Its a C@s Life: The Trip into Wales

Good morning from Worcestershire!

Before I begin this blog, I would like to say THANK YOU to Martin, Ivy
and Rhys...

I left off in Staplehurst, bragging about going to visit some family across in Wales. So, let me tell you about my weekend, and why exactly I was bragging!

Friday morning was my last with Alex. I waited for the next PA to arrive, show her the ropes and then got hurried down to the station by his mother (without having had breakfast). I bought a train ticket from Staplehurst to Sevenoaks and waited for the train to arrive. It was a rather quick journey to Sevenoaks (about 55 minutes). Once I was there, I had to drag my bag up one of the longest, steepest hills I have ever come across! When I eventually reached the peak of the hill, I was in the town centre, where I went to Active Assistance (to hand in some paperwork). I was told to go to the other branch down the road, so on my way to the other one, I went into a local coffee shop for a slice of cheesecake and coffee (that was breakfast!), which I had to rush in order to catch the afternoon trains on time! I rushed over to the head office, pushed the buzzer and the next thing I knew, there was a man standing behind me asking what I wanted. I explained that I needed to hand in some paperwork. He opened the door, stood and conversed with me, then led me up the stairs to the office. I was to find out that he is the current owner of the company (so, just as well I was nice to him!). After handing in all the paperwork, I went across to the bank (yes, you guessed it, I had more problems with the bank account - but luckily, those are all sorted out now!). I then hurried back down the hill (isn't that just so much easier??) to the station to buy a ticket to London Bridge. I bought it and hurried onto the platform (where I waited a few minutes for the train to arrive). I boarded the train and waited a long while before I reached my destination. Once at London Bridge, I had to catch the Northern Line (tube) to Euston - I did not have to buy a ticket, as I have what is known as an Oyster card (which you load money onto, and swipe at the station on entering and leaving - it is half the price it would
normally be if I purchased tickets).

I reached Euston feeling a little like a sardine (it was rush hour, I had my bag and backpack and we were all crammed into the carriage - with more and more people squeezing in at each station). I hurried off the tube and over to the ticket booth to get a ticket from Euston to Birmingham New Street, whilst standing in a queue (which was about 50 deep), I found out that the train had been cancelled (this was around 16h55). I quickly found an information station where I asked what I was to do now. They told me that the train had been cancelled because there was a storm on route which had caused the overhead cables to break. They then told me that they were packing people onto another train (one to manchester, that would stop at every stop). The gentleman then pointed me to a mobile ticket man (a guy with a debit/credit card machine, who sells tickets). I got a ticket from him and rushed to the platform (knowing it was going to be packed). I reached the platform and boarded the train - there was standing room only!!!

The train left the station at 17h10. I had been sending smses to Ivy the whole afternoon, letting her know where I was and what was happening, so about 10 minutes before I arrived at Birmingham New Street I sent an sms to say I was nearly there. I got into the station
at 19h30. I got off the train, a little apprehensive. I was concerned that I would not recognise her, but as I exited the platform, there was a lady who looked remarkably like Nanna standing outside W H Smith. I walked over to her and we recognised each other immediately!

This is where all the fun began!

The first thing we did was purchase a ticket to Aberystwyth (the train was supposed to be leaving at 20h33). Following this, Ivy took me to a pub for half a pint, we sat and caught up (using photos). Before we knew it, it was time to catch the train! On our way to the platform,
we noticed that the train had been cancelled... (not again...)

So Ivy rushed over to the information booth to find out what we were going to have to do now. We were told that we now had to catch a train to Wolverhampton and change over to another train. Once we got to Wolverhampton Ivy told me a story about her coming back to Wales from
South Africa and having had to change trains too. The next train arrived, we boarded and before long, it was leaving the station. This journey took approximately three hours. We chatted the
entire way home (constantly changing topics, because there was just so much to catch up on, to discuss). The second last stop arrived and Ivy rang Martin to let him know that we were nearly there (so he could collect us from the station as we arrived). The train reached its final destination, we hopped off the train and went to meet Martin at the car. Following this, we went back to Martin's work (because he had to finish off the last 10 minutes of his shift). By the time we got home, it was 00h10.

