Sion Barry's World

HERE is my daughter Isabella sporting her first little tooth. BREAKFAST : Very enjoyable bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed cold milk. The Walk to Work : It was down the legendary Taff Trail, where more ducks than I have seen in a while were on the River Taff below. Cyclists continued through to whistle by in both directions . Lunchbox 2 digestive biscuits 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 1 plum 1 banana 1 Vanilla flavoured Muller Light Yoghurt RANDOM THOUGHT 2009: Wales's great living civil servant, Gareth Hall [see yesterday's entry], is knighted for his services to the UK rubber duck industry

THE Welsh Assembly's boast of being commercially focused, fit for purpose and fleet of foot is true! I had first hand experience of their quick decision making over the weekend. There I was in my local butcher's... where it was all getting a bit embarrassing as I didn't have enough cash to pay the bill. But to my rescue came Wales's greatest ever civil servant the affable Gareth Hall [pictured above]. Quick as a flash he produced a crisp £10 note from his sizeable wallet. He saved my bacon [ha ha!] and told me to pay him back whenever. However, unlike LG, Halla, Acer etc, etc, I did pay Gareth back the next day as he only lives down the road. He was then very keen to give me a guided tour of his very impressive abode. Gareth and Moira have done a great job transforming their three storey property in Pontcanna, Cardiff. I don't think I have seen so many bathrooms in one house in my life and the floor tiles in their hallway were exquisite. Breakfast: Very enjoyable ...

My daughter Isabella had her first experience of Avocado yesterday. BREAKFAST ... Not at home this morning, but at St David's Hotel and Spa for a business breakfast with the new chairman of Cardiff City Peter Ridsdale. And I have to say the cooked breakfast wasn't too appetizing. Walk to Walk . Didn't happen as I drove down to the hotel in Cardiff Bay. Lunchbox. 1 apple 1 banana 2 salmon sandwiches on granary bread 2 digestive biscuits Random Thought Don't forget you hard working executives to spend quality time with the family Have a superb weekend!

BREAKFAST: Bowl of Speical K with semi-skimmed cold milk. The Walk to Work: A constant interchange between rain, drizzle and no rain, permeated my walk down the Taff Trail this morning. Quite a few squirrels were to be seen. A cyclist said hello as she passed me [work colleague Anna Morrell], but in the process of slowing down, it nearly caused a cyclist speeding behind to crash into us. Lunchbox 1 apple 4 salmon [tinned variety] sandwiches on granary bread with a hint of lemon juice 1 Strawberry flavoured Muller Light yoghurt 2 digestive biscuits. Random Thought Why is someone pictured rolling a joint on the home page of Cardiff Chamber of Commerce?

BREAKFAST : Bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold milk. They were fine, but nothing special. Walk to Work: It was down the Taff Trail and had my umbrella up as the rain fell. Ducks were again out in force on the River Taff below. Sounds of bells from over eager cyclists trying to pass us humble pedestrians were a constant interruption. Lunchbox 2 smoked salmon sandwiches on granary bread 2 ham and tomato sandwiches 1 banana 1 apple 1 Cherry flavoured Muller Light yoghurt. Random Thought 201o: Disillusioned with the world of politics, former Welsh Assembly Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies, turns his hand to bell making and bell ringing. When he has time he also rings the front door bell to the house of a certain Rhodri Morgan before running away. However, he is cautioned after being caught doing the same thing at the not so humble abode of Sir John Shortridge.

A big thank you to my daugther Isabella for not waking up at 5am this morning. She didn't arise until 6.30am, which is a perfectly acceptable hour. Breakfast: Very fine bowl of Branflakes Walk to Work: It has down the Taff Trail with my umbrella in hand. However, the rain held off. On the River Taff below there was a great splashing sound as I turned to see three ducks coming into land. Lunchbox 4 smoked salmon sandwiches on granary bread. 1 apple 1 banana 1 Strawberry flavoured yoghurt 1 container of Plugs' very fine blackcurrant crumble Random Thought December 28th, 2008 : European Trade Commissoner Peter Mandelson fails at the final hurdle in his quest to eat a pasta dish for lunch and dinner on everyday of the year. With only days to go, he crumbles at lunch time when he opts for a lamb curry.

