Last month in Lee, Ilfracombe, England

Lee, Ilfracombe, England

The first week of my last 3 weeks staying in the Grampus was highlighted by new volunteers from Spain and the US. Meeting Laurin