Back in September, we upped sticks and left Shiplake after 31 years and have returned to our roots in West Wales, to Ange’s family home – the cottage that has been in the Jenkins family for more than three generations. Although we’re very sad to leave our life and friends in Shiplake we don’t miss the regular 4hr+ trips between Shiplake and West Wales over the past three years! Having been a base for friends and relatives visiting London we hope we can now be a base for exploring the lovely West Welsh coast and countryside.

We are both fine and slowly working our way through the boxes that still need unpacking. Some things were packed and now we cannot find them. We had thrown a lot of stuff out but after 31 years we had we collected so much junk there still a load to be sorted.

Exploring the area is fun but, as we are both familiar with Lampeter, it’s not too bad and we have both become re-acquainted with old school friends. Haven’t signed up to a new panto group yet, but there’s plenty to choose from. We did do a murder mystery just before we left Shiplake and Gareth was nearly word perfect as he played a dead body for most of it.

The family is fine and will be here for Christmas. (More chance to have snow for Christmas up here so who knows, they could be here for a while!)

Tris continues in his role in Cardiff University Optometry Department. Despite the funding pressures on education that have had a punishing effect on his workload he keeps his interest in music as a member of the Cardiff Wind Band and restoring small organs. His project to rebuild a church organ is going rather more slowly than he expected but he’s learning a lot about carpentry, electrics and electronics along the way. His partner, Jon is also in further education with a heavy workload but is setting up a pottery workshop to expand his considerable artistic talent.

Kyle and Angharad continue to enjoy life to the full. Kyle’s stunt work continues, albeit a bit restricted by a back injury that’s taking a while to resolve. (Gareth is pleasantly surprised to be able to share concerns and get advice from Kyle about pains and strains - though Gareth’s are a result of old age!)

They celebrated their first wedding anniversary with a trip back to the Cliff Hotel in Gwbert where they were treated royally. They have just moved into a new house in Sherfield on Loddon and will be expanding their property portfolio by letting out their old house in Basingstoke.

If you fancy a trip to West Wales, (and there’s loads to do and see up here) we are open to visitors and can offer accommodation (the cottage is bigger than it looks!). You will be very welcome.

(Click on the maps to enlarge them)