Sion Barry's World

My mother-in-law Jayne, aka Plugs, fully embraces the concept of there is "no such thing as a free lunch." She spent four hours yesterday doing a splendid job sorting out our garden... I would have helped but was generating income! Breakfast: Pretty impressive bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk. A glass of water and a cup of tea. Walk to Work: What a surprise it was raining again today here in South Wales. Had to first drop Isabella off at nursery as Mrs B is still poorly... oh boy what a cough! It was down Cowbridge Road East with my trusty umbrella and I have to admit, slightly dodgy looking rain mac. Lunchbox 4 chicken and stuffing brown bread sandwiches 1 banana 1 apple 1 nectarine 1 M&S raspberry yoghurt Random Thought 1973: And Wales' not yet greatest ever living civil servant, aged I guess about 15, Gareth Hall sits down at his home _ somewhere in Brecon _ to watch highlights from the Chelsea Flower Show. It's the last time he watches ...

Breakfast: Very decent bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: It was down the Taff Trail this morning. Such is the rate of construction on the new test ground at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, that you can no longer see across the stadium from the trail. Quite a few obedient dogs were out with their jogging owners this morning... of note was a little white terrier with a tennis ball in his month. Lunchbox: 4 ham and salad sandwiches 1 apple 1 nectarine 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 banana 1 digestive biscuits Nose running like tap in my venue of income generation. Went across the road for a chemcial cure, but it only seemed to make things worse. Random Thought: 2019: Wales' greatest ever retired civil servant, the affable Sir Gareth Hall, becomes the first Welshman to walk on the moon... but Derek Jones is en route to the surface of Mars and is scheduled to touch down on January 3, 2020.

BREAKFAST: Much appreciated bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: Was joined by Mrs B and Isabella in her pram on my route into the centre of Cardiff, which was down the inimitable Cowbridge Road East. Not a great deal to report, especially from Castle Bingo were on Monday an alarm was shrieking for dear life. Lunchbox: 4 tinned salmon sandwiches with a hint of lemon juice 1 banana 1 peach Some raspberries and cherries. 2 chocolate digestive biscuits. Random Thought On my signal unleash Wales's greatest ever living civil servant Gareth Hall. Then go and seek AMs Nick Bourne and Mike German... and what the hell Alun Davies too! Rhodri Morgan will meet you in the after life. Are you entertained!

BREAKFAST: Not at my humble abode this morning, but a very fine hotel in the centre of Cardiff, where I had a meeting with Mr Christopher Nott of legal firm Capital Law. Walk to Work: First stop was breakfast at the Park Plaza for 8am, so at a pretty impressive pace it was down Cowbridge Road East, which takes you into the centre of Cardiff. Pretty quiet on my way into the centre of the capital. Outside Cardiff Castle a gathering of US tourists were waiting, presumably for a coach. One was asking a tour guide whether Ireland was a different country to the UK. Lunchbox: Having factored in breakfast with Mr Nott I opted to give it a day off. Random Thought "It's huge, it's enormous! It's way over 90 metres! And yes it's a white flag. So Wales's greatest living civil servant Gareth Hall, qualifies for Friday's final. But not such good news for Ian Williams who failed in his three throws to get the qualifying distance of 70 metres. But, his strongest ev...

BREAKFAST : Bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Then had a crumpet with Olivio spread. Walk to Work: It was back down the Taff Trail this morning, where construction on a new stadium at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club is coming very nicely. A single Swan was on the River Taff below... Gareth Hall has promised to find it a partner very soon. Lunchbox: 2 Beef and tomato rolls 1 apple 1 banana 1 curly wurly 1 plum Some grapes. Random Thought: Not hurdled a fence in quite a while... it's great when you do and catch it just right. Perhaps my fence hopping days are over. No way Sion you're the man! Do remember my brother Mark getting into real trouble trying the hurdle a spiked fence in Germany crica 1976, where we had gate crashed a school trip of St Alban's primary school in the Splott area of Cardiff , as our mother was a teacher there at the time. Anyway, I had cleared it, but when his turn came he didn't quite and the back of his r...

