Week off

Took the week 3-7 July as leave. Had mooted the idea earlier in the year with Ruth of possibly booking to go somewhere, but that didn’t come off so decided a couple of months ago to go down to Abergavenny to visit Mum and Dad. Headed down to Wales on the Sunday morning, starting off by calling at Dave’s house in Newport, where he was spending the day in charge of Alys and Huw while Hazel was away for the weekend (and Nia on a Rainbows outing).

Newport Wetlands

Huw was a good deal more smiley and alert than when I last saw him and now appears to be enjoying the musical playmat that both the girls have used. The four of us went out for some air to Newport Wetlands, where I pushed Huw and Dave carried Alys on his shoulders for most of the outing, having tried unsuccessfully to interest her in walking. We spent some time watching the little fish in the lakes there and Alys reiterated that she does not like swans. Stopped for an ice cream in the café. Returned to the house where Dave and I had lunch and Alys had a sleep.

On the Monday, I went down to Newport again with Mum as recently she has been accompanying Hazel to the local leisure centre so that she can mind Huw while Hazel and Alys attend a mother and toddler swimming lesson. I sat with Mum up in the viewing gallery and observed the class, which hopefully Alys enjoyed, though I couldn’t really tell. Mum managed to get some milk into Huw – who is tricksy about food – but was then a bit downcast when he brought most of it up again. After the swim we walked through Newport’s new town centre development and had lunch at Boswells. Alys seemed underwhelmed with her chicken nuggets but excited by the play equipment in the shopping centre.

On the Tuesday Mum and Dad set off for their annual reunion with their school/college friends, this year down in Somerset though I’ve forgotten the name of the village. One of the trips planned by the organizing couple was evidently to some sort of willowcraft centre, leading Dad to make all sorts of doleful pronouncements before leaving to the effect that they were all going to end up ordering coffins.

On the Wednesday I went for the walk on Blorenge noted earlier. Ruth arrived by train late afternoon.

On the Thursday Ruth and I took the train into Hereford, as she hadn't been there before, and had a walk around. We went for lunch at Gilbies Bar & Bistro, which seemed nice, and then for a walk to the cathedral via M&S. Had an ice cream. Walked to Hereford's new Old Market shopping area and had a mooch about. Got the train back to Abergavenny. Cooked a meal for Mum and Dad out of Delia's Summer Book.

On the Friday we went for lunch at Plas Derwen, partly because Mum wanted to book rooms for Steve and his sister, who are wanting to stay there later this month. Nice lunch once we - and some other guests - had fended off the unwanted attentions of an annoying man at the next table.

Returned to Milton Keynes on the Saturday morning, and Mum and Ruth left together for Newport where Mum was heading into Bath to visit Hannah. Nice week though was plagued by hayfever for a good deal of it, coupled with developing a minor cold. Both have thankfully gone now.

More produce

Haven't yet tried the chutney.

A pic of the tiny aubergine that we managed to grow, though we realise that the plants are not best suited to being outdoors in the British climate. Along with some more of the still-green tomatoes, and a courgette.

Here's my previous experience at growing an aubergine, another tiny fellow that Ray and I managed to grow on our balcony at Belgravia Court in 2005.

Our courgette plant has produced a lot of courgettes, as is their way. I always like the idea of doing something with the flowers, ever since Mum told me about a delicious-sounding dish she and Dad were served in France involving courgette flowers stuffed with some kind of seafood, but have never actually attempted it. Have eaten a few of the courgettes, which tasted pretty much like courgettes from Waitrose, but hey, it's nice to grow your own stuff.

Luckily we only have the one courgette plant and so far have managed to harvest them before they turned into marrows. Mum and Dad still seem to have a glut of marrows on their allotment. From what I gather my Uncle Ian is the only known person who is keen on stuffed marrow, so quite a few have been going their way.

And we didn't grow these, but here are some peas our neighbour Kris gave us from his allotment. Or possibly his dad's allotment. Ruth seemed surprised I'd never shelled peas before, but I pointed out that most of us grew up in suburbia and have always had our peas out of the freezer. They were nice enough, but I have to say frozen peas will probably do me. There's only so excited you can get about a pea.