Augustus

August is a month of vacations and recuperation. As schools break for summer vacation and as office folk take time off from work to travel, it is usually a time for most to relax. 

This year, the ongoing pandemic, though in its waning phase has had an impact on plans. In the UK, given the high vaccination rate, travel has opened up. But folks are still hesitant, as there are varying lockdowns in the rest of the world.

We took a week’s vacation in the Welsh coast within the U, which was a welcome break despite the bleak weather. 

Most people not from the UK do not realise that Wales is a semi-autonomous country within the UK, with its own unique mores, customs and even language. Till we went there, we didn’t realise that a number in people there don’t even know English! But it is a beautiful area, with a mountainous geography, a vast coastline and some unique food.

We spent half our time near Swansea, at a place they call the Mumbles. It reminded us much of Goa in India, with its laid back culture, narrow roads running the coastline and touristy atmosphere. There is a long coastal walkway that hugs the cliffs along the sea, and we spent many a day taking in the sea views and relaxing in the beaches (for the minimal time that the sun showed its face). A local brand of Ice-cream called Joe’s is rather popular, with its creamy texture and its variety of sundaes was a worthy eat. 

We also spent a few days in a rather comfortable BnB in Avergavenny, at the foothills of the Brecon Beacons national park. The city itself is rather quaint with a pretty market, but has a lot of walking trails nearby. However, a car is much needed to explore further around, which we didn’t have access to (courtesy of much delayed driving license issues due to covid). Yet, a very restful and calm place. 

We returned home to news of Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban and consequent mayhem all over the media. It’s sad to see a country fall into such chaos due to decisions of people in far and high places. 

On the weather front, it seems as if winter is approaching early this time. London has hardly had a summer this year, with just a week’s sunshine and rainy weather most of this month. Already the days are getting shorter and cold winds have started blowing. Hopefully, if we keep the virus at bay, it should still be a better winter than the last. 

We closed the month with a trip to Dover on the bank holiday weekend. The White Cliffs were quite a climb, but the sun and weather were surprisingly glorious, and we got a beautiful view of the sea, the flow of the ferries and the Calais coast on the far side.