Ddraig Goch 365

08-02-2012

2012-02-08T20:30:00.001Z

Preparations have been ongoing looking ahead to a 'real winter' for some time. These beautiful sledges have been on sale in the hardware store around the corner since before the cold snap began....

Young ones can now be seen being pulled around the icy streets by their parents. This evening the temperature appears to be a relatively mild -5C ( dropping to -7C at coldest!)... the ice and snow remain in place making the pavements great fro sledging, but dangerous for walking!

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T03:30:00.000Z

For 2011 this blog will move across the Wordpress please feel free to follow this [link]

31 12 2010 (365/365)

2010-12-31T23:09:00.001Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my fellow bloggers and blog readers as we prepare to welcome in 2011.

I must admit that I would not have chosen to spend the day waiting for my car to be repaired.......however I did and sadly will not have my dear Audi back until 4th January at the earliest.

Enough of this doom and gloom there are many challenges and opportunities to look forward to in 2011.

30 12 2010 (364/365)

2010-12-30T16:59:00.001Z

2010 is running out and with it 12 months of blogging is coming to its conclusion.

Looking ahead 2011 is going to be a whole new challenge as I look forward to being a new resident in The Hague from mid January.

This will require a rethinking of my format enabling it to be advice and information for others new to The Nederlands.

Watch this space!

The image today shows that my cast was removed today......the wrist is still painful I think that further medical intervention may be required in 2011!

29 12 2010

2010-12-29T18:10:00.001Z

The fog gives everything a spooky look and makes traveling more difficult. Even more so if the brake lights on your car fail as mine have.....this is made more difficult with all local garages closed for the holidays!

28 12 2010

2010-12-29T18:01:00.001Z

As our temperatures rise we have entered a time of mist and fog.

It is forecast that much of the remainder of 2010....

27 12 2010 (361/365)

2010-12-27T23:12:00.001Z

Today's image is of the Monmouthshire Hunt's Boxing Day meeting at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny earlier.

We followed this with a 330 mile round trip to London to take Sian back after a short Christmas break and ahead of her departure for Val D'Isere on 7th January where she will be a ski nanny.

26 12 2010

2010-12-27T10:13:00.001Z

Our icicles continue to grow as a thaw still appears distant. Today our big family get together saw four generations meeting up at my sister's house for an afternoon of present opening and eating!

25 12 2010 (359/365)

2010-12-26T11:17:00.001Z

A very Merry Christmas to all.

We had nine for Christmas lunch today, the humans were joined by Patch and Beauregard ( Beau to his friends) the two terriers belonging to Emily and Ant (Debbie's brother). The dogs got on really well once they had been for a good walk together on neutral territory.

24 12 2010

2010-12-24T22:18:00.000Z

As Santa approaches the UK I would like to wish all blog writers and readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from deepest South Wales...... where it is currently -10C Brrrr!!!

Our next door neighbour's great icicle, we will measure it tomorrow!

23 12 2010

2010-12-23T21:59:00.000Z

Merry Christmas from the Seven Dwarfs :-)

The Hague style

22 12 2010

2010-12-22T20:42:00.001Z

We appear to have received our allotted snow for the Christmas period .....we will see!

21 12 2010

2010-12-21T22:50:00.001Z

Meeting Santa is always an exciting occasion. He was at The House of Fraser in Cardiff today....clever Santa!

20 12 2010

2010-12-20T19:19:00.001Z

Travel proves difficult in South Wales as The Big Freeze continues its icy grip......temperatures stayed at around -5c all day with the addition of around 15cm more snow. Thankfully I was not in work today as Cardiff and the M4 motorway ground to a halt on many occasions throughout the day.

19 12 2010

2010-12-19T22:47:00.001Z

Believe it or not the temperature had risen to -7c this evening, it is expected to drop to -15 later tonight!

18 12 2010

2010-12-19T22:42:00.001Z

Brrrrr! Icy.

