The weather could not have been brighter or more lovely for our trip to Wales. The Severn Bridge in the morning sunshine was magnificent. We drove north through the Brecon Beacons – I’m sure I did those in Geography. I remember making very good pie charts about rainfall and keeping the local post office open.
The country is remote and wild up there, made no less so by a roadside stall selling giant carved wooden bears: human-sized grizzly bears standing on their hind legs and baring their claws at unsuspecting motorists. We stopped for a sandwich at a café which was full of Dr. Who fans who couldn’t remember David’s name but definitely wanted his autograph. And I didn’t even get car sick which was a total relief. It would be far from ideal to vomit in the BM with DM!
The hotel smelled alternately of old cigarettes, disinfectant (reassuring) and chips. I almost wondered if it was the sort of establishment where you get chips with your breakfast and found I was quite disappointed when we did not. In my room there were pipes which didn’t go anywhere protruding at odd angles from the floor and a toilet I thought was going to take off when it flushed. The bathroom light flashed on and off while I was in the shower which made me feel like I was at my own private foam party! The organizers of Ffresh told us this was all part of the experience and I believe them.
David’s masterclass and the panel session afterwards were the biggest ones so far, delivered to about 150 students attending the festival. I wore my new Topshop jumper in a bid to fit in with the youth. I thought it had the Eiffel Tower on it, but on reflection I think it might have been more Blackpool than Paris. Either way, I felt old enough to be their mother. The thing with students is that they stay young and I keep getting older. I’m afraid I was particularly mute (even for me) during the panel discussion. I must be braver. I vow to say more stuff. I have wisdom to impart about expectation versus reality!
We were taken to the restaurant of choice for all seasoned and discerning festival guests – Gannets, where we were looked after brilliantly by Dyllis who served us steak the size of a small country and amazing sticky toffee pudding. The night was young so we went to Pier Pressure on the seafront, which wins the award for the best name ever!
Many thanks to the great people of Aberyswyth who welcomed us so warmly. Also the Chair of Ffresh, Maggie Russell, who promises to make it her mission to get me a job that isn’t in an office! And lastly thanks to Faye at Bafta Cymru, and a special mention to Alex who donated me her belt when my jeans would not stay up. That’s above and beyond…
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