8:30 am - After breakfast, we were picked up by Umar and went to the Murco offices to wait for Chris and his girlfriend Ruth. We were riders in their rental car. Since they were running a little late, I got engulfed in a conversation with one of the helpdesk staff. He talked with me about nutrition, vitamins, foods, exercise to help strengthen my heart. He urged me to take time for myself, to strengthen my heart, according to my beliefs, to deal with that area too, not just the physical. This led into some of his background and his rejection of the church with basic objections: to the scriptures being true based on men's words that change with each retelling, to the absence of comfort when sin and hell are preached, whether Jesus really lived and if he did, why are there few accounts of his younger life -- was it because he was a rounder? Because he seems to be a searcher and not a mocker, I gently tried to answer his objections -- ending with a mom's perspective -- who would know Jesus better than his mom and she was a worshipper, not an unbeliever.
9:30 am - We loaded up with Chris and Ruth and headed for Wales, It was a beautiful, scenic drive of about 5 hours. There were lots of sheep in green pastures -- which reminded me about Psalm 23 (we read it to Eddie every time we visit him). We saw beautiful farmland separated by stone fences or hedgerows, horses with coats on, castle-looking houses, huge estates, small villages with a church and a few houses, and mountains. It rained off and on most of the way, especially after we crossed the Bristol Channel bridge. We made a couple of stops at "services" -- they are rest stops with everything, gas, restaurants, bathrooms, showers, arcades, groceries and sometimes, hotels.
3:15 pm - Arrived at Wolfscastle Country Hotel. John had to leave for work at the refinery with the men. It is rainy and is not as warm as the forecast said. From our bedroom window, I can see what looks like castle ruins up on a tall hill overlooking Wolfs Castle village. Looking that direction, I can see a big black cloud pouring rain on the village. Our room is very elegant. The pictures are beautiful. The oak bed is simple with royal colors of burgundy and gold and there is lighter gold carpet on the floor. The bed is a pillow top PLUS! The bathroom is very pretty, with rows of large tiles floor to ceiling and sparkling flooring. The tub is very large and all the fixtures look new and shiny. I settled in to write my diary with a cup of tea.
6:30 pm - John and the guys came back to the hotel for supper. All the dishes were very delicious and decorative. The original chef at the hotel's restaurant became the chef for Charles and Diana when they were married and the replacement is still here. That is the quality of the restaurant. John also enjoys the 3 cup coffee presses.
8:00 pm - John and the guys went back to work. The refinery cut-over is at midnight and they will be home after that. I will rest and enjoy.
See pictures here
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