Its Christmas! Sitting in Wetherspoons on my own, but not sad or unhappy, quite content actually. Out last night with the Mighty Dom, wander round town. Half Moon of course, sat at the window seat that Alice and I had watched the world go by on many Sunday afternoons. World still going by. Lot younger clientele these days, and your shoes don’t stick to the carpet. Met some new people, Matt recently separated from wife, 46, back at parents. He was obviously sad about that, bloody tough, but we did cheer him up. Isaac son of old drinking buddy, fine to talk to an old fart, and fired up with life. Seeing young people happy, confident and seeing a bright future is so satisfying.

Cricket Club next, really pleased to see Charlie AKA Towels. Bit gloomy there so back to Moon. More, too many beers, danced to whatever was on, Jona Lewie! What a dance tune…not.

So, today. Had opportunities to have Christmas dinner with others but that has fallen though, so hanging out at Spoons with an even more odd bunch than normal. Don’t want to say sad, but, I think so in some cases.

Spoken to all my wonderful children. And Mum of course, who tells me it is just a normal Saturday, fair enough.

What will next year bring? 😃

An early New Year resolution. To post in real time.

Llangollen, been here 3 days and of course nothing but lovely. Time with my children and grandchildren is so precious and important. We disappear so quickly.

Last night had a stay at Caitlin’s hotel, thank you for that Caitlin ❤️. Really good space and time, self indulgence. Ate in restaurant on my own, 2 glasses of great red, finishing off Girl, Woman, Other. Then watching Arena interview with Bernadette Avaristo, oh my, insperational.

Met up with Conor and Jess, walked along canal. Rained most of the way, but Oscar and Ava, no complaints. They have been so good all the time with me. Oscar told me he loves me. Ava not so certain, managed a few hugs, will get there.

Now at local hostelry, watching football, feeling mellow.

We were talking about what baby animals were called…”what is a baby hippopotamus?” Mabel “a hippy” 😂

Pumpkin picking. Including a maze, yes we got lost! And so many pumpkins…. only bought 5, why?

Another much delayed gig. Went with Twig, early 50th present. Decided on train as we had time in hand and could have a few beers on the journey. Two quick ones in local hostelry. Then to gig.

Interesting these days, the age mix. Young band but audience ages wide. Wasn’t like that in the 70’s, a good thing for sure.

Of course amazing.

Mabel has been having problems with her bottom teeth for some time, breaks and infections so appointment with specialist at UHCL today. Outcome not great, she has to have 5 extractions. That will be under general, dreading that. She has no idea what that means. Of course charmed the staff, we were there for 3 hours and no complaints. Amazing girl.

After we went to Natural History Museum, Dinosaurs, stuffed animals, Blue Whale skeleton, gems. We both loved it, but Mabel did wonder where Andy was? (CBeebies reference for those that don’t get it 😉).

Long day, train, underground, but through all that she was the best company and so cheerful. Proud Dad here.

Al last because I booked this for all the boys, and the old boy, on 24 January 2020, scheduled for 23 May. Something called a pandemic suppered those plans. Two reschedules later, we are on our way.

Left around 12.00, managed to find the two major accidents in the country. Painful. Arrived in Swansea 5.30, fortunately our reccee party, Conor, had arrived 4 hours earlier so stocked up with beer and wine. Fine man that he is. Drank a few, headed to the park.

First issue, bars only accepting cash as Interweb down. Did find long queue, why? Ah, yes they have connectivity. And then I lost my card, argh!

Never mind, weather was good, spirits high. And