Dad's 80th, OMD, scorchio weather!!

25/52

Wednesday Weekly

We ended last weeks gorgeous weather with an evening walk out at Ham Wall.

The forecast for the week ahead was scorchio!!

I worked all day Monday and as the day progressed, so the sky got darker. 

I got home just in time, what a thunderstorm. It got so dark the streetlights came on. I have never experienced anything like it! Torrential rain, strong winds, so much thunder and lightning, intense, lasted a good 30 minutes and the sky continued to thunder continuously for an hour or more afterwards. Glastonbury high street was like a river and places flooded. It was immense!! 

Thankfully it was dry on Tuesday as I headed to Cornwall, to celebrate my dad's birthday. The temperatures for the week ahead in Somerset were 10 degrees hotter than in Cornwall, so I was heading in the right direction. All records were broken this week with 36.4 in Yeovilton, then..... 

The UK may have experienced its warmest June night yet, according to forecasters, after a record temperature for the month of 36.7C (98.1F) was recorded on Thursday afternoon. That high was at Merryfield, Somerset, according to Met Office provisional figures, making it also the hottest day of 2026.

So whilst poor Jeff was teaching, Sophie working from home in her south facing flat and Sam in Bristol, I was sat by the Pepperpot in Portreath enjoying my pasty with a lovely sea view!!

I then headed down to Godrevy for a paddle and an afternoon sat on the beach enjoying the sun.

It was stunning.

Wednesday morning I headed out early over to St Ives.

The sea was like a millpond, so still.

It was St Ives at its best.

I wish I'd taken swimming stuff, I think I could have been persuaded to take a dip 

but had to make do with a paddle.

It was busy, lots of dogs around but I left around midday to .......

....meet up with mum and dad for a cream tea!

Thursday was dad's 80th birthday!

Which was the main reason for me going down.

I wanted to be there on his actual birthday...

....and treat him to breakfast.

It did mean I didn't get in the car until about 11am and I cooked on the way back. It was boiling and with no aircon, the drive back was roasting. I stopped off at Sainsbury's, and was for once thankful for the ridiculously cold store and then had a cool shower when I got home. Jeff said it had been unbearable and on Friday, his last day, they shortened the final morning. So he has now finished for this year and has a glorious 9 weeks of summer holiday ahead of him.

We met up with Sam on Friday evening. 

We already had plans but managed to get Sam an extra ticket .....

....to see OMD. 

Jeff introduced him to OMD on one of the many car lifts back and forth over the years. 

Glad it was a little cooler, dread the thought of what it would have been like been mid-week . 

It was a great night and lovely to see Sam before we go away.

Sophie then came home on Saturday. We're all off out tonight to see Scouting for Girls over in Frome. She and Sam are taking it in turns to house sit and water the garden whilst we are away and keep an eye on my fig tree!!

We headed out over to Ham Wall yesterday evening, once the temperature had dropped. 

It's been too hot to do much, so it was good to get out for a walk.

And it was beautifully peaceful.

Today (Sunday) has been about packing and organising for holiday. I have to be super organised as we will be away for 5 weeks. Even the simplest of  tasks, like choosing which glasses to take on holiday, takes time. Normal walk around in sunglasses, reading sunglasses, everyday glasses, spare glasses, maybe 2 pairs just in case I lose a pair or break a pair!! And the reality is.....I will most probably only wear my blue pair, as I never usually wear sunglasses anyway!!!

And then there's my supplements and HRT!

I can't take 5 weeks worth, so am taking 2 weeks worth and will then have to go without and hope for the best!!

I will try and check in here on Tuesday, just to round things up, but that'll be it until early August. As always you can keep up with our adventures over on Instagram at @hap_pea_travels if you are interested. It's a private account, so you just need to request a follow.

Right, best get back to my packing!!!

TAKE THAT night 2!!

24/52

Wednesday Weekly!

This week was all about Cardiff and TakeThat round 2!

Sophie and I headed up on Monday after tea.

We dropped our car into town early Tuesday morning, secured a good parking spot for later and went and did a couple of hours shopping, before getting the train back to Sophie's, having a bite to eat, then heading back out again.....

