Airbnb Departure

My Airbnb guest will be leaving today. It's been a good experience and very easy. We had a cuppa and a quick chat this morning, he said he would write me a nice review and I will do the same for him. There really isn't anything you have to do apart from provide a clean environment, a comfortable room and bed, and be welcoming.

I've enjoyed having my guest here, I haven't seen much of him of course. As an Airbnb host you are really just providing a place to sleep and bathroom facilities, which really suits me. I am hoping that this will be the first of many guests to arrive through my door. And most importantly I hope all my guests will be as courteous and considerate as my first.

Arrival

After work today I was ready to welcome my guest from Airbnb. I was a little apprehensive, I wanted to make a good impression and I wanted my guest to feel comfortable.

I needn't have worried. I had prepared everything. I believe that preparation is the key. Confidence comes from preparation. I'd read and followed all the tips on the Airbnb website and ensured that the Airbnb security measures were all in place. There was nothing more I could do.

My guest arrived safe and sound having been exploring and enjoying the seaside town of Tenby for the day. He is polite and courteous, friendly and warm. We had a cup of tea together and chatted away about this n that for an hour or so.

I couldn't have asked for a better first guest to introduce myself to the ways of Airbnb. I relaxed quickly. I feel totally safe and I am enjoying welcoming someone into my home. Its a good experience so far.

I am relieved and happy.

Films Returned

My films have been returned, developed and scanned on to CDs. I was nervous. I tentatively opened my post box and there it was, an envelope from Hippo Photo Services. I didn't want to open it. I avoided it for a while, had a cup of tea, pottered about, washed the dishes..... I opened the envelope and put the CD into the laptop and copied the files onto my external hard drive.

I am always super critical of my work and this was no exception. I am disappointed but not surprised that the images are not what I had wanted to achieve. I knew that having only one visit to the Writing Shed may not be enough. After all even the most prestigious photographers may only have one image out of hundreds that they are happy with.

I have to look at them again and see if there is anything I can do. The images are not a complete failure but what I feel about them at the moment, is that they are not good enough for an exhibition at an Art Gallery. They do not have any edge to them, they are pictures but they don't have the spirit of Dylan Thomas in them. I don't normally edit my pictures, especially film, as I like the organic feel that any little additions from the light, the camera, or the lens, has captured. But these would need a lot of editing if I am to use them.

I feel pretty flat really. I have to make a decision about what I am going to do. The cost of printing and framing 10 images is more than I can afford. I was prepared to make some sacrifices but I'm wondering if the sacrifice is worth it.  

All At Once

I really cant believe all the things that are happening in my life this week. Its like I'm on some kind of merry go round and it's just not stopping to let me take a breath. I mean, I'm not complaining because its all good, more than good, its all really wonderful.

When I arrived home from work this evening, I had a text to confirm my first Airbnb Guest arrival on Friday. My guest will be staying for two nights. I'm really looking forward to meeting and greeting. But I have so much to do. I need to get that feather duster(!) out and do some serious cleaning before Friday. So that literally leaves me tomorrow after I come home from work. My flat isn't big so it's not going to take more than a couple of hours, but I do want to make sure that I give a good impression. I want good reviews so that others' will follow.

My title is Single Travellers Rest ... here's a link ...

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/14248451?guests=1&s=N0H-dUy5

I thought it would be nice to meet travellers for the UK and other countries. I'm only offering short stay because I feel there's less risk that way. I don't want to be stuck with someone who I don't like!

Here are some images I've posted on Airbnb

Films Posted

I have sent my three colour and one black and white film to be developed. I posted them with hope in my heart that there will be images of Dylan Thomas Writing Shed good enough for my exhibition starting on September 17th 2016. It is the beauty and joy of film, the waiting, the excitment... but it is also the sheer terror that nothing will appear, that the films will be ruined, that if there are images, they will not be good enough.

I usually have to wait about a week for the negatives to be posted back to me.

So here I am.... waiting!

Wish me luck.

The Mamiya Twin Lens Camera I used to photograph Dylan Thomas' Home (Boathouse) and Writing Shed

Our Turest Life is When We Are in Dreams Awake Henry David Thoreau

Today was a very special day. It was the day I was going to fulfil a dream. That dream was to photograph Dylan Thomas' Writing Shed. Something I had wanted to do for a long time, never believing that the day would actually arrive. But here it was. I was doing it. Excitement, nerves, thrill, emotion.... every part of me was feeling something.

I had everything prepared and ready for the off.  I set out my cameras, tripod, remote, films, light meter, lens cleaning cloth... but still worrying that I would forget a vital piece of equipment. it's the adrenaline that puts your whole body and mind on high alert; all part of the excitement of the day.

