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