our stockings

rough times

Not an entirely an easy month or so. A sad time. Which inevitably leads to difficult nights. This Bear has been on the floor many times, flattened under pillows and generally hurtled about.

A holiday, imminent, is being planned, will I go?

Nanteos Mansion

a trip was made to Nanteos Mansion, near Aberystwyth. An elegant place most suitable for a Bear. I had borrowed from the public library Malcolm Pryce's third novel on Aberystwyth - The Unbearable lightness of Being in Aberystwyth, excellent reading. A delightful room, with extensive bathroom was found for me, but disapointed that no-one arrived to light the open fire. Ah well.


2 bathroom details below:



In the morning I wandered along the front of the house finding comfortable places to reside, and watched the sun coming up over the hill. A charming vista.




Beautiful old kitchens, though a distinct lack of servants - at least it was quiet.




Nanteos Masion website here

unthinkable

something quite unthinkable has happened: I have been left behind when I would usually go. I suspect that we are both a bit lonely. Ho hum.

afternoon tea

I sit in great expectations, I am at Fornum & Mason's about to take afternoon tea with friends. Even she is going to smile, I think, in pink; even though we both know that there is some one absent who may have enjoyed the event.

if you would like to see a large album of photogrpaphs of the event do take a look here

to london, to london: some new aquaintances

a multi-occupancy house



damp cat: Greg (with three legs)

more from Capel Crannog

there was a choir practice all day on saturday; she took part in a rather terrified state.



I stayed over at Lou's parent's place as buses don't happen north of Aberteifi on a sunday, and we didn't want to miss out on afternoon tea.



the vestry was decorated with flowers and a huge spread of tea appeared and was enjoyed by more than 30 people...and me.

Midsummer's day with Lou at Capel Crannog

I was invited to an afternoon tea celebrating the begining of a community art project at Capel Crannog in Llangrannog, Ceredigion. The artists creating and organising the project are Louise Laurens and Jacob Whittaker, together they form Gwrando

if the video doesn't play please click here

afternoon tea with french fancy

Dangerous Times

For probably a couple of months, or more, night times have not been restful or that safe for a Bear. She is unhappy and does not sleep well. I find myself squashed, upside down, bent double, under a pillow, tangled in bed clothes or even on the floor with no immediate retrieval. I am not such a young and fit Bear and it is wearing - probably literally to my stitching. Dangerous times indeed.

Brittany

A very pleasant trip to Britany was made in early May. Wonderful food and drink seemed to be in constant supply. Stayed in an early 17th century house, along with large puppy, 2 kittens and 2 cats. Holy wells visited.
A good time had by all.

birthday picnic

A birthday picnic in the bluebells woods was arranged with a few friends. The weather was fine and the cuckoo called with the blackcap, as we were ingulfed in the heady scent of the bluebells; later this mingled with the wild garlic, by the tumbling stream. A light starter was snacked on a pathway edged with yellow flags about to flower. Sheep and goats cheese and tiny red tomatoes.

Later after walking along the stream we sat amongst the bluebells to eat the main meal - followed by individual raspberry trifles, then of course a nap.






We strolled back through the woods, resting briefly in an oak grove.





Later tea was taken, with cake back at the house.

down memory lane

Last weekend I returned to the area where I was created and spent the first nine years of my life with My Friend and her family - including dog, cat and rabbit - the cat and I often shared day time dozing places.

We drove within a few hundred yards of our old home, saw the bus stop where weekends away with the grandparents started from, and also visited the place where one set of grandparents had once resided: to say a farewell before it disapears. It seems to be slowly losing it's shine and in need of a little repair, not unlike myself - constant attention needed to keep in one peice!

see 'a special place remembered' in links list

My Friend and I walked in the bluebell woods and had a nap.

Later we visited a beech tree in whose roots we had often played at house - it looked to have need of quite some clearing up, but we decided to leave things be.

I was also introduced to Isobel who is 3 and has a faithful companion: Pink Bear. We had a morning chat in the play room.

It is undecided yet as to whether I shall travel to Brittany or remain at home on Thursday. But tomorrow is birthday lunch so I hope to find myself in a bluebell wood nearer to home.

violets

Night time is not as restful as wished for (can be quite dangerous for a smaller creature/Bear) - a respite in the violets leads to yearning for comfort, gentle embrace, warmth; to give and receive.