Wales

Having managed to persuade wider family to do something different this year instead of a holiday camp type holiday- we booked a large farmhouse in mid Wales, with a plan to cook x 2 nights each per couple and a group Barbecue. This worked really well and I would hope to do it again next year. The hot tub was very special- especially being out at 630 in the morning- silence as the sun rose....magical!
We were there for the end of a rainy spell as it turned into nicer weather- hence the Elan resevoir was spectacularly overflowing- very vertigo inducing!

We visited CAT- which we hadn't been to for a number of years- and were mildly disappointed- frankly looking really run down these days- most of the investigative stuff that we looked forward to the children being able to do was not working....get the impression they are more interested in the conference side of things now....
However we also visited Dolancothi Gold Mines (NT) which was a gem! Very interesting and brought alive by a fabulous guide- definately take the Roman route out.....We all enjoyed panning for gold (plenty of the fools stuff!), dressing up....

 Another memorable visit was to the Red Kite feeding station at Rhiador - very spectacular! Plus a lovely walk up the (steep) hillside to the viewpoint and their trout pools- the boys loved messing around on a shale slope. But the best day was spending a whole day by a mountain stream, with a picnic and paddling/ damming/ playing/ water pistols (and bad sunburn for Mummy)...
Great holiday then back to severe reality and a job interview.......