17 12 2010

2010-12-17T21:52:00.001Z

Winter returned as forecast today.This was the view outside our front door at 4pm this afternoon. I had returned home to work having been caught in a blizzard on the M4 motorway as I approached Cardiff Gate this morning.

16 12 2010

2010-12-16T22:57:00.001Z

Icy conditions return to South Wales this evening!

15 12 2010

2010-12-15T18:17:00.001Z

Mary (Abi) with Baby Jesus at Llanfoist Fawr Primary School this morning in the Reception Class Nativity story 'The Big Surprise '.

With winter colds and viruses running rampant amongst the pupils Mary headed straight to the doctor following the performance and was diagnosed with a chest infection, brave girl :-)

14 12 2010

2010-12-15T00:47:00.001Z

Red sky at night.....shepherds delight! Today's picture doesn't do full justice to the wonderful sunset today. The sunrise was equally good, however as I was driving at the time I was unable to capture it!

Red sky in the morning may foretell of some bad weather heading our way towards the end of the week...

13 12 2010

2010-12-13T22:44:00.001Z

How sweet, our table chimes, out for Christmas.

12 12 2010 346/365

2010-12-12T17:21:00.000Z

The local narrow-boats lie at anchor through the winter with the canal frozen over, temperatures have risen however much is still frozen. The days shorten and we see the sun dip behind the hills at around 2pm these winter days.

11 12 2010

2010-12-11T19:10:00.001Z

Christmas arrives at last as our tree finally makes it out of the attic and into the lounge.

It does now seem like Christmas is on its way.

10 12 2010

2010-12-11T00:08:00.001Z

Today's image is of the marvelous creation that I found when visiting my daughter and grandchildren this afternoon. Is it a house or a castle who can tell, does it matter?

Seeing their faces and hands streaked with green paint, showed how intensively they had been involved on their activity.

09 12 2010

2010-12-09T21:38:00.001Z

The day began with below freezing temperatures again, more scraping and de-icing.

As the day progressed it actually warmed and by the time I left work at 6 I was greeted by a temperature of +3C....Wow positively tropical!

08 12 2010

2010-12-08T23:43:00.001Z

Tonight it was our chance to kick start Christmas with a visit to the Abertillery Christmas Show. Laura was on drums bottom right while Deb was on stage bringing Christmas to life. I should also mention the AYDMS Juniors whose performance showed that the future of musical theatre is safe in this valley.

07 12 2010

2010-12-08T23:24:00.001Z

Frost on the roof of the car this morning ..... below freezing yet again.

06 12 2010

2010-12-06T11:07:00.001Z

My colourful new addition!! A cast for 3 weeks, Happy Christmas.

05 12 2010

2010-12-05T21:18:00.001Z

This delightful stained glass window would often be missed by visitors to the de Bijenkorf store in The Hague, as much of its 'art deco' past is hidden away for the curious to discover.

04 12 2010

2010-12-04T22:32:00.000Z

An external view of my new apartment on Berberistraat, Segbroek, Den Haag........ it is the apartment with the colourful curtains.

View Larger Map

03 12 2010

2010-12-04T22:13:00.000Z

One of Sinterklass'a helpers seen on the street in Den Haag on Friday 3rd December ahead of the Sinterklass parade on the weekend. Below a parade from Wednesday 1st December.....

I eventually left a snowy Schiphol for Cardiff following our aircraft requiring de-icing.......home at 9.30pm after the 55 minute flight over the snowbound UK.

02 12 2010

2010-12-02T23:08:00.000Z

Day two in Den Haag and my decision has now been made on an apartment for 2011 it will be in Berberisstraat which appears to me to be a sound choice views below -

Following the choice I spent the day in and around the city checking out some of the local shopping and eating..... the eating house below caught my eye!

I did not eat here sadly!

I did have a very nice chilli chicken roll with a glass or two of Medoc followed up with an apple tart.

I included a tram ride this time around.

and found Chinatown Den Haag style....

