Aber Falls walk

Tryfs, Rhodri and I went for a big walk today up behind Aber Falls. It was a desolate, beautiful empty landscape and although we had a rough start (Tryfan forgot to bring his hiking boots), it all turned out okay.

Conwy Mountain and a Sunday afternoon

 Rhods and Annie and I went for a lovely run this morning around Conwy Mountain and the Sychnant pass area.  The clouds were dramatic and colorful, there were sheep in the field, and it was a great run all around!

In the afternoon, Auntie Jane came round 

Half Term in Wales

We drove yesterday afternoon to Llandudno. It was a long drive, always longer than we expect for some reason. It didn't start out very well - the M25 was at a standstill so the GPS took us on some back roads, which made Annie puke all over the kids and the back seat. Anyway, we got there eventually and were treated to a lovely arrival dinner by Nain and Taid, and it felt so good to be there. It actually felt a bit like coming home to me, even though its not my home. Anyway, we were all really, really glad to get there. 

This morning Rhods and I took Annie on a nice walk up Jampot Hill and through a field of confident sheep.

The sheep very confidently approached us and Annie wasn't sure at all what to do about them

Later in the day we went for a family walk at the beach in Conwy. 

It is so gorgeous here, and what a joy to leisurely amble up and down this huge sandy beach at low tide

Conference and Birthday

This has been a really cool conference and I'm so glad I came. The only bummer is that today is Tryfan's birthday and I have missed the traditional start to a birthday in the family with presents in our bedroom first thing in the morning. But they will wait until later tonight to give presents so I can be there too.

Meanwhile, we had a great dinner last night at the Pendennis Castle with all the conference attendees. What a cool venue!

The conference itself was held at the National Maritime Museum, which was a really cool venue as well. 

I was super impressed with this whole thing, but then again I was a bit giddy to be out in the wide world with actual people in real life. It was quite special.

Walking with Poldark

As part of the conference, the organizer put together an optional hike along the spectacular cliffs of the Cornish coastline. There were about 20 of us who enjoyed this incredible walk. 

It was really cool to be able to walk along chatting and getting to know new people. Most people peeled off after the 4 mile cliffy walk finished, but 8 of us continued to walk for the rest of the day and eventually got back to the hotel at 8pm.A great day!

Not the morning start I planned

This morning I got up early and planned to do some work-work before my all day walk on the cliffs as part of the conference. I had a lovely start with a nice coffee in my room and a bit of breakfast, then i settled down to work. But actually... the sky was so beautiful and the sea was just a 30 second walk from my room, and I was so excited to be there I just couldn't concentrate! 

So I abandoned work and went for a little exploratory run and then a gorgeous swim.

And I didn't regret it one bit...

Solo roadtrip

This morning I woke up early and hit the road. I was invited to attend a conference in Cornwall. I had a fun drive listening to podcasts and appreciating the early morning mist on the moors of Stonehenge and the autumn landscapes.

First on my tour was a stop at a geothermal well at the Eden Project. I wanted to see it in real life after getting excited about geothermal and making some new contacts in this sector. I hung around the site fence until someone came over to answer my questions and chat for an hour!

Here is Mt Recyclemore sculpture which is pretty cool

Then I navigated my way to a beach called the Vault

I had a glorious dip in the clear, lovely water. I was the only one swimming, but there were other people on the beach and it is apparently a famous swimming beach with no undertow, so very safe.

Then I drove along this crazy exposed cliff overlooking the same beach and eventually made my way to Falmouth where I checked into my hotel for the next 3 days. There were some really narrow stretches of road - yikes!

I dumped my stuff in the hotel and then went to the nearby beach cafe for a veggie burger and beer dinner. Niiiiiice

Its gonna be a great few days!

Our girl

She is growing up so fast. Every time I look at her, she has gotten more beautiful.

The other Rhod

In this case, Rhod Gilbert the comedian. We went with the Denslows to a long awaited night in Eastbourne. First we went out to dinner at Gr/eat and had the mezze set menu, which was amazing.

Then we walked down to the theatre to watch Rhod Gilbert. He was really funny, and "the Book of John" was his show about when he had a driver called John who was a complete idiot and said the most ridiculous things, but kept him entertained enough to name a whole show after him!

I liked how he wove in some important topics, such as mental health and awareness of various ailments. He was doing a good deed while also entertaining. 

Principia 30 year reunion

I flew from Raleigh to St Louis and was met by a driver who then also collected my friend Tim from another part of the airport. We checked into the Marriott hotel in Town and Country and I promptly headed off for my band rehearsal on the campus. That all went fairly well and it was great to see Martha Stitzel (who is retiring as the Music Director and who had organised the whole Alumni Band concert). 

We had 2 practice sessions: Thursday night and then Friday morning 10-12, with the performance at 2 pm. It was actually a great concert! We sounded really good and I loved being a part of it.

Meanwhile and afterwards, we got to tour round the campus and notice all the things that were the same, and all the aspects that had changed. 

Here is Aubree and Tim

In my year group of 81, and combined with the year group of 1992 which had a count of 90, there were only 6 of us there for the whole weekend: Debbie, Tim, Annabel, Aubree, Babe and me. The photo below is missing Babe but showing Keri who actually was in our year group but she lives at Prin so is in a different category.

Tim still has 4 swimming records on the board!

In the evening there was a catered dinner on the [old] football pitch, and there was a ceremonial lifting of the Principia School beam into place on the new Simon Athletics Complex which is being built.

After dinner there was a football game on the other pitch which we all watched

And at halftime there was the Parade of Banners, so here are Babe, Debbie and I with our class' banner

On Saturday morning, we all went on campus for a run and to participate in the female athletics event. It was raining for most of that, but we had a great time regardless.

Then we had lunch in the old cafeteria, which was noticeably brighter and more modern than what we had back in the day

We headed downtown to the Arch for an hour or so of walking around before getting ready for the evening banquet dinner

The whole event was incredibly poignant and impactful for me. I cherished every moment and I was so grateful that I could make it here for this special event.