BREAKFAST: Fantastic bowl of Shreddies with semi-skimmed cold organic milk. Walk to Work: Reacquainted with my old friend Mr Ipod this morning as I whistled my way along the Taff Trail, which meanders into the centre of Cardiff... and yes beyond. No dogs or squirrels to be seen today. However, a regal Swan was on the River Taff below. At the home of Glamorgan County Cricket club steel frames for its new arena can be seen in parts standing tall. Lunchbox [brilliant effort by Mrs B today] 2 ham and tomato rolls Strawberries and grapes wrapped in tinfoil 2 chocolate biscuits 1 banana 1 apple 1 satsuma Random Thought A statement from Burt's solicitors: Our client Burt from Sesame Street would like to make it clear that he is in no way related, even distantly, to Wales "greatest ever living servant" Gareth Hall. However, this in no way questions a claim made by his on-screen partner Ernie - which appeared in a Random Thought on Sion Barry's World last week - in whi...

Here is my sister Sarah and Alex, who got married last week in Los Angeles... congratulations you guys! Breakfast: Pretty impressive, but not sensational bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Walk to Work: It was down Cardiff's grandest stretch of highway Cathedral Road, before entering Pontcanna Fields. It was then to the offices of Glamorgan County Cricket Club to meet a trio of club executives. Lunchbox: Not required today as I was lunching with careers coach Tony Charles , who was remarkably calm with his daughter in labour with his first grandchild. We both had fillet steak and chips. Very enjoyable too. Random Thought Ernie says, "I have family in Wales. I'm related on my dad's side to Wales' greatest living civil servant Gareth Hall

My left foot [ankle area] is still causing much angst. Went to the doctors and was told it could be gout. Oh dear... and to think I never drink port. But the NHS was superb this morning. I am having an X-ray tomorrow and a blood test next week, to see what the problem is. Breakfast: Mrs B kindly prepared by Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk and two pieces of brown toast with Olivio spread and blackcurrant jam. Walk to Work: Still not happening with my crook foot. So Mrs B kindly dropped me to my place of income generation. Lunchbox. 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 1 apple 1 satsuma 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 apple Random Thought Like volcancoes we all have a breaking point. Even Wales' greatest ever civil servant Gareth Hall must blow his top every so often. However, in the aftermath a greater sense of perspective often descends. But for some people it comes far too often and can have damaging consequences not just for themselves, but for people around them. You ...

BREAKFAST : Bowl of pretty decent Cornflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk. Walk to Work; It was down the lengendary Taff Trail, with drizzle in the air this morning. Also, I had to do up my shoes laces about five times! The ones I have are too thin. Lunchbox: 1 ham brown roll and a beef one as well. 2 digestive biscuits A fist full of dried blueberries 1 banana 1 apple 1 satsuma Random Thought: March 2008: Wales's greatEST living civil servant Gareth Hall has a "right result" after buying 100 much needed commerically focused customer relationship managers for £5.31p at a car boot sale in Llandeilo.... well done Gareth you have saved the day again for Dein.

BREAKFAST: Much needed bowl of 3 Weetabix with hot milk, two pieces of toast, much water and a cup of lemon juice and boiled water. Last night I had a few drinks with these gentlemen in the centre of Cardiff: Ian Williams, Ian Courtney, Brian Morgan, Mark Barry [brother] and the truly magnificent Robert Llewellyn-Jones. That was fun, but not so funny on waking up with an imperial hangover. Walk to Work It was down Cowbridge Road East that takes you into the centre of Cardiff. Cannot even remember if I had my i-Pod on. Lunchbox: Decided to give it a well deserved day off RANDOM THOUGHT Not sure, but I think these boots might belong to the affable Gareth Hall... Wales's greatest ever living civil servant. HAVE A SENSATIONAL WEEKEND

BREAKFAST: Bizarre combination of Cornflakes and porridge oats with semi-skimmed cold milk. Walk to Work : It was down the Taff Trail this morning where more progress can be reported on the demolition of the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Sophia Gardens. The two media boxes have been moved to the far end of the ground... I guess awaiting to be taken away on a very large truck. A small pedestrian bridge on the Trail can take you over into the grounds of Cardiff Castle. I cannot be certain, but I thought I saw Wales's greatest living civil servant, the affable Gareth Hall, crossing. I was quite a bit away, but I am almost certain it was Gareth, who was not carrying a briefcase this morning. Anyway, quite a few ducks were out and about too. Lunchbox 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 2 digestive biscuits 1 banana 1 apple 1 satsuma 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt Random Thought 2009: The world's first spoon bending academy is opened Swansea by the affable Gareth Hall.

HAPPY New Year from Mrs B, Isabella and me... and of course the lunchbox and all the squirrels, ducks of the Taff Trail - and not forgetting the immaculately groomed White Husky dog too. BREAKFAST: First bowl of Weetabix of 2007, with semi-skimmed cold milk; two pieces of toast with Olivio spread and blackcurrant jam. LUNCHBOX: Not in operation today as I have a day off work. Walk to Work: Will recommence tomorrow. Random Thought This day in 2130: What a party in the Antarctican capital of AmundScott last night and in the early hours of this morning. More than one million people gathered in Penguin Square in the centre of the thriving city to see in the New Year.

Today's Podcast is the Sir John Shortridge Replacement horse race Sir J, who is the top banana civil servant at the Welsh Assembly is retiring sometime in 2007. But who will replace him? Click here to hear the contenders battle it out over a five furlong race from Chepstow. I believe the going is soft to soft

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 ...

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:...

Was out running around my local park Llandaff Fields at 6.45am. BREAKFAST : Seriously uplifting bowl of Shreddies with semi-skimmed cold milk. The Walk to Work: It was good to see the River Taff again after a week's vacation. The river was moving as slow as ever. In the middle of the river was a lone fisherman who had a pretty good casting technique. Delighted to see the first squirrel I have seen on the Taff Trail for sometime. Lunchbox. A tour de force this morning from Mrs B 4 pieces of toast A container of home made humous 4 Quality Street sweets 2 Digestive biscuits 1 banana 1 nectarine some grapes. 1 vanilla flavoured Muller light yoghurt Before we start we would love a nice cuppa sweet heart! Shared the sweets with my colleague David Williamson, then had the digestives. Had the toast and humous just before midday _ reek of garlic, but it was worth it. Then had the banana and the yoghurt. Keeping the rest of the friut until later. Random Thought Year 2070: The world chess ch...

BREAKFAST: Fine bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold milk THE WALK to WORK There were more dogs on the Taff Trail than I have seen in a long time, including that wayward Doberman which has given me quite a few frights in the past. The immaculately groomed White Husky dog also made an appearance. No squirrels again in view this morning. At the end of the trail, before Canton Bridge, the Chinese State Circus had arrived in town. Not many were about, but their big top looked pretty impressive.... was wondering if Wales's most affable senior civil servant, Gareth Hall , who I encountered on the trail yesterday, had joined their ranks ( and no, I am not implying a new career as a clown!). LUNCHBOX 4 ham sandwiches, with cherry tomatoes, on granary bread 1 banana 1 peach 1 Vanilla flavoured Muller Light yoghurt. WHAT a deliciously crisp cover drive Sandwiches were first to go (bowled middle stump), then the fruit which was tragically run-out after looking well set just before ...

BREAKFAST: Very agreeable bowl of branflakes with a sprinkling of porridge oates. Walk to Work. Still very muggy this morning, despite the thunder storms earlier. Took the scenic route along the Taff Trail, which follows the River Taff into the centre of Cardiff. I came across one of Wales's most affable senior civil servants, the Welsh Assembly's director for the department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, Gareth Hall. Like myself Gareth is a keen walker to work to his new offices at Cathays Park close to the centre of Cardiff. With cyclists whistling past at great speed, Gareth expressed genuine concern that a serious accident is bound to happen sooner rather than later on the legendary, but very narrow, trail. I was wearing a blue shirt with a blue bag over my right shoulder (with my cricket kit and most importantly my lunchbox box inside). Gareth, who is thinking of getting an i-Pod, thought I was a postman at first... I should be so lucky I said. (yeah... t...

NEXT Tuesday on this blog Rhodri Morgan and Sir Terry Matthews (pictured above) in a one off golf match at the Celtic Manor, Newport, South Wales. BREAKFAST : Bowl of Cornflakes mixed with a quite few Branflakes with cold milk. The Walk to Walk. The River Taff was still pretty active after the rains of late. More dogs than you could shake a stick at where out and about. Of particular note was one woman out walking 4 rather dishevelled looking dogs. I took the pedestrian bridge over the River Taff and into the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Not my normal route to walk, but I was heading across town for the last ever board meeting of the Welsh Development Agency.... has it really come to this! On arrival I was asked by the agency's chief executive, the affable Gareth Hall, if I had seen any ducks on my walk in. The Lunchbox. 2 rich tea biscuits 4 ham and tomato sandwiches on granary bread. 1 raspberry flavoured yoghurt. 1 banana 1 apple. 1 small container of a cut up but still mentally...