Our week that was: Apple picking, a play date and moon missions

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We’re still playing catch-up here on the blog after another fun-filled week – time is whizzing by in a flash. It does, doesn’t it, as you get older?

Orchard with Welsh apple tree varieties

Apple picking

One of my friends from the Women’s Institute has a garden with an orchard. She invited a couple of us over to pick some of the apples, as she’d never be able to make use of them all.

Heritage apple tree Heritage apple tree

The apple trees are old, rare Welsh heritage varieties such as Baker’s Delicious and Cadwaladr.

Walnuts developing on the tree Walnuts developing on the tree

As well as apples, there were a few, much less commonly found trees in the orchard… including these walnuts that were almost ready to harvest.

Sacks of apples picked from the orchard

Apples being stored in a food safe in our garden room Apples being stored in a food safe in our garden room

We spent less than an hour apple picking, after which I returned home with two large sacks, heavy with fruit, with not much of an idea of what I was going to make with them. A pie and an upside-down cake are most likely; I have so many apples, I can attempt things I’ve never done before; apple juice, apple jam, hard cider?

Strava route for Barley play date with Tala at Hafod Arch

Play date for Barley

A few weeks ago, we encountered a lady out walking her dog near the Arch near Hafod. After a tentative 30 seconds or so, we were all really pleased to see that her dog, Tala, and Barley hit it off splendidly. They’re about the same size and possess the same energy levels. They got on so well, in fact, that we agreed to meet the following week in the same place for a doggie play date.

The afternoon of the play date was a welcome chink of lovely, warm sunny weather in an altogether damp and dreary week. Tala & Barley loved it; tearing through the woods, chasing each other for most of the hour-long circular walk. We hope it will become a regular occurrence.

For All Mankind series one box set

For All Mankind

We’ve just binge-watched 3 series of For All Mankind. The series proffers an alternative world history that hinges on the ‘space race’ not ending with the USA landing on the moon in 1969. The series broaches many subjects such as male chauvinism, feminism, sexuality, politics, technology and conspiracy theories. And I’ve just found out – there’s going to be a series four at some point in the near future!

Our week that was: A day trip, a summer drink and a science fiction series

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Another week has flown by – still without any rainfall to speak of – but we’ve been promised some in the coming days. We soaked up the sun on a day trip down the coast, foraged for wildflowers and absorbed ourselves in a riveting and thought-provoking TV series.

Day trip

Adelle tasting the cake platter at The Leeky Barrel, Henllan, Llandysul

The cake platter at The Leeky Barrel, Henllan, Llandysul

The Leeky Barrel Winery and Gift Shop at Bedwen Plants, Henllan, Llandysul

The nursery at Bedwen Plants, Henllan, Llandysul

We had a dog sitter booked for Monday so that we could head out on a day trip to somewhere we hadn’t been before. We decided to head off towards Llandysul to Bedwen Plants. There’s a nursery, winery and bistro all on site. We bought a few plants, including a wasabi and had coffees and cake platter… no wine was consumed or bought on this occasion!

On our way back home, we stopped off in Aberaeron for a walk around the town and harbour and another coffee at Harbourmaster.

Summer drink

Elderflowers and lemons for making cordial

For me, summer hasn’t properly started until I’ve picked some elderflowers and made cordial; it has become an annual ritual. I try to make at least 3 batches to drink now, freeze for later and bottle to give away to friends. If you want to try making your own, this is my preferred elderflower cordial recipe.

Severance

After finishing watching the first series of The Bear, we dived straight into Severance (I got Apple TV+ free for 3 months with a recent Apple Store purchase).  The premise of ‘Severance’ is simple; employees of a company called Lumon Industries choose to undergo a procedure to have their ‘work’ and ‘home’ memories disconnected. You’d think it may be a good solution for achieving that elusive work-life balance. Each episode is more surreal than the previous one, and the series throws up all kinds of philosophical and existential questions. The sets, costumes and other visuals suggest a Mid-Century Modern, Mad Men kind of vibe, but – other than it being winter – the time in which it’s set is never referenced.

The Severance script is great, the acting is top-notch and many of the episodes were expertly directed by Ben Stiller. We can’t wait for the already confirmed second series!

Auction alert: TV and Film-related sale

Star Wars Episode I Darth Maul full head latex mask

Having grown up in the 70s & 80s, this week’s Auction Alert really triggered some childhood memories for me. The upcoming TV and Film-related sale takes place on Tuesday 28th March 28 2023 from 10am. It’s being held by Vectis Auctions Ltd who are located in Stockton on Tees.

Almost all my movie and TV viewing from that era has come back to life; Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman, Happy Days, Charlie’s Angels, Little House on the Prairie, Kojak, The A-Team, Dukes of Hazard, Space 1999, Star Wars, Star Trek.

I remember the little girl crushes I had on Erik Estrada from Chips and Paul Michael Glazer from Starsky & Hutch. I wanted to be Farrah Fawcett, I especially wanted her long, blonde hair. I had a series of metal lunch kits (with matching vacuum flasks) that I took my food & drink to school in – mostly Disney character ones, I think. These have now become highly collectable.

Saying all this, the sale includes lots of other memorabilia from the 90s, noughties and the new millennium – I’ve just chosen to reminisce about my youth below!

What TV shows and films did you love when you were growing up?

