A birthday in the Brecons

Birthday girl enjoying a knight in the Brecons (see what I did there)

Y'know, I've been a bod boy recently (hmmm) and have not eaten well, exercised little and done little in the way of adventure. The heat must have gotten to my head, it's been around 30C of late! SJ and I have binge bought a number or records but that's a different story.

So, let me go back a couple of weeks and blog about a birthday in the Brecons. This is starting to be a 'thing' as a few folk I know have spent their birthday in the Brecons. This birthday was SJ's and we wanted do something special. This birthday trip formed part of a long weekend and didn’t disappoint.

Dinas Castle ruins

We spent our first day battling big ascents and the bright shining sun, no joke it was getting on to be close to 30c. Our adventure began in the small village of Pengenffordd and was a walk up and down the Dragons Back. We scrambled over the ups and downs and reached (as near as damn it) Waun Fach, the highest point of the Black Mountains, which roughly translates as small moor in Welsh. Nothing small about this Peak, we felt the dragons heat and decided to turn back here rather than complete a circular route. We passed the Dinas Castle ruins during this trek too, which was nice. The nearby pub was great too - just had to drink excessive coke to cool down.

We stayed at the Plough and Harrow for 2 nights which was a very cosy little pub ran by Sue and her four-legged side kick Paddy. This pub hosted nice views, awesome food and a comfy bed. We might well return and spend another adventure here.

Day 2 was SJ’s birthday and what better way to spend the day than to climb Pen Y Fan. This was a tough climb but thankfully was much cooler than yesterday. Incredibly windy at the highest point in South Wales! This climb was interesting and I loved the way it had a twin summit, the second summit is called Corn Du and was formally referred to as Arthur’s Seat.

Spent the afternoon strolling around Brecon Town Centre. We ate and drank much and did a little shopping. The highlight of out shopping was purchasing the portrait of Judith the cow. This awesome painting cost less than £20 from a charity shop and was a way better painting than those selling for £100’s in the nearby shops.

Day 3 was a really easy day. We went to the Weir Garden, a National Trust property in Hereford. The walk here felt like it was over before it really began. The garden was real pretty and we were pleased we didn’t have to climb any massive ascents today.

Completed the birthday weekend by tank-busting and then going for a quick spin on my bike (Eleven) on the Sunday. Such a great weekend away with SJ, can’t wait until our next adventure! Meanwhile, I must try and muster up some motivation to eat well, cycle and run more and try not to let work get me down.

Fire Starter

At time of writing this blog post, I have just completed my 90th ParkRun. This latest run was at Fire Service College, Morton-in-Marsh. The course was mostly grass with just a little tarmac. My time was 26:14 and I finished 50/172. Have now ran 16 ParkRuns this year which matches my most in a year highest of 16 back in 2023. Still just 2 letters to go until I complete my alphabet challenge too.

Have continued to cook like crazy. Lots of delicious meals using Gousto. If you too would like some awesome recipe boxes, follow this link to get a whopping 65% off your first recipe box order. I’m sure everyone is getting bored of the many pictures I’ve taken and posted across social media. I’ve proved I can cook so will quit posting any further pics. I think I amazed myself more than anyone else!

Eleven re-born 

Thanks for the funky cap Mr 'Odge

My cycling has been poor. Zwift subscription expired. GoaT HeaD requires Stan’s to fix the flat tyre issue and my other bikes just require motivation from myself! However, have just picked up Eleven (my Ridley) and she has been kitted out with a new Di2 group set. Took for a test-cycle with the Phantom and all was aces!

Green-fingered SJ and Ernie

The above pictures are just showing off SJ's green fingers. All these fruits are growing in our garden. As ever, I’m sure further adventure awaits. 

Adventures in cooking and other things

Oh man, so much has happened since my last blog post. I’ve turned into a gourmet chef, changed my name and been quite nifty. Life does feel kinda different at the age of fifty.

Foods that I’ve cooked over recent days include a pepper & tomato sauce with tomato & mozzarella tortelloni, cheesy black bean enchiladas, pan-fried steak with black bean veg and rice, fragrant chicken balti with basmati rice, veggie goulash with potato cakes and soured cream, a chicken ‘something’, spicy chicken with zingy spinach quinoa and avocado and many more besides. SJ informs she is going to continue working full time for a spell so that means my cooking stint will continue. My delights don’t taste too bad, shame my girls won’t give it a try.

As a family we visited the seaside recently. This was pretty awesome as Ernie was able to run on the sand and swim in the sea for the very first time ever. Lovely day out despite slightly burning in the sun.

Saw the Pixies play for the first time ever in May. This was such an awesome gig and they played like 28 songs. Went with Phantom and Tim Walton (Timmo). Just to avoid any confusion, Timmo and Phantom would address me by my new nickname ‘Merlot’. (Merlot came about after a rather wild and vivid dream, though that’s another story for another time). Not long after the gig, my ‘Bossanova / Trompe Le Monde - Live’ vinyl (2025 RSD) turned up in the post. Aces!

Oh, I got this on vinyl too...

My daughter Moo got awarded with a Star of the Week award at school. This was great especially as I was able to watch her being awarded. When she collected her award she said ‘don’t ask me any questions’ to the teacher.

Hello Ernie...

Have now completed 88 ParkRuns and my last event was at Arrow Valley. My time was 24:52, which is my fastest this year. I finished 111/482. Super pleased with this run especially as I beat all my running club buddies that were there including Ernie and John L. Doubt I will ever beat my PB which remains at 21:39.