Perfect Timing

Mid-Wales had an exquistite moment today. Rich greens and golds; intense autumn sunshine turned the contrast up to eleven; spotless white sheep spreading themselves out to graze, as if instructed by an infant teacher; brisk showers adding reflection, radiance and twinkle. At certain points we had rainbows in multiple directions at the same time. You can't plan or capture such a thing, thank goodness. A gift from the universe

20 mph villages work. The majority are observing the limits. The impact on journey time is negligible. Even from a car, it is obvious that the impact on the villages is significant. Driving at that speed is less stressful and demanding. Less people will die. Bring it on

Other Voices is a music festival that started in Kerry, Ireland in 2001 and has grown to the point where it has spread to other places, including London, New York, Berlin...and Cardigan. It has now happened here for 3 years and lucky us (again) that it happens to be this weekend. This act alone were worth the three-day cost. A Welsh harpist playing a huge concert instrument and an Irish violinist playing a Norweigan version of a fiddle, creating sounds so complex that it seemed they must have extra hands or fingers. Beautiful, intricate performance, carried off with such humour and relaxed authority, it left you breathless

The pieces ranged from. Bach to Brittanny to Canada to Locatelli to The Ash Grove. And in the middle of the set they said "are there any beekeepers in the audience?" The next piece was woven around the ancient links between Wales and Ireland and the legend that Saint Modomnóc introduced bees from Wales to Ireland in the 5th century. Later they also had a piece inspired by the famous 'waggle dance' 

We also had good pizza, and good beer

Did I mention it was a lucky day?