The weather this weekend has been truly atrocious. Yesterday we took the dogs up to the Forestry in Rudry - I had a vain hope that we might be sheltered in the trees. Not surprisingly, we were the only ones there and equally predictably we got drenched. The dogs practically towed us back to the car.

After a night of howling gales, more downpours and a spectacular thunderstorm this morning while Andrew was walking the dogs, we set off for Weston Super Mare for the 10K race on the beach. I would not have been surprised if it had been cancelled as the weather was appalling and the driving conditions were dreadful, with streams literally running across the M4 in places and terrible spray. We got there and were bent double on the promenade. My face became so numb from the cold wind that when the race was over, I could barely speak. About 1600 mad or brave souls ran - I was impressed and very proud of Andrew. Much of the race was on wet sand and half of it in the teeth of the gale so not surprisingly, not his best time. Definately one of those occasions when it was all about taking part, I think. All the competitors had to wear at least one piece of tinsel or Christmas related fancy dress. There was a wide selection of elves, reindeer, Santas, fairies, a Flintstone (still trying to understand the Christmas connection there) and the Incredibles. I attach a few photos.