In the Garden

The whole border on the right of the drive including the semi-circular bed has been re-shaped and planted with several hundred plants by David White. The wet weather in June and July made it a difficult season for the vegetables added to which being so busy restricted some of the planting this year. We have had wonderful soft fruit, especially the autumn raspberries, onions, both courgettes and cucumbers in the polytunnel though not outside but potatoes once again affected by blight and wireworm and tomatoes also. The creosoted rope on the entrances was a good trick for keeping the rabbits out. But it also kept them in! So we had a hilarious time gathering them in and releasing them outside the garden, helped by Brigit and Anneka and guests , Roy and Gail, from Chippenham.

The weddings both went very well, in May and in July. The weather was wonderful for both. We were delighted that Gwyneth and Will were able to play at Amy's wedding in July and they also did a concert the night before at Druidstone. And also four of Arran Pilot, down from Bath. Arran Pilot were also down and in magnificent form for a Druidstone wedding in September.

Birgit and Anneka were here from Estonia in July and August and were not only a wonderful help during the wedding and the Bicycle Beano week but were also good company. They enjoyed their stay in Wales very much. Anneka's father and sister came and spent a few days with us and we enjoyed some of the food and wine Kalle had brought as presents.

Bicycle Beano week was our biggest challenge of the summer and though hard work it was also satisfying to think that they had enjoyed themselves and appreciated the food and service and would like to return next year. Looking at this photo of them cycling down a road which is clearly not over-burdened with motorised traffic reveals exactly why they love cycling in Pembrokeshire. Amongst all the compliments this was typical. "We've had a great time. The location, the food and the hospitality are all top class. Thank you for the warm welcome home every evening .. and the folk music and dancing was wonderful. " They certainly built up their appetites well in the day. Rice Pudding for breakfast was a big hit.

Visitors

Another riotous weekend with the Packhorse Band in June! A wonderful evening at the Victoria Inn followed by a wedding at Druidstone.

We had a great few days with the Carolus family from Cape Town. Julian had met Johannes several years ago on an exchange visit and kept in touch. Will and his friend Gwylim had also been out there. Johannes was very taken with beer called The Reverend James!

Other visitors this summer included, Amy Wyatt and Tony , Colin and Sue Emmett, Chris Anders ( a friend of Will's who in amongst the labours of Beano week managed to get us to rest with two fish meals, with their own caught mackerel and bass washed down with wine chosen with the expert palate of a man training to be a Sommelier. ) and Viv and Joe, from the Packhorse Band with their wives, Chris and Sue. And we managed a nice play in the Druidstone as well. And a big thanks to the guest to told us how to take BT by the proverbials and bypass the call centre maze. Thanks to him we now have a second phone line and wireless access to the internet throughout the house.

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