Happy Birthday James & Grandma

Last Sunday, all the assorted Greens and Peacocks (and hangers-on) met up in Emmer Green to have a birthday tea for James and Grandma (whose birthdays are on consecutive days). We love this one (especially of Kezia).

Cakey face!

Kezia was very keen on the fairy cakes for pudding. Thanks to Joe and family for these two pictures, which we nicked from their blog. Our own camera is on the blink (again!!)

A Week in Wales - wet & windy, steep & hilly, warm & sunny, fun & friendly - it was brilliant

Eek! Look out!

The whole beach to play on, and yet the number of times Kezia managed to almost tread on this dead jellyfish was quite amazing.

Our spot for a day at the beach (...not QUITE sure what Kezia has spotted behind the windbreak!)

This photo makes the beach look tiny and bleak; it was quite the opposite - it was huge, flat, sandy, ideal for pottering about on (we just didn't manage to get any of it in the picture).

Off to explore another corner of the beach with Grandad

Bosherston Lily Ponds

One day when it wasn't quite beach weather, we went out for the day to Bosherston Lily Ponds about 15 miles from Saundersfoot - it was beautiful.

The whole route round, along the banks of the lily ponds to the beach and back up to the tea rooms in the village, was about 3 miles, and it was a really nice walk - it even stayed dry most of the way!

The two intrepid explorers set off across the dunes (just as it started to rain!) - it was hard going - well, it was for one of us anyway.

One last one of Bosherston (before we headed off for the ace tea rooms) - I love this photo - rain is ace.

Rockpooling

Kezia was delighted with her new pink fishing net, and we had loads of fun rockpooling on the beach, though it did take quite a while to find a crab which was actually still alive!

Sunshine & Showers!

Some days the weather seemed to change every 5 minutes! At least it gave us all a chance to try the old "how many people can fit under one umbrella?" trick.

High tide at sunset

Saundersfoot in the evening. The building with the lights is the Mermaid restaurant, where we had scrummy fish and chips.

Ace - ice cream time!

There was a terrific ice cream kiosk in the middle of Saundersfoot, and we had plenty of warm days to take advantage of it. Yummy!

A day out in Tenby

The nearest big (ish!) place to Saundersfoot is Tenby and we went there on the Saturday. This is the view of the multi-coloured houses from the top of castle hill, which is one of the first places we visited.

St.Catherine's island in Tenby bay - this view is on every postcard in town - quite right too - it is lovely.

It was a steep climb up the castle hill (it is a steep climb everywhere in Pembrokeshire!) and Kezia was very pleased to make it to the top.

It was great at the top of the castle hill - it was really pretty and the views were great.

Kezia thought the cannons on top of the castle hill were great.

After lunch, the weather turned really hot, so we headed for the beach, which Kezia thought was just ace.

After the excitement of the beach, it was the perfect time to chill out with an ice lolly. Tenby was great - we really liked it there.

Saundersfoot beach seen from the harbour wall

Striding out to Wiseman's Bridge

On the Sunday (our 12th wedding anniversary), we went for a walk along the seafront following the route of the old Saundersfoot Coal Railway to Wiseman's Bridge, a mile north of the village. It was very dramatic, and, even better, there was a cosy pub to warm up in at the end of the walk!

All set and ready to go (some of us looking more chilly than others!)

Striding out en route

By the time we got near the inn, we were all in need of a warm drink, so we upped the pace a bit. Kezia is even losing a shoe in the rush here! The inn was great and Kezzie had her first go at playing pool. She potted two yellows! It was a great stroll out in the blustery weather.

Here are a few to start with....

Plenty more to come, but here is a first batch of our holiday photos.....

Windswept & Happy on the beach at Saundersfoot

Boats in the harbour, seagulls on the beach

A trip to Folly Farm (in the rain!)

We had a lot of decent weather, but the Monday was VERY wet! Even Dr.Bear, who is an optimistic soul, wasn't sure what to do for the best. We looked through the tourist leaflets and decided to go to Folly Farm animal park. Not only does it boast the only giraffes in Wales (!), but it also promised plenty to do inside.

The weather got even worse on the short journey to Folly Farm and it was BELTING down by the time we arrived. Even the walk from the car to the entrance left us soaked, so we were thinking the day might be a bit of a write-off.....

It turned out to be pretty good indoors. There was an area with lots of farm animals, an indoor funfair, a decent cafe to have lunch, and a huge soft play / climbing frame area for Kezia (and the grown ups) to let off some energy on. Look out, here comes Team Browning!

After we had done everything we could indoors, we went off in search of the giraffes, and they were absolutely ace. Even for giraffes, they seemed SO tall. Like all the other animals, they were keeping in out of the rain, but we had to walk across the park to reach them, so we were nicely soaked by the time we got there. Still, it didn't matter - what we thought might have been a grim day had turned out really well.

Kezzie takes the wheel

If Grandad got tired of driving, then Kezia was more than happy to take over. Braking, accelerating, changing gear and watching the road weren't her forte, but she could steer, so we were OK!

Our 'cottage' (as Kezia called it)

Our bungalow was great. It had a bit of decking out front to sit with your morning cuppa, a back garden with nooks and crannies to explore, and a great view (down the very steep slope!) to the beach and the bay. What more could we ask for?

Our holiday home from home

Our holiday 'cottage', "Sail Away". It was lovely, though it was up a VERY steep hill!