Breakfast: Hugely impressive bowl of 3 Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk. Walk to Work: It was down the Taff Trail where there was a distinctly damp feel in the air. Fallen leaves, some of which had turned golden, were making it a bit tricky under foot as I made my way towards the centre of Cardiff. To my right, I caught sight of a grey squirrel being chased around and up a tree by another squirrel. Lunchbox 1 banana 1 apple 1 Strawberry flavoured Muller Light Yoghurt 4 ham and tomato sandwiches One container, containing a piece of superb blackcurrant crumble made by Plugs. Plugs ' daughter [Mrs B] is also a wonderful cook. Here she is above holding a chocolate fudge cake, which she made over a week ago... and it didn't last very long! Random Thought 2015: Chile is a very narrow country in South America. This has nothing to do with this random thought, which I am struggling with as I write. Okay. Picture above is Tom Thomas of Pontypridd, who in nine years time takes up h...

BREAKFAST: Three Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk. Last night: Was out for a few drinks with the two Ians: Courtney and Williams. Anyway, as we were standing around a table in a bar in Cardiff two women decided to join us. They were Jill and Alison - two midwives from the Birthing Centre at Caerphilly Miners' Hospital. Have to say they were in remarkably good form, considering they had been out drinking since midday! Both said they recognised me. Anyway, to cut a long umbilical cord short, Alison was on duty the night my daughter Isabella was born back in May... and Jill was around for the next five days until my wife and Isabella came home. The 2 Ians loved it when they thought I was 47! and looked like Hugh Laurie. Minutes later Jill fell down [off her stool], but fortunately didn't break her crown. Ian C gallantly managed to get her to her feet. We left soon after, but not before I thanked them again for doing such a brilliant job with Mr B and Isabella. Walk to Work:...

BREAKFAST: Glorious bowl of 3 weetabix; glass of water; cup of tea, two pieces of toast with olivio spread and blackcurrant jam and a banana. Lunchbox: Not needed today as I am out for lunch with a certain Alun Davies. Alun is a fan of this blog and passed on this comment: Sion , Could you do me a favour please? Rather than saying, "in the corporate trough with Mr Alun Davies today so no lunchbox" on your blog could you say something like: "Having lunch with Alun today. Can't wait. His wit and humour and rakish conversation is what keeps me going through these long autumn days. A man with a brilliant brin. I simply do not understand how he is not a member of the National Assembly. A future First Minister." Thanks Alun for those wondrous comments.... It will be an honour to lunch with argubably the greatest living Welshman later today. Walk to Work: Rain was in the air as I headed down the Taff Trail with my umbrella in hand. Noticed that the River Taff was mo...

BREAKFAST: Cheerful bowl of 3 Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk. WALK to WORK: It was down the Taff Trail. Below a solitary fishermen was in middle of the River Taff, but from what I could see he hadn't caught anything. Magpies and squirrels were out in force and it was a pleasure to pass the immaculately groomed white husky dog and its owner further along near to my exit point at Canton Bridge. Lunchbox 4 salmon sandwiches [tinned variety] with a hint of lemon juice on granary bread 1 banana 1 apple 1 bar of toblerone [it was sensational!] 1 Cherry flavoured Muller light yoghurt. All consumed by 1.20pm. RANDOM THOUGHT 2015: Former England rugby captain, Will Carling, opens his first "I've had a Royal" restaurant at the Gurnos housing estate in South Wales. It does remarkably well, with his Duck L'Orange proving exceedingly popular.

BREAKFAST: Not too exciting, but perfectly acceptable, bowl of 3 Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk. Walk to Work: It was down the legendary Taff Trail which meanders its way alongside the River Taff into the centre of Cardiff and beyond. Quite a bit of cyclist activity today. Spied a number of energetic squirrels just off the trail. The River Taff was as calm as can be this morning. Lunchbox. 4 chicken sandwiches on granary bread A flask [a first] of Mr B's home made leek and potato soup. 1 piece of Mrs B heavenly home made fudge cake 1 banana 1 cherry flavoured Muller light yoghurt 1 apple. The soup was excellent and for that matter so was everything else that was crammed into my Addis lunchbox... Mrs B you are truly amazing. Random Thought Let's make sure guys that today's events are never repeated.... you know who you are!

HERE I am with my daughter Isabella. She is 24 weeks old today and doing brilliantly. It's all down to having a good routine... co-ordinated effortlessly by her mum with me in a supporting role. Breakfast: 3 Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk and two pieces of toast with Olivio spread and blackcurrant jam. Walk to Work. Back on the Taff Trail this morning after my week's holiday. It was all pretty quiet with a sense of winter in the air. Only real thing of note was a duck coming into land on the River Taff below. Lunchbox: Back with a bang today. 4 chicken and stuffing sandwiches on granary bread 1 piece of Mrs B's wondrous home made fudge cake 1 apple 1 banana 1 Cherry flavoured Muller Light Yoghurt. All consumed my 12.30 save the apple which I am keeping for later . RANDOM THOUGHT 2020: Microsoft move their corporate headquarters to sunny Iceland.

Came across this tree during a walk yesterday with Petra and Isabella in Victoria Park, Cardiff. BREAKFAST : Had to be three glorious weetabix with semi-skimmed milk - that milk could become hot as winter sets in [watch this space]. Walk to Work . No chance! Last day of my week's holiday. Lunchbox: Happily dried, stored and taking some well earned time out until getting back into action next week. Random Thought News from beyond the grave BRITISH comedian Dick Emery is a big hit at God's Christmas Limbo Fund Raising Concert. Saint Peter looks on nervously in the front row when Dick sits on God's lap and utters one of his great lines: "Oh you are awful, but I like you!" God is taken aback for a few seconds and then bursts out laughing... good for him. HAVE A GREAT LUNCH AND WEEKEND

Here I am having my breakfast this morning... which was three weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk. WALK to Work : Week off work so no can do! Lunchbox: Has been washed, dried and stored away until next week. Lunch : Made a blackberry crumble last night, so might have some after lunch, which will probably be sardines on toast. Random Thought 2012: THE UK Jiving Party celebrate after winning their first parliamentary seat at Westminister. They take the former Labour seat of Merthyr Tydfil with a majority of 555. Michael Portillo's Ballroom Party come a credible third with 6,000 votes.

Isabella (five month old daughter) decided to wake up at 5.45am. So there was plenty to do downstairs, starting with last night's washing up. We had steaks for the first time in ages, but boy oh boy the grease they deposit is quite something. Cleaned the cooker first, then all the surrounding work surfaces... then the cutlery and in descending order the next least greasiest items. Breakfast: Welcomed bowl of 3 Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk. Half a pint of water. Lunchbox... still stored away until next week as I have a week's holiday. Random Thought [well more of a thought] Was at this church yesterday at a very peaceful place near Pontypridd (South Wales) called Llanwonno.

Was up at 6.30am, so went for a run 15 minutes later around my local park, Llandaff Fields. Breakfast: Bowl of Rice Crispies with semi-skimmed cold milk. By 8.30am had drunk two large glasses of water... need to consume more of the stuff. Walk to Work : Didn't happen as I have a week off work. Started to make a tomato soup, having finely chopped an onion and some garlic, only to find that the tomatoes we had bought from a Farmers' Market on Sunday had gone off [boo!] Random Thought I don't know where he is... besides which I'll be doing all the talking from now on!

