April 26 - May 9
Morning pages are going well, really enjoying the task of free writing each morning, 3 full pages of loose leaf, common themes emerging and new ideas each day. They help to feed ideas for my blog and clarify my thoughts.
Monday
I headed out for a shop up on my bike and met our new neighbours that arrived a week ago from Germany, finally met someone! They are here for 3 months and have a lovely daughter that I witnessed singing from their balcony and she greeted me one day with a boisterous Hello from their window. Oh to be as easy going as a child and yell a happy hello to anyone you see. I continued on to Aldi and Iceland Supermarkets to try a shop up at different stores, not the best but great prices. I bought myself some decaf instant coffee, its my new favourite treat with a scoop of hot chocolate for a delicious mochaccino.
Tuesday
I woke with extreme dizziness, nausea and a headache. Managed to complete my morning pages and spent most of the day lying down or napping. How do folks with vertigo manage? This is a very unsettling feeling.
Wednesday
Still dizzy, got out for an afternoon walk with Aaron, mailed some cards and enjoyed the fresh air.
Thursday
Yep, still dizzy, its like having bed spins without the alcohol. Its either getting a bit better or I'm getting use to it. A long afternoon nap had me waking up feeling quite good but then I couldn't sleep at night, the trade offs. Laundry managed to get all done and ready for packing for our weekend away.
Friday
We're heading to Cardiff, the capital of Wales today! Finally visiting another country as we anticipated doing so much of when we first decided to go on this adventure. I'm still dizzy but able to manage. I got all packed, readied the flat for us being away for 3 days and headed out for an afternoon walk with Petra, our new neighbour. This is the first time I have spent with someone else and had a conversation that wasn't with a family member in over 4 months, what an exciting moment. We discussed family and travelling during Covid and so many things. I do remember how to socialise even if I felt a bit awkward at first. As women, mothers and wives, conversation was easy, we've had many shared experiences. What a joy, we'll be getting together again. Back home to finish up getting ready and off to the train station in my first Uber ride that was slow due to Friday rush hour traffic. After a bit of panic about missing our train due to traffic and some terrible car sickness for me, our train ended up being delayed. Train delays have not been a common thing for us here, trains leave exactly on time, a lovely thing for someone like me who is always early or at least likes to be early. After debating whether to catch another train to a different station in London we waited for our delayed train to Kings Cross, a rush to the Tube to get to Paddington Station, a quick shop up for sandwich meal deals and off to Cardiff we went, a bit later than expected but it all worked out well. There was a heavy security/police presence when we arrive at the Cardiff Station, it struck me as odd but we were in a different country. The police presence wasn't there when we left on Monday. After getting our bearings we headed out walking to find our AirBnb flat for the weekend. We walked by new modern buildings and the typical row houses of the UK. There was a different feel, we weren't in Cambridge anymore. The signs are all in Welsh and English, a language that I can't wrap my head around, so many words without vowels and double consonants. Cardiff is spelt Caerdydd and I learned that cwtch means cuddle or hug. We found our flat near the University, had a few struggles to retrieve the key from the lock box and settled. A perfect sized, Ikea furnished place for a weekend away. We went to find Lidl, the nearby supermarket for some snacks, refreshments and breakfast for the next few days. The streets were busy with University students, strewn with broken glass and litter. Cambridge is much cleaner. We relaxed with a Friday night movie, Stowaway, snacks and beverages. Once off to bed the party noises of the building became more evident. There were many disturbances of door slamming, knocking on our door, general drunken loudness and the sounds of people having sex. The walls were not thick or insulated.
Saturday
After a broken sleep we had a late start to head out exploring Cardiff. We walked through Bute Park and headed towards the city centre along the animal wall. The wall consists of many concrete animals perched on top peering down on passersby. Cardiff Castle, with its medieval feel, was a pleasant meeting place with plenty of outdoor seating and grounds to relax. Our walk continued to the shopping and restaurant area. A long search for a pub to eat lunch landed us at the Brewdog, just in time for a bit of rain that we sheltered from under a hand held umbrella, huddled around our tiny round table, raincoats on. This is how memories are made. Pints were great, food was good and we grabbed another pint to go, heading to Cardiff Bay. There was a distinct difference once we crossed the tracks, something that I've experienced in my hometown, Winnipeg. We walked past a homeless shelter and poorly cared for housing. Such issues are universal. We were approached several times during our time in Cardiff by people struggling with mental health and/or homelessness. I was happy to demonstrate to my daughter how it is okay to engage with folks living on the streets, listen, or smile and acknowledge them, they are humans too. Upon getting close to the water, the redevelopment of the waterfront was a stark contrast to the area between the city centre and there. The walkways were again bustling with people and the pub patios were packed. Aaron and Genevieve took a ride on the large harbour front Ferris Wheel and I looked at the Roald Dahl passage, the newly built buildings, public places and people watched. Our walk continued along the waterfront, wanting to get to Penarth we downloaded a bike rental app, got ourselves some bikes and headed off. We passed over 3 locks that separate Cardiff Bay from the Bristol Channel. After a tough uphill climb on the bikes we were rewarded with an amazing view. A fun downhill ride brought us to the Penarth waterfront, beach and pier. The tide was far out, boasting the second highest tidal range next to the Bay of Fundy, we enjoyed a nice walk along the beach, rock collecting and I had my first whippy with a flake bar, soft ice cream. We found our way back to the rental with the help of Uber, ordered in dinner and settled for another noisy night listening to what sounded like a children's sleep over with plenty of yelling late into the night, restarting early in the morning.
