Lydney
21 August
The day did not start well. I checked my bank accounts online, only to realise that my Air N.Z. cash card had been scammed and a few hundred dollars had been withdrawn in New York. This entailed a long phone call to N.Z. to sort it out and, hopefully, the money will be refunded. Luckily, I don’t keep much money on that card.
It was a cold, grey day and Min had bought tickets for us to see ‘West Side Story’ in Cardiff. We planned to catch the 11.17am train from Lydney but, after we had bought the tickets, we discovered that the train had been cancelled and had to wait on a draughty platform for half an hour for the next one.
However, the train, when it arrived, was warm and fast and we reached in Cardiff about 12.30pm. We then had to catch a bus down to Cardiff Bay as the performance was at the Millenium Theatre. The bus was a long time coming and, in true British fashion, three came at once! The delays meant that we were somewhat short of time for lunch but we still managed a plate of anti pasto at an Italian restaurant overlooking Cardiff Bay, where there were a number of catamarans, including one belonging to Team NZ, practising for a race on Saturday. The Alinghi team were just finishing lunch in the restaurant when we arrived and were out on the water not long after.
We made it to the theatre in good time and spent the rest of the afternoon engrossed in the outstanding production by Sadlers Wells. The voices and dancing were superb and almost as good as the last version of ‘West Side Story’ that I saw at Tauranga Boys’ College! The Millenium Theatre is an excellent venue and, even though we were in the Upper Circle, we had an unobstructed view of the stage.
Afterwards, we had time for a short walk around the High Street shops before catching the train back to Lydney, feeling very uplifted by all the music.
Lydney
22 August
The day dawned with a blue sky and sun, at last. After breakfast, Min and I set off for Monmouth for a wander round the shops. I managed to replace the phone I had had stolen in Colombia and, after checking out all the charity shops, we went for coffee at a very quaint cafe. On returning to the car park though, we discovered that disaster had struck and someone had hit Min’s car. However, the lady was waiting for us and hadn’t just driven off and left it, which was very good of her.
Min dropped me off in Lydney on the way back, so that I could get a haircut. Luckily, I got one straight away, as I hadn’t got an appointment. I then walked back up the lane to the house, stopping to have quite a long chat to a dog walker along the way.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing with my new phone, although Min wasn’t quite so relaxed! I made her ring the insurance company, which caused her a bit of stress and she was also more than a little upset to learn that her cataract operation, due to happen on Wednesday, had been cancelled.
We were able to sit in the garden for a while, the sun still being out, something which has been a bit unusual of late. I have even been wearing polar fleeces, it has been so cold!
Lydney
23 August
I had the laziest day ever today. Min and Des did some gardening whilst I watched, after being assured that I couldn’t do anything. There were many runners going up and down the lane, as part of a triathlon, some of whom were still going at 9pm, so either there was a very staggered start or there were some unbelievably unfit people taking part!
In the afternoon, I read my book and had a snooze. There were days in the past when I would have felt very guilty about this but those days are gone!!
In the evening, I was treated to a Thai dinner in a cafe in Monmouth, which was very good, after which we returned home and had a nightcap of Calvados that I had brought back with me from France.
Lydney
24 August
Min and Des had some very old friends visiting today and most of the day was spent imbibing vast quantities of wine and eating. I could not keep pace, so I washed up and had a nice cup of tea!
Lydney
25 August
One or two of us were a little the worse for wear today but, thankfully, I wasn’t one of them!
It was pouring with rain virtually all day but I walked down to Lydney and back, nevertheless, when Min and Des drove down to the supermarket. The rest of the day was spent trying to finish my book (one less to carry with me), sorting and packing.
We had a lovely seafood dinner in the evening, with an aperitif of Prosecco to set me on my way, as tomorrow is a big travel day.
Nicky Abroad 