An early start to the day leaving for Wales for the weekend, to stay with my cousin and her fella. On arrival I was shown around the new pad and introduced to the two new pups, Cass and Beau, both of which had been adopted by Natalie and Tel just this week. The puppy, Beau, had not been well since she arrived and had been off her food all week. A visit to the vet that morning revealed that there was nothing wrong but she was given an injection of antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory regardless. Even the well known art of offering some corned beef to a poorly pup didn't do the trick so I muscled in, sat in a chair in the sun with Beau on my lap, and we both nearly fell asleep...
Later that evening, having taken the dogs for a walk, Cass having herded everyone together and Beau whimpering as she was chased by a labrador and then proceeded to daringly follow it's tail as soon as it's back was turned, Natalie and I were collected from the house and taken to a golf club outside Llantwit Major to attend a wedding reception. We had a few drinks and then disappeared to a remote pub called The Plough where we were graced with an absolutely fantastic performance by The Three Amigos. Apparently, this place is always packed and the evenings always go one of two ways. It could be time at the bar and all out at 11 o'clock or the evening continues early into the morning, although it was never known which way it would go until it happened. At one point Jamie asked me 'are you nervous?' to which I replied 'no'. He responded with 'I am'.
Some hours later Natalie attempted to book a taxi but to no avail. The only one available was one from Bridgend and would cost some GBP 20. She booked it regardless but it never showed. Afraid of being left at The Plough all night, at the instruction of Natalie, Tel arranged for a lift back towards Llantwit Major by the mother of one of his driving students. She obliged and I leaped into the child seat in the back, my head supporting the roof of the car. After spotting several dead things by the side of the road and a reminder to Tel that the front seat passenger wanted 'that glass back' we emerged from the car somewhere in Llantwit Major. Several steps towards the house Natalie and I looked back at Tel who was wandering up the road, carrying his pint of something, declaring he needed a pee and proceeded to relieve himself in someone's porchway while Natalie attempted to hide and relieved herself in the middle of a path, Tel enquiring 'where did we get dropped off, @#*^"%~ Aberystwyth?'...
Moments later we were home and in need of a good nights kip. I retired for the night and took pride in using my Thermarest mat, sleeping bag, bag liner and pillow for the first time...
Copyright 2002 Helen Fuller. All rights reserved.