the log fire was every bit as impressive as i'd hoped. it was enormous and, aesthetic reasons aside, we had a fire going for most of the weekend to dry clothes (not everyone was as sensible as i was in staying indoors... odd).
other striking features were:
(i) the gargantuan house spider that lodged above the bathroom mirror;
(ii) the record player that came with johnny cash and bob dylan's complete catalogues, miscellaneous 80's hits, and welsh choral music - there is something about vinyl that gets you involved in the music (especially when some of the group had never seen a record player before);
(iii) second breakfasts and second dinners - which meant one could dispense with lunch and get away with cake and biscuits all afternoon quite comfortably. first breakfast was also optional for the early-risers of the group (unsurprisingly those who also thought venturing 'outside' was a good thing); and
(iv) the amazing amount of dust that was in, on, around, and under, everything.
