of ours....

.....though I still call him Our Boy and probably always will.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, whether it be to children, cats, dogs or goldfish :~)

Cariad Mawr

H x