Gracie’s Life Experiment

We went to visit a friend in South Wales (Cwmbran) today.  Was pleasantly surprised to find that the journey only took just over 2 hrs (I think last time I had to got to Swansea and it seemed like a lifetime to get back to Loughborough).  We did M42, M5, M50, A40, etc on the way there and M4 (over the Severn Bridge), M5, M42 back - both took approx the same amount of time (but you don’t have to pay to get out of Wales only to get in at the toll).  Took Mocha a walkies in Pontypool Park and she jumped into the freezing cold, muddy lake - typical.  Also went to “Big Pit” (Pwll Mawr).  I’ve been down mines at other heritage sites before.  This was quite similar (but totally free).  Our miner guide Wayne was really funny (once I got used to the accent and could work out what he was saying).  He reminded me of a Welsh Mickey Rooney.  Everyone took the piss out of my as I didn’t have to crouch very much (’m a bit vertically challenged) but at least I didn’t hit my head on the struts.  Also it was most uncomfortable holding up the liquid battery belt (they didn’t put it on tight enough and eventually they went over my hips and were round my knees - v v heavy.  Went back to my friend’s house and she cooked us a lamb casserole which was yummy.  Got home around 10.30 pm and watched a few episodes of Red Dwarf IV on Dave channel.

Summary of the day: Went on a day trip to Wales (not much else happened other than that already described)