BREAKFAST : Going through the motions bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed milk Walk to Work : Will not occur this week as I am holiday. Went for a walk at 10am with Petra and Isabella _ a few laps of our local park, Llandaff Fields and then for a quick cappuccino at a nearby coffee shop _ Costa Rica. LUNCHBOX: I made some corned beef pasties last night... not too bad, but I did put a little too much filling in them _ carrot, a union of onions!, potato and corned beef Plan to make some tomato soup this afternoon... and possibly meat balls too. Random Thought Hairdresser: Life should mean life. Customer : Silent Hairdresser: Should bring back hanging too! Customer: Silent Hairdresser: I'd do the hanging for free. Customer: Harry I don't think I'll have that shave afterall.

Here is my daughter Isabella preparing for the onset of winter BREAKFAST: Quasi-religious bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold milk WALK to WORK: Down the Taff Trail _ oh yes indeed! The River Taff below was moving at quite a rapid rate, but slowed down as the river widens closer to the centre of Cardiff. Lunchbox 4 ham sandwiches on granary bread 1 apple 1 nectarine 1 container of grapes (green) and raspberries. 2 digestive biscuits 1 small pack of Cadbury's buttons! 1 Cherry flavoured Muller Light yoghurt. All consumed by 12.30am. Random Thought Year 2021: A law is passed protecting an endangered species _ the only week left in the year which isn't called something, like slipping on banana skin awareness week or walking backwards to work week. The none anything week will be in the first week of March

BREAKFAST: Rather enjoyable bowl of Rice Crispies with semi-skimmed cold milk. The Walk to Work . A few streets from my humble abode I saw a squirrel darting along the pavement. He was seeking some tree cover, but as a woman jogger approached he darted back the other way. However, as he did he was confronted by an approaching girl. So he turned back to face the jogger who was now only around five feet away and closing! He then frantically turned back towards the approaching girl _ who I guess was only four feet away. Anyway, he then made a great call by dashing under a parked car, before making his get away. All three of us then had a hearty laugh! Down the Taff Trail and on the River Taff below there were more ducks than I have seen in a while. Lunchbox: Not needed for a record second day running as I am again in the corporate trough with chief executive of Firtsplus Jeremy Masding Random Thought Christmas Day 1974: Dear Santa, A croquet set... you having a laugh!

Breakfast: Perfunctory bowl of 3 Weetabixs with semi-skimmed cold milk Walk to Work: Shuffled my way down the Taff Trail and exited at Canton Bridge, where I crossed into the centre of Cardiff. Came across quite a few elderly Americans boarding a bus at the Crest Hotel. Lunchbox: Not required as I am in the corporate trough with a certain Nick Bennett. Random Thought 1973: Can I have this for Christmas ?

HERE I am with my brother Mark on a nice balcony some 50 miles away from Rome. BREAKFAST: Superior bowl of 3 Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk Walk to Work Down the legendary Taff Trail and was delighted to see the immaculately white husky dog again. He was out with his owner. River Taff below was decidedly more subdued than yesterday. Lunchbox 4 sausage sandwiches - the remains of Mrs B's bangers and mash from last night 1 banana 1 apple 2 digestive biscuits 1 small container of raspberries and grapes Random Thought Do you have a girlfriend yet? Are you serious? When you getting engaged? When you getting married? Any plans for children? What about a second... third? Kids doing well in school? Going to university? Any grandchildren yet? What about a nursing home?

Breakfast: Very rewarding bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold milk. Walk to Work: It was down the legendary Taff Trail, where the River Taff below was moving at quite a rate of knots. A number of ducks were making the most of it though and were being spun around by the rapidness of the waters. Saw two squirrels too. LUNCHBOX 2 digestive biscuits 1 banana 1 vanilla flavoured Muller Light yoghurt 4 salmon sandwiches (tinned variety) with a hint of lemon juice on granary bread 1 apple 1 nectarine 1 small container of green grapes and raspberries. All consumed by 12.30pm, apart from the apple and nectarine RANDOM THOUGHT I enjoy painting, but not when it comes to ceilings.