My new friends that I will be house sitting for in Wales chose to do exactly that! As in my previous post, they had 1.5 feet of water, mud and silt in their house due to flooding a month ago. They are not the first and only people in the world to ever have their house devastated by a disaster. But it was their disaster and they, in my opinion, have dealt with it with much grace. Luckily, they are insured and they have a great positive attitude. They've been in contact with me and the trip is still on and she's pleased that I am willing to still come. I told her, "Of course I am! I made a commitment to you!" I would have been crushed if they had to cancel their trip but would have completely understood. She said she would have understood if I changed my mind about coming to their house. Now, how could I miss the opportunity to meet this chicken???
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| Sian's Chicken |
In line with what my blog is all about - melting the technology part of computers with the human part of life, I have been in contact with a few places and people in the Mid Wales area that I am staying in. First, was Sian, the woman I am house sitting for. It's been fun learning about their animals, children, life. I don't know very much, but what I do, they sound like fascinating people. I think what bonded us was three things. 1. My love for animals. They knew their dog, two cats and one chicken would be well cared for. 2. My sense of adventure matched hers. They are going to Australia while we are in their home. 3. My feelings on education. Life is not always books and four walls. As a child, I often took my daughter out of school for a day to take her places. I felt she needed to know that life is the world - not just a classroom. Sian is taking her two children with her to Australia with the same life lessons in mind.
I've been in touch with Lucie Llewellyn who owns and runs The Escape Guest House in Pennal with her husband Stuart. I found them by watching the videos of the flooding in Pennal and they were being interviewed. I happened to be on their website when I viewed them in an interview for the news. Was quite startled at the coincidence. I emailed them to make sure they were the same people and they were! We've emailed a few times back and forth discussing Pennal and the area, their family, etc. Very nice people.
I was driving around on Google Maps and saw a fish shop called Top Shop. I emailed them and the owner, David Hennighan emailed me back explaining they were having their this summer and it'd be a shame I'd have to miss their special day. Congratulations for them for celebrating their 23rd anniversary! (My lucky number by the way) I recently emailed him back asking why it was called "Top Shop" as I have asked a few people if that was a common name for a fish and chip place in the Uk, and no one had been able to say it was. His answer was: "aware it has always been know as top shop,the only reason i can think of is because it is the last shop on the left hand side of the street as you are looking from the town clock,so maybe thats the reason, TOP OF TOWN hence Top Shop,i might be wrong but it seems logical."
We will have to go try their fish while we are there.
I was also in contact with Roxane Smith who has a few music groups and invited Victoria to sing in one of them while she was there. She hasn't answered my emails for awhile though so I am hoping that invitation is still there.
Another contact I made was with Emma Macey with Film15 in Wales. They teach their students about film. I thought it would be cool to introduce Victoria (my wonderful daughter) to that, but she explained that most of their stuff is done in the summer. Since we'll be arriving in September, it'll be over. She did mention the art center in Aberystwyth. I'll be looking more into that today.
I also have been in contact with Jacqui at the White Lion Hotel in Machynlleth. She didn't offer much insight on her first email other than it'll be nice to meet in Autumn. My second email to her was about the flooding and she explained that they were not affected in Machynlleth, but talked about a few of the places that were, such as Pennal.
I also contacted a few local stores that have not responded. One was a green store that sold a lot of natural products from skin care to paint. Seemed like an interesting place. I'll still stop in despite their lack of communication.
I also emailed the Centre for Alternative Technology whose website is: http://www.cat.org.uk/ . This is from their site: CAT is an education and visitor centre which demonstrates practical solutions for sustainability. We cover all aspects of green living: environmental building, eco-sanitation, woodland management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and organic growing.
CAT is in Sians backyard practically. I can't wait to explore it some, and meet some people there. They too have not acknowledged my email though. I emailed them asking if they had any volunteer opportunities that we could get involved with.
So you can see, I am busy reaching out to people in Wales. One of my friends on Google Plus, Hannah, has been most helpful in things, which I am grateful for. She is a wealth of information and I'm grateful :)
Love ~ Peace ~ Happiness
Marianne
