A sunny but wet day out in Wales

A couple of weeks ago 'P' finally managed to book his White Water Rafting experience at Canolfan Tryweryn that I bought him for his 40th birthday last year.  As luck would have it, his choice of weekend was superb as the weather was far better than most we'd seen so far this year.  The location of Canolfan Tryweryn couldn't have been more perfect.  Situated in Bala, North Wales the surrounding countryside was just lovely, made even better by the fact it was warm and the sun was shining.



After a talk on rafting instructions and safety, 'P' was then bussed up to the start point to begin his rafting session.  The children and I sat at the centre, where there were picnic benches and cafe facilities, awaiting 'P's first run down the river.  A few of the participants in 'P's raft had missed their slot which meant that rather than having a full raft, there were just two others and the instructor.  This unfortunately meant that some of the tricks that are carried out on the river weren't successful as the raft simply wasn't heavy enough.  This didn't stop 'P' having a fabulous time though.  He had 4 runs down the river in total which I thought was extremely good value for money.





The children and I walked Arnold along the trail that follows the river.  This allowed us to take up different vantage points for snapping pictures as 'P' whizzed past!  By the time he was finished he was completely knackered, but he did say he'd love to go back at some point and give the kayaking a try.





I'd really recommend Canolfan Tryweryn to anyway who'd love to give rafting a go.  The venue was smashing and all the staff extremely pleasant and helpful.  We've already said we'll go back and have even talked about the prospect of group rafting.  I have to say though, it's one occasion when I'm more than happy to 'walk the dog'.  Water and I don't mix and the thought of being drenched from head to toe does not appeal in the slightest.

Mr G's BIG 4-0

It's now more than a week since the big 4-0 occurred in our household and it's been a rather long birthday celebration for the person involved.

[caption id="attachment_900" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Mr G with his balloon bouquet"][/caption]

'P' celebrated his 40th back on 2nd June and we wanted to make it a day he'd remember.  I'd been planning and buying for a couple of weeks, spending the afternoon the day before making a card and helping 'A' to make Pecan Squares.  The kids and I got up early to decorate the house with more than the usual number of banners and balloons with an added gesture of pictures of him as a child stuck, not only to the house, but also on various lampposts along the street :).  I'd ordered delivery of a balloon bouquet but this was unfortunately delivered before he'd descended the stairs.  It was therefore hidden in the front room until he was up and awake!

[caption id="attachment_904" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The house all decked out!"][/caption]

The kids bought him a fantastic Notts Forest shirt with 'Griffiths 40' on the back which he was chuffed to bits with and along with the usual line of clothes and nonsense I'd also bought him a voucher for white water rafting.  Believe me he was more than a little worried when he opened the envelope and read the words 'Are you prepared?' on the package.  As something a little different I made him up a basket of all the little things he likes such as fizzy cola bottles, Hoegaaden beer, Dr Pepper, Werthers and so on and even included a new tax disk holder seeing as his other one is on its last legs.  One of his gifts, a signed autograph of Derren Brown, was a little late but he loved it all the same.

After breakfast altogether in the kitchen (which made a nice change!) we headed off to Bridgnorth in Shropshire to spend the day walking along the river, moseying around the shops and generally chilling out.  We packed a picnic and were lucky enough to grab a bench by the river.  We caught the cliffside railway up to High Town which was a nice experience as I discovered that not only had the kids never been on this before, but neither had 'P'.  His day was topped off with a fab 'Star Wars' cake from Asda which was just ideal.

[caption id="attachment_902" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cliff Railway - Bridgnorth"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_903" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="'P' on the bridge at Bridgnorth"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_901" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lunch by the river"][/caption]

Both sets of parents came around on 5th for a spot of tea and then Saturday night saw us celebrating at the Lutley Oak where we just invited friends to share a few drinks with us.

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To top off his 40th in style we're both off to Lake Como next week.  This was actually my main present to him as I'd been saving up for some time.  We thought it was an ideal time as 'A' is away with school anyway and 'S' is happy to spend a few days with his Nan and Grandma (and Arnold or course!).  We're both so looking forward to Italy as neither of us has been there before.  The pictures we've seen so far look amazing and I'm sure it won't disappoint.

All in all, Mr G has had one very extended birthday which I hope he has enjoyed.  Can't wait to report back in two weeks time with news and pics from our lovely break.