Week 37 - Sunrise

You may be thinking that my 50th year is lasting more than 12 months. Well actually yes it came to an end on the 25th.
I'm nearly there, the challenges are almost all completed, but there are a couple that are on going and will need a little more time.I decided as a final challenge I should follow my son in law's example and fulfill a long held ambition, i.e - write a book!
So, I've actually done 44 of the 50 to date and the other 4 are scheduled, but couldn't happen for various reasons until February.
Do I feel disappointed that I didn't successfully achieve the 50 in a year? Emphatically no! It was always about the challenge of doing different things, about having fun, about writing these blogs -and having a target. I will finish; it'll just be a little delayed. That's alright with me, I'm not so personally competitive that I'm beating myself up! Journeys are as good as destinations in my opinion.
All of which means you get to read my blog for longer, yay!! By the way, thanks to those of you who have made really positive and complimentary comments about the blog -very much appreciated, I love receiving feedback.

Back to week 37 then and early November when I realised you didn't have to get up quite so early in the morning to watch the sunrise. What I wasn't so smart to realise was that going on a cloudy day was never going to be a good idea. For that reason I actually hiked up Bryn Euryn at 7am on 2 separate occasions. Harvey, of course didn't mind at all, as he never refuses more than one walk in a day. From the summit of Bryn Euryn there's a wonderful 360 degrees panorama and on the clear morning it was stunning to see Colwyn Bay waking up to another new day.
There's something very cathartic about witnessing the light dawning effortlessly and night turning to day. No striving, no confusion, no rush- just God's creation doing what it always does. Very reassuring.
The peace and solitude was equally calming. It was a beautiful start to the day.

Week 36 - Live on £1a day for a week.

I wondered how this one was going to work to be honest when I live with two other people. However, those two other people, John and Nathan, were generously up for this challenge too and that made it a whole lot more interesting and exciting 

We decided on menus for the week and planned out what we could afford on just £21 (£3 each x 7 days).Actually,it's surprisingly more than you may imagine. 

Here's what we bought: 

• potatoes
• Onions 
• Pasta
• rice
• eggs
• sardines
• oats
• milk
• tinned tomatoes 
• baked beans
• fish fingers
• frozen peas
• cooking bacon
• small wedge of cheese 
• bread flour
• butter 

 This, amazingly came to less than £21 from Lidl! I thought we may need to replenish milk supply as the week progressed, so it was comforting to know we had another £2.50 to spend.
Breakfasts consisted of porridge every day, and made entirely with water by the end of the week even after having bought more milk!!
Lunches at work were a cheese sandwich. Evening meals included the ingredients you see above.
Were we hungry? - absolutely not. We had plenty of carbs and some to spare at the end of 7 days.
Could we snack or have luxuries? - absolutely not. In fact the biggest negative was that you got bored of the same food.
Could you have lovely fruit and veg? - No! and I for one really missed my fruit at breakfast and the great variety we usually enjoy.
Did we cheat? - well no, but we did allow ourselves tea and coffee and spices from the store cupboard.
The best bit? - getting unexpectedly invited out for dinner at the end of the week and being fed delicious, tasty, varied food including dessert, ....thanks Su and Richard.
The really important bit?- giving the money we would normally have spent away to 'Christians against Poverty'

This was a sobering challenge. We are so extremely lucky and rich to be able to enjoy the vast variety and quantity of great food that we normally consume.

We realised afresh just how difficult and heart-breaking it must be not to be able to provide basic food necessities, never mind anything else.

This is something we should definitely do again.

Week 34 and 35 - Night swim/skinny Dip!!

