Ollie Days 1

"He was a dreamer, a thinker, a speculative philosopher... or, as his wife would have it, an idiot."
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K1 suggested a couple of days away, forgetting that we currently have a lodger - Ollie.   So we've decided to have a few days break in darkest Monmouthshire, at a cottage where dogs are welcome [and me, at a push].


I'm totally unprepared as ever and have things to tie up today, having managed to book somewhere last night.  Unfortunately the payment wouldn't go through so have to sort that out today somehow, otherwise I don't get the confirmation and instructions on the cottage.  While M and J are at their appointment I hang out in Belle Vue park, and phone the owners to confirm payment.  All done.


Back home in time for JL arriving at 12.30 for lunch.  He's planning a holiday to India and asks if I can help with photo for a tourist Visa!  Needs it as soon as possible so I rattle off a few snaps and do the "processing" - it has to be passport style and 2"x 2" - he's already had one returned as unacceptable so starting get a bit edgy.  Photos done we get off for lunch at a local pub, his treat in "payment" for the photos [just hope they go through ok!].  Really interesting conversation today as we talk about dreams and their meanings for us.

By the time he returns me home it's 3pm, and I still have to throw together some clothes, pack the car and get the "entertainment" together.  Sorry, that's just books and art materials to do some watercolours while we're away.  I'm also in charge of the food so need to get that sorted too.

As I open up the car ready, Ollie follows and just jumps into the back seat and sits there waiting to go.  Even when we leave him alone for a few minutes to get more stuff from the house he just stays there, patiently waiting to go on his holiday.

We make it to the cottage about 5pm; time to settle in, take the dog far a walk and do a quick recce before dark.  The cottage is on a quiet country lane, the nearest neighbours about half a mile away.  Views from the cottage are across open fields with occasional farms and a small cluster of houses about a mile away.

It's dark when we get back so time to find my way around the kitchen and get some food ready - stew [prepared last night] and bread [which K1 did last night].  Time for bed said Zebedee...