Another washout Summer!

Well here we go again, another summer when our hanging baskets had to be taken down before then end of August - too much wetness & wind, not long enough warm dry spells to encourage the plants to perk up. Also the canopy on our swing seat was more often collecting water than protecting us from the sun - in fact the birds became quite used to bathing in it!

However earlier in the year was more cheerful, and at the end of June we were lucky enough to have a lovely weekend to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary with a family dinner party at the Falcondale Mansion Hotel in Lampeter. Excellent food and relaxed atmosphere there as usual, a lovely occasion all together. So we are now "golden oldies" how time flies when your are having fun!

Welcome home Pendam Sally

Well Pendam Sally is home again after spending 2 years at the Taraco Stud in Kent. As reported in an earlier post Sally was put in foal to the very handsome Danaway Desert Storm and produced a lovely colt early last year, but very sadly he died soon after birth. She lost condition and had to have quite a few teeth removed but came through last winter quite well - however she then lost condition again and it was decided that she should come home into retirement once more. Very many thanks to Tara & Simon for all their devotion and excellent care, just such a shame that the result was not what we were all hoping for.

Farewell to old friends

Sadly have to report the death of our small friend Ivy at the age of 16 yrs. She was always pleased to greet visitors and be fussed over, unlike her sister Holly who is more inclined to say "bah! humbug!" and stalk off in a huff! Ivy had poor health for a long time but was very tough and was always willing to see off any itinerant cats who dared to set foot on her patch, we miss her small but determined personality.

Last month we also had to say goodbye to our very gentle collie Lady, who was probably about the same age as Ivy but had been with us for 13 years. She was not very keen to have her photo taken but here is one taken on a visit to Teifi Pools a few years ago.

Welsh Cobs For Sale

This is Nantgwinau Cadog our yearling colt by Geler Sparc x Rhandir Farwel Haf by Rhandir Cadno, born 31 May 08. A very smart fellow, quick to learn, good natured - though with the usual wish to use his teeth on everything!
We think well worth £1000.

Well we are now halfway through 2009 and seriously behind in news items! Brief summary:-

The winter was reasonably normal until February when extreme cold caused our mains water supply to freeze, and it stayed that way for a week! Much hacking out of ice from the field tanks ensued, to be melted on the Rayburn and then taken out again - this was supplemented by many contributions from our very kind neighbours, an interesting experience but we were very glad to return to normal.

Spring eventually broke through, as usual the wild daffodils were well ahead of their cultivated cousins, followed by snowdrops & pussy willow, and a general unfolding of greenery. This year seems to have been very good for bluebells, gorse, and laburnam - the latter grows like a weed in the hedgerows in these parts. By now the garden flowers and hanging baskets are joining in the fun, let's just hope for a more settled summer than the last two so that we get a good show of colour into the autumn.

No foals this year (on purpose) but we are hoping to sell our two "boys" fairly soon, Cadno Coch is now a really attractive chestnut 3 year old gelding, ready to start schooling and hopefully he will be as enthusiastic as his older brother & sister - Desert Fox and Croeso Haf. Our bay yearling colt Cadog is extremely handsome and naturally we think full of potential!

The 3 mares Ffarwel Haf, Rosina, and Rachel are all "resting" at the moment. Rachel looks like a good ridden cob prospect so possibly that will be her future rather than breeding.