So, I'm back home in Wales and I'm thinking, let's open things up a little with some random blogging! I just thought I'd post a couple of photo's, which might give an insight into a part of what has shaped me and Marky into the people that we are... Deep.....

So we've moved around a fair bit, but Llandrindod Wells is where we call home at the moment. Llandrindod (or Llandod as it's more commonly called) is a pretty small town of about 5000 people right in the middle of Wales. It's probably the biggest town within about a 30-mile radius, but that's not saying much in mid Wales... Llandod boomed when the Victorians discovered the healing (read- sulphurous and rancid) spring waters in the area that is now known at "Rock Park" and poeple flocked to the town in order to 'heal' themselves and do other Victorian based activities. Now, Llandod is dominated by old people, possibly Victorian in origin. There are plenty of tearooms, lawn bowling greens and Zimmer frames, but very little for normal young people to do. There is no cinema, no fast food eateries, no video arcade, nothing... I don't really know what young people are supposed to do, but I'm pretty sure lawn bowls doesn't really come into it... Llandod's one saving grace is it's mini ramp.

And this wasn't even here when I lived here...

Going back now I can kind of appreciate what Llandod gave me and what mid-Wales in general has to offer. We grew up riding with the skaters and bladers and snake-boarders and there was definitely a pretty tight knit community of us. We rode and skated together and drank and barbequed together and campaigned for a new ramp together. You kind of have to stick together, because despite the picturesque nature of the place there are a lot of pretty ugly feelings and attitudes around. In the city you ride around and I think the public are a bit more switched on about BMX and skating, but in Wales people kind of look at you as if you're insane or dangerous of something.

There's still a pretty small, but strong scene here (see myspace.com/llandodcrew if you're interested) and I think that feeling of unity and identity is a pretty positive thing.

So, today I decided to take advantage of the amazing countryside that we have around here and rode to the top of a pretty big hill a couple of miles from my Mum's place, called the Rogo.

The scenery around here is top-notch, the air feels good and the best thing is there is no one around. You can ride about on the hills and fields and you won't see anyone. The Rogo is rad, we used to fly kites up here, as it's always windy. It's also steep as hell and today the wind was with me as I blitzed back down. Nothing better to blow the cob-webs away, though I don't think my shoes were so happy about it- burning rubber mmm...

Anyways, I've rambled on, the pictures are pretty crap and it doesn't have a hell of a lot to do with Southampton or street, but this is a part of what BMX means to me- getting away, exploring and seeing new and interesting stuff under your own steam, relying on your legs and your arms and hoping you don't get a flat.