Wonderful Wales
Part of the purpose of this trip was to have another week away with my sister Julie and brother Alan. This time the destination was Wales so that we could catch up with our aunt, cousin and family. Rather than provide a minute by minute account, I’m going to condense most of the week into this one post.
Getting there
I had already been staying at Julie & Karen’s for a couple of days, so we headed off from there on Friday morning along with Cooper. It takes just over 7 hours but that’s including a couple of breaks and lunch. The holiday home is a barn conversion just outside of Brecon. It feels remote and the laneways from Brecon are very narrow with tall hedges on each side.
The home is a barn conversion connected to a house where the owners live. They are very welcoming and the home is spacious and rustic. It will be great for us. Outside there is lots of garden with great views. Inside the living area is upstairs and the roof windows offer glimpses of the surrounding areas.
In the evening we get fish and chips from Brecon.
Saturday
In the morning, we head to Brecon for a wander and to give Cooper a walk.
After lunch, Julie and I head to Abergavenny to collect Alan from the train station. It’s roughly a half hour drive. After collecting Alan we do our annual epic grocery shop. Though, is seems a little less chaotic this year. Main goal is to get supplies for a family BBQ tomorrow. After shopping we return to the barn where Karen and Cooper have been spending the morning. We catch up a bit and do some preparation work for the BBQ.
Sunday
We have invited Aunty Kate, cousin Mandy and her family over for a BBQ. The weather is cool and windy, so we decide to eat inside. As usual, we all get stuck in and make a mini-feast for the family. There will be left overs! It’s wonderful to catch up in person. The kids seem to have a great time too and Cooper is thoroughly worn out at the end of the day.
Monday
We head to Abergavenny mid morning for brunch at Portico Lounge. Afterwards, Julie and Karen take Cooper for a walk by the river while Alan and I do shopping for our cooking day tomorrow. In the evening it’s left over salads from the BBQ and cheese we bought at Madame Fromage in Abergavenny.
Tuesday
It’s becoming a tradition for Alan and me to have a cooking day while Julie and Karen have a day together. This year, Alan and I have selected recipes from a new middle eastern/Persian cookbook he’s bought. Julie and Karen go to visit a friend, taking Cooper. Alan and I make a timeline and spread the cooking through the day. In the end, we manage our time really well and it’s a lovely relaxing, successful and enjoyable day together. There will be left overs … again!
Wednesday
We have a lazy morning. I get some washing on to set me up for the last part of my holiday. Late morning we head off to meet Aunty Kate and Uncle Don for lunch at the Owls Nest Cafe. It’s great to see her again and to meet Uncle Don. But it’s very cold. The weather has been generally cool all week with cloudy, drizzly mornings eventually clearing up to partly sunny late afternoons. In the evening Julie makes a new dish with the remaining lamb and refreshes some of the dishes from yesterday.
Thursday
Julie and Karen have suggested a nice place with waterfalls that I might like to take photos. It will be a good walk for Cooper too. We wait until the rain looks like it’s passed. In the end it’s just Julie, Cooper and me. It’s about a 20 min drive through many single track lanes. But it’s worth the trip. I take lots of photos, so I’ll make a separate post just for that. In the evening, we go to a nearby pub with good reviews: Three Horse Shoes in Groesfford, near Brecon. It’s lovely food and this is also becoming a tradition. Karen takes the annual Cooper Kids photo.
Friday
It’s the end of our week already. We get cleaned and tidied up in plenty of time. Julie takes Alan and me to Abergavenny for the train back to London. Julie, Karen and Cooper then start the long drive home.
It’s been another wonderful week spending time together. Looking forward to the next time.