Sunday
I was very excited to see the countryside of Wales. Aaron planned a perfect day combining bus trips, castle sites and 'mountain' hikes. Our first stop was Castle Coch and the well maintained hiking paths in the forest behind. We enjoyed a Thai lunch in the small town and caught the bus to head to Caerphilly where we had a time booked later for the Caerphilly Castle. We got off the bus where we had a short walk to access another forest hike. It had rained recently and the smell of pine needles was intoxicating. We took pause at one point to sit on a fallen tree, forest bathe and I felt grounded. We carried on and treated ourselves at the top with ice cream. A faster walk down to check in at the Castle, a large piece of property with 2 moats surrounding the inner castle. There is a leaning tower that one can walk right up to, a clever area filled with Dragons and well described rooms that could be wandered through, this was a magnificent castle. It was one of those places that would fill my imagination as a child when a castle was talked about or part of a children's story. We stopped at a nearby pub for a few pints, took in the heavily made up female and drunken male patrons. Lock down has been long for everyone. Back on the bus and to the rental for another late night of partying and all that noises that go with it.
Monday
A bit earlier of a wake up to prep to leave the rental on time. We headed out to the town centre, found a pub and enjoyed our first full British Pub Breakfast for lunch, delicious. Aaron stayed and enjoyed a Scotch while Genevieve and I went for a walk through the nearby mall, it is massive and we found all the people of Cardiff. A quick peek into a few stores and back to gather ourselves to get to the train station and back home. A quick look in the shops at Paddington station lead to Genevieve getting a few rings, something she has been talking about, her hands look so mature with the delicate circles of silver, another stage of growing up. Our little flat feels like home. I went to bed early and enjoyed a peaceful sleep.
Tuesday - May The Fourth Be With You
A day at home until I adventured out in the rainy patches to meet Genevieve for an after school shop up. My walk consisted of taking shelter under trees as the waves of rain quickly faded from heavy to light. We explored Zara, a shop we both wanted to see. A few other stops in shops for necessary items and back home.
Wednesday
Happy Cinco De Mayo, a holiday that is not mentioned or advertised here in England but I decided to do a shop up to get the ingredients inspired by the day to make enchiladas in celebration. While out buying the ingredients I wandered the city centre and finally went into the Cambridge Contemporary Gallery. It is featuring ceramic works for its current show and I took them all in. Brilliant colours and textures expertly executed. It makes me long for the clay. I tried getting into a Coop Clay studio here, applying before we came to England without luck. They had some classes open recently, I tried registering but they sold out in under a minute and I missed out. My creative time here is not meant to be spent with clay but rather writing and painting. I am okay with this and thankful for these creative outlets.
Thursday
After more issues with Canadian banking cards not working online, a grocery delivery order couldn't be processed so Aaron and I went for a supermarket shop up together maximising the usage of two bikes. We chuckled together in the foreign foods section that has a set of shelves dedicated to American food such as Twinkies, Pop Tarts, Fruit Loops, Root Beer, an assortment of Candy and Jerky. I made homemade veggie lasagne for dinner, a meal that makes me think of Jakub, one of his favourites. I am missing time with our boys and cooking for them on Sundays.
Friday
I went for a massage today, something I have missed with my back issues and sleeping in a bed that's a bit firmer than I'd prefer. Pure bliss, a tiny little massage studio with room for a small reception area and curtained off massage room. There was a magical feel in this space, surely brought on by the many crystals, essential oils and good vibes given off by the therapist. After the massage it took some time to come back to myself so I wandered the nearby cemetery before getting back on my bike. Another fascinating piece of history here with headstones indicating lives that were lived a couple centuries ago, overgrown and toppling over. On the bike I grabbed a samosa for lunch from a nearby market and found a sunny bench to enjoy. Winding through the streets back home and through the city centre without looking at Google maps is satisfying. I dyed my hair in the afternoon, a first in over a year. The brassy ends had to go but I managed to save my loved silver. I've been researching online for our upcoming trip to Scotland and came across some things I saved about Cambridge. Other then indoor things like museums I have checked most of the items off my list. We've been waiting for the nicer weather to try our hand at Punting. An early evening adventure into to town for a few pints and people watching allowed us to witness many folks out trying their hand at punting and professionals quickly going by giving tours. It is going to be fun! I really enjoyed our family evening, biking, movie watching, card playing and living room dance party.
Saturday
A lovely sleep in, waking to the sounds of raindrops. A full day of rain, that hasn't happened in a while, the moisture is much needed. Our veggie garden will be happy. Did a bunch of research for our upcoming trip to Scotland, can't wait! Genevieve and Aaron made peach cobbler together, I love listening to them working in the kitchen together.
Sunday
Mother's Day. A morning spent turning compost into the vegetable garden, hot and sunny. The perfect start to a day outside. We ventured out on our bikes, went on a punting tour, relaxed in a meadow watching many rowing teams and had a lovely dinner at The Plough in Fen Ditton. A beautiful spot on the river. I am so fortunate here, friends and family back home are dealing with another lock-down, my thoughts are with you.
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