Warm.

It was a proper Borthbados day this morning, incredibly warm with barely a breeze to send ripples across the calm sea. A perfect start to the two day Bank Holiday that we've (the working population at least) been  allocated for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration. I will declare now (hate me if you wish) that I fail to see why we should revere one particular family (a German one at that) simply because their ancestors were better at fighting or politicking than their peers but ...... when you look at the behaviour and appaling lack of integrity and judgement of the head of our government, oh my. A government dominated by an elite who went to a limited number of exclusive schools that is only concerned with maintaining the status quo. Somehow they managed to get 43% of the votes in the last election, imagine if we'd been voting for a president, what an even worse mess we'd be in? So although though the Queen is not allowed to influence political decisions at least her position blocks the Government from assuming ultimate power.

With the majority of people not going to work and children on their half-term holiday it was noticably quiet this morning. Just the muted sounds of families walking down to the beach breaking the near silence. Unfortunately it began to haze over half way through the morning and the temperature dropped, at least here at the coast.

No Zoom class today as it is half-term but instead four of us met up to go through some of our course work and generally chat about learning Welsh. Instead of meeting in the cafe in Mach which was likely to be crowded we met at one of the group's home in Pennal, a pretty village about 45 minutes from here.

It was great to go through the parts of the course that confused us, a lot confuses me, and to share tips on where to access helpful resources. Our course is run by the Welsh Govt. (which is nothing like Parliament) and has excellent on-line resources. I now know how to find even more revision videos for the units we've covered which will be very useful during the long summer break. It's also helpful to share books for learners or children that we've found and it's just good to get to know each other better too.

Imagine having this view at the end of your road.

On the way back home we stopped in Mach to get milk and a few things at the Co-Op. The town was busy but while the shops were open the charity shops were all closed so I didn't mind not stopping for a walk around. However going into the supermarket was a good reminder to me to avoid shopping with Peter. Even with no time constraints and nothing being said I could feel the vibes coming off Peter, vibes that said 'Hurry up.' and 'Let's get out of here.' which he admits are exactly what he was thinking. That put me in a fluster and instead of a calm walk through the aisles of an unfamiliar shop I rushed around, didn't look at my list which means we have no croissants for Sunday and generally didn't enjoy the experience. Next time he can stay in the car.

We had a change to our sedate routine this evening walking down to the beach as the sun was setting. A minimal sunset tonight. (Unlike yesterday when we had a tropical sunset with the Llyn peninsula sihouetted against a band of deepening orange above the horizon. Above a clear crescent moon and below a sparkling sea with a small bat fluttering above the garden.)

Tonight's event at the Lifeboat Station was part of a countrywide lighting of Jubilee Beacons. We had imagined a giant bonfire, think Gondor, but it was in fact a gas powered flare. Before the lighting the lifeboat crew were given Jubilee medals for their service. One chap had been part of the RNLI since the sixties and this was his fourth Jubilee medal. I remember the silver Jubilee when Peter and I watched the London fireworks from the King's College student union building. Somebody had found a ladder up onto the roof and a number of us climbed up for a grandstand view of the fireworks.

After we walked back from the beach we stayed out for a while watching a number of bonfires, some on the beach, one on the hill above Aberdyfi and even further away one right on top of the headland above Tywyn. Later I was just getting changed for bed when there came the sound of large display type fireworks being set off from this end of the village. I rushed out and caught a glimpse of the fireworks as Speedy disappeared into the bushes.