Monday just gone; I spent the morning packing for my trip to South Wales. I usually pack early, however with things being so fluid here regarding Covid, I decided to wait until the last possible moment.

Tuesday morning, I was up early, walked the dog and fed him, then packed up the car. I gave my son a hug goodbye whilst he stood there like a plank lol. I’ve said it before, he’s not a hugger. I was away by 7.15am and quickly joined the motorway (M) The M6, meh! I hadn’t been gone an hour before I hit congestion, at that hour! M5 was slightly less meh, though not by much. Once you’re past Birmingham the traffic usually eases.

I always stop at Strensham Services, then hang a right and proceed towards Wales. I love this stretch as there’s so much countryside to see as you zip past. After a while you go down a steep, wooded hillside, and pass the Welcome to Wales sign. It always makes my heart glad to see this sign. Pass Monmouth: we lived there for 3 very happy years, and my son was born whilst we lived in this area. Happy memories. Next are signs for Abergavenny – lovely town, and Raglan. We rented a house on a third of an acre here for 3 years, I think. Lovely, though the flies from the farms were quite another matter! From the end of our road, you could actually see Raglan Castle in the distance. I’ve never lived so close to a castle before, or since.

Continuing down the A449 until I got to Newport where I lived until more recently. The town/city is only ok, though I lived in a suburb in a nice area. The road is nice, again wooded in the near distance though all of that is marred by the monstrosity that is The Celtic Manor. The original building is lovely, posh too (I’ve been inside to a private party) though how they got planning permission for the later buildings…

On to Cardiff where I grew up from aged about 13. I spent many years in and around the Cardiff area and although it’s changed an awful lot, particularly some of the road networks, I still like it. Once in the area I stopped at Sainsbury’s supermarket for a comfort break and texted my friend, and my sister, to let them know I was almost there. We met my friend at the property that he’s refurbishing. It’s not finished yet, though perfect for me to stay a few days/nights. I wouldn’t have contemplated a hotel, and my sister’s house is a non-starter, so I was very grateful for the offer to crash there. My friend gave us the grand tour – he didn’t tell me, but he’d stocked the fridge, and got in some booze. Good grief, I drink, but not that much! Lol. I had hugs from both of them. Nice!

My sister and I then went into the city centre where I bought some much-needed new shoes. I’ve gone up half a size for comfort reasons. I’m on my feet so much, so good shoes are vital as far as I’m concerned. We had lunch at our favourite salad bar, then raided our favourite deli too. There were some closures around, though the city still seemed busy and vibrant. We also had a delicious coffee in a Portuguese café. Best coffee I’ve had in almost 2 years. No joke! My sister then went home, and I chilled out at the house, alone. I love my son don’t get me wrong, the dog too, and neither are any bother, but it was wonderful to sit outside in the garden with a glass of wine, and just be by myself. It’s so peaceful there compared to where I live now.

Wednesday my friend picked me up and he took me out to lunch. I haven’t been to a restaurant since I last saw him. We had a delicious lunch, talked so much lol, then he dropped me off and my sister called again. We just sat outside, chilling out, and talking. More hugs too. It was lovely.

Thursday my sister and I went out again. Before she called, I managed to buy myself some new trousers for work. I’m so sick of my clothes being at least a size too big, so the new trousers are a size smaller. Happy Fran… lol. We had lunch out again, salad again, then we did some grocery shopping for her. Again, we sat outside for a chat, then she went home, shattered. Later, my friend called again, and we simply sat and talked late into the night. He kept trying to persuade me to stay longer, though I couldn’t. I have some serious tidying up to do before a viewing early next week, and my son is having his Covid vaccine and I want to be there to taxi him, but also to ensure he’s okay afterwards.

Both my friend and sister tried to persuade me to move back ‘home’ though I confess, I’m in 2 minds. If the new buyer, assuming we get one, doesn’t want us to stay, then a big move, whilst a possibility, is only a small one: I love my job (never thought I would) and I do work with some nice people. I’m not sure I want to walk away from that just yet. Besides, now that I have the offer of a place to stay whenever I visit South Wales, maybe the interval between visits won’t be so long.

Friday, I was packed up, and on the road, by 6.30am. The bed was great, brand new, but the damn helicopter buzzing the area Thursday night made for a bad sleep, so I left earlier than planned. A good journey until within 20 miles of the house when I hit roadworks that went on for 14 miles. Good grief! Thankfully, the traffic wasn’t too heavy, and I arrived home just after 9.30am to a very excited dog.

So, it was lovely to get away, lovely to see family and my friend, lovely to have so many hugs that I genuinely lost count, great to go shopping in a decent city, lunch out, though I have to say, it’s lovely to be home again too.

Hope that epic didn’t cost you too many choccy biscuits Mickey ;)