Wales 2016

In the summer of 2015, we planned and booked our yearly trip to a cottage in Wales with our dear friends the Metsons. Little did we know we'd be bringing an extra person! It's a tradition now, every summer we find a cottage somewhere (usually Wales because of its price) where we spend a week puttering around, catching up, reading, drinking and enjoying life. Our first year was with their sweet little girl when she was 6 months old. The next year she was a bit older and the adult to child ratio was even bigger when our friends Anna and Rob joined in too - 6 adults to one little girl! We had one more summer in Cornwall with the Metsons before we went on our big trip, and then missed last year due to the arrival of their little boy. This summer was definitely different, with four children and six adults at its peak! Talk about noisy, chaotic, and most of all, fun.

Paul and decided to drive down to Wales in 2 days so as not to distress Ellie too much. The drive was mostly uneventful with occasional stops for food and drinks. Ellie slept the majority of it, thank goodness, and we listened to an audiobook.

There were many wonderful, quiet, easy days where we did nothing more exciting than going for a walk. When you've got a five week old, this is more than enough! Surrounding the cottage were many beautiful green fields with crops and animals. And we had a hot tub. Did I mention that? It was fantastic! Gone are the days when I wander for an entire afternoon exploring random paths, but snuggling with Ellie is just as nice.

 

This is our cottage as viewed from the walk

 

 

We returned to the family fun farm which we had visited years before. Simon and I raced on the downhill sleds and explored the maize maze, we took Ellie on her first tractor ride, and she saw her first pig race! Although she's too small to appreciate it, someday it will be quite a fun destination.

Metson tractor ride 2013

Metson tractor ride 2016

Ellie's first tractor ride!

Ellie's first pig race - Kate Piddleton won!

  

On our way into the maze, just in case we get lost.

Another day we went to a nearby beach town and enjoyed a pub meal, a bit of beach time, and some ice cream. Because Ellie can't get wet she couldn't go in the ocean, but we did lay her (in the shade!) on the beach. She seemed to enjoy it as much as Paul and made grumpy faces nearly the entire time.

 

Ellie and Ed in a pub

 

The kiddos are not enjoying this as much as we are! 

Our last adventure was to a castle just a few miles away. I plopped Ellie into the Ergo carrier and we hiked up the small hill to the ruins. It was a gorgeous day (no rain!) and we enjoyed wandering the grounds and learning about the castle. We then decided to descend the large, steep staircase to explore the cave under the castle. Simon and his two kids, Rob and his little girl, and me and Paul with Ellie - and three smartphone flashlights between us! Some of the steps were quite steep and slippery, but I had come well prepared in my sandals... We didn't make it far into the cave before the sensible adults (read: not me!) decided we should turn around. Still, it was Ellie's first cave and it was fun!

 

 

 

 

 In the cave

 

Overall it was another successful break that sped by too fast. Especially with finally having our little one with us, every moment is precious and disappears before your eyes. I can't believe how big their children are, and that before we know it Ellie will be a big kid too. We look forward to many more cottage summers, and I can't wait to watch our children grow up together as friends.

 

The girls 2016

   

Lib 2012 (left) and 2013 (middle) 2014 (middle) and 2016 (right)