Well, a busy few days. BT turned off our broadband at the Cardiff house much sooner than we expected. Apologies for the gap in service. Anyway, on the 30th fave auntie came up from Swansea. Went to our annual craft-fest at the CIA on the Friday, and made the effort to get there early. Definately better as we could get round very well. Both bought lots of wonderful goodies - very happy with our spoils. Then home to the woofs and a relaxing afternoon on the sofa, examining our booty with glee. Chinese and a bottle of wine in the evening. Fab. Saturday we took Hil to Ikea - as usual, a good opportunity to stock up. Bought some candles and wrapping paper, and an extra fleece for the woofs. Hil returned to Swansea late on Saturday afternoon.

After that, the great pack began. Move went on Tuesday as moves always do, and even though it is now Friday, am still slightly out of kilter and will probably take a few more days to get properly settled. The dogs were clearly disturbed by the move and have been quite clingy but also very good. They are now settling in slowly too.

So, our new home. What to say? It is smaller and colder than Cardiff. On the way up here, we were impressed by the number of hills that already had snow on them. Outside flows the river and yesterday morning there was a man fly-fishing opposite the house for ages. Around us is beautiful countryside, although we are outside the boundaries of the National Park. From the bungalow windows, I can see the steeply sided valley, covered in trees and a field of sheep.

So far, we've been focused on the house and packing and cleaning. But by this morning, we were ready to get some supplies. There's a few market stalls on Friday morning, so we were able to get fresh fruit and veg there. Also found a fresh fish caravan, where we bought some lovely bream fillets that we had this evening, cooked with thyme and garlic, and servedwith chickpeas. Another useful find was the WI Market - lovely home made pies, cakes, shortbread and treats. Fab. In the main high street of the town, there are not one but two excellent butchers, each able to display the source of this week's beef and pork. Bought a variety of meat and have ordered a free range bronze turkey for Christmas. Hurrah! Most of the meat appears to be very local, and with high quality stock such as Welsh Black beef. One of the butchers also produces their own sausages and bacon so we've bought some to try. The town also has a Co-op store, for basic and emergency groceries.

We've also done some time testing for next week when Andrew starts his new job. Basically, it looks as though if we get up at six, we've got time to take the woofs for a walk by the river, return home, have breakfast and then for Andrew to arrive at work in good time for his official start time. We tested the times this morning and it was beautiful walking in the early dawn by the river. Fortunately Andrew knows me well enough by now not to expect scintillating conversation at that time of the morning.

One of the other things I've noticed is the different dress code. We were out and about today and Andrew was wearing his hoody. Several people in shops asked if he was from away. Dress code for men here is fleece, tweed, wellies and either a flat cap or a battered baseball cap. Generally accessorised by either a LandRover with Ifor Williams trailer, sheepdog
or 4x4, both liberally spattered with layers of caked on grime.

Went this afternoon to Hay and Brecon Farmers, a useful farm supply shop practically next door and it was a cornucopia of rustic clothing, along with various sheep tags, fencing, nails, sheep paint (tarting up the girlfriend, according to the old jokes....) assorted cow remedies and boxes of Persil so big you'd need a 4x4 to get them home. Andrew is constructing a wondrous fence in the garden to ensure safe canine play (hence the visit to the shop for fence supplies) - but once that's done, he'll be going back for some wellies. Strangely, he's not keen on the flat cap. I'll work on that I think. Any other ideas or suggestions for country living very welcome. I am course primed to avoid anyone playing a banjo. Photos have been taken, but can't find my camera (temporarily) - that's the thing in a new house, usual storage places are altered. Will post pics when available and downloaded.