Ivy warmed up some chicken risotto and quiche and we ate dinner. The morning was spent catching up, chatting about anything, everything (it was really nice). We all collapsed into bed at 04h00.

Saturday morning arrived, I got up and went for a shower. I then went through and played the piano (ok, I was a little rusty - not having played since I left Holland), but I really, really enjoyed it!

Next thing I knew, Martin was cooking me breakfast (Bacon and Egg on toast, and a cup of coffee). It was so nice to sit and look out of the dining room window, across the fields, coffee and breakfast in hand. After breakfast, Martin went to collect Rhys and his friend (so that
Rhys could get a change of clothes - and meet me!) They arrived back. Rhys did not know whether to shake my hand, hug me or stand and stare at me (he chose to shake my hand - ever so formal!) Before long, he and his friend Toby were off.

Myself and Ivy then chatted and looked at photos whilst Martin was dropping Rhys off. When Martin got back, we all piled into the car. Martin dropped us off by the seafront and went to do some shopping. Ivy and I walked through the town, looking at the university, churches,
shops and all sorts. We ended our tour at Wetherspoons (which is like a pub/restuarant), drinking wine whilst Martin read the last of his morning paper.

After the wine and the papers, we went across to an Indian restuarant (where they serve buffet Indian food at lunch and then convert it to a normal restuarant for dinner). It was lovely sharing dinner together. After the meal, we went back home. We sat and watched some TV (I spoke
to my family on the phone). We ended the day watching Queen dvd's, drinking wine/vodka and orange, having a cheese sarmie and chatting into the early hours... again collapsing into bed around 03h00.

Sunday morning arrived far sooner than I would have liked. As I got out of bed, Martin was leaving to collect Rhys from Toby's house. I got dressed and checked my email, facebook and route planner for Monday. Once I had finished this, Martin had arrived home. We then decided to have breakfast. It being Sunday, we had a lovely cooked meal (which both Ivy and Martin made). We sat down together and ate in the dining room. It was lovely.

Once breakfast was done, I asked Rhys to play the piano for me (which I took photos of - naturally!) By the time Rhys had played and we had had a chat, Ivy wanted to take me for a walk. On our way out the door, Ivy saw her neighbour (so she rushed over and introduced me to them - family friends... can you believe it?)

After we had met, Ivy and I walked along a path (which runs at the back of their property, and leads down to the coast). Along the path, we saw several people (most of whom greeted as we went). We finally reached the coast and were on our way to meet Martin, when Ivy saw
another lady that she is friends with. So, we hurried across to meet her (it was lovely). The walk was long and hot (the sun was out and there was blue sky), so naturally, we ended the walk at Wetherspoons (drinking ice cold pear cider whilst Martin finished reading the Sunday
papers).

When we were done, we went home. Martin started up the braai (yes, you read correctly... the BRAAI). Myself and Ivy made the salads and Rhys sat and played some form of Dungeons and Dragons... It was at this point that Shaun phoned. I sat and spoke to him for a long while, whilst eating dinner and sipping wine. The conversation was followed with pudding and a cup of coffee with Ivy. We went inside and sat in the lounge together, watching Top Gear.

Unfortunately, bed time arrived and I knew it was the end.

Monday morning arrived and I was up at 06h00. I went for a shower.

Ivy was kind enough to make me a packed lunch (ham salad sandwiches) and some oats for breakfast. It was a mad rush, but we left the house on time for the 07h30 train to Birmingham New Street. Both Martin and Ivy stood to wave me off as I left Aberystwyth.

I really could not have asked for a better weekend:

I was surrounded by family, I got a phone call from my Mum, Dad and Sister, I got a call from Shaun, I had a braai, some Indian food and cooked breakfasts, I watched Queen dvd's in good company, I was able to chat about people, situations, thoughts and feelings and I was allowed
to relax with a cup of coffee. For this, I am eternally grateful.

Unfortunately, I had to return to reality. So, Monday morning I was back on the trains, ending in Malvern Link, Worcestershire with client number three.

Pics are as follows: