Week 9 - The Vardre.

For those of you who don't live in the Llandudno/Colwyn Bay areas, you will now be asking yourselves, what is the Vardre? And those of you who are local and are also wondering what I'm talking about ...... shame on you!!!!
Seriously though, the point is actually shame on me, because the Vardre is a local hill just between Deganwy and Llanrhos and overlooking llandudno,Conwy and towards Anglesey - and it was put on my list as until a few weeks ago I'd never climbed to its summit! (or been anywhere near it for that matter!) So, my 50 things list includes a few local walks and beauty spots which after this year will no longer be undiscovered to me!
On this particular afternoon I couldn't persuade the men in my family to accompany me (I'm doing them a disservice, I'm sure they were meaningfully engaged in some other activity) However, our black lab, Harvey, never takes any persuading and so, with him, his lead, my back-pack, my route printed out, my camera and my glasses I was ready!
It was a perfect winter's day; the sun was shining, the sky was blue, it was a welcome change after all the rain and heavy storms. The only complications were the stiles and my failing eyesight!
The first, I had anticipated and I was just hoping that somehow, miraculously, Harvey might have learnt how to climb those 2-stepped type stiles since last we trekked the countryside.
He hadn't!! Can I just say, Harvey is a big labrador and I congratulate myself on man-handling (carrying would be nowhere near the right word!!) him over at least 2 of these nasty structures! Fortunately, the other fields and paths were connected with either those step-ladder type stiles or those altogether better and much preferred by both me and Harvey, kissing gates.
The second complication was again not entirely down to my lack of preparation (ex-girlguide, I like to be prepared!)I did have my glasses with which to read my route, but I hadn't really fathomed out how I was going to keep them accessible for when I needed to check my directions. The tried and tested, and now only too familiar habit of mine, to stick them on my head, proved to be grossly inefficient and incongruous with climbing, hauling dogs and trudging through mud. A lot of mud!! Suffice to say, I think I'll invest in one of those older ladies',string round your neck devices for keeping my readers handy next time!(yes sorry kids, it has to be done)
Yes, indeed, there will be a next time because despite the two minor complications the walk was glorious, the weather outstanding and the views breathtaking and well worth the climb.
If you've never been up, do it, I'll even join you and go up again.
In the meantime, here are some photos to whet your appetite!

Week 8- Roman Baths

Although I'm fortunate to have visited the thermal pools in New Zealand, I'd never experienced any of these natural spa baths in this country! Crazy that isn't it, how you sometimes have to go to the other side of the world before you do something that is possible much closer to home??
Anyway, I put this on my list as soon as my second daughter Megan got a job in Bath.We went to visit at half term and decided to take the plunge! (ha,ha,do you like what I did there?)
The thermal Roman baths were brilliant, really very relaxing and so warm and luxurious. We had 2 hours and could enjoy the basement pool, the steam rooms and the amazing, open-air rooftop pool overlooking the city. It was a beautifully sunny day and one of those occasions when you're simply glad to be alive.
I had a friend who used to be very fond of saying 'we're so lucky' whenever we were having a particularly great day, holiday or experience. Another favourite was, ' we should live while we're alive'. She was right!
I definitely believe in making the most of and appreciating the simple pleasures in life. Although it's a cliché, it's true that none of us know how many of these special days we'll have so it's important to savour them, enjoy them and be thankful.
Therefore,to my amazing friend, Karen, who unexpectedly and shockingly died at the age of 47, yes, I am lucky, and I'll always remember your wise and  inspirational words.

As an after thought,I must say to any of you who are wondering how I get from Roman baths to ' inspirational words' - I've absolutely no idea either, it just seems to happen!!!

Some pictures then!

Week 7 -A little bit of poetry

I occasionally write a bit of poetry and so I thought it would be good to try and get one printed or published for one of my 50th things.
However, it occurred to me that publishing on a blog was actually quite a challenge for me in itself as I'm not historically very comfortable sharing what I've written!
So here we go; a poem from back in 2008, when all the kids were at home and life was quite frenetic and very different than it is now! Its title is 'unspoken' so it seems quite apt.

Unspoken

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman, or is it only me

that feels that there are just too many things,

that seem to go unspoken

Do people know what I'm really like, can they read my thoughts?

can they tell by looking what lurks inside

and see the things unspoken?

Oh I want to talk, I love to talk, that is not the problem

but the hurt, the pain and all the stress and tension,

that's what goes unspoken

Why is it me that never rests and always has to be there?

Why do I not get a day off from all that 'woman's' work

is it a rule unspoken?

Who said I should be the one who has to answer questions?

can someone else not make a decision just for once?

please change that rule unspoken!

If I ask a question am I prying- or just plain annoying?

am I nagging, interrogating and giving advice?

shall I keep my thoughts unspoken?

When everyone's left the dinner table and only I am
 left

who is going to clear the pots - well her of course

it's that other rule unspoken!

Is it only me who thinks such wretched things? am I really horrid?

Does everyone else accept this is their job?

it's the role unspoken

Should I try and make you understand - just where would I start?

I want to tell you how I feel, I think it would be good -

to share my life unspoken

But it's a really scary prospect to let you see inside

what if you don't understand or care, or worse reject me-

perhaps I'll stay unspoken

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman - it can't be only me

I struggle, I fail, I'm sure you do too

let's share our worlds unspoken?

Karen Sadler September 2008