Saunders MM 2012 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL Naomi and I... read more

Robin attended auditions for the Brecon Cathedral choir this morning in the Diocesan Centre with Mark Duthie and Father Michael.  Robin was very nervous, but there were several current choirboys and girls who helped make the candidates feel at ease, and some of the “matrons” and parents there to chat to, plus drinks and cake. After a 10-15... read more

Details have just been revealed about the 2012 Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon – it starts at Wasdale Head.  This has raised expectations (fear) with Naomi, entering her first ever MM this year. We’ve entered the Kirkfell class - the third most severe below Scafell and Bowfell, and the easiest class that was not already full when we... read more

My Windows Backup has been failing to complete for a while, after churning away for ages. I use it to backup a data drive and make a system image onto a NAS (a 1GB RAID5 Netgear ReadyNAS Duo, which is Linux based). I wasn’t that fussed for a while as I have other backups that are working, but finally this morning I chased the beggar down. It was... read more

My favourite web authoring tool, however… … since an automatic update to Windows Live Essentials the other day, Windows Live Writer has failed to start, giving “Windows Live Writer has stopped working” immediately. Actually I’m not 100% it was working just before that, but I think so. I am of course writing this in Windows Live Writer, so what... read more

First the wind: as a birthday treat for Naomi we did the Mynydd Troed Race today. I don't think I've ever done a race in such foul conditions, with screaming winds and driving rain. Before the start I was a bit miffed that the course was shortened to miss out Mynydd Llangorse - this was my first race after busting the knee and I wanted my... read more

At last we are the “proud” owners of Number 1 Fronwen Terrace, and over the last couple of weekends we have begun the mammoth task of making it habitable for humans. Here’s the kitchen after lifting the lino to reveal the slime and mould… I removed the whole lot, along with most of the skin on my knuckles.  The quarry tile floor is in good... read more

An exciting week at Priory School, with Zoo Lab introducing the kids to snakes and creepy crawlies, and then the Eisteddfod. Robin took the stage three times, here singing “hufen iâ” in duet with Amy. He also performed “Do Re Mi” on trumpet, and “Mis Mawrth unwaith eto…” (aka “Dewi Sant”) with Dewi House. Dewi House were victorious, of course!... read more

Our books are all over the place – bookshelves all over the house with mixed up contents, and loads in cardboard boxes too (we moved house only 11 years ago). not surprisingly, it’s rather hard to find that book I’m sure I’ve got somewhere about Greek mythology, or whatever. So as a masterclass in displacement activity (from DIY and real work) I... read more

With the weather turning chilly, a few days ago we put out a pot of lard and seeds for the birds. Robin spotted this little chap (?) popping up between the logs and helping himself. He’s been around much every morning since, and we suspect he will invite family and friends. I think the long nose, colouring, big eyes and ears suggest he’s a wood ... read more