Ash Wednesday

It was really lovely on Ash Wednesday being in Hereford Cathedral with my cousin. Traditionally a day of repentance, it signals the first day of Lent which occurs forty-six days before Easter (forty days not counting Sunday). It's a different date each year as it is dependant on the date Easter falls. I have decided to give up all things 'sweet and yummy' this year, saving what I would have spent on these frivolous and unhealthy things, and will pass the money to the Archbishop for Wales Fund.

It was snowing quite heavily in Hereford yesterday when we arrived at the Cathedral and has done so here in Newport today, but fortunately, it was too wet to stick. I am personally glad about that, as I really don't want everything to come to a grinding halt again and all classes, college, theatre trips and so on have to be cancelled, so snow, snow, go away!

Thanks from the Homeless.

I thought this card was a nice touch from the Newport Night Shelter. Inside there are photos taken of the guests we housed for two months, with little notes saying 'Thank you' for giving refuge to them over Christmas, New Year and over the cold spell we had in January. It makes it all worth while for me. 'Thank you' is something that none of us say often enough I feel. It makes the recipient feel good, and especially if it is said with sincerity.

A lovely birthday party

My friend reached a milestone in her life today, she became 40 years old! I wish I was 40 again! Anyway, I was invited to her party and was there when all the flowers were arriving, balloons with cards attached, loads of food and plenty to drink, but most of all it was meeting lovely people and the whole day had a really party atmosphere.

A. thought not so long ago that she may not make 40 years, as breast cancer took its toll on her life, but make it she did, and all of us there today were so glad of that.

I made a quiche this morning to take with me, and after I made it I thought, not for the first time, why do I go and buy these sunken, soggy things from the supermarket when for 20 minutes of my time I can make one that looks so much nicer?

So A's fortieth has come and gone as I have been praying that it would. With the strength of character, determination and sheer zest for life she has, I will wager a little bet we will be celebrating 41 years next year. Please God - let it be so.

Cardiff Coffee Concert

Another interesting day today. I went to my first ever coffee concert which was held in Cardiff Museum. I went to see Llyr Williams play Sonatas for piano and what a superb pianist he is. He played three Sonata's written by Beethoven. After Beethoven finished them he said about the piano that 'after all an unsatisfactory instrument'. He couldn't have got it more wrong, the piano is a wonderful instrument and this man made it talk. I was enraptured. I was amazed, as someone who knows very little about music, that I could sit through and hour and a quarter of listening to someone play the piano. This young man, only 33 years old, is really on his way to being a genius. I can only imagine how he will play in 2o years from now.

Sitting and chatting over lunch with my friend, I noticed a fellow diner whom I had known twenty odd years ago. I was amazed to see her and even more amazed that she remembered who i was. All in all a nice day!

A Hungarian Holiday.

Debrecen

After much persuasion, I decided to go and visit Miss A when she goes home to Hungary later in the year. The small town where I am going is Hajduszoboszlo, near Debrecen.


I fly to Budepest from Bristol in July and then take a pre booked car to Hajdusobozolo, which is cheaper than the train. Miss A will already be there of course.

One of the many Water Parks in Hajduszoboszlo.

I am told the small town of Hajduszoboszlo is 13 miles South West of Debrecen (pop. 24,260). In 1925, after boring down 3,580 ft, water with a temperature of 73 degrees was discovered, as a result this small town was transformed into a popular Spar resort. Today nearly one and a half million tourists flock to the town to the baths.


Not the kind of holiday I had planned, but it will be a different experience and interesting to see a former communist country.


I hope to go back to Pembrokeshire again with my cousin later in the year, so its good to have things to plan for.