Picnic at Flint Castle

Mum and Dad had to pick The Boy up from school after a trip and so they had a little bite to eat beforehand.  Pre-packed Sandwiches and cream cakes from Sainsburys.  Totally unplanned and totally enjoyable!

The River at Llanfair Talhaiarn

Mum, Dad and The Boy got up one morning and decided that it looked like a very nice day to sit by the river.  One of their favourite rivers to sit by is the River Elwy in Llanfair Talhaiarn, a few miles up from Abergele.  They packed together some things and headed out to get there fairly early.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the river and there were only a few people there.  Mum was so happy to be in such a beautiful place that she immediately got out the camera and started snapping away.

Mum liked the rusty fence and the old tree stump in the distance with foxgloves.

Naturally, The Boy's first job was to get his dinghy inflated.  Dad helped him and before long it was good to go.

The village of Llanfair Talhaiarn is reached by a pretty, stone bridge.

The river was clear, shallow and slow-flowing.  The perfect spot for dinghy fun.

Mum and Dad, feeling very content at the river.

The other side of the bridge and, hurrah, the sun came out.  How warm it was!

Mum loved this scene with the open gate and the hills beyond.

Another view of that lovely tree stump.  What a shame they couldn't get closer.

The family spent some time fetching things from the car and claiming their little spot on the grassy bank with picnic rugs.  Once everyone was settled, Mum took a little walk into the village.

The Black Lion, just over the bridge.  It looked like a nice place to eat.

Llanfair Talhaiarn is a charming little village with some interesting buildings.

They all seemed well kept and Mum thought it must be a lovely place to live.

The Swan Inn

The village post office.

Dad relaxing in our spot on the river bank.

One happy riverBoy

A fancypants panoramic

Bliss <3

The Boy stayed on the river in his boat for...hours.

Bless him

Mum painted this picture with a very cheap set of childrens' watercolours that Dad brought back from the post office,

Mmm, Dad cooked steak marinated in bulgogi sauce.  It tasted delicious!

Here's Mum, happy and content in the dappled shade.

Sandblasted at Talacre

Mum, Dad and the Boy went for a very windy walk at Talacre.  It's a good job nobody was wearing shorts as the sand was blowing everywhere in the wind!  Despite the chill factor, it looked very beautiful.

It's The Little Things

The Boy was away, so Dad did this.

A touch of <3

The Grand Putting Up of the Posh Potting Shed Day

Mum and Dad went up to see Sis and help her with her very exciting day.  It had been a long time coming, but finally it was here....The Grand Putting Up of the Posh Potting Shed Day.  It was a very blowy morning, but with the power and determination of family, by jingo it was going to happen! *fanfare*

Other members of The Big Family had congregated in the back garden.  Mum, Dad, Nanny, Grandad, Sis and M were all there with tools and ambiguous instructions to hand.  Before long, they were lifting, raising, erecting, climbing, hammering, sliding, kicking, passing, shoving, covering, rolling, cutting, silicone-squirtin...and maybe just a little bit of the tea-drinking and head-scratching.  But when it was finished, what a sight to behold!

Here are Nanny and Sis, enjoying their well-deserved cuppas in the nearly-finished Posh Potting Shed.

 A very happy Sis, sorting out the final touches.

Mum and Dad did a grand job on the roof.  Grandad said it was a grand job and so it was definitely a grand job if Grandad said it was.

Mum and Dad wish Sis many happy hours spent in her Posh Potting Shed, hurrah for getting together and getting it done!

Takeaway Time!

Sometimes The Family don't go out and do fantastic or exciting things.  Sometimes they just stay at home and enjoy spending time together doing a lot of not very much.  These times may not be particularly blogworthy, but are just as special as the grand days out.