Thanks WAG

The reason for the mass feeding was to make it easier for our house sitter to feed the critters while yours truly went to his favourite MTB route on our annual pilgrimage to The Gower.

For once politicians reached a decision that A) I agreed with and B) was actually helpful. The Welsh Assembly Government changed the Covid 19 rules which meant that people could actually go on holiday in Wales and this meant we could escape from paradise of Rock HQ and go to our friends holiday "cottage". As usual we took a mass of stuff to make the holiday fun and as usual the weather changed from glorious sunshine to a weird type of post apocalyptic murk. And rain. Lots of rain. 

The holiday took its usual well tried course, first day on the crowded beach of Whitford Sands. 

Here the dogs watched me try and repair 4 kites hastily packed last time we were there which meant no kite actually flew that day. 

Inclement weather led to less beach more walk 

and so we found little hidden gems in the wilderness.

Yours truly also found his favourite beer and sampled a few brews. 

Unfortunately the MTB was poorly so had to rest. It might be that he didn't want sand in his gears but there was no way he was moving until some spares had been found. Spares meaning additional spares to the vast array of spares already taken. 

Wet weather routine, continue nerd training for the boys, my old game of Dragon Dice had been dusted off and proved a hit.

Day 3 and bike still stricken.

By way of variation on a tRhoisili bay only to find a drama happening, some poor chap had slipped and fallen off the cliff with fatal results. 

A big surprise was the fields of sunflowers atop the cliffs.

So under the watchful eyes of the Ladies 

the boys practiced their rock scrambling skills (all low level given the above)

and adopted catalogue poses in the hope of making it onto the blog. 

Pubs are now open and we toasted our friend Paul (RIP) who made this refreshing apple beverage until recently. 

No this is not the result of bike maintenance after too much apple juice this is yours truly trying to get him back on the road, or beach rather.

More games, Quirkle, ace game. 

The boys now manage to win at my own game, curses!

Suns out so off to the Mumbles for our regular trip to the pier and sample the goodies (these have shrunk over the years we have photographic evidence!)

Having piled in excess calories the MTB finally decided it was playtime

and we hit the beach

making it all the way out to the lighthouse for the compulsory arty farty shot. 

He was happy.

Especially when we quit the beach and hit the forest trail.

More sun so off to the favourite family beach, Oxwich Bay.

The apprentice decided to take up surfing

while yours truly got on with catering.

There is a plan to go to Argentina in 2 years and climb a huge mountain. One of the things we are warned against apart from avalanche, rock fall, hypothermia and altitude sickness, is excessively large horse flies. Hold my beer! Oxwich top trumps Argentina.

Early doors ride

such fun

almost wish we lived here.

Last day.... Oxwich was like a Mediterranean resort. 

The boys wanted to go to body board

and had nothing to do with wanting to meet up with a nice girl they had met. 

Never leave a child unsupervised with sun cream.

Jill posing.

Water fights due to hot weather, he dressed himself hence choice and it all being back to front. Unique is RRMK2.

Barbque!!! weather is ace, must be going home time!

And so dear reader

 another great holiday in The Gower. It was the same but different, great fun, loved it all. Can't wait to go back. A big thank you to the team who took over Rock HQ making sure all critters were fed and no local miscreants or thieves turned up in our absence. The good news is they enjoyed staying here so much they want to come back. Brilliant.