A v pleasant get together with ma sibs Ann & Sue last night. Was somewhat late starting as two lorries, it would appear, had decided to have an argument on the M4 whilst going in opposite directions. At least that’s what it looked like when I got to the front of the traffic jam, 1 ½ hours after I hit the back of it. Between Swansea and Port Talbot. For much of it I was able to cruise at 2mph in neutral on the very gentle downhill slope provided by that part of the motorway. Earlier I had met up with my friend David Thorne in Llanllwni, checked out (fruitlessly) the graveyard at Hen Gapel, Pencader and spent a profitable morning in Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru. I have abandoned all hope of finding gravestones older than the start of the 19th century. They are either long gone or illegible. It matters not.
Now up before the girls and sat outside on Sue’s patio, cup of tea on the table in front of me. I have mostly got the hang of Sue’s new tap which dispenses boiling water, chilled water, chilled slightly sparkling water or just normal tap water depending on how you jiggle the little ring at the base. I did need a training session on how to work it.
The temperature has dropped by ten degrees. That’s the summer over then 🙂 Sokay. 21 degrees centigrade is quite alright. It’s more what we are used to innit. The discussion has now moved to whether we should still go on the Waverley paddle steamer to Ilfracombe on Sunday. Sounded good when we booked it but in the cold light of day a 3 hour trip there, 3 hours ashore and a 5 hour trip back upstream doesn’t sound quite as exciting especially when you consider it is an extremely old vessel with probably uncomfortable seats and not enough of them at that (apaz, according to the reviews – some of you have to sit out on deck). The mood of the mob is currently against going but no final decision has been made. If we don’t go I will at least get home earlier which will obvs be nice but I am having a nice time in the fatherland. Ann says she went on it in the lake district and figured that an hour and a half trip was enough so 8 hours on board is not a challenge to be taken lightly.