shropsteve News

Church Stretton

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:38:17 GMT

Another cool day. In between showers. I got the car stuck while doing a three point turn on the single track going over the top. Luckily some people passing helped push it out.

Gwendda between the car seats

Video: Messing around on the water

Video: trying to get apples

Country park, Cwmdare

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:52:54 GMT

Two lakes, one the reservoir is being emptied. (Not dried out!)

Porthcawl

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:35:15 GMT

We go later, in the afternoon, as this is cooler and the dog catcher has gone home. So we can take Gwendda onto the sands too.

Sadly, the chippy we like with the delicious fresh fish was closed at 6pm. Pity.

The dirtier the better. That top kept the muddy splashes after two washes.Ill have to bleach it

If youre happy and you know it, cartwheel

Or hand stand

Composition of slowness

On Rest Beach where the surfers go, in the late evening, wonderful sunset

Trouble

Just off the pier is a harbour, with muddy, sticky sand

Barry Island

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:12:20 GMT

Just West of Cardiff, is the famous Barry Island. Used to be a big Butlins site. No longer and is looking a little run down.

But the beaches and chips are great.

We walked a lot, found some lost fishing weights in the rocks. Paddles in muddy sands, floated on soft wet sinking sand. Perfect day.

Slimy mud

Watching the jets roar overhead at Rhoose Airport

The only two on

Looking nervous before the drop

Es comes down the log flume with her eyes closed

seems a long way to the sea

Interesting rocks, plenty of unconformities for me to ponder our place inthe time space equation

If youre happy do a cartwheel

Sinking soft sand is wonderful

Burying Gwenddas ball for her to re dig up

Drink beer while splashing

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:48:33 GMT

Down from my mum's is the River Aman, though some may say it's a stream. Lovely hot day for going to the pub and splashing about.

Es found a nice four year old girl friend.

Video: The River Aman just below the Falcon Pub

Video: Gang of boys turn up and do back flips. Brad tries to muster courage of coldwater to jump in too

Video: Close up of those squeaky voices on the swing

Video: More rope swinging

Video: Playing Tarzan on a rope swing, Es has to pee

Video: I drink beer, they play in the river

Brad and I jumped it, but I slipped, now Es is nervous

Climbing tree

Esmes little friend

Big muscles

Big lake in Mid Wales: Lyn Clywedog

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:53:47 GMT

On the way from Aberdare to Mid Wales, the drop off point for their mum to take them on more holidays, we went past this huge lake.

Hot day, stuck in a car wanted ever so much to go for a swim.

Latest

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:46:42 GMT

Female morris dancers... What are they called
Skipping

Boy up a tree
Hand stand

Throwing balls is good fun for dogs
Dancing before skipping

Another doggie-woggie
Year four sports day

Up a tall mountain in Church Stretton
Cool water in Church Stretton

Almost want to go swimming
And from the other side

Up The Wrekin looking for wimberries
Funny man two

Still life with red hair
Theres the sign A new one on The Wrekin

Its a big one
A good view from the top

This weekend

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:37:52 GMT

We do a tour of Church Stretton, again. They do like it there, and now we've got Gwendda under control with the sheep, I don't mind it.

We also visited the Discovery Centre at Craven Arms, which Bradley's been wanting to visit for years and years! Where we buy Esme a book about dog training, and Bradley some bugs that hatch out... Some kind of dinosaurs?

Church Stretton, again

Mammoth at the Craven Arms Discovery Centre

Gwendda and Esme and Bradley

Ironbridge, but not THE Iron Bridge

Talent night

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:54:07 GMT

Though he didn't win anything this year.

Video: Bradley does the talent night

It was quite a complex tune, I'd guess.Last year he had a special award.

Church Stretton

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:52:56 GMT

I found out that Stretton is Roman for street. Or a corruption from.

Video: Dont fall off Church Stretton

Big moose eye lash shadows

Spooky hedge

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:26:15 GMT

On the way back near Much Wenlock we spot this cobweb covered hedge.
Later I find it in the Shropshire Star and discover it's caterpillars.

It's probably orchard ermine yponomeuta padella larvae which feed on blackthorn, hawthorn and cherry.

The Dare River

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:16:26 GMT

I spent many happy days here, trying to catch trout.

As soon as Brad looks down the pipe, he needs a poo. Must be good then.

Ystradfellte Falls

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:13:59 GMT

Must visit in the winter. Looks not much in the height of summer.

But we had a great time. Though the pub wasn't open till 7.30pm. Typical. Since there's just the pub, a post office and a few houses in Ystradfellte anyway. Nothing for miles around.

To... Porthcawl

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:01:17 GMT

I love it here. Spent 12 years coming here each summer holiday, many of them in the same caravan. Know it like the back of my hand.

Kids love it too.

Must remember that eating seawater makes dogs do the squirts. More distance than squits.

Video: Listen to the sea

No dogs allowed on the beach, so me and her watch from afar while they golook for crabs.

More laughs

Harbour when the tide is in

Silly dog tried to hold back the tide

Video: Its cold

Seaside is brill

I dont suppose hes supposed to climb on, but he never asked and nobody complained

But nobody would

Sand by the fair, which Im told will be removed and houses placed there instead

No dogs on Rest Beach either, but I figure its 7pm and the council spy willbe home in front of the telly

Big waves for the surfers