Mutterings for the Minority

Being an avid football fan, I was most intrigued today with the announcement of the squads for some of the particpating countries in this year’s World Cup in South Africa.

BRAZILIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
Pinnochio
Libero
Vimto
Memento
Borneo
Tango
Cheerio
Subbuteo
Scenario
Fellatio
Portfolio

SUBS:
Placebo
Porno
Polio
Banjo
Brasso
Stereo (L)
Stereo (R)
Hydrochlorofluoro
Aristotle
Computersezno

CROATIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
Itch
Annoyingitch
Hardtoreachitch
Scratchanitch
Hic
Sic
Spic
Pric
Digaditch
Fallinaditch
Horseraditch

SUBS:
Mowapitch
Letsgetrich
Shagabitch

RUSSIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
Whodyanicabolicov
Ticlycov
Chesticov
Nasticov
Slalomsky
Downhillsky
Risky
Swedishshev
Mastershev
Fuckov
Ufuckov

SUBS:
Rubitov
Gechakitov
Sodov
Pastryshev
Najinsky
Ivorripabollockov
Taykitov

ROMANIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
Chatanoogaciouciou
Atishiou
Blessiou
Thankyiou
Busqueue
Snookercu
Pennyciou
Twoapennyciou
Fourapennyciou
I’llgetciou
Youandwhosarmi

SUBS:
U
NonU
ManU
Stuffyiou

DANISH SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
Toomanigoalssen
Tryandstopussen
Crapdefenssen
Haveagossen
Firstsson
Seccondsson
Thirdsson
Legshurtssen
Notroubleseeingussen
Wherestheballssen
Getthebeerssen

SUBS:
Howmanygoalsisthatssen
Finallygaveupcountinssen
Hurryupandblowthewhistlessen
Yourelatedtoalexfergusonssen

ITALIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
Baloni
Potbelli
Beerbelli
Giveitsumwelli
Wotsontelli
Yrarseissmelli
Onetoomani
Legslikejelli
Havabenni
Wobblijelli
Spendapenni

SUBS:
Cantthinkofani
Buggermi

MEXICAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
San Francisco
Costa Brava
Hopelez
Juan Andonly
Manuel Gearbox
Don Criformi- Argentina
Skrewdigalz
Luis Canon
Sombrero
Chihuahua
Jose

SUBS:
Jesus Maria Don Key
Burrito
Speedy Gonzalez
Tequila
Caramba

DUTCH SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2010
Kenning van Hire
Van Diemansland
Van der Valk
Van Gard
Van Erealdizeez
Ad van Tagus
Hertz van Rental
Transit van Dors
Van Coova
Van Sprokendown
Aye van Hoe

SUBS:
Van Iller
Van Ishincreme
Van Morrison

Now the squad names have been announced I’m off to get my favourite Brazillian player’s shirt – Fellatio

An early start today as I went for my 2nd run of the holiday, as we’d planned on spending the best part of the day on Newgale Sands.

We’d had the idea of spending the day down on the beach after admiring it’s beauty – albeit from afar – on our trip to St. David’s a couple of days ago.

Newgale is approximately 6 miles north of Broad Haven and has pretty much everything you’d expect of a Blue Flag beach with a long golden beach, surfing waves and stunning scenery all around it’s edge – as you can see from this video I did.

There is a free car park adjacent to the beach as well as toilet facilities and a small ice cream stall – which was closed when we were there (darn it!).

The beach was stunning and ideal for anything from sunbathing to flying a kite, or even in our case using the pebbles from the natural sea defences as a source for a sand dinosaur!!

I’ve got to say that the credit for this bit of creativity must go to my 6 year old son – not moi!

Although the day was – or at least felt – the warmest day of the year thus far, the sea breeze/wind made it feel cooler than it probably was. Having said that, it made perfect conditions for kite flying and we duly took the opportunity to give it a bash.

Thinking back, whilst it was my son’s first attempt at flying a kite, it must have been the first time in donkey’s years (i.e. over 25) that I’d had a go and it was great fun! In fact I’d forgotten how much fun flying a kite was/is

Despite a sumptous alfresco lunch, it was apparent that by late afternoon that the sun had taken it’s toll on us all and with enrgy levels flagging it was time to head home to recharge the batteries.

Given the clear blue skies, we made a brief stop on the way back to Broad Haven at Maidenhall – an ideal picnic spot a couple of I hasten to add a couple of miles south of Newgale – to admire the stunning coastal views from a higher vantage point.

By now my face felt like a pair of brand spanking new leather shoes… and it was a surprise that I didn’t stop any traffic on the way back – such was the red ‘ish amber glow to my complexion!

Thankfully Mrs DDWT’s moisturiser came to the rescue and I’m hopeful of a reduced and non-blistered facial glow tomorrow morning!

With most of the holiday gang having an unexpected lie-in our planned early departure to St. David’s didn’t materialise and we ended up being a couple of hours late – much to the drivers annoyance

However, once we were on our way we were all mesmorised by the wonderful coastal views and sandy beaches which we took in along the way to Britain’s smallest city.

The coastal walk around Druidston Haven looked stunning as we slowly drove past and although we couldn’t see how to get to the beach, I’ve little doubt that it was another of Pembrokeshire’s hidden gems.

Next stop was Nolton Haven a small but impressively sandy and secluded spot and well worth a visit if only for a bite to eat or temporary respite from the narrow and meandering B4341. One word of advice about the road – try and avoid meeting the Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus service en route, otherwise like me, you’ll need to reverse some 50 metres so it can get past!

The real stunner however was Newgale beach whose golden sands seemed to stretch for miles and was quite spectacular and reminiscent of the large sandy beaches of the Gower that I am more accustomed too.

After going through the small village of Solva we had almost reached our intended destination. It had been many years since I – or indeed the rest of the gang – last visited St. Davids and I couldn’t help but feel that it had lost some of its quaintness due to becoming more comercialised with an abundance of bistro’s and designer chic clothes shops.

Whilst wandering around the “city” the vast array of accents that we overheard – particulary American – gave testament to the commericial changes and I suppose any person with some business acumen would see the potential of certain establishments.

Although the weather was very sunny it was surprisingly chilly due to the blusterly north easterly wind, so we quickly headed for the sanctuary of St. David’s main attraction – the Cathedral.

Here is a picture of the ruins of the Bishops Palace, which is adjacent to the cathedral.

Once inside the cathedral, we were amazed by the colourful stain glass windows that decorated the interior and the very impressive organ – which impressively overshadowed the numerous pews.

It’s also worth mentioning that the St. David’s cathedral website is very informative and well worth a read – especially if you intend visiting or simply wish to know more about its history.

Before concluding our visit to St. David’s we took a stroll around the award winning Oriel y Parc Gallery. The gallery won the prestigious ‘Rural Areas and Natural Environment Planning award’ in 2009 for its use of state-of-the-art green technologies and is a well worth a visit on any day out in St. David’s.

Oriel y Parc is the National Park Authority’s visitor centre for St. David’s and provides you with all of the information you’re likely to need for your visit. You’ll also find several galleries – including collections of art and treasures from the National Museum of Wales – a café and a shop. But perhaps best of all are the regular events held at the complex for children – all of which are related to the environment and its sustainability.

After returning back to base and relaxing a wee bit (i.e. stuffing our faces with some pukka tucker) we decided to round off our day with an evening stroll along the beach at Broad Haven.

Watching the sun setting over St. Brides Bay was very romantic… even if a wee bit chilly!

An early start to proceedings today as I opted to go for an early morning run, the first of the holiday thus far. In typical fashion it was also the windiest day thus far and the hilly terrain provided me with an alternative run out to my usual surroundings.

My 35 minute run took in the main road between Broad Haven and Little Haven, as well as some of the surrounding lanes and tracks – not to mention what I can only assume is Broad Haven football club’s home ground?

A quick shower and it was time for us all to have a much anticipated bacon butty breakfast. Not exactly in keeping with the healthy theme I know, but what the heck we’re on holiday!

Next stop was Broad Haven beach with our goal today being to walk around the cove to Little Haven – tide permitting (unlike yesterday).

Thankfully a quick check on the Pembrokeshire tide tables via the internet on my mobile meant that we knew we’d have to be well on our way before the low tide at 11:30 am.

Although Broad Haven beach is wonderfully sandy there are enough rock pools near the coves to the south and north ends of the beach to make them an intriguing destination for kids of all ages (including big ones like me).

With the sun beating down on us in what felt like the hottest day of the year thus far and the kids starting to flag it was time to make a hasty retreat to the house for some much needed refreshments – but not without stopping for a dollop of Pembrokeshire’s award winning ice cream from Upton Farm first though!

This evening saw a beautiful sunset and the location of our holiday home provided an ideal photograhic opportunity…

Phooo wee, it’s been a long day but alas we’re now tucked up and un-packed in our humble abode for the week in sunny Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire – the St. Brides Bay version not the other one!

Without doubt Broad Haven is a popular place mainly thanks to it being great for sun worshippers and water sports lovers. It’s expanse of golden sand – which links up with nearby Little Haven at low tide – make it a great place for young families and it is widely considered as one of the finest beaches in St Brides Bay.

So eager with excitement, the house of DDWT was up at 7:30 to get ready for a proposed 13:30 departure (as we were unable to use our cottage/house before 3pm). For once we actually left on time and had a relatively easy journey with no tantrums and very little traffic, the only hold-up really being the road improvement scheme on the A40 near the Blue Lagoon Water park.

The accomodation was great and we could see why it had been given a 5 star rating. The bottle of wine provided by the owners was also a nice touch!

After unpacking, we ventured out for a walk down in order to get our bearings and check out the beach – especially with the sunset fast approaching. Although a chilly wind ensured we didn’t stay very long – but long enough for DDWT Junior to ‘fall’ into the sea and drench himself!

With the sea air still fresh in the lungs, I then had the misfortune of drawing the short straw of deciding whom was going to do the grocery shop. I ended up in the Tesco superstore in Haverfordwest – they get everywhere don’t they – and as usual lined the pocket of Tesco far too much. At least it was a short drive of only 5 miles away.

So here I am having got back around an hour or so ago and everyone is ready for bed – it’s been a long day!