Dance Back In Time?

Courtesy of Quest for Ghosts

I come from Mold in North East Wales originally. A few miles away stands Plas Teg (meaning Fair Mansion according to Simon Dunning in the Hall guide) where recently Ruth Watson from Channel 4′s Country House Rescue revisited. This magnificent Jacobean country house has featured in my family history. Yet until August I’d never visited. And no, I’m not descended from an aristocratic family. However my great-grandmother, Sarah Stretch (born 1851), lived there in service. My Auntie Amy (Bellis), now deceased, told me the story of how Sarah loved to dance. Apparently she was dancing on the lawn of Plas Teg at a summer gathering, when she caught the eye of her future husband, William Bellis (born 1850), the son of a farmer at nearby Tir-Y-Fron. Here they are later in life on my About Me page.

History Repeats Itself

How strange I reflected that I should meet my future husband at a dance in Liverpool about a century later though the surroundings were starkly different. Like Sarah, I too love to dance. I wonder whether, like me, she also married within six months of meeting her partner.

Upstairs Downstairs

Courtesy of BBC

As I wandered round I could picture William glimpsing Sarah on the lawn, Sarah listening out for the summoning bells for her duties upstairs and the field paths they might have strolled along as their relationship developed.

Most Haunted or Most Haunting?

Many visitors (such as Girls Aloud and the Most Haunted TV Team) are drawn to Plas Teg for its ghostly spirits. Myself, I’ve been drawn to this, for me, deeply haunting building for nearly 6 decades, long before I knew of any family connection. But was it the spirits of my ancestors or the spirit of the place beckoning me? I’m not sure. Maybe both.

Have you ever felt this way about a place then discovered a past connection?

A Dressing Down for the Rule Book

Well done, Joanna Lumley. You can always count on her to voice her opinions. This time she’s encouraging older women to “be daring and not worry what people say.”  At 65 she’s still “Absolutely Fabulous”! Despite her rather ‘plummy’ voice her attitude is definitely down-to-earth. In this instance she’s extolling the virtues of “mutton-dressed-as-lamb” fashion against classic investment pieces usually suggested for older women.

Click here to read more.

Good for her. As for me. I do both. And surely that’s the point. It’s up to us to choose what feels right for us.

 Acting Your Age

I’ve always been rather confused by the expression “act your age.” Which age? The age on your passport or the age you feel inside? My inside age is usually very young. Sometimes 7, sometimes 14, sometimes 21. And the beauty of it is I’ve the wisdom and self-assurance of my years with the feelings of youth. A powerful combination.

60? Bring It On!

As I approach my 60th birthday next month, I feel hugely excited about all of life’s possibilities ahead of me.

How do you view your 60s and beyond?

A Mother’s Role?

Wikipedia describes the eye of the storm as a region of mostly calm weather found in the centre. This image came to mind last week. While chatting with my good friend, Shelley Bridgman, she alerted me to the Daily Mail article about a woman in Worcester who’s supporting her 10 year old son to be her daughter. As a mother I see the maternal role as supporting our children to be all they can be. It seems to me this mother is a great example of that.

Check out this link to learn more.

Helen Weathers in Femail airs the family’s experience with neutrality. I applaud this. Also the family. Ironically the story spread globally through disgruntled parents at the primary school contacting the local paper. In response the family took the decision to tell their side. Without their courage this story would have remained hidden. The publicity has allowed gender identity an airing and information for those willing to learn.

Who To Go To

As it happens, my friend Shelley is Michelle Bridgman, the UK’s “Go To” person on this subject. For more info click on the links for TV and radio interviews:

Shelley TV Interviews

Jeremy Vine Interview with Michelle Bridgman

Living Our Truth

What struck me from the newspaper article was the calm of the girl in the centre of the storm.

From the TV coverage the dignity of Shelley and another mother and daughter who were interviewed.

We need pioneers who are brave enough to share their experiences – often at great personal cost to themselves. Through their courage we can all learn – through their words, deeds and our response to them. It seems to me they are listening to their inner voice, aligning with it and living authentically. How many of us do? I’d guess just a small minority.

Birds of a Feather

It’s a real privilege to observe any bird at close quarters so I grabbed my camera quickly when I saw these beauties taking advantage of the Mirage Pool in Roda, Corfu. Perhaps someone can enlighten me – are they swifts or swallows? I think they’re swifts. I know the difference on paper but I still find it hard to distinguish between them in flight.

Mutual Respect

They were regular afternoon visitors. I’m not sure whether they waited for the pool to be clear of humans but they always chose a quiet time. And certainly no one disturbed them during their flying display.

After all who needs the Red Arrows?

As the saying goes, the best things in life are free. What do you think?

Thinking Outside the Box

Relaxing recently by the Mirage Pool in Roda, Corfu, I was intrigued to see how some birds were getting round the lack of rain since April. They’d found themselves a giant bird bath.

Tweeting not Bleating

It only took one to start the trend. Then more caught on till they all had plenty to tweet about.

I found it a timely reminder.

However deep a recession, the Universe always provides for us if we stop focussing on lack, open up to opportunities and choose abundance.

Turning Back the Years

A few weeks ago I took a trip back to my early childhood in North East Wales. While staying at the Blue Bell in Halkyn @bluebellhalkyn, I took a stroll up the hill to the adjoining village of Berth Ddu. I have many happy memories of visiting my Auntie Madge and Uncle Tom in Osborne House. Tom’s mother known as Topsy (to this day I don’t know why) lived to the right in a traditional single storey white cottage and his sister and her family in the farm to the left.