Sideshow Star Wars Sandtrooper Squad Leader ⅙ scale figure

Lot 4021: Sideshow Star Wars Sandtrooper Squad Leader ⅙ scale figure

Excellent to Near Mint complete, within Excellent opened packaging. Sideshow Star Wars Sandtrooper Sergeant Tatooine ⅙ scale figure, Excellent to Near Mint (missing blaster), within Excellent opened packaging. (2)
Estimate £150 – £220

Star Wars Episode I Darth Maul full head latex mask

Lot 4166: Star Wars Episode I Darth Maul full head latex mask

Signed by Ray Park, with photo of signing, Good Plus to Excellent.
Estimate £40 – £60

Cherilea loose motorbikes and sidecars x three for 12" scale figures

Lot 4242: Cherilea loose motorbikes and sidecars x three for 12″ scale figures

Fair. Loose Action Man Armoured Car, Good. includes weapons, all unchecked for completeness. (4)
Estimate £20 – £40

Thermos Little House on the Prairie vintage 1978 metal lunch box and Thermos flask

Lot 4257: Thermos Little House on the Prairie vintage 1978 metal lunch box and Thermos flask

Flask is Good Plus to Excellent with instruction sheet for Flip ‘n’ Sip top, lunch Box is Good.
Estimate £40 – £60

Chad Valley The Six Million Dollar Man 3D Viewer

Lot 4278: Chad Valley The Six Million Dollar Man 3D Viewer

Excellent, complete, within Fair opened packaging.
Estimate £20 – £40

Denys Fisher 1976 The Bionic Woman Jamie Sommers figure

Lot 4280: Denys Fisher 1976 The Bionic Woman Jamie Sommers figure

Pull back skin on arm has become fragile and cracked otherwise Excellent, with unused accessories, within Good opened packaging.
Estimate £70 – £100

Thermos vintage 1976 Happy Days metal lunch box and flask

Lot 4283: Thermos vintage 1976 Happy Days metal lunch box and flask

With leaflets
Flask is Excellent, lunchbox is Good. Mego vintage 1976 Happy Days Fonzie loose 8″ action figure, Good. (2)
Estimate £60 – £80

Palitoy vintage 1977 Kojak Talking Police Car

Lot 4291: Palitoy vintage 1977 Kojak Talking Police Car

Good, untested, within Good (creased, dented) lift off lid box.
Estimate £80 – £100

Corgi 292 Starsky & Hutch Ford Torino

Lot 4294: Corgi 292 Starsky & Hutch Ford Torino

Finished in red, white stripe, chrome front and rear bumpers (1st issue with 4-spoke wheels) complete with correct 3 x figures – overall condition is generally Near Mint including plastic tray, backing card is Excellent, within a generally Good (plastic window is dented) striped window box.
Estimate £80 – £100

Hasbro Charlie's Angels vintage Jill (Farrah Fawcett-Majors) 8.5" figure

Lot 4299: Hasbro Charlie’s Angels vintage Jill (Farrah Fawcett-Majors) 8.5″ figure

Mint, within Good Plus to Excellent bubble, upon Good Plus punched card. Hasbro Charlie’s Angels Jill’s Flying Skateboard Adventure outfit and accessory pack, Mint, Unused, within Good opened packaging. (2)
Estimate £50 – £70

Addar Products Corp. vintage 1973 Planet of the Apes Dr. Zaius model kit

Lot 4315: Addar Products Corp. vintage 1973 Planet of the Apes Dr. Zaius model kit

Within Excellent sealed packaging, cellophane has split and opened at one end. Playpal Plastics Apjac Productions vintage 1974 Planet of the Apes Galen money bank, Good, missing bottom stopper. (2)
Estimate £40 – £60

Ideal "Chips" Free Wheeling Motorcycle

Lot 4325: Ideal Chips Free Wheeling Motorcycle

Suitable for 8″ figures, Excellent, Within Good Plus to Excellent lift-off lid box, with inserts.
Estimate £30 – £40

Mattel Mork and Mindy Robin Williams as Mork

Lot 4330: Mattel Mork and Mindy Robin Williams as Mork

With talking space pack, 9″ tall, Excellent to Near Mint, within Good window front box.
Estimate £40 – £60

The benefits of a TV bed

The benefits of a TV bed

If you’re like most people, you love a good lie-in on the weekends. There’s nothing better than being able to roll out of bed and not have to worry about getting ready for the day. Wouldn’t it be great if you could enjoy those lazy mornings all week long? With a TV bed, you can. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of investing in a TV bed and show you how you can transform your bedroom into a cinema experience.

First of all, let us remember what a TV Bed fundamentally is. In essence, it’s a bed frame with a TV in the footboard; but actually, TV beds nowadays are so much more.

They come with a range of features that include integrated sound systems, remote-controlled lifts and even under-bed storage. So if you’re looking for an easy way to update your bedroom without spending a fortune, a TV bed is the perfect solution.

Now let’s take a look at some of the benefits of owning one:

TV bed detail

Hiding those unsightly wires. If space in your bedroom is at a premium the TV will often need to be attached to the wall – not any longer. A TV bed will discreetly hide your TV in the footboard.

Under-bed storage. Many TV Beds now come with full under bed storage operated through a whisper-quiet mechanism.

State-of-the-art sound. Up until a few years ago, the TV in a TV bed was the feature. Now many TV Beds come with sub-woofers, surround sound and even BlueTooth® compatibility.

Cosy lie-ins watching your favourite films or TV shows. Who doesn’t love a good lie-in on the weekends? With a TV bed, you can watch every day of the week!

So what are you waiting for? Transform your bedroom into the perfect cinema experience today and invest in a TV bed. For more information and to view a great range of TV beds check out the UK’s biggest and best luxury TV Bed retailer – TV Bedstore.

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