9 August 2010

Emily had a repeat visit to the doctors, for a second opinion on her poo situation. This time a different physician said that she has a lazy bowel and the usual advice was given about fibre (that box can certainly be ticked already) and plenty of drinks (exactly how I am to get any more down her when she often purses her lips shut is the small problem with that suggestion). She also prescribed some sachets to try for a month in the hope of establishing a more regular pattern.

On the way home we called in to see Gordon and Melba at Penbidwal Farmhouse. They have done wonders with that place since they took it on almost uninhabitable about 10 years ago. Emily warmed to them quickly and was happy playing with her trains on their rug while we chatted. Melba said they had discovered an old motte and bailey on their land, and also showed me a medieval tally stick, whatever that might be, that was found there.

After lunch Mum, Fi and I took the kids to Hereford. Emily and Fern had a great time at the excellent playground near the swimming pool, then we walked through the attractive riverside park and through to the cathedral.

Some buildings around the cathedral were being rebuilt and there were plenty of diggers and dumpers for the girls to watch at work, though Emily was rather nervous when I took her closer to one. Down one of the old cobbled streets opposite, we dived into an alley and came out in a secluded courtyard where we had cake and coffee at a wholefood cafe. I mused that the city would be a nice place to live (not just because of the cake!).


Fi took Charlie off into town for a short shopping spree while I escorted the girls back to the car with Mum. We went via the old bridge to avoid the playground, as Mum needed to get back to Abergavenny to pick Dad up and a diversion to play again would cause delay.


I turned back to Hereford centre and shopped for a while before meeting Gill, my old college friend. We decided to go to Gilbies wine bar, which hadn't changed a jot since our class reunion 15 years ago. The food was OK but definitely provincial quality. We spent a pleasant couple of hours talking about old times and what lies ahead.


I took the train home to Abergavenny, and the Black Mountains looked brooding and magnificent in late evening light with heavy cloud overhead. Fi picked me up and took me home. When I arrived Emily had been to bed but just got out again to find the plastic grapes she has been obsessed by for the last week. I took her back to bed and she was such a chatterbox for half an hour. She said 'Mummy please don't go downstairs, lie down next to me and have a little nap'.