Clogwyn, Jan 09

We were very doubtful about travelling to North Wales on Friday.  We still had snow laying about here, and felt sure there would be plenty still over the pass.  In the event the fog was the most worrying, but it disappeared after Shrewsbury.  The Satnav directed us by Welshpool and Dolgellau, which was tedious but efficient.  We never did find out why, although some people had heard the pass had been closed.

We were so glad we went.  Dave's Mum is now very frail, eating nothing for nearly a week and spending a lot of time quietly contemplating in bed.  On the Saturday morning however she was able to walk with help to the bathroom and have a wonderful bubble bath, then sit in her recliner for the rest of the morning.  We had lovely chats in small bytes, and she was so pleased to see us, especially her son.  When I asked her how she was going to spend her morning she said 'Dreaming.  Lovely dreams, all the lovely times.'  Her body may be winding down, but her mind and spirit are working well, and it was a privilege to talk to her and hear her sharing some of her thoughts about the joy of going to be with Joe and the wrench of leaving behind all the children in the middle of all their doings.

It was a real family weekend. Mum is needing a lot of physical care, and the household is on hold while she does her dreaming and greets her visitors with pleasure and concern for their journeys and well-being.  We didn't attempt to do anything exciting, but just enjoyed one another and revelled in the 'time out'.

Rachel checked the traffic sites and a friend in Trawsfynydd on Sunday morning and ascertained that the pass was clear.  We travelled through a winter wonderland to Shropshire, where the green fields showed no sign of the recent snows.  Lunch at Dobbies in Shrewsbury then a straighforward uneventful trip home, arriving around 6 o'clock. 

Christmas

Christmas morning was very special this year.  Both boys enjoyed opening their stockings - Joe in our bed because James was still asleep in Mary-Ann and Dom's, (taken in in the early hours to shut him up) and then Joe helping James when he woke up.  Big Joe was in the annexe and was full of cold, but the rest of us made it to church for a short service at 10 o'clock which was very child-orientated.  Joe amazed us by charging up to the rostrum with his wiggly centipede and speaking into the mic.  He then stayed there and wandered about with total lack of self-consciousness to see what the other children had brought!  James careered up and down the aisle stopping for various cuddles, notably with Ian Clarke.  Dinner was on the table for about twenty past one.  James was having his lunch-time sleep but Joe tucked into everything, including grown-up accompaniment to Christmas pudding.

We did the main present opening in the annexe, where we had a third Christmas tree.  It seemed strange without Mum, she always loved to see the children opening presents, and giving us her generous gift in a Christmas envelope.

Sally joined us on the 27th and we had another Christmas dinner, and more presents.  George the dog had been a bit restless without her, but settled down well after that.  He had a few eyeballing sessions with Daisy, but she just stared back and parked herself under the tree in the corner of the living room.  She was a bit bewildered that her Science Diet on which she normally grazes throughout the day was nearly always empty.

On Tuesday we went to Holt Country Park after lunch.  The car-park was still covered in packed ice, and we had difficulty keeping our footing.  The children had slept in the car and had to share the buggy, but by the time we had walked and climbed the lookout tower they were ready for the playground.  Joe had splashed through an icy puddle and his trousers were very wet but it didn't stop him enjoying every piece of equipment.

On Tuesday evening Mary-Ann and Dom cooked their wonderful slow-roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary.  Much appreciated you two.

Joe and Sally went home on Wednesday, and after 7 days of superb home cooking we succombed to an Akaash take-away, which was also superb.  Mary-Ann and Dom and the boys left us at 9.0 on Thursday and made good time home so hopefully they won't be too reluctant to travel this way again. The house is very quiet, with collections of left-over food and rubbish that won't fit in the bin.  We have eaten with Dot and Rodney and spent a sleepy evening watching TV before toasting 2010 with champagne and watching some very good fireworks outside.  We have figured out that if we make up our solid fuel heating the same as usual we should be able to get at least 2 hours of lie-in tomorrow.  I've nearly finished my champagne so it must be bed-time.  I shall probably read this tomorrow and need to edit it, but I am going to post it anyway. 

Here's wishing my occasional readers a wonderful year in 2010.