Both of the above were on my list and I have to confess right now before I go any further, that both got slightly modified.
Okay, let's be totally honest, I didn't actually do either of these things, but life sometimes throws you unexpected circumstances and then you just have to go with them.
So the night swim became a night bathe and the skinny dip was an unforeseen boxing day 'wade'. Both were unchartered territory for me and therefore I deem them acceptable to include on my list.
In my defence regarding the night swim (not that I have to defend myself, but somehow I feel compelled to), one evening in late August I was all set to run out into the waves on Conwy Morfa beach........... when I realised those waves were about a mile away at least! After that, I kept watching the tide tables and the shortening days and my well-meaning husband reminded me that I wouldn't be able to see the jellyfish in the dark. I'm afraid that did it for me (I did freak out rather pathetically in the summer when I got stung by one!)
Happily, in half term I booked a wonderful cottage near Chepstow which included a hot tub. Suddenly, a night time bathe in lovely hot water, relaxing with a glass of wine and under the gaze of the stars seemed a much more pleasant (and easier) proposition. In reality, there were no stars to see, just cloud and rain, but hey, you can't have everything!
Now for the boxing day wade. At one point I thought maybe the boxing day dip in the sea should be one of my challenges and then I remembered that we had something very special already planned for the day. It was the day we were going as a family to Llandwyn Island on Anglesey to commemorate my father in law. It was a significant place for him and as there were 10 of us together at Christmas it was the best time for us to go.
If you know the island, you'll know that it's generally never an island, rather a piece of land connected by a causeway to the rest of the beach. Although we had checked the weather, made arrangements for the transport of 81 year old mum and duly set off very early, no- one it seems had bothered to consult the tides. As we reached the causeway there was already water covering the sand. John managed to give his mum a fireman's lift across, others took their shoes off and walked across and those with wellies on gave piggy backs! I was gallantly carried by one of my nephews.
We must surely all have realised that the return was not going to be any easier, but probably we all hoped that the tide wouldn't rise too quickly. So a little later when we saw a despondent family sheltering at the end of the causeway we knew our hope was in vain. The water was rising, the wind was blowing, the rain was pouring down and there was absolutely no way we could stay freezing, marooned on the island for hours. Unexpectedly, the boxing day dip was back on the cards!
Without hardly any hesitation, we decided our only choice was to enter that icy water,....We all removed our shoes, socks and trousers and across the deepening waters we waded. I should add that Nana was sensibly exempt from this madness and was carried 'Sidan chair' style by her 4 grandsons.
In conclusion here, I return to my point at the start about unexpected circumstances. Sometimes they really do turn out to be the most significant moments. What would have been a pleasant yet poignant family walk on the beach has now become a family story, an adventure, a landmark occasion which will be often recounted and passed down through the generations. The unforeseen drama didn't dampen or destroy our resolve to say our final goodbyes; instead it added to our experience. My father in law would have approved and being the raconteur that he was, it was right, exactly right.

Week 33 - Not a christmas card christmas card!

Well this is a bit of a funny one I know! Most of the 50 things have been about new experiences and challenges and this seems to fly in the face of that ideal.
However, after remembering the amount of money spent on stamps last year I decided that I could use that cash more wisely this Christmas. It's not that I'm against card giving, and I love to send news at this time of year, stay in touch with friends and communicate best wishes for the festive season. 
The truth is though, that these days there is more than one way to skin a cat; in other words, there are other ways to do this.

So, here it is! This is my Christmas card/newsletter to you. What's so great for you is that you have access now to a whole year's worth of news, photos and witty banter!!?If you've been following my blog all year you'll already know what I've been up to (if you haven't,.... read all the entries and then you'll be up to speed! Make sure you go back to week 1 which explains everything.)

The main family news in 2014 is that we lost John's dad, Keith, in June, after an eight months illness with pancreatic cancer. It was obviously a difficult and sad time and yet John was able to spend a day every week with his parents which was precious and a privilege. His mum is remarkable and is coping amazingly.
The summer in fact was full of mixed emotions for the wider family as we celebrated one niece's wedding and another's first baby, both of these events coming only a few weeks after the funeral.
As for our children; Rachel and Alan continue to thrive in Loughborough with their puppy, Griff. Rachel is in her second year of maths teaching and Alan has just started a Phd. Alan has also written a book about his incredible £1 challenge (www.myonepoundchallenge.co.uk)
Megan has now lived in Bath for over a year and is thoroughly enjoying her work as an OT, volunteering in her church and working among young people and homeless people in her area.She lives in a fabulous house  which she shares with 2 other young women and she says it's definitely not a student pad and she feels very 'adult' now!
Luc, incredibly is in his final year at Loughborough and juggling his degree, church and student team work, creating wonderful meals with his housemates and generally living life to the full. He has established himself as arguably the best centre back in La Liga (Loughboroughs indoor football league). Follow @HIMYMata on Twitter.
Nathan is now in his GCSE year,over 6ft tall, still playing rugby and tennis and extremely pleased to have just had his brace removed which he reckons makes him now the most handsome guy in his year!!! It's great that we still have him at home with us but he definitely misses the others and he's very patient and tolerant of his not so young parents!
John and I both work 4 days in teaching and have Fridays off. We have had a sabbatical from Church leadership this year and have spent  time supporting our parents, taking up 'spinning' classes, visiting our children, still tandemming and of course completing '50' challenges. Next year it's John's 50th birthday so we'll see what exciting things he gets up to..

Now for the photos:

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with those you love and all the best for 2015

Lots of love, Karen, John, Rachel,Alan,Megan,Luc and Nathan xx

(not forgetting Harvey and Griff)

Week 32 - Make a new recipe

This really is a bit lame I feel because there's nothing very unique about trying a new recipe!