The Famous Five – or The Famous One?

Uncle Tom’s niece, Sheila, kept horses which I took every opportunity to ride. Here’s me on Walter with Sheila’s Dad, friend and Sheila herself holding her horse. Sometimes I’d ride with my Dad, sister or friends. Sometimes alone. No one worried. Everyone knew each other on the common. For me it was the stuff of Enid Blyton adventures.

Over the Wall

As I was ambling along I noticed a woman in the garden of Sheila’s old house so I stopped to reminisce. She told me she’d just lived there about 8 years, and her husband about 30 years. He’d sadly died the previous year so she was selling up and moving closer to family a few miles away.

Nelson’s Battle Scar

I shared one of my favourite memories of taking the milk churns over the hill to Rhes-Y-Cae in the milk cart pulled by Nelson, so-called because he’d lost an eye in an accident. Thankfully no other injuries. Here’s me, my sister and Sheila’s friend whose name I can’t recall, with dear old Nelson.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind – No Longer

I was amazed when the woman told me she’d just recently been clearing behind the tractor shed in readiness for the move and had come across that very same milk cart. Sure enough there it was – in need of some TLC, I have to admit. Fortunately it seems help’s at hand as Walter in the village wants to restore it to its former glory. Bravo!

I’d love to be part of an inaugural ride to retrace the milk route. I must get in touch with Walter. I look forward to sharing progress with you over the coming months.

In the Beginning

The other night I was watching “Caravans – A British Love Affair” on BBC iPlayer. When it was first aired in February 2009 Tom Sutcliffe in the Independent called it, “A nostalgic account of suburban wanderlust.” Before World War II it was an upmarket minority activity, where in the 30s people enjoyed being “gentlemen gypsies.” The Caravan Club started at the beginning of the 20th century with a few hundred members and hardly increased in size till the 50s.

Social Change

After the war car ownership soared and Sam Alper, “the Henry Ford of caravans”, produced an affordable caravan for the masses, the Sprite. My family had one for holidays abroad from 1962. What struck me most was the impact caravans had on so many people’s lives, especially two of the life-long caravanning women.

Women’s Liberation

Dorrie von Lachterop started caravanning because her husband was diabetic and her son had bronchial asthma and the fresh air helped. When her husband died suddenly, she continued on her own. “It’s always been my salvation.” In those days you could park up anywhere. She recounted how the dog and cat refused to leave the van at the top of Glencoe and again at Stonehenge. On another occasion she braved Paris and parked by the Arc de Triomphe.

Christine Fagg wanted a holiday where the children could be free. Her husband was a fanatical sailor so she took the children on her own. She said how this was unusual then – and now.

Ideal Home from Home?

I too see very few lone women in caravans or motorhomes. I’ve actually only met one so far though I’ve heard of more. Yet for me this is an ideal way for women to travel. In the programme the feeling of independence, the freedom of the open road and the opportunity to explore with home comforts came across loud and clear. I’d second that.

Photos via BBC.

My choice for Rolls Royce of campervans

Richard Hammond of Top Gear must have driven and owned many vehicles over the years but there’s only one that I drool over -  a Danbury Volkswagen T2. It’s that classic iconic VW campervan, yet brand new with modern features.

Like daughter, like mother

I feel exactly about these vans as my daughter used to about her new trainers when she was younger. She loved them so much she’d sleep with them under her pillow. That’s exactly how I feel about these gorgeous vans.

This is the one for me

I’ve twice been to the Danbury factory at Yate near Bristol. I keep willing my dogs to fit in. It’s a tight squeeze for longer travels.  Recently when I was at the Western Motorhome Show in Malvern I took my chance to get my T2 fix! I met the very patient Simon from Danbury as I sat visualising myself in my very own hippie van. I was interested to find out who else might love these campervans as much as me.

This time next year?

This van is my dream vehicle. And where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’ve definitely got the will, so I’m handing it over to the Universe right now to find me a way!

A Bit of a Bird Fancier

I came across Running Bear and his birds of prey recently at the Western Motorhome Show in Malvern. At a previous show one of his birds had caught the eye of a policewoman. This is what happened:

A Real Feather in his Cap

What a lovely story of how a chance meeting resulted in a life-changing experience.

Actually I don’t believe in chance. I think we have many opportunities strewn in our path to follow our hearts and it’s up to us to grab them. I agree with Jean Nidetch (who incidentally founded Weight Watchers), “It’s choice – not chance – that determines your destiny.”

What do you think?

This policewoman certainly grabbed hers. Will you grab yours?

Eye-Catching

Whilst browsing the stalls at the Western Motorhome Show at Malvern, I came across a stall that caught my eye – Proud2BPagan. I spotted a packet of Sage Spirit that’s a particular favourite of mine. I got chatting to the lovely Andrew who was manning the stall.

From Show to Show

Andrew told me he’s been living in his motorhome for 6 years now and he travels from show to show. We’re obviously likeminded souls. Andrew travels where he works (and that’s his draw) and I travel where I’m drawn (and then I work). That’s if you call what I do work!

Match Made in Heaven

I wondered whether Andrew travelled alone. I know from my own experience when I used to travel round selling, it can be a lonely existence. You meet lots of people but they’re not really friends, just contacts.

I was delighted to hear that Andrew’s partner will be joining him next year. How romantic!

Here’s Andrew’s story in his own words

I look forward to meeting them both at more shows. If you come across them, check out their wares and be sure to say hi from me!