The first night away

Subject: The first night away.

A slow but intense drizzle was blocking out the sky as we drove through the narrow lanes edging closer to Newport on the west coast of Wales. It was the gathering of the clan, an annual get together, this year to celebrate the arrival of my daughters daughter Lola.
Air B&B the creation where you can, for a price, live in someone else's house for a week  live the lifestyle of the wealthy. Beautiful homes, and modern facilities which on arrival are all part of the Willie Wonka chocolate factory fascination. Look at that, see how this gadget makes things so much easier. Coming from our own modest homes we marvel at how unrestricted funds allow a renovation to produce the 'ahh' factor and we begin to wonder if that wouldn't fit into our kitchen or bathroom. The emphasise is on quality and the pleasure money can provide and even for the most simple things take on a splendour of their own. Of course as the Wonka effect wears off and we settle in a routine,  accepting our new surroundings as a temporary norm we never the less appreciate the space, the underfloor heating, the toilet on suite for all bedrooms, the massive modern kitchen, the two lounges each the size of the ground floor footprint of our own home. The games room and the garden are probably best seen in summer but never the less, for the hardy are waiting to entertain.

Newport is a quaint town full of art shops and Welsh bric-a-brac, friendly cafes and a host of pubs as yet unexplored. It sits on Newport bay, the sea quite distant as  we walked along the coastal footpath. It's these coastal foot paths which draw the walkers in, they criss cross the coast all around and for the keen walker are a delight to explore and take in this largely unspoilt coastline.
With pram and the constant needs of a baby, plus the old limbs of yours truly we didn't go far but with a break in the weather who knows, we have plenty of time ahead to explore. Andrew meantime has been up to his culinary magic producing a meal last night which I'm sure the local hostelry would be hard put to to beat. His interest and enthusiasm for food and the experience he has gained from living in India make him a great traveling companion, whipping up tasty  meals whist Lola's proud parents  take it in what seemed never ending turns to keep her happy and Marie settles down to sorting out a jigsaw puzzle.
Such is our laid back family life as the darkness folds in on us in our luxurious if only temporary surroundings. For me, a bed and a book beckons