Crazy Diamond visit...

Thank heavens , I am home again... the four day expedition to Wales and back was an eye opener, I wish I had slept through it. Diesel prices one third higher than in France. Five pounds for two cups of tea. We had the for thought to bring our own food. A cooked meal each day would have cost us upwards of ten pounds a plate for the equivalent quality. Near enough Thirteen pounds to cross into Wales on the Toll road, it's free to leave. I am still in a state of shock. We had budgeted for our return trip, heartened to hear that we wouldn't have to pay to cross the severn, we chanced to eat a low priced,"workman's breakfast" . A cold plate didn't enhance the quality of the food. It was for the most part under cooked. I didn't have the energy to make complaint. We didn't have enough time to wait for a replacement. My digestion spent the rest of the day complaining. Beware of "cheap" food.
Early morning in Neath was an ordeal I will try not to repeat. Waited till eight a.m. for the toilets to be opened in the railway station. The door displays a sign which states that the facilities are only available to holders of a valid ticket. Be well warned anyone foolish or naive enough to purchase even a platform ticket for the privileged use. Filthy , sticky, one of the two w.c. units near to over flowing with paper and poo. I was glad to have brought my own paper to the one remaining. My pressing burden over rode my reluctance to use the toilet. A truly repulsive experience. Anne-So has her own tale to tell, it is sufficient to say that her instinctive biological mechanism refused to relax enough, for her to gain relief. A health hazard for sure, not something one would wish to pay good money for.

It wasn't all bad. The tree planting programme is maturing well. Lush mixed woodland was a soothing sight. Farmers with fields adjacent to the roads appear to be investing in the long term future. The down side of that , given the rising cost of fuel, tree poaching is becoming a popular sport.
Our friend and one time neighbour is battling heroically on in spite of cancer. An indomitable Super Mam of the old school mining community. It was good to share some time with tea and smiles with Pat,she is blessed to have her close caring family nearby in support. We hope she has the strength to join us on this side of the moat for a short holiday sometime soon.
Peter the builder, struggles on with his old house, a forever project that always seems to take second place to the demands of outside work. Keep the faith bhai, don't give up.
Wales is lucky to have you.

A damaged gearbox in the lashing rain caused us to not be attentive to the road signs , bringing us to within seventeen miles from Oxford. It was late. We were dog tired.A good opportunity to make a surprise visit to Oliver's home. Slept in the van overnight, and invited ourselves to his breakfast table. I was happy to see him and meet his family. must be twenty years since we sat at the same table. Here's hoping he braves a journey to France to dip into our hospitality sometime soonish. Long journeys ahead we are both a long way from dead. Thanks for the spiked toad flax, and not least for the well met smiling handshake on our departure.

The ferry crossing was calm enough.too expensive to "treat" ourselves to the delights of the cafeteria or the restaurant. Our cooler box had plenty of homemade goodies. A box of tea bags milk and sugar made good use of the free hot water. A cold night in the reclining chairs, we regretted not bringing our blankets from the van, couldn't afford the five pound tariff on the ferry and had no warning that there would be a charge.

I met two individuals happy in their cups on the boat. Both independently of each other confided that they had breakdowns which had caused them to stop work. Both were in receipt of sickness benefit and were taking prescribed medication for their conditions. Neither seemed put out by the high prices on the ferry, nor did their illness prevent them from swallowing many pints of beer. "Why bother working, I get twelve thousand pounds a year off the state," sez one.
"There is summat sadly wrong wi'that." Sez I. Seems G.P.'s and psychiatrists both are easily misled by their able bodied patients. The country is not too sick to party. But it's too sick to work efficiently. Thanks for the intelligence lads. I wont be joining you in your new found habits. I would rather be a good example of an austere Englishman living abroad than a philosophically adjusted lunch out pulling the tits off a dried up state welfare system.
I am due to make another visit to Britain soon. Not a joyous prospect on the whole. Pressing legal business needs attention that will drag me screaming and kicking from my much loved garden home. I am bound to be hypercritical. I will save my sackful of grumbles for another time. Iznibz Wazir.