Journal of an Urbane Gorilla

The eagle has landed!

And are my arms tired!

Moochas smoochas,

G.

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On the road again!

We spent the night in Manchester in anticipation of a storm that never happened. I miss Bronwyn & the child.

We're at big bad Heathrow now. Having a bite, waiting 4 the gate 2 be announced.

Our wonderful holiday is almost over.

Moochas smoochas, G.

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Still stuffed

How could I have eaten so much?!?!?! All is well. Taking a day off. Moochas smoochas, G.

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Merry Christmas to all!

A dopo e Moochas Smoochas,

 

Please give what you can to Médecins sans Frontières(Doctors without Borders) and support Kiva.

 

And, of course

 平和  に 働 き

 

(heiwa ni hataraki: work for peace)

 

Machynlleth: the scene of her disgrace

Wouldn't you know? Grams asked me to look up the Tolkien in the Shire festival on the web,"Gweeds, be a dear and see where the festival is being held next year." Well I did and called out on horror, "Grams, you are not going to believe this! The festival is in Machynlleth!" There was rush of footsteps up the stairs and I can't describe the look of complete terror on her face, "Not, Machynlleth, any place but there!"

You see, Machynlleth is the scene of her complete and utter disgrace. They still  speak of it there. I will recount it for you now: A few years back we had stopped in Machynlleth for a cuppa as we wound our way through north Wales. We found a pleasant little tea room and had ordered tea and cakes. Then came the fateful moment, Grams needed to 'spend a penny' (i.e. go to the loo).

If only she hadn't had to, ah, a world of 'if onlys'. The door to the ladies was a slider type. If only she had knocked, but no, the door wasn't locked, and so she flung it open. Well, in the loo was occupied but a rather ancient lady who almost dropped dead on the spot - good thing she was sitting, eh?

Grams did not make it any better but starting to apologize profusely. Well, you don't do that to an old woman who sitting there in her all together, knickers 'round her ankles, do you? I wouldn't, I can tell you. The owner cam rushing over and tried to calm the old woman down. Grams then doubled her felony by turning around and stepping into the loo opposite - turned out it was the Gents. She stayed in there for quite a while. Too ashamed to come out, I'm sure.I think that they still have 'Wanted' posters for Grams around Machynlleth. Talk about "The Ugly American"! So, you can imagine my surprise when we then headed out for Machynlleth yesterday. Grams was convinced that her loss of weight and short hair cut would be enough of a disguise. I added a muffler and dark glasses.

We made it through without incident this time. But, it was touch and go as people looked at her with suspiciously - well, I had her bundled up like Claude Rains in "The Invisible Man."

Machynlleth is a lovely market town. It's in the center of an alternate energy area. Lots of people living 'off the grid.' Had a lovely lunch and coffee with single draft whiskey in it. Warms you up from the inside.

A dopo e Moochas Smoochas,

 

Please give what you can to Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and support  "http://www.kiva.org">Kiva.

 

And, of course

 

 平和  に 働 き

 (heiwa ni hataraki: work for peace)

 

Over the moterway, and up the coast . . .

What  a day! It started out like this photo on the left, but it was snowing by the time we got to Conwy. I had my Wellies - but poor Grams was wearing her Navajo boots. Slip sliding away . . .

 

That's Big Guy with the snow coming down.

Isn't it lovely? 

Right now, back in Rhostryfan, the weather alternates between rain, sleet and snow. It can't make up its mind. We're cozy, tucked up inside Gwel Y Gorwel. Life is good.

A dopo e Moochas Smoochas,

Please give what you can to  Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and support http://www.kiva.org"Kiva.

And, of course

 

 平和  に 働 き

 

(heiwa ni hataraki: work for peace)

 

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Woke up before dawn this morning - very unusual for moi - and this is what greeted me at window in the lounge. The fountain had been frozen for a few days, but it was full of snow.

The whole landscape was white. I was very glad to be indoors. I was also glad to have the cuppa that Grams brought me a little later.

Grams is hoping to see the Dr. Who Christmas special here in real time, instead of having to wait for it on BBC America in February or something, for heaven's sake!

These last few days of David Tennant (nee, McDonald) as the Dr. are all the buzz here. He will be missed, I suppose.  I'm still waiting for Primeval to come back on, that's my favorite show. Even though Doug Henshaw has left , along with a few others, I still love all the creatures.

When the sun came up, I ventured outside again and took a few more pics. On the right, that's one very frozen ornamental cabbage.

I do like the lady in the ivy. She does look a little cold though.

Right now the wind is howling - I suspect it's gale force. But, we're tucked up warm inside Gwel Y Gorwel. I do hope Bronwyn and the child like their presents. 

This is the sky about 20 minutes ago. At the mo' it's a tad darker.

A dopo e Moochas Smoochas,

Please give what you can to Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and support Kiva.  

And, of course 

平和  に 働 き

(heiwa ni hataraki: work for peace)

 

Strolling in the 'hood

I had requested snow on Mt. Snowdon for our visit. This was met with negativity all round. However, as you can see, there is snow on Mt. Snowdon. So, nyah, nyah, neeyah, nyah; and great big Bronx cheer to ye of little faith.

Isn't it gorgeous?!

I've got on all my woolies and some long knickers that Grams ordered special for me from Japan - don't know what it is (she calls it Japanese technology), but it works great. Gorillas don't do cold very well you know.

I loved this farmhouse with the snow in the background.

Yes, I'm in my happy place.

A dopo e Moochas Smoochas,

 

Please give what you can to Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and support Kiva.

 

And, of course

 平和  に 働 き

 (heiwa ni hataraki: work for peace)

 

A test

I'm trying this for the 1st time. Bear w/ me.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wales, beautiful Wales! Just mine for the asking!

Ah, Christmas time in Wales. Is there any better place to be? I think not. I looked out the window this morning and there were snow flurries in the lane. I ran outside with my camera, but I couldn’t capture the snow. It was melting before it hit the ground. But, oh it’s divine! Bronwyn, Declan and I stood at the winow in the lounge and watched the storm move over the Irish Sea down toward Cardiff.

 

I’ve got good news: scatterbrain Grams has found the plug for my computer and I am now “back in business”. She had unpacked them and left them on the entry floor under the stairs. She’s hopeless, really. I sometimes think that the only reason I put up with her is her cooking and the foot massages.

 

Federicka, the nanny, is moving on today. She’s going to take charge of Hannah. We saw Hannah yesterday at the Christmas play at Finlay and Luka’s school. She was soooooo beautiful (pics to follow). The play was wonderful. It was a mashup of Cinderella, Snow Whte and the 7 dwarfs, and the nativity play. All done with music and songs and a bit of dancing. It reminded me of our Christmas in Madrid when we were up the street from “Cortilandia.” Well, that and the opening scenes of “Fanny and Alexander.” You’ll have to use your imagination, I can’t describe it any better than that.

 

Today, Luka has come by for the morning. That’s him with Big Guy in the photo. It’s been a boisterous morning, just the right atmosphere for Christmas time.

 

A dopo e Moochas Smoochas,

 

Please give what you can to Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and support Kiva

 

And, of course

 平和  に 働 き

 

(heiwa ni hataraki: work for peace)