......back home to Wales tomorrow evening weather permitting!

01 12 2010

2010-12-01T20:30:00.000Z

Following a 6am flight from Cardiff Airport to Schiphol ( 1 hour in the air) I arrived in Den Haag at around 10.30am local time, ahead of my 1.30 pm appointment with Yvonne De Booij from Perfect Housing the IB's letting agent in The Nederlands.
I have to thank Yvonnne for her excellent advice during the afternoon I am now in a much better position to make the important decision regarding my base in Den Haag from January 2011. My choice is between Thorbeckelaan and Berberisstraat both of which have much to commend them.
I followed this busy afternoon up with a wander through The Passage stopping off at De Passant for something to eat.

Mmmm!

tasty....

Now back to the Mercure Hotel for an early night ahead of some decision making in the morning.

30 11 2010

2010-11-30T22:32:00.001Z

We are about to enter the final 31 days of the 365 day blogathon as we do so I would like to congratulate all of my fellow bloggers for sticking with the discipline through all that the year has thrown at us. I reckon we are due a huge virtual celebration at the end of 2010.

My blog post today shows the ER at my local hospital which has unfortunately become a little too familiar over recent weeks. It would appear that we are nearing a conclusion to the result of my hockey fall. The Kristin scan that I had last week has at last shown a break in one of the carpal bones and a tear in the ligament at my wrist....I knew that there was a reason for the pain!

The doctor I saw this morning suggested a plaster cast immediately, I refused as I am due to fly out from Cardiff to The Nederlands for my flat hunting visit tomorrow. .....I will be back in ER next Monday morning possibly for a cast!!!

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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29 11 2010

2010-11-29T22:07:00.001Z

Ice station Cardiff at lunchtime today.....the temperature -3c!

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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28 11 2010

2010-11-29T00:18:00.000Z

The reason for our cold snap is the change in the position of the jet steam, which is currently dipping down to the west of the UK dragging Arctic air down across the country..... a temperature of -18C was recorded about 50 mioes away from us last night and we are promised at least 7 more days of cold weather and snow.... brrrr!

Both of today's images are borrowed from the BBC News website.

27 11 2010

2010-11-27T23:55:00.001Z

An interesting fuZion of Shiraz and Malbec ideal for a Saturday evening tipple, just the one glass of course!

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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26 11 2010

2010-11-26T17:59:00.001Z

Wow! Winter seems to have arrived as the snow swept in to Cardiff this afternoon. This image was taken at 3.15pm.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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25 11 2010

2010-11-25T20:28:00.001Z

Age and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle seems to have finally caught up with me as my recent attempts to reduce my bad cholesterol have largely failed. My doctor has prescribed Simvastatin which must be taken nightly in order to control the nasty cholesterol.

I am aware of the side effects of these statins which does make me somewhat reticent to take the medication!!

Location : Church Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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24 11 2010

2010-11-24T20:57:00.000Z

I have had to borrow the images for today's blog post as I was unable to take an picture of myself undergoing an MRI scan on my right wrist this evening. My hand was clamped into a device very similar to the one below

I also had to take up a very similar Usain Bolt like stance while flat on my face for the 15 uncomfortable minutes that the scan took. Unfortunately a nurse similar to the one below was not in attendance!!!

I look forward to viewing the results next week as the doctor's suspect a tear in the ligament on my right wrist which is causing my continued discomfort...... no hockey for the duration either which is harder to bear!

23 11 2010

2010-11-23T21:31:00.000Z

The return home has been somewhat tempered by a return to my GP this morning for a second opinion on my injured wrist..... this lead to a return trip to Accident and Emergency at the local hospital for a repeat x-ray and doctor's opinion. The decision is to have an MRI scan on my wrist tomorrow at 7pm in order to check for soft tissue injury. More news to follow in coming days.

22 11 2010

2010-11-22T17:59:00.000Z

We got home and opened our cases to unpack only to find that we both had this form inside our checked baggage from the TSA.....

