I felt that, given that for the past two weeks, North of the Stupid Line has been relatively quiet, it would be a good idea to give you a summary of what has happened during the past two weeks, which I spent in the warm bosom of my family and my to-be-family, in South Wales. I’ve not given you a blow-by-blow account of every single thing that happened every day, as it’d put you to sleep!
Saturday 18 December
Having caught the 1245 train to Newport from London Paddington, which involved a great deal of heaving as I had a heavy suitcase (thankfully one of what I call “trolley dollys”) and a backpack with two LLM folders in, I arrived in Newport at 1430. The evening was an interesting one as my mum hosted a dinner party for us four, Rachel and Sam, Sam’s parents June and Dave, and Linda and Stuart. Rachel and I were slightly bored because we couldn’t follow the conversation, but it was nice to meet Sam’s parents and there was some lovely grub too.
Monday 20 December
Mummy took me shopping in Cardiff for my Christmas presents! Whoo!! She was being antagonising because she wouldn’t tell me whether or not she had bought me a £79.99 blazer from River Island that I’d told her I wanted!!! She bought me two pairs of jeans and a sweater from Madhouse and a funky hat and scarf from GAP. We also went to the new Costa in WH Smith for my dreamy latte and almond croissant – heaven.
Wednesday 22 December
Went up to stay with Rachel’s parents in Pentwynmawr for a few nights and went out for a Chinese at Peking City in Blackwood with Rachel’s friends from school, which was lovely. One observation I’d like to make though – I was the only one who drank booze! And young people are supposed to be boozers?! All of them are university students as well. Boring!
Friday 24 December
Rachel and I went back down to Malpas with Oliver in tow to spend Christmas Eve with my family i.e. the usual plus Uncle John and Aunty Annette. Rachel and Oliver left for home around 10pm, leaving me on my own with my hearing family. Sitting there in the chair not able to follow the conversation got me riled up, and I blurted out “How does it make you feel to know that I’m left out of conversations like the one you’re having now?”. Mum, Dad, Kirsty, Sam, John and Annette were all astounded. It was quite funny. I asked them all why they never bothered to learn BSL, and why don’t they do something about it if they feel so bad about leaving me out of conversations. It was quite interesting, and I felt tonnes better for having gotten it off my chest.
Saturday 25 December
I got the blazer I wanted! Whoooo!!!! After the usual Wilks Christmas Day, Rachel came down to Malpas and stayed the night.
Sunday 26 December
Rachel and I went up to Pentwynmawr for Boxing Day and stayed there until Wednesday. We didn’t do all that much to be honest. I just studied my LLM materials and watched TV.
Friday 31 December
After spending much of the afternoon in Cardiff shopping (where I spent far too much) with Rachel, and a lovely lunchtime meal in La Fosse, we went up to Pentwynmawr for the New Year as Mum, Dad, Kirsty, Sam, Linda, Stuart, June and Dave went to the Old Mill Hotel in Batheaston for two nights. We had a pleasant evening at Carl and Sian’s home with the Johnsons, followed by a quick visit to the Pentwynmawr Workingmen’s Club to see Diane and Jack.
Monday 3 December
Heaved all my stuff back to London (heavier this time because of all my Christmas presents etc.).
Och well, back to the grind that is RAD tomorrow. It’s quite nice to get back to normal, but the past two weeks have made me realise just how much I enjoy being at home with the families. Hopefully, Rachel and I will be able to buy a house this year in the valleys. That would give me a huge incentive to move back to South Wales. Let’s hope it happens.
