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Shiny Happy Days

Portmeirion
Bit erratic on the blog front recently but with good reason, last weekend my little brother made his inaugural trip to Wales. After 5 years of excuses (including living in New Zealand for the 1st 2 years, I gracefully accepted this one), he arrived at last! Was most exciting to be able to show him lots of lovely things with the sunshine gods beaming down benevolently on us for once. Accompanying him in the trip was our best friend, a good natured soul who will happily potter round Caernarfon Castle, Portmeirion etc etc once again (not really a hardship and there were plenty of ice creams to help fuel these escapades). I've been to a number of lovely places around the world (such as waterfalls in Brazil, arriving by camel to the Pyramids at Giza, hilltop temples in Japan) but few places can top the loveliness of Portmeirion on a sunny summer day. I've visited quite a few times now (including in winter) and it never fails to delight and inspire (and use up a lot of memory on my camera). Little bro was duly impressed especially since he'd been force fed episodes of The Prisoner before setting off which always heightens the experience (albeit in a surreal, confused manner).

Taking full advantage of the every-view's-a-photo-opportunity landscaping, there was a wedding on. I was tickled by the signs put up by a humorous member of the bridal party. Next to the Town Hall (as No.6 would recognise it) was a sweet 'Happy Ever After Starts Here' sign, this was counterbalanced by the less sugary one found near the public balcony (suitable for aspiring Evita types) which pointed to 'Owen's Escape Route'. Thankfully, Owen didn't seem to have abandoned his bride and good luck to him & Sioned, whoever they are.


Doily Bombing?
Since little bro & scone-loving friend have returned to Scotland, life has featured considerably less ice cream and more going to work than I'd have liked. However, today saw two definite highlights, the first was getting my little paws on this year's Helfa Gelf booklet. It's a little thrill seeing my name and pic of my felty bees in print (No. 18!) and I love the cover image of  wooden birds being made by John & Marilyn Davies  http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/

 The other enjoyable thing today was inadvertently inventing (well, possibly, I think an English group have eye catchingly suspended huge doilies from bridges recently) 'Doily Bombing'. While washing some bits of cut-up doilies today at work (the job I enjoy, not the soul sapping one) I needed to find something suitable to dry them on & viola! Sadly I was very pleased with my creation, although undoubtedly it's an affront to the anti-macassar brigade (if any still exist).
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