(no subject)

Yesterday was a funny sort of day, in the end.

( yesterday... )

I did learn one thing yesterday that I can talk about here.

When I was about 7 or 8 I became friends with a girl called Christine. We were best friends all through primary school and the first few years of secondary school. We only ever had one major falling out that I can remember, and to this day, even though we hardly ever speak to each other through circumstance, we remain friends. I spent many happy times in their house (she has 4 brothers and sisters) as a child, felt like part of the family almost. Her father Albert (who was taken to court after a girl claimed he assaulted her - he was never found guilty) died of a heart attack several years ago, leaving her mother with the 5 kids, she got a brain tumour and was very ill, almost died herself. They managed to struggle through it all, the 3 oldest children all work full time in Tesco now, helping to support the family. the two youngest are still in school. Marion (her mother) died last week, or the week before (Catherine wasnt too sure of the exact dates, only that she was buried last week in the same cemetary as her husband). I have not cried, yet, although I plan to visit both the cemetary and Christine's house, and I think that will start me off. In truth, I'm not entirely sure how I should feel. I havent seen the family for years, but I know they have not forgotten me - every time my mother goes to Tesco she sees Christine and talks to her, and Christine always tells my mum to say hi to me for her. I even got a belated message congratulating me on my engagement from her. To be an orphan at 22 is not good. To be an orphan at 22 with 4 younger brothers and sisters to look after is another thing altogether. I dont think they have much family to help them out either. And then I think of the youngest ones, Charlene (14 or 15 we think) and Carl (a few years younger, 12 or 13 I think), to be orphaned at that age. Its terrible. I dont think Marion was even that old. Albert was older I remember, but Marion I think was a fairly young mum.

 

(no subject)

today, I have done very little. I got up very late, watched a few Time Team programs, and went to the beach. Yes I know it is snowing in most of the country, it even tried to snow here this afternoon.

But I went to the beach anyway I went to a well-known surfers paradise (well in Pembrokeshire its well known anyway) called Newgale Sands. A vast open expanse (for pics see http://www.pembrokeshire.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=7) of sand sea and fantastic cliffs (not the best cliffs in the county by far, but Pembrokeshire does have the best Geology in britain). It was windy and cold, but the sun was shining, the tide was well out, and it was deserted except for maybe two people and some dogs.

I took loads of photos with my camera, which should come out very nicely, and even a small video with my phone, of the waves lapping at the shore. I paddled in the very edge of the sea (keeping my boots firmly on, I'm not that insane), got caught by surprise by a wave and got wet feet.

I walked maybe two thirds of the beach at the tideline, and returned along the pebble barrier to the car, I chose to drive back along the coast via a couple of other nice beaches, namely Nolton Haven, Druidstone, and Broad Haven. I stopped to take photos at each, but didnt walk on them. Then I came home and had lunch, and have spent the rest of the afternoon watching tv. more Time Team, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The cats are starting to pester me now, so I'd better go and feed them.