A Week in Pictures

A few photographs and reflections from the week — the walks, the garden, family time, and the little moments that caught my eye.

What a difference a week makes. After months of living in the simplicity of campervan life, we're suddenly back home with plenty of space, two gardens to tend and a diary filling up with walks, golf, cycling and morning yoga.

It's been a busy week of readjusting to home life and catching up on jobs that patiently waited for our return. Life on the road already feels a long way away, but it's good to be home.

Catching Up

It was lovely to spend some time with my sister Sue, who is over from Jamaica for a visit.

We enjoyed a walk down to the beach before stopping for coffee and a good catch-up. Sometimes the simplest days are the most enjoyable — no plans, no rushing around, just time spent together.

🥾 Steep Climb, Big Reward

Up like a lark on Friday, I met my sister Judy and walking friends for a circular walk around Castell Dinas Brân, high above Llangollen in the Dee Valley.

It was a testing climb — up, up, up — with plenty of pauses to catch our breath and take in the sweeping views across the valley below.

It was the perfect day: peaceful and quiet, with foxgloves dotted across the landscape, sheep grazing on the hillsides and horses watching over a tiny foal that looked only a few days old.

Reaching the summit felt like a real achievement. After a quick photo shoot and a well-earned snack, we explored the castle ruins and enjoyed a short rest before beginning the descent.

The path down was easy to follow and well marked, and it wasn’t long before we reached the lane below.

From there we followed the canal back towards Llangollen before heading home. Another enjoyable day in good company.

Cycling Above the Vale of Clwyd

The forecast wasn't particularly promising, but there seemed to be a small weather window, so I decided to take a chance and head out.

The route took me through Cwm and on towards Bodfari and Denbigh. As I climbed, the views opened out across the Vale of Clwyd below, with Rhuddlan Castle and the River Clwyd visible in the distance.

The strong headwind on the outward leg was forgotten as a welcome tailwind helped me home.

A thoroughly enjoyable 23-mile ride and a reminder of how lucky we are to have such wonderful countryside on our doorstep.

🌿 Back in the Garden

The garden looked lush and green after three months away, but it had become rather overgrown. Three green bins later, it is finally starting to take shape again.

Some plants have needed fairly drastic cutting back, but they'll thank me for it in the long run. Borders are reappearing, paths are becoming clearer and the whole garden is beginning to look cared for once more.

There is still plenty to do, but I'm enjoying the process. This summer I'm hoping to spend less time treating the garden as a project and more time simply enjoying it.

Blimey, what a week! Cycling, walking, gardening, golf, yoga and family time — busy, but thoroughly enjoyable.