Week 18 - A new dawn

A new era begins today for Powys 53 as, after a few initial teething troubles, the door to the new caravan is opened and what a stunner it is.

The full touring party has assembled to help sort out the new cupboard spaces and lay claim to bedroom (or in Jonathans case - linoleum) territory. The veranda is still not reassembled and to be honest was really missed this weekend, but after much rearranging we all settled down for a Friday night drink and mutual backslapping over our new environment.

Things were going really well as we all crashed out exhausted until, in the early hours of the morning, Amanda started wandering around in the dark semi conscious and woke everyone up by stumbling about the living room . That was the end of any reasonable attempt to sleep that night after a snoring battle between Jonathan and (allegedly) myself took place with no quarter asked. At one point I felt compelled to smack Jonathan across the head with a pillow as his weird Woody Woodpecker snoring technique gave the rest of us little chance of respite so on the whole not the most relaxing of nights.

The next day, bleary eyed and after a great breakfast John, Clive and I went up the club for an 8.30 rugby game and on our return we all went our seperate ways - Amanda, John and I to the Teifi Marshes, later followed by Ann, Bronwyn and Bethan as Leanne laid claim to an afternoon sleep whilst Jonathan and Morgan strolled accross the beach.

Later on that evening the men went up the club for a game of snooker - me and Clive against Brain Snr and Pink Brain Jnr - a grudge game as the Brains were one nil up in the series of matches - the first game went to the black ball as Clive potted and then trundled in off for what has become his signature shot if late- only for the same Clive "quivering ash" Powell to find a huge run of form later on to square the series at one all.

Returning to the van quite earlyish - Jane had joined the girls and had very kindly brought a bottle of champagne accross to christen our new caravan - no one needed a second invite and the night that had started at about 6.30 came to an end with Jane this time carrying Clive home at about 1.30 in the morning.

The next day - Jonathan set a new Welsh Caravan sleeping record after rizing momentarily at about 9am before resurfacing sometime after 3.30pm. God that boys a good sleeper.

Me and Amanda had a walk around the lanes to get some fresh air whilst on our return Ann, Amanda and the girls took Morgan to Aberaeron for a walk about.

By the time it was ready to depart everyone was shattered but the caravan had been well and truly christened.

Next week is the start of John and Annes summer holidays and because Bronwyn is going to Italy for a week the Murphys won't be down until Saturday evening - just in time to get the first BBQ of the new era going.

Baking Hot sun forecast - should be a good one.