A Different Perspective

I have used the same picture of the Welsh mountain Cadair Idris many times on my blog to illustrate the concept of my journey, so it is time for a different one.

I have mentioned that I intend to walk the mountain when I am better (with anyone who cares to join me), my last and only prior visit being about 1980.

In 1980 I walked it with my uncle (mother's brother) Gandalf, his wife Bee and her brother "Beard" whilst on holiday in North Wales.  What I didn't know, but have since learned, is that the mountain has a special place in the hearts of another of my mother's brothers "The Butcher" and his wife "Mrs Butcher".

Click on the picture to see it in all its glory.  I am especially drawn to the reflective quality of the lake in this picture.

It seems that Mr and Mrs Butcher are regular visitors to the village at the foot of Cadair Idris and they have taken this picture whilst staying there last weekend for their Ruby wedding anniversary.  So, firstly I hope that you both had a lovely anniversary and  secondly, thanks for letting us share your view of the mountain.  Perhaps I should say "thanks for giving us a 'butcher's'" (cockney rhyming slang - google it, if you don't understand!).

Whilst there is a certain poetry about the picture there is a certain poetry about the fact that the butcher plied his trade for many years whilst 2 of his 3 siblings were vegetarians.  He also holds the honour on my mam's side of being the only one of the siblings who isn't coeliac and it is a good job too because he is mightly attached to the odd slice of cake and a bit of trifle.

I haven't really mentioned my family in Wales much but there is a strong relationship with all of my mother's side and also with some members of my father's side - my father's family is a large and sprawling family. 

Despite the fact that I have lived in London since I was six, we have always been regular vistors back.  Also the fact that and my mother and father are the eldest of both their families means that during my years in Wales my uncles and aunties felt like older brothers and sisters.

There has been a lot of support for me over this recent period emanating from the family and my thanks are expressed for it.

Lindylu, Yorkshire boy and Gandalf and Bee are marked with icons on the blog, but The butcher (who incidentally also likes to bake - I wonder if he makes candlesticks too?) is also keeping tabs on me, presumably sitting at his computer with a nice slice of fruit cake.  Of course, I speak with them too and my mother is a natural conduit.

Family has always been important to me and, whilst I have lived in London for a long time my roots are with my family.

Special mention to all their families and the magic coat and arctic fox clans too.