Out with the old, in with the.... no they're gone.

It was my birthday on Saturday, im 28 now. I think its a good age, one that i would prefer to be for the rest of my life. But maybe 29, or 30 is better? Dad said that it was an age whereby I didnt have to prove anything more to anybody, and that id grown into a nice man, which I thought was warming. Ill find out. I had a nice weekend down in wales, we went foraging for Blackberries, Mushrooms and Muscles (Mussels? it must be mussels...? Not one i use often) Then i went to Chicken Shack, a housing co-op's annual party in the sticks. Its great to go back to Machynlleth- its 'my happy place' as Dave put it, which is probably quite right (he knows im a little 'off kilter and not quite happy' now).

I used to live there for a bit (11 months), and made some fantastic friends and generally my life opened up into a lot of new dimensions. Infact, the picture of me over on the right, is myself in Happy Valley! And that is the name of the place... look it up. infact (since you won't)... (map of it here) its along the white road heading east from the blue line). A cheery sign post just beyond Pennal proves it (i bet theres a picture of it google- i will look now). Oh ok, there isnt, but here is a picture of somebody wearing red shorts in Happy Valley, and he looks quite happy too. Its a nice place, and I do love Wales.



Today was the doorstep pickup for the large bag I had filled with things, that were destined for charitable causes. I thought this was brilliant timing, since getting rid of a thing or two would be a good move before going away, and far better than binning things. Ive done this before too. I certainly didnt fill it with holey socks, ripped trousers, and old razors, but i did put some things in which i dont really use or have no need for. Like trousers that dont fit but are fine and even quite new. Tonight though i had cold feet, because id put in some thick socks, like slippers. Still, im pretty sure that someones elses feet are colder or are in worse condition than mine. ill just turn the heating up eh.

Dave and I went to pay a 'Scare Bill' for council tax (£720 - we'd missed a payment and it said we had forfeited the right to pay in installments). A very Jolly man told us oh no no we wouldnt pay that, thats just to scare people. We paid our months worth, and in the meantime dave got a parking ticket. Another lunch break for the diary (Hah!! thats one in your eye).