After a few difficult days of managing my affliction (it's never the same two days running), I felt good enough to drive, so we took a trip to Bristol to visit Owain and see his new flat in Redfield. It's the first time I've felt comfortable enough to drive for several months, so it did me good. It's the first time, in fact, for us to use the Severn Crossing without having to pay a toll, and about time too!
Owain now lives in another quiet back street of a district he describes as, "About to be gentrified". His place has been modernised nicely, a one bedroom flat on the first floor. In his first couple of weeks he's set up his record decks unpacked his disc archive, bought a bed and other furniture. We took him some bowls, kitchen utensils and towels over with us. He just needs a sofa now, narrow enough to get up the stairs!
We lunched at a small friendly cafe/restaurant with an interesting menu called 'The Faraway Tree' in nearby Church Road, after inspecting the place and taking photos to show to the rest of the family. Then we walked up the road to St George's Park, five minutes away from where Owain lives. This is a generous municipal open space with avenues of mature trees, a lovely lake, a playground and a skateboard park, plus a band of volunteers who help keep the are clean and safe for all to use.
He's been living in Redfied since he moved to Bristol, and settled there to be fairly close to work, and to mates living in the district. It's got a great variety of old style small shops representing the diverse cultural mix of local residents. I think he chose well. We're both so happy to see him in a place of his own, after a long period of coping with insecurity, looking relaxed, and confident in the choices he's made. You can't live your life through your children, but rejoicing at seeing them living it happily on their own terms gives great peace of mind.
In the evening, more translation work for Clare, more 'Professor T' episodes for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment