I’ve been away from The Cottage for the past four days on a variety of missions. The first was a local residential course, where I was delighted to be able to enjoy an outdoor breakfast for the first time this year I think. Lovely and warm too…

We were lucky enough to have a beautifully still, calm morning and those students who opted to go on the post breakfast stroll, were rewarded with some very peaceful scenes…

As well as finding lots of frogs!

Things clouded over in the afternoon as we all hiked up into the forests above Betws y Coed, but it was really warm still and I wore a t-shirt, which felt rather novel.

It wasn’t quite as calm as the morning, but at Llyn Elsi, we still had some good views and a nice place to rest after the steep hike up there.

In the distance, we could see the summit of Moel Siabod, where Clare and I had stood a few weeks ago.

The afternoon rain can, during the drive back to the bunkhouse, so we stayed dry and got to enjoy the rainbow from the minibus window!

Saturday night was pizza night and was quite an operation getting a big gang of hungry teenagers fed and watered, while managing hot ovens, many sharp knives and general kitchen hygiene! Good fun though and with some tasty results too!

By Sunday afternoon I was down at the Loddington Wetlands, listening to the Little Greebs!

Followed by some fine hospitality back at Fort Martin for the night, before continuing on to Rutland Water to pick up a new sailing boat. All a bit of a whirlwind, but happily back in my own bed tonight!