Right I thought, this morning, I've had enough of this. I am OUT today. I set off for Carmarthen at 9.30, and achieved all my tick list bar going to Tesco for more on-offer cat biscuits. Will do that next week and hope they are still on offer. I went through Abergwili and picked up some good fresh fruit from Chris Thomas (how I miss their warehouse).
New shoes (slightly too tight) returned to shop, and a replacement pair a size larger ordered - also in purple. They are v. slightly too big so will need a little tab stuck into the heel.
As I walked through Carmarthen, I noticed vaping shops and side by side gents hairdressers where proper shops used to be. I remember reading somewhere recently that many of these places are a front for money laundering . . . I do not miss Carmarthen at all. It hasn't improved with keeping. I went into M&S to get some of their Posh Prawn Sandwiches for my lunch, and a can of Brazilian orange fizz. That was a special treat.
I went to The Works for colouring pens and pencils to go with the Brambly Hedge colouring book I treated myself to (encouragement from Susan there!), and the health food shop for organic Mung Beans to sprout (encouragement from Thelma). It was a good walk up the town and my body needed it. Will try and get going every day now.
Then finally to see my friends P&D, for a good natter. I'd not seen them, apart from extremely briefly to drop presents off at Christmas, for months. It was good to catch up.
Spoilt . . .
Hooray, sounds like you had a lovely day out. Hugs Xx
ReplyDeleteIt made a big difference to me as I had been getting rather low and depressed within my fall walls, however nice they are!
ReplyDeleteBramley Hedge I hate to think how many mice and plates we have around the house we bough back in the 1980's
ReplyDeleteI know, they were so cute. I just have the little books which I read to my girls (Danny had Thomas the Tank Engine of course). I still love their whimsey . . .
DeleteNo Ivor the Engine?
DeleteNew surroundings, fresh air, getting things done, all good for the winter blues. I chose the Brambley Hedge over the William Morris colouring book. It hasn't arrived yet. Of course, the office storage things I ordered, to get the the big old wooden desk organised, have arrived, which means work instead of play. Not sure I can face it today.
ReplyDeleteI started on a page last night, and it is going to be good value for money as so many little details to colour in. I am sure you will deal with the office storage things and getting the desk contents organized in due course. Ten minutes a day is a good idea.
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful day out - sometimes that's just what we need to "blow the cobwebs away". That is an amazing selection of sewing patterns & fabrics - did your friend gift them to you? I need to get walking again too - I have been very slack in that department.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit to my blog & your lovely comment. I very much enjoyed following along on your South Island trip to New Zealand, late last year. Wishing you a great weekend. Julie 😊
I have slept well and woken this morning feeling a bit like my old self again. The sewing patterns andfabric were a gift From Me, To Me! The best sort. Something to cheer me up in the grey January housebound days.
DeleteI think of my NZ memories regularly. I honestly think if I had visited in my 20s, I would have wanted to emigrate as it is so lovely. BUT the cost of living is very high. I don't know how people manage with keeping grocery bills low.
Many years ago when I lived in Pembrokeshire we occasionally went shopping in Carmarthen where there was the nearest M & S to us. The real treat was to have lunch at the Waverly Stores with a wonderful selection of vegetarian food. Is it still there?
ReplyDeleteWaverley Stores is still there and doing well, but that wasn't the health food shop I went in. There is a small one in Merlin's Walk, and as I was passing . . .
DeleteI'm glad you got out. Your blog today makes me sad. Why? Because of what you have said has happened to Carmarthen. I haven't been there in a long while and it cuts me to the quick to think of it becoming a den of iniquity. I lived there for two years and at one time I seriously considered moving there permanently. It ticked so many boxes. I went to art school there, the best years of my life.
ReplyDelete"Should Merlin's Oak shall tumble down, then shall fall Carmarthen Town"
I don't think anywhere looks cheerful on a grey January day. I just walked through to Pavers, which is by Boots, and then back along Merlins' Walk. Towns change through time and out of town shopping areas have an impact on High Streets. I can remember visiting Carmarthen in 1971 and 1972 and it was so basic then. The biggest shop was Woolworths, and all the others were individual traders.
DeleteI have to say, after 32 years of it, we were glad to move and Builth suits most of my needs. Until I need the Hospital (Hereford) or shoe shopping - Hereford or Carmarthen.
I used to have a day out in Carmarthen...went on the train from Cardiff...in the early 70s.
DeleteI loved the old market and bought my first pair of clogs there from Luther. (Edwards?)
I am glad you escaped and had a lovely day. What lovely gifts.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes, it was good to get out. Lovely to see the first Snowdrops, and catkins on the Hazels, and a maroon blush on the Alder, which has very dark catkins.
DeleteTown centres have really gone downhill. Ours is going through regeneration and reinvention but I'm not sure how it'll fair.
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate here in Builth. Although some shops have traded short-term and closed, others have moved from smaller into bigger premises and expanded and are doing well.
DeleteDo you also have the nail shops? You do wonder how these little "enterprises" keep going and yes, there is laundering but surely to goodness its a lot of effort, isn't it, this being criminal. Might as well work for a living! Very glad that you got out and about - posh prawn sandwiches!
ReplyDeleteJust checked. Carmarthen has 6! None here in Builth as far as I know. It's not a very big town.
ReplyDeletePosh prawn sandwiches - had to be done. Waitrose are the best though.