February 14th

Well, as Paul Harvey would have said, "here's the rest of the story".

Eglentine was given instructions to take us to the North East of Wales.  As we left London a very strong wind storm developed and as we headed north Robb had all he could do to keep the car in the lane.  It was afternoon when we left, we stopped for gas and lunch and continued on, the storm increasing in strength as we drove.  It was dark when we arrived and therefore we weren't able to enjoy until morning and daylight the beautiful drive up to our hotel for the night.

This is what we looked out on in the morning.

And this is where we were staying.  It is called Bodidris Hall.  A beautiful old manor house that has been converted to a hotel and restaurant.  We were given the Elizabeth Room, yes it is called that because according to history Queen Elizabeth the 1st stayed there. 

Our room was large enough and pretty enough for a queen.

        We found sherry awaiting us in our room.  (Sorry about it being so fuzzy, don't know what I did).                                              

Dinner itself was lovely, there was only one other couple staying there and we were treated very well by a little server that looked like an older version of our sweet Ella. 

In the morning we ate our breakfast in a beautiful little room they had named the Tudor Room.  Our table was in alcove that had fencing swords laying in it, just in case we had some wish to practise.

After breakfast we asked Eglentine to take us to visit one of Robb's prospective clients, a Mr. Stuart Smith who lived not more than 20 miles away, but due to the size and twist and turns of the roads took us almost 45 minutes to arrive at his farm.

Mr. Smith's farm consist of what is termed "Steadings" over here.  These steadings are stone barns that have been converted into living spaces.  Usually high enough to have both a ground floor living space and a first floor living space.  (This is known as two storey to us).

When we arrived at Mr. Smith's home the wind was blowing at least 30 miles an hour and the rain was off and on again.  He invited us into his house and we visited with him and one of his sons friends for about an hour, enjoying a cup of tea (me) and coffee (Robb). 

                       

After a little while one of Stuart's sons arrived home and Stuart took us out to see his barn. His son sells fire wood around the neighborhood and stores the wood in this barn.  The wood is cut into 10 inch logs so that it fits in the small wood stoves that most people have.  He gets his wood from neighboring farms and fallen logs.  This building (2 storey's) was top to bottom wood, he was proud of the effort that his son had put in to fill the barn.  (Did I say the young man was in good shape?) And we were amazed.

Stuart wanted Robb and I to go up the hill to the site where he wants to put his wind turbine.  Considering it was raining and so windy the prospect for me to climb a hill (never something high on my list) was daunting.  But coats and hats on out we went.

So up we started, climbing over a stile to start with (oh me of heavy bottom, sort of like pulling oneself up on a horse)

The weather changed minute by minute because of the strong winds.

and then we come upon a small creek that had formed from all the rain.  Stuart, ever the gentleman, comes over and worried about me getting my feet wet, and with no warning he states that he needs to rescue Dawn and then-

You won't believe it-

he swoops in and picks me up (and I am no light weight) and throws me on his back, piggy back style and carrys me over the water.

Now this isn't me, but that is just what I looked like amid the wind and rain (like I wasn't already wet)!  To say I was shocked, or embrassed was more like it as he set me down on the other side of the little creek.  Robb was laughing at me, my face and what a sight I must have looked like.  And with out another word, the rescue over, it was on with the walk up the hill.

We reached the top of the hill and Stuart shows us his wind measuring device that he has set up.

Now I have proof of the wind speed and yes my wet hair looked just about like this.

After about 20 minutes of freezing (about 40 degrees, less wind chill) on the top of the hill we made our way down.  Would you believe that my "Gallant Rescuer" took us back down a different way, I walked through the water (perhaps he had hurt his back?) and out an opening in a fence.  So much for the up hill struggles, as in life, the going down was easy sailing or should I say "walking"

We went back into the steading where I asked to use the facilities (bathroom as we know them) which was up stairs.  One of things we have learned here in our three months is that hand rails are optional and as we have found much to our amazement people don't fall off the stairs or seem afraid of going up or down.  Where are the home police over here?   Once I found the bathroom and went in I was a little nervous.  I have to admit, there was a door but the big window was low in the wall and looked out on our car, with no curtains or privacy, and just I hoped no one went outside for a few minutes.  I am glad I hadn't needed a shower too because that was positioned in the hall with the glass door visable to any who needed to use the loo.

Robb and I warmed ourselves, talked wind turbines, watched his metering system from inside the house (why didn't he tell us that before?) and finally after about three hours took ourselves off.  The wind and the rain continued and Eglentine was directed to take through the storm to Chester.

We had a little delay as we waited for a tractor to arrive to move a tree out of the way!  And then we were gone. 

There are times in life when you meet someone who is so full of enthusiasm that they lift you higher than you are.  Someone who can change the way you look at the day- the weather, the storms in life and you are so grateful to have had them walk with you (or carry you) even for a few minutes. It didn't require money or things, it was all in his attitude and zest for life.  As we drove away from Dynefedd Farm, we were laughing at the unexpected joy that Mr. Stuart Smith had brought into our lives.  Perhaps we all need to give others a piggy back ride to lift their spirts.  I only pray that I can bring that much joy into the lives of others who cross my path! 

With Love,

                   Dawn