A most interesting weekend, with an assortment of visitors, both human and otherwise. Friday morning, we woke early to find a heron in the garden, and watched it flap in a leisurely way to the roof of a neighbours house to gain a better vantage point for our pond. Took Andrew to the station, walked the woofs at Hamadryad and called in at Tesco on the way home for some shopping for the weekend. Cleaning and cooking then Andrew's parents arrived at tea time. Did spatchcocked chickens marinaded with lemon and rosemary (from the garden), followed by a peach and berry crisp, and some Welsh cheeses. After dinner we had coffee and digestifs in the sitting room and let out the dogs for their customary late night ablutions. Lots of excited sniffs and squeaks. Andrew investigated to find a hedgehog in the undergrowth -wonderful. Brought the dogs back so they could leave it in peace.

Saturday we walked to the West Usk lighthouse along the sea wall path, wet and blustery. Came home, thawed out, showered and then visited the new Waitrose up at Pontprennau. Spanking new shop, beautifully laid out, with gorgeous stock. I was particularly impressed by the range of flours and bought some to try with my bread maker. Also had an enticing selection of wines. Andrew cooked when we got home, and did a slow pot roast of a haunch of venison, cooked with red wine, herbs and mushrooms, followed by chocolate mousse. All went very well.

Sunday morning I did a late and relaxing brunch of pancakes, blueberry and maple syrup and crispy bacon. Then it was over to Tredegar House where we had tickets for a tour of hidden Tredegar - bits of the house that are not seen when you do the main tour of the rooms. Most interesting, including cellars, attics, nursery rooms and all sorts of staircases. Bits of the house are medieval, so all sorts of funny shapes, windows and levels. Then out to the stables, which are magnificent, the orangery and then back to the Brewhouse for a cream tea (included in the price of the tour). Photo attached of Rita and Roger over tea.

Returned home, and relaxed over a cuppa. Rita and Roger departed later and we were relaxing with the Sunday paper when Andrew called me to come quickly and look out the window. A sparrowhawk was perched on the garden bench eating one of our regular sparrows, amidst a pathetic pile of fluffy feathers. Andrew tried to take a picture - attached - it hasn't come out brilliantly but you can see the bird if you look carefully on the arm of the bench. It really does seem to have been a weekend for wildlife.