It was time to leave. I drove to Laugharne, smiling, happy, singing Julie Andrews "I have confidence in me....!" thinking about the images I wanted to capture, wanting to enjoy every second of this day. A day I was to remember with a smile in my heart, for the rest of my life. Undoubtedly.

I arrived at the Boathouse, unpacked all my gear, my heart racing, unable to co-ordinate, and feeling like a stuttering wreck. I took a few deep breaths. Where to start. What should I shoot first, what was my perspective, what did I want to capture, what emotions was I feeling. After about 10 mins nerves and panic,I started to calm down.

I'd taken a few shots by now, none of them with any great conviction, but then I honed in on items. Dylan's chair, the telephone, the desk, books, the window,  and a photograph of Dylan with his mother and family. The parlour is really the only part of the house that is authentic, upstairs there is a film showing on a loop, and some artifacts that were not my focus. I shot a frame of the window overlooking the estuary, but by this time, tourists were arriving to view the Boathouse and it was difficult then to continue. And anyway, I felt I had done as much as I could in the house.

I was given the keys to the Writing Shed, so off I set with all my equipment to the place I really wanted to be. The Shed.

Letting myself in I was in awe of everything there. I wanted to capture as much of it as I could. Everything I could see. My focus was on the everyday. The stripped mug, the bottle of beer, the cigarettes in the ashtray, the rubbish in Dylan's jacket pocket and on the floor, disgarded words. Then there were the sheets of paper, words in Dylan's handwriting, the books, the pictures on the walls, the lamp, the view from the window where Dylan would have sat in contemplation, making decisions about the words to use

When I was in the Shed, there were lots of people milling about. I listened to lots of banter about why I was in there, what was I doing, was I a ghost, who is that woman, why is she in there, oh she's got a really old camera..... Many times I walked to the corner out of sight so that people could take photos from outside the door, as I had done many times before. But then it started to rain. Hallelujua! Really good for me! Now I could have some peace. I even allowed myself a self portrait, sitting in Dylan's chair. Silly of me not to think of taking a selfie with my mobile really. But I had too much on my mind.

Three hours, three colour and one black and white film later, I was done. I didn't want to leave but I had too. I said a genuinely hear felt thank you to the spirit of Dylan, locked the door and returned the keys.

I drove home feeling tired, contented and happy. What a day. Henry D Thoreau's words came to my mind. Today I lived a dream.

How To Load The Mamiya RB67

Oriel Q , Narberth, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

I'm volunteering for Oriel Q Gallery in Narberth and I'd noticed that their twitter account was really not doing what it should be doing. I offered to update it, endeavour to gather more followers, use hash tags, promote our exhibitions, our events, workshops,the space, the books and everything else that is wonderful about the Gallery.

Twitter does take some commitment, time on social media does tend to run away with you. But it is satisfying when you start getting likes and re-tweets. I'm hoping that if I promote the Gallery regularly, we will see results in the number of visitors attending the exhibitions, events and workshops. The space is just fabulous and more people should take advantage of the gallery. It is free after all!

The Oriel Q Gallery Website 

www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk

This coming Saturday (20th August 2016) at 2pm, there is a Talk by Andy Griffiths who is the Head of Sculpture at Carmarthen School of Art. Come along, ask questions, just listen, view the art, view the books... there is something for everyone. 

Soooooo....Excited

I have been given permission to photograph the Boathouse and Dylan Thomas' Writing Shed. I am So... So... excited about this. I've dreamed of having this opportunity for a long time.

When Lynne offered me a space to display my work at the Oriel Q Gallery in Narberth, from September 17th 2016, I  considered my landscapes, and other work I have done, but really I wanted to make some new work. I wasn't at all sure if I would be allowed to photograph Dylan Thomas' home and shed, but I thought, why not give it a whirl. I'm so glad I did. I wrote to the Boathouse, and was delighted to receive an email response from Maggi to say that Yes it would be OK for me to do that.

I'm going to Laugharne on Sunday to take the photographs. I hope I can stay calm because its a busy time of year with tourists around. I need to be able to focus and take the best shots I can.

When I'm shooting specifically for a project, and especially with film, it does usually take several attempts to get the final image just the way I want it. But I won't have that luxury, I have try and get it the first time.

I feel it is such an honour to be able to photograph the Writing Shed, where the memory of Dylan Thomas writing lives; to me this feels very special indeed.