However, this was a recipe I'd been avoiding for a while as I thought it was extremely difficult to get right. I tend to bake something new and then it becomes the one thing that I produce on every occasion. Actually I don't think I'm unusual in that?

It has to be said that until I've become something of an emptying nester I didn't really bake very much at all; in fact it was just the 5 annual birthday cakes and the obligatory mince pies at Christmas! Now John is often referring to me as a domestic goddess or Mary Berry (not true, but very sweet!) He does also maintain that I only bake when the kids are coming home or we're entertaining visitors. (This is also not true, but I can't seem to convince him!) 

I began to wonder about this transformation and came to the conclusion that it was about creativity. When you're busy child rearing all your nurturing and creative energy is used up in them (actually, scrub that and make it, 'all your energy is up. Period.') When you're no longer pouring yourself out in that way, you need another outlet. Of course, people like my mother in law always managed to do both, but this is my experience so I'm sticking to it - and good luck to you genuine 'domestic goddesses'!!

At the risk of contradicting everything I said in the previous paragraph, it cannot be denied that of course time is another overwhelming factor. I simply have more free time now. Additionally, I have been quite inspired by programmes like 'the bake off' and the recent trend towards home-produced goods.

Anyway, back to what I actually made for the first time this autumn. Millionaire shortbread according to Mary Berry. It was a brilliant recipe which if you follow exactly you get results just like hers. I was pretty impressed and rather pleased with myself. 

And can I just say, they were enjoyed by just Nathan, John and myself..... not a single visitor in sight!

Week 31- Llandudno tram

 Incredible as it seems after having lived in this area for 23 years I had never been on the Llandudno tram on the Great Orme. It was therefore put on my list at the beginning of the year.
I am very lucky to have a very good friend who is a regular traveller on and great fan of the tram. She also has a brilliant young son who is equally enthusiastic and knowledgeable about this popular means of transport. They kindly volunteered to take me on my maiden journey!
They advised me on the best weather condition, the best time and the best route. The tourists of course simply turn up at the tram station at the bottom of the Orme and have to wait their turn to climb aboard. We drove to the summit and came down on the second tram of the day and then ascended again.
My friend, Caroline and her son were on first name terms with the tram staff and they also had a season ticket which meant I got to ride for free, - so ideal!
Needless to say it was a fantastic morning and once again lovely views were enjoyed. However, I think I appreciated the by product of this experience just as much! What do I mean by that?Well, it was so lovely going out with Caroline and Levi and joining in their world for a few hours. It has been such a long time since my children were little and I had forgotten that people will so often strike up a conversation when you have a child with you. Also, children's wide-eyed enthusiasm and zest for life is contagious.
It was great to appreciate those simple things in life: riding on a tram, spotting numbers on cable cars and witnessing Levi's first descent down the long slide! Well done Levi and thank you both for a lovely morning.

Week 30 - Cycle to...........

I live in a household of very keen cyclists; I challenge any home to have as much Lycra as we do in ours. John and Luc have done some extremely impressive rides including Colwyn Bay to Cardiff in 36 hours! and now the guys are planning a trip to Paris on two wheels.
As for me, I enjoy my cycling too and not wanting to be outdone by the men I decided I had to set myself a challenge too. I felt I wanted to do a major ride from home, something noteworthy, somewhere at a reasonable distance. I chose Llangaffo, Anglesey which is approximately 33 miles away,( but with our little unintended diversion around Bangor must have been nearer 35!)
Okay, so I know it's not Land's End to John o Groat's, but it is a route which I've travelled many, many times before. However, only in a car. So one fine, dry day John and I got prepared and set off on the tandem. (We absolutely love tandem cycling and are constantly amazed by people's sceptical attitude towards it.)
I particularly enjoy the opportunity to appreciate the countryside and see the sights that you simply miss when you zip along the dual carriageways at 70mph. It's wonderful to experience the contours of the land, to take a slower pace and to chat as you go along (John also maintains I use the mobile going along instead of pedalling ,- what can I say? I can multi-task!!)
Anyway, we discovered some lovely little places which are really just on our doorstep and yet previously unknown. We found a beautiful valley near Bangor, so close to the expressway and yet magically hidden. We picnicked in a park, drank coffee overlooking the Menai Bridge and took time to pause and take photos. It looks like I learnt my lesson after my poor judgement in Cheddar (you need to have read the last blog!)
Additionally, it did feel like an achievement, especially since we cycled not only onto the island but down to Llangaffo where we met Luc and Nathan -
-  Oh and yes, that was with the car; the bike went on the roof and we drove home, enjoying a well- earned fish and chip supper - yum!