...to Gin and Juice for a pre show drink and a catch up with my Uni friend Claire.

And then I introduced Sophie to the fabulousness of TakeThat live!!

First up Belinda Carlisle, which I saw on behalf of Jeff, who missed her when we

went to Southampton to see Take That. He has long been a fan!!

And then it was time for the Circus!!

And it was just as brilliant and mesmeric as it was the first time around.

In fact, maybe even slightly better in the Stadium atmosphere.

I drove home on Wednesday, ready for work on Thursday. A morning in the art office and my last exam in the afternoon....2 hours with 30 extra minutes of Maths A'Level!! I am so glad this season is over!

Friday was a catch up day, popping in to see a couple of friends, doing a food shop, meeting a friend in the afternoon for a drink, seeing Jeff, who I feel I've seen very little of this week and then a date down at Strode, to see the film 'My Mother's Wedding'.

Saturday morning and I met up with my sister and took her over to Ham Wall.

Where we spotted this cute little family of Mink!

They seem to be a love/hate animal, as it would seem they can be threat to our wildlife. I posted this pic in a local FB group and it would seem people were very divided in opinion!

It was a lovely walk, humid but we avoided getting wet, thankfully.

I was then out in the evening with friends (old Sainsbury's colleagues) for a meal and a long overdue catch up. I'm trying to squeeze a lot in before we go away!

Got back in time to see half of Take That, The Circus, being live screened on the telly

Today in Father's Day!

Wishing Jeff's Dad, my Dad and Jeff, dad to our two, a very happy, relaxed day.

We had a group chat with Sophie and Sam this morning when Jeff had got back from his swim and I'm going down to Cornwall this week to see my Dad, for his 80th birthday and a belated Father's Day hug!!

The weather for the week ahead is glorious! Up in the 30's!!

I just need to get Monday done, my last day of work and then get in the car and head down to Cornwall.

 

HARRY STYLES

23/52

Weekly Wednesday

Last weekend ended in disaster.

After I'd posted my blog there was a loud clatter and Sam's Monstera plant had blown over for the second time!!

For the time being, it's currently living in the sitting room. 

It could stay there, only when it comes to Christmas it needs to be re-homed!

The weather has been on the chilly, wet side again this week. I do feel during this whole exam season that I've not really missed out on any good weather, which is a huge positive. It's felt a bit of a slog this year, due to a shortage of invigilators mainly, and the classic 'be too good at what you do' and then 'more is expected of you!!'  But I'm going to be doing a day a week in the Art office from September, so that will be a salaried post, with a set amount coming in each month, which will allow me to drop up to 50% of my exam commitment next year. 

I did have a day off on Wednesday and kept it free. I headed over to Bristol to do a little holiday shopping and managed to see the David Attenborough mural, put up to honour his 100th birthday.

It's been a funny week. I've felt a bit out of sorts, tiredness and a mild dose of labyrinthitis! I woke up on Thursday morning and the room was violently spinning. Still went to work but spent most of the day feeling nauseous. Sophie came back in the evening, catching the train from Cardiff to Bridgwater. Jeff collected her and when I was talking to her when going to bed, I lay down and felt as if I was in a cauldron, spinning around and around. Friday I felt a bit better. I've tried to get a couple of early nights, as we had an important date yesterday......

....Harry Styles at Wembley!

And I wasn't about to miss that!!

Despite being up in the cheap seats, we still had a fantastic view and a great night. It wasn't as good as his last tour but still worth the trek! We parked at Wembley and then drove home, getting in just after 1.30am!! 

On Friday the artist David Hockney passed away. 

He painted Harry and this is thought to be reflected in what he wore last night, 

a nod to the wonderfully talented David Hockney.

So another week draws to a close.

I have another busy week ahead. I'm going back up to Cardiff with Sophie tomorrow, back home on Wednesday. A full day of work on Thursday..... morning in the art office, afternoon invigilating my last exam, then another busy weekend. I'm trying to squeeze in lots before we go away but time is running out!