35mm Colour film Archive 2013

The Boathouse, Black and White 120mm Film shot on DiananF Plastic Lomography Camera

Archive 2013

Main Street, Laugharne shot on Black and White 120mm Film also shot on DiananF Plastic Lomography Camera

 

How to Clean a Mamiya RB67 PRO SD Camera

I've taken my Mamiya apart, I've got my cloths, now to clean. Watched video on changing the light seals too ... I'm still thinking about that one.

A Circular Stroll in Laugharne

    

I decided today that I would drive to Laugharne, the home of our famous Dylan Thomas, and a lovely place to visit. I did a circular walk, past the castle, up on to the ridge, stopped to look at DT's Writing Shack, on to the Boathouse, down to the village and back to the estuary.

I thoroughly enjoyed the walk. The estuary was eerily still today, there were a couple of men fishing, one boat and a rower in his canoe, there was hardly any wind, the sky was grey, there were a few tourists around, but not too many, it was a very pleasant afternoon.

Special permission is needed to go into the Writing Shack, you have to take photos from outside the door.

This is the view I had when I sat for a little to ponder and enjoy the view.

The Main Street 

An Old House being Revovated

House For Sale ... probably far too expensive for me... oh well!

Scolton Manor, Near Haverfordwest, West Wales

Lunch at Scolton Manor, on to view the lovely renovated Victorian Bee Garden and on for a stroll through the magical woods.

In the woods you will find all manner of surprises, games for children to play, and adults too. Sculptures formed from wood, mystical magical myths and legends, stories of old.

And then King Arthur, the greatest legend of them all.

It's a sheer delight to walk at Scolton Manner, there's something for everyone. I will return there again, as I'm sure I must have missed some magical things. And lunch was pretty good too :)

The Legend of Brave Gelert

Prince Llewellyn the Great of Carnarvonshire loved to hunt. The legend tells of a day when he calls his dogs to accompany him on the hunt, but there was no sign of his favourite faithful dog Gelert.  

On Llewellyn's return, he was greeted by a triumphant Gelert, bounding towards him, but covered in blood. Llewellyn shocked by the sight of the blood and seeing only that his son's cradle was overturned, immediately assumed that Gelert had killed his son. Llewellyn plunged a sword into Gelert's heart, killing him. As soon as Llewellyn had done this, he heard a baby's cry from beneath the overturned cradle; he walked closer and to his horror saw a wolf laying dead beside the cradle. 

It was obvious to him then, that his beloved dog Gelert, had saved his son, and killed the wolf. Llewellyn buried Gelert making sure that everyone knew of his bravery. To this day, a cairn of stones marks the grave, it is called Beddgelert, Gelert's Grave.

A wooden sculpture stands in the woods at Scolton Manor, near Haverfordwest,

the brave Gelert fighting with the wicked wolf.

Llansteffan Village

Walk along the beach, take a right into the woodland, look left and you will see some wooden steps, if you walk up these steps the first sight you will see is this lovely memorial to the ancestors of the village. A musical tribute. The story goes that on a Sunday afternoon, many walked along the coast path singing as they went.

Walking along the path to the castle

and then along the narrow road down to the village Church.

As you walk down the hill, through the village, past the pub and store, you will come upon a corrugated building that seems to have been empty for decades but untouched. An overgrown garden, the grey dusty net curtains, rusty gate, all seem to me a relic, long forgotten.

 

I have a fascination for windows and doors, just a fascination.

Llansteffan Castle

Shrouded in Mist on a Summer's Day

Llansteffan Castle

The Well

 

 The Main Archway leading into the castle grounds.   

Stone Circle Preseli

  

Stone Circles are always magical, mystical places. I sat in the middle, I left an offering, I listened to the birds and the wind ,and then I felt in tune with the earth.

Wizo the Fleming - Wiston Castle

This Flemish Castle in Wiston, Pembrokeshire was built c1112 by Wizo the Fleming who I have read took over South Wales after the Norman Conquest. The castle is unusual in It's complete roundness. There are 49 steps leading up to the castle, though these were probably added later. The view from the top is spectacular and well worth a visit.

This cottage sits to the left of the castle; it is very quaint and lovely, and I must admit I wouldn't mind living there myself!

Images all taken on Pentax Camera using 35mm Colour Film

St Mary's Church, Wiston, Pembrokeshire

I visited the St Mary's Church at Wiston, near Haverfordwest. It was built c1112-1150 and is opposite the Flemish Castle built by Wizo the Fleming. Wizo was a powerful Norman Lord who took over South Wales in the years after the Norman Conquests and later seized land in Scotland.

The stained glass windows are just lovely. The Church is Part of Bishop's Rd on The Saints and Stones Pilgrimage.

          

 The Tree Lined path leading to the Main Church Door