Shropshire

Quite a lot of driving today with an early start.  My sister and I had a visit request from an establishment north of Wolverhampton during the week and our appointment was at 9am.  That would have not been too bad except my sister was rather nervous of finding her way there from her new abode for the first time, in spite of having a satnav.  Those little devices can be a little unpredictable sometimes can't they?  There was no point her coming to fetch me because then we would have just gone our normal route up the M5 and M6. That meant that I had to leave home at 6.30am, drive the 17 miles to her out the other side of Bewdley (Through some interesting foggy sections and across a particularly beautiful River Severn at 7 in the morning).  Then, we embarked on the trip from her little bit of Shrophshire, back into Worcestershire and then edging up through the West Midlands and Wolverhampton, abut 35 miles to our destination.

We had a good visit to the TYM.  He has weathered his current little black cloud and was on reasonable form today, being quite positive about the future and sharing some of his plans.  He had made us each a very personal Christmas Card and had been given permission to give us cards to take to other members of the family.  He agreed a way to start paying off some of his debt for the Legal Aid he received around the time he became unemployed and munched his way through various snacks, coffee and ribena!  It was a long visit - over two and a half hours and by the end we were all flagging somewhat.  These visits are very intense and by the time we get out, having to wait for everyone to leave the visiting hall, we always feel very tired and drained.  Much better when it has been a positive experience though.  The other thing it it possible for us to do is to go to the local post office and newsagent which has an arrangement to send in magazines.  So we each arranged for a couple of magazines to be sent to him.  Hope he gets one of them at least for Christmas Day.  This will be his second Christmas inside.

After that, satnav had decided to take us on the scenic route back along the M54 to Telford and then south via Bridgnorth.  That was a really beautiful drive - a lovely up and down and wiggly road with not too much traffic on it, so time to stop for a Blip enroute.  The shot has had a bit of fartnarckling which I rather like even though it has taken away the brilliant colours of the day.

Hope you are all ready for Christmas now.  Out Christmas Lunch arrived in a box from Booths' supermarket.  All looks delicious, all we have to do now is cook it.