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St Jude and St David's

St David's Cathedral in the rain.
‘Can you hear that noise?’ asks Tom.
‘Isn’t it just the road surface?’ I reply because I really don’t want to acknowledge any noise that might be indicative of car trouble, especially not when we’re high in the Preseli Hills where low clouds cast a damp grey shroud across the winding road. After a brief consultation we decide the noise probably isn’t serious and decide to press on. We’re having a day out at St David’s because what is the point of living in such a beautiful part of the world if you don’t get out to see it?

The drizzle turns to rain but doesn’t dampen our spirits. We have a very good, if slightly pricey lunch, at The Refectory in the cathedral where there’s also a small display of local art and crafts. I buy a very pleasing Christmas present from the arty lady at the desk who is no longer young but is lovely to look at with her chic black polo-neck, oversize black glasses and poppy red hair and lipstick. We talk about Coast magazine and the Donna Tartt book she’s reading and I walk away smiling. This lady reminds me of another I recently spotted in the supermarket who’d firmly resisted the pressure to wear beige and turn invisible and trotted past in her high-heeled ankle boots wearing a purple mini-dress which showed off her terrific legs, a short fitted purple coat and purple tights. With her elfin-cut silver hair and a confident smile she looked absolutely amazing.

Towards the town.
A little bookshop!

Precarious pebbles?
And a pretty display.
Alas, one grand dame not doing so well is our car, The Biscuit Tin. For what’s basically a motor bike wrapped in a thin metal shell, it’s served us well but despite lavishing large sums of money on it recently, it still doesn’t seem happy. After ignoring The Noise nearly all the way home we decide to cut our losses. We stop at the used car garage we bought it from and there, in the pouring rain, we choose another. ‘That,’ says the garage owner, ‘is a different beast altogether.’ I just hope it’s a nice, quiet, cheap-to-run beast…

You never know who's looking!


Comments

Clare Chase said…
Loved reading this post, Chris! We always had that sort of car when I was growing up, and breaking down to or from holiday destinations was a regular occurrence. I hope the new one works out well! :-)
Chris Stovell said…
Thank you, Clare - I really hope so too! You've described our car situation exactly!!
Jane Lovering said…
Oooh, a new Biscuit Tin! I hope this one gives you many happy and safe hours of worry-free motoring, Chris! x
Chris Stovell said…
So do I, Jane *said with feeling*. Thank you! x
Preet said…
Ahh the sounds cars make. Any new one is a cause for worry. I guess it was time for a new one. I'm in that same situation.
Chris Stovell said…
I feel for you, Chanpreet. Cars are a flipping nuisance and not something I even want to think about- they don't have to look the part, all they have to do is go when told to (and preferably without the ominous soundtrack!).
Flowerpot said…
Hope the new Biscuit Tin does you well - I've had more than my fair share of breakdowns! x
Chris Stovell said…
Thanks Sue, cars - I just hope this one behaves! x

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