This is my first grandchild, Ava Haf. In 3-D.

Had Sunday 28th in Cambridge shopping and lunch at Nando’s with Tilly.

On Sunday 21 we drove to Portmerion for Caitlin’s surprise party. Went for walk around the village, all too brief, but beautiful setting. Got to restaurant before Caitlin and Sion arrived and she was very surprised to see us all there. and happy.

 

The food was a marvellous, Welsh mussels and lamb….and there was cake of course, lots of cake….

It is Caitlin’s 21st Birthday on Monday and Sion has arranged a surprise party for her at the Castell in Portmerion.

We travelled up early on Saturday morning, a mere 5 hours later we were in North West Wales. Traditional fish and chips washed down with a few beers at the local hostelry followed by a brief lie down in our room.

We stayed in the Marine Hotel, Criccieth, Traditional British B&B, politely referred to as “character”…some might say eccentric….some might say bonkers! Owner was Basil Fawltyesque, kept us entertained in bar describing every turn on the A5 from Shrewsbury. Also an expert in Theology but his lecture on church divergence was rudely interrupted by the arrival of Sion’s parents. Very nice couple, Janet and Gareth. Now I will never know how the Welsh Methodist split from the English, guess I will live with that.

That day was the final day of the annual town festival so fireworks celebrations from the castle. What great luck, our bedroom was a mere 50 mts from the castle so we didn’t miss a thing. Woke up Alice.

Went for nice walk on beach in the morning.

With the grand return of Mrs Bear on Saturday afternoon, post bath we took to bed for a well deserved luxury rest (for Alice). Drinking bubbles and reading the Royal Academy RA magazine I suddenly realised that I may be middle-class….what was the point of all that angst and where was my punk credibility!

Watched the Champions League Cup Final; Barcelona v Juventus. Masterful, 3-1 to Barca.

Spent Sunday morning at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and afternoon watching French Tennis Open final, after shopping at Waitrose. Any doubts of having become middle class completely blown….where is that Clash album??

Had a fantastic weekend, had really missed Mrs Bear. Who has taken great care of Sid.

Alice has departed this morning for a 2 night end of year camping trip with the school, pretty good going for 6 months!

Been asked to go to assist with a diabetic pupil, and has since been upgraded to First Aid Officer. Which is not a problem of course; as Alice reminded me she is a qualified Medical Doctor. Which is useful since she has had every ailment available (plus numerous not available), and miraculously recovered from them all…..even the fatal ones!

The intention was to have the second day at Alton Towers but a serious accident has closed the park. Nevertheless onwards much to Mrs Bear’s chagrin, Plan C has come in to operation. They will be visiting a playground in Coventry…

…not really, they are going to Drayton Manor

Took off a couple of days for a short break to Brighton, 28/29th May. Stayed at the Artists Residence, cool boutique hotel on Regency Square. Lovely room, seafood was great. Cocktail Shack bar with view of the sea, Cuban Beer and Ting, what more could you want? Relaxing with just enough shopping but time for some afternoon bubbles in bed.