Andrew is nearly half way through a two week break from work - which is lovely. His holiday got off to a great start last Sunday when we hosted lunch for Penny, her friend Mary over from Ireland and Paula. We did couscous, roast chicken with roasted vine tomatoes, flatbreads and carrots cooked in the slow cooker with tarragon and honey. To follow, Andrew did the lemon and polenta cake we've done previously. It all worked well and we had a fabulous time and it was great to meet Mary at last after hearing so much about her from Penny. As it always does on these occasions, the time just flew by.

On Monday and Tuesday I was busy making industrial quantitites of cards for the new GRW shop in Burry Port, plus about a dozen Easter cards (see pic) for us to send to our nearest and dearest. We managed a short trip to stock up on some garden basics like chips, gravel, compost and so on, plus a new pond pump which Andrew was going to replace, as well as a new outside light for the area by the garage. Also we have ordered and received via the net, a new postbox to affix to the house and avoid further excitement when greyhounds eat mail. This week though the weather has been dreadful and has actually worsened as the week has progressed. Many parts of Wales have seen snow, we've had several huge hailstorms, sleet and driving rain. Of course, this has made it difficult for Andrew to tackle his "Honey Do" list. On Wednesday, we decided to go over to our nearest Yankee Candle shop - I am a big fan of these, after trying them from QVC some time ago. We discovered the shop just before Christmas over in Roath, and gave Paula a call as we know she likes them too. So the three of us went over and had a very pleasant time, sniffing busily and choosing some lovely fragrances. I've got some new little tea lights for the craft room/study which are scented with Cherry Blossom, plus a lovely Lavender Vanilla which we are currently burning downstairs.

Yesterday, we had a much anticipated day out down at Pembrey. First we took some stuff over to the new GRW shop at Burry Port. We met up with Margaret, who actually had picked up Boola from his previous owners and was dying to see him to see how he had progressed. As we drove down the M4, the rain started and by the time we reached Burry Port, it was hammering down. We took Boola, a box of stuff from Paula, and a bag of cards and made a run for the shop. We met another lovely lady, called Rita, who was volunteering and Boola was greeted with open arms and even given a pig's ear! After a lovely chat to Margaret and admiring the shop which is doing great business, we jumped back in the car and headed round to Rhian's who lives in Pembrey, very nearby.

Regular readers will recall that Rhian adopted our much loved foster greyhound Murgatroyd last year and and subsequently another greyhound too, and we all now meet up regularly for greyhound adventures. Rhian, like me, loves the sense of anarchy when you get five greyhounds together - the place is a fiesta of wagging tails. After a much needed cuppa and a chat, we piled into the car and headed off to Pembrey Country Park. Normally I would have taken loads of pics, as it is gorgeous over there,but unfortunately the rain had reached monsoon conditions. We drove right into the park and found a quiet area near the woods thinking it might be more sheltered. Optimistic but WRONG! We got thoroughly drenched within minutes. However, we actually all had a good time, humans chatting away and admiring the trees, dogs having a fine old time sniffing and weeing as we explored the woods. Not surprisingly there were not many other people around. Afterwards, back to the house, a cuppa and a chat while Andrew fixed something on Rhian's computer, then eventually home after a great day. Pic attached of Callie, wearing her new fleece coat, with as you can see, her name embroidered on it. It fills me with great joy and happiness to see how settled she is in her new home, with an owner who loves and cares for her so well, and another greyhound to live with who has also survived a pretty hellish early life and is now enjoying a well deserved retirement. Callie and Mikey are a real pair of stars - naturally I'm particularly besotted with Callie (although I still think of her as Murgy), but Mikey also has a sweet temperament too. While Andrew and Rhian were on the computer yesterday, Mikey came over to me and we had a nice long cuddle together on the sofa, and he made sure I understood his displeasure if I stopped stroking him for an instant! Rhian generally takes them out on her bicycle which fills me with awe - where she lives is just minutes away from the lovely coastal path which is ideal for bikes and goes right round to the harbour, and on to the Country Park that way.

Today has been another wet one. We walked the dogs this morning over at Tredegar and again got soaked. Andy was particularly disappointed that the squirrels all seemed to be hiding. Just after lunch, we had a brief dry spell, so Andrew shot outside and has fixed the new garage light and put up the new post box by the front door. After being ceremonially summoned to admire his handiwork, he decided to press on with some gardening, but had barely started when down came the rain, again, so he decided to come back indoors. As I write, Andrew is downstairs with Boola, and I strongly suspect both of them are having an afternoon nap, and upstairs are me, Andy and Booty - both hounds are deeply asleep.