Our bags had both been opened and inspected...... I guess all of the security does make one feel safer when travelling, at least it was done away from the public view.... neither case had its lock broken as they were both TSA approved.
We landed at Heathrow slightly ahead of schedule at 9.15 am ................. brrr! It's cold.

21 11 2010

2010-11-22T17:53:00.000Z

Las Vegas must be one of the few places in the world where the gambling and gaming follows you even to your aeroplane gate!!! The mellifluous tones of the slot machines fill the air as you depart....... leaving 'The Strip' behind....

as Vegas heads for the Holiday Season with Thanksgiving on Thursday.

20 11 2010

2010-11-21T04:37:00.000Z

Another day another dollar as they would say in Vegas! We headed towards The Stratosphere at the northern fringe of the strip, you certainly can't miss it!

The panoramic view from the viewing platforms is also stunning.....

For some the views alone are not enough, there are three rides up there including the shoot up the topmost mast, and for those brave enough you can take the jump (part freefall ) from the viewing gallery..... not for us!!

Other sites of the day was the 50's diner at The Stratosphere, where we had lunch,

To the amazing Venetian and Caesar's Palace Hotels

Which both can only be described as grand...

...... and finally you can't come to Las Vegas without having a flutter... being from a long line of miserly welsh people I placed a $5 bet which I retrieved and cashed in even with the house, this was followed by two $1 bets the result of which you can see in my souvenir cashout vouchers... the house takes 15 cents ( plus the rest as I am keeping the vouchers!)

Tomorrow is our return day and as a result it is unlikely that there will be a post until Monday evening at the earliest when we will be back in cold wintery Wales!

19 11 2010

2010-11-20T18:22:00.000Z

Hoover Dam and beyond! The one thing that is hard to comprehend for those of us from the UK is the miles and miles and...... miles of straight roads, on our trip from Kingman to the Hoover Dam at least 50 of the 80 miles were dead straight across a vast landscape.
Then as if by magic the landscape gradually becomes higher and mountainous as you approach the dam itself.

Although small in scale to all around it the Dam itself is quite a site.

From here we set off on the 20 mile journey down to Las Vegas ....... quite a contrast to the natural world around you.

It is a sight which has to be seen emerging from the desert which surrounds it...... we have one more day in Vegas prior to flying back to the UK on Sunday........ quite an Amrican adventure.

18 11 2010

2010-11-20T18:08:00.000Z

We had been advised not to miss Sedona while in Arizona, and from this image taken on the way down to the town it is easy to see why. At the visitor centre we spoke to a local who said that God designed the Grand Canyon but he lives in Sedona! you can certainly see the truth in these words.
At the Canyon you look down at the amazing rock strata whilst in Sedona you drop the 3000ft to actually be in amongst them.

Even the most casual image of the main street in Uptown Sedona is breathtaking as is the panoramic view from the municipal airport which is not to be missed.

This is all topped off by the unmissable Chapel of the Holy Cross which emerges majestically from the rocks that surround it.

Visitors simply must not miss this architectural masterpiece

As if this day were not enough we head to Las Vegas via the Hoover Dam tomorrow

17 11 2010

2010-11-18T02:58:00.000Z

Dylan prepares to enter The Park ($25 for a weekly pass).... he was very excited about his adventure and with very good reason as we finally get to the south rim of the Canyon!

It's is truly one of those WOW moments!!!! It is hard to believe that it is real or to get a handle on scale. When you hear that the average distance between north and south rim is 10 miles and that the Colorado river is a mile below your feet!!!

We also stayed around until 5.15 pm when the sun went down over the Canyon rim.......

in the west.

This was a very special day for us all :-)

16 11 2010

2010-11-18T02:42:00.000Z

On Monday evening we had a reception dinner which was titles 'jerseys and jeans' where most of those present wore their 'football' or 'hockey team' while Debbie proudly wore her Welsh rugby shirt - Da iawn Debbie :-)
We left Phoenix in our Hertz hire car with of course Dylan :-) for our American roadtrip north to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon and west to Las Vegas!!!!!

** Additional quite accidentally in the dark I appear to have already driven route 66 into Flagstaff.... darn it.

15 11 2010

2010-11-18T02:33:00.000Z

Having finally arrived in Phoenix yesterday, I spent the next one and a half days in a conference centre..... our presentation to around 25 participants went very well, including a Skyped in colleague ( quite like 'the old days')
Debbie had managed to escape this tedium and was out and about in down-town Peoria.

14 11 2010

2010-11-18T02:23:00.000Z

Following our 5 hour delay we missed our connecting flight and had to have a hotel stopover at The Hilton Hotel at Philadelphia Airport..... arriving at around 11.30 am and having to leave for a 6.55am flight in the morning, my thoughts on Philli........? It's kinda dark there!

Apologies for the camera shake we were both very, very tired.

13 11 2010

2010-11-13T10:46:00.001Z

Tweet from Paul Harrington (pj23harry) five hours at Heathrow as flight to Philadelphia is delayed. News above on the release of Moodle2 soon.

Location : Heads of the Valleys Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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12 11 2010

2010-11-12T22:49:00.001Z

Dylan the dragon plans his holiday!

Location : Heads of the Valleys Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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11 11 2010

2010-11-11T22:59:00.001Z

Today was Armistice Day, I wore my poppy and managed to observe a silence at around. 11am.

Today the image is of Dylan the dragon as he prepares for his journey this weekend. He is looking forward to his photo opportunities while in the USA.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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10 11 2010

2010-11-10T21:38:00.000Z

A chilly evening in Cardiff as the temperature dipped towards freezing the moon put in an appearance in the clear sky......
Once home the preparations for next week's trip- see below:

View Larger Map
The plan is to head from Phoenix to Flagstaff, we follow this by heading north towards Grand Canyon Village and a look around the east and south rim. We should then head west taking in some driving on Route 66 to Kingman.Following a night in Kingman we will set off north west towards our end goal of Las Vegas taking in The Hoover Dam.

Route 66 by Nat King Cole

09 11 2010

2010-11-10T00:20:00.001Z

I spotted this multicoloured patch of leaves as the weather forecast was suggesting snow flurries on high ground.

We have certainly had the full seasonal range in the UK this year with nothing too excessive at either end of the scale.

We are looking forward to a little late autumn warmth next week as head over to Phoenix AZ. .... mmm 75 degrees! !

I spent this evening finally planning our route once we leave the Conference next Tuesday and I plan to share it with you tomorrow.

Night y'all!

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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08 11 2010

2010-11-08T21:44:00.000Z

Today the picture is of your's truly taken by Jaycob with Laura's new camera..... great shot Jaycob ( not bad for 3 years old ).

My wrist injury caused a work from home day today, this will recur tomorrow with a trip to the Fracture Clinic at the local hospital on Wednesday........ no plaster please ahead of the flight to Phoenix on Saturday!

07 11 2010

2010-11-07T13:49:00.001Z

Sport is good for you? Discuss. I will know once I have visited the fracture clinic next week following my bad landing at the end of our match against Bridgend yesterday. My hope is that there will be no need for a plaster cast ahead of my trip to the US next week!!

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ES,
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06 11 2010

2010-11-06T23:26:00.001Z

Happa Birthday Laura :-)

Oh for a Y!!!!!

05 11 2010

2010-11-06T23:21:00.000Z

November 5th Gunpowder Plot and as a result for the 405 years since Bonfire Night in the UK. These great images are from Laura's new camera, Laura is back to celebrate her Birthday on Monday.

Below are a series of photographs caught with the firework setting on the camera which gives some great effects.

Thanks Laura!

04 11 2010

2010-11-04T20:40:00.002Z

Now I know what was going on with the knitted hats being placed on statues in and around The Hague on our recent visit.

Save the Children in The Netherlands were promoting their Knit Kit to save at risk newborn babies.

03 11 2010

2010-11-04T08:43:00.001Z

Autumn continues apace.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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02 11 20

2010-11-03T01:03:00.001Z

My favourite autumn image thus far.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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01. 11 2010

2010-11-01T18:32:00.001Z

Today's image is of the picturesque church in the village of Mathon in Herefordshire.

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ER,
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31 10 2010

2010-10-31T21:04:00.000Z

I seem to have managed to avoid Halloween this year, there is now a huge marketing campaign around this rather pagan festival..... the weirdest product that I saw this year was a container of 'edible spider-web' of all things.... I am sure there will be those who have found others!
My image today is of the present that my granddaughter was smitten by in John Lewis today.......a three foot high automated Shetland pony!!

30 10 2010

2010-10-30T20:12:00.001+01:00

I should make today's image a guess what shot. It is actually a picture of my Audi dashboard as it reached 100,000 miles today on the 200 mile round trip to Pemroke for our hockey match against Carew. ...... sadly the image although interesting is flawed as was our game plan today where we unfortunately lost 8-2 with ten players and no goalkeeper!

Location : Cosheston, Pembroke Dock, Dyfed SA72 4SS,
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29 10 2010

2010-10-30T00:10:00.000+01:00

Today's image is of the last remains of a very drinkable 2005 Rioja which I picked up this week. It is the end of a whirlwind week, which began with a trip to Den Haag from which we returned on Tuesday, encompassed my final decision on our departmental relocation to The Netherlands in 2011, and will end with a 120 mile round trip tomorrow to play hockey in Haverfordwest ( West Wales)
I found out today that I will be in situ in our temporary office in Parkstraat, Den Haag by January 14th!!!! Time to brush up my Dutch.

View Larger Map
It is a time of very mixed emotions, as those who know me would I am sure state that I am very much a 'local boy' having returned home to bring up our family in the 1980's and now with grandchildren living locally ( I have still not told them about my move!!!!).... also being steeped in local history.
However for my career I firmly believe that it is the wisest choice to go with the flow and move on, I feel that I have unfinished business to complete.
Also the thought of looking for employment in the current climate was quite a daunting prospect.
It will also give me added impetus to develop an online diary of my life as an expat in 2011....... watch this space.

28 10 2010

2010-10-28T22:32:00.000+01:00

It is with regret that I reflect today on the passing of Dr William (Bill) Griffiths ( wikipedia entry) 1922-2010. Bill was an innovator as a player as you can read from his biography above, he can be seen in the centre of the front row of the above image as captain of Wales in a match against England at Abergavenny Cricket Club in 1949, a year after winning his Olympic Silver medal at the London Games as a member of the Great Britain Hockey Team.
Bill was President of Abergavenny HC when I took over as Chairman in 2000 until I had to accept his request to step down in 2007 after 40 years at the helm, he was always a wise head in often difficult times, in later years I remember very well Bill turning up to watch hisgrandson Michael begin his hockey career as a junior...... Michael is now captain of Abergavenny 2nd XI following in his granddad's footsteps.
My abiding memory of Bill was that he dutifully turned up for every club AGM to listen attentively through many an overlong speech, mild irritation came from Bill as we moved to the presentations as the photographer often insisted on Bill sitting in a chair surrounded by those lucky enough to receive rewards...... Bill would whisper to me not to allow Malcolm the photographer to sit him in the chair as in the local paper image it irritated Bill hugely for making him look tiny surrounded by the young award winners....... I often failed to get to the photograph party on time...... much to the annoyance of our President...... sorry Bill :-)

A gentleman

27 10 2010 An important day!!

2010-10-27T22:45:00.000+01:00

An interesting and enigmatic image taken from our recent trip to Den Haag. It was back into the office today for work, I must admit my mind was still turning to other things. The main reason for this is that as some may know, my job has been scheduled to relocate as our department moves to The Hague in the first quarter of 2011, indeed we began the 6 month decision process in some 3 months ago and have today reached the end of the process with a decision to relocate or take an enhanced redundancy payment to be made.

This has not been an easy decision for any of our team to make, however we have all had to weigh up the pros and cons for our own situation......... my decision made today is to grasp the opportunity and go for it. I felt that in many ways it is too big an opportunity to miss out on.... time will tell.
Having finally made a decision which has been many months in the making, I feel a degree of relief tinged with the excitement and anticipation of working abroad very soon.

26 10 2010

2010-10-27T22:32:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday we had a look around Den Haag this included a visit to the Escher Exhibition in the city. The exhibition is brilliantly housed in an old palace complete with a myriad of staircases and mirrors echoing Escher's own work.

The city has a very small town feel which belies its size and working population.

25 10 2010

2010-10-27T22:24:00.000+01:00

Today we travelled from Den Haag to Amsterdam for the day, we had an interesting cultural day managing a canal boat trip, lunch in the 'red light' district followed by a visit to the Anne Frank House Museum.

Which is a poignant place for any of us living freely to encounter

We returned by the Sneltrain (fast train) to Den Haag for a good meal in one of the many fine restaurants in the city.

24 10 2010

2010-10-27T21:35:00.001+01:00

Today we arrived in plenty of time at Bristol Airport for our hop over to Schiphol.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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23 10 2010

2010-10-23T21:46:00.001+01:00

Dylan the tiny dragon prepares for his short trip to The Hague and Amsterdam tomorrow. He will be flying with his mentors Paul and Debbie for a short fact finding trip.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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22 10 2010

2010-10-22T23:14:00.001+01:00

An October Friday lunchtime in Cardiff.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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21 10 2010

2010-10-21T21:40:00.000+01:00

This week has been a truly enigmatic one, I do wonder where the days have gone as we head toward another weekend. Wow! Tomorrow is Friday already . The week which began in late summer early autumn warmth and has ended with frosty nights and crisp mornings.
This weekend will also be interesting following Saturday when hockey is on the cards, on Sunday afternoon Debbie and I are off to The Netherlands until Tuesday -apologies in advance for the lack of blog posts during the visit they will follow. More news on the reason for the trip in a week's time....... enigmatic again!!!

20 10 2010

2010-10-21T08:34:00.001+01:00

An image showing many planes heading westward into the setting sun this evening.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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19 10 2010

2010-10-20T08:56:00.001+01:00

The first frost due saw the gritting lorries out this evening. They were correct as the image is of my car windscreen iced over on Wednesday morning.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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18 10 2010

2010-10-18T19:54:00.001+01:00

Autumn leaves.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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17 10 2010

2010-10-17T20:04:00.001+01:00

With the weather set fair for another day it was time to get the garden into shape for the coming winter...... our clocks go back by an hour in a few weeks.

Today's image is of my shed filled with assorted items including our garden furniture which will over-winter here again this year.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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16 10 2010

2010-10-16T21:38:00.001+01:00

Abergavenny is still being blessed with beautiful clear blue skies at present.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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15 10 2010

2010-10-15T23:40:00.001+01:00

I along with millions of fans surely hope that our beloved Liverpool FC has been saved from its mounting debts by the new owners New England Sports Ventures.... time will tell!

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ES,
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14 10 2010

2010-10-14T22:25:00.001+01:00

Autumn leaves fringe the lane near the house this afternoon as a cold snap takes temperatures tumbling and central heating systems come to life. Brrr! All we need now are the clocks to go back in a week or so and we will be on the countdown to Christmas!

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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14 10 2010

2010-10-14T22:24:00.001+01:00

13 10 2010

2010-10-13T21:24:00.001+01:00

Mmmmmm! Smell the coffee.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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12 10 2010

2010-10-13T21:21:00.001+01:00

A golden carpet stretches out before me.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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11 10 210

2010-10-11T20:43:00.001+01:00

Today the image is of furnace 1 (in the foreground ) of the Clydach Ironworks which was built in 1793. T he 'pig iron' produced at the works would have been taken down to the nearby canal past our house on what was back in the 1790's the Llanmarch tramroad. It would have been taken canal barge to the docks at Newport.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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09 10 2010

2010-10-09T23:00:00.000+01:00

Bravo Mrs. Blitztein!

I must today congratulate the whole cast of ALOC ( Abergavenny Light Opera Company) and of course Mrs Blitztein aka Debbie for a great week of performances in the Lionel Bart musical 'Blitz' at the Abergavenny Borough Theatre - please feel free to read the whole review here [link].

All of the practice and rehearsals certainly paid off as the show wowed audiences for the week.

BRAVO!

08 10 2010

2010-10-08T18:25:00.001+01:00

Anwen the special Teddy Bear from Sunshine's Nursery in Llanfoist visits for the weekend

Anwen comes with a wardrobe of her clothes and her diary which is updated by the family with pictures and descriptions of the exciting activities that happen during her visit.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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07 10 2010

2010-10-08T18:14:00.001+01:00

Autumn leaves at the Cardiff Gate Business Park on Thursday of this week.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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06 10 2010

2010-10-06T22:07:00.001+01:00

Are my beloved team about to be sold on to another group of American entrepreneurs?

Only time will tell.

Location : Maes Y Gwartha Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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05 10 2010

2010-10-06T00:26:00.001+01:00

An autumnal collection of 'conkers' -the fruit of the Horse Chestnut tree.

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ES,
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04 10 2010

2010-10-04T21:22:00.001+01:00

Back on track with blogging today phrenology, thanks for all who have been patient in waiting for me to come back on stream. Today the image is of the disappointing score at the end of today's opening hockey match for Wales against New Zealand.!

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ES,
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03 10 2010

2010-10-04T21:16:00.001+01:00

Today I actually had to drive 300 plus miles up to London to help daughter Sian move flats....... and home again in a day! My image today is a saved image of autumn berries from the Cardiff Gate Business Park taken last Thursday.

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ES,
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02 10 2010

2010-10-04T21:10:00.001+01:00

Today I caught the autumn colours in the Clydach Gorge.

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ES,
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01 10 2010

2010-10-04T21:06:00.001+01:00

It is October at last 10 months into the 12 month challenge. Apologies for my late posts recently we had a very intense time in Liverpool leaving little time for blogging. Today an image left from Liverpool.

Location : Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 0ES,
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30 09 2010

2010-10-04T21:00:00.001+01:00

Back in Cardiff and autumn progresses.

Location : Church Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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29 09 2010

2010-10-04T20:57:00.001+01:00

Having been a fan of Liverpool FC since the age of 10, I have had to wait too long to visit Anfield, today was the day that I finally achieved my dream. It was a serene experience to sit in the director's box and to be to soak in the atmosphere. .... a dream come true.

Location : Wandsworth, London SW11 3SL,
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28 09 2010

2010-10-04T20:48:00.001+01:00

Its been a hard day's night, time to sleep like a dog!! Wow! The genuine Cavern Club!!

Location : Wandsworth, London SW11 3SL,
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27 09 2010

2010-10-04T20:47:00.001+01:00

A view of the historic Albert Dock Liverpool.

Location : Wandsworth, London SW11 3SL,
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26 09 2009

2010-09-27T06:47:00.001+01:00

We are made to feel welcome on our arrival at Liverpool Lime Street Station.

Location : Liverpool, Merseyside L1 1LP,
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25 09 2010

2010-09-25T21:58:00.001+01:00

This beautiful autumn leaf was found by Abi and Jaycob today outside their house in Llanfoist.

I have just finished packing for the IB Africa,Europe and Middle East Conference which begins in Liverpool tomorrow, lasting until Wednesday... apologies in advance for any disruption in blogging over the coming days..... we are going to be a little busy.

Location : Church Rd, Llanelly, Monmouthshire NP7 0,
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