country

The strains of travel remind you of what you like and dislike. That's the point - to expose yourself to new things while keeping the old comforts within sight. Certainly I prefer the countryside to the city scenes, and am claustrophobic in crowds. I hate to wait in crowded situations and museums/historical sites have clots of tourists standing in front of the view I am trying to get to. Bath has this with the Roman Baths and Stonehenge. But yesterday's tour of the Welsh coast was more relaxing to me, my favorite day of the trip so far. We went to Tenby, a small resort town, about two and half hours by train. The train passed through classic pastoral scenery, sheep dotting patchwork hillsides. Tenby is on the ocean with pastel houses in rows. (No homeless or beggers to be seen.) We took an open boat out to Caldey Island where there was a monastery and ocean views. Walking along the cliffs reminded me of Ireland with the hardy plants, the craggy rocks, the crashing surf and stoic cattle all mixed together. The seagulls floated and wheeled. It was windy and cool, but with periods of strong sun. A number of times I peel layers on and off to keep up. (No rain although the day before, and now, the day after are wet.)

It was a long day. We left at 9 and returned at 9. This group of students has been fantastic - adventurous, adaptable, agreeable. Some are best of friends (and chose this trip together), while some are not, but they are sensitive to each other and are inclusive and friendly. A situation like this can be difficult with the wrong mix of people, but with this group there is no whining, no drama. A level of familiarity grows as we are thrown together and need to coordinate ourselves. I find each likable, and appreciate getting to know them individually. It's been a week, and today is a day off, something the students have been looking forward to (Lucy and me, too). Earlier there were some grand plans anticipating this day, but now most of us what to stay close, relax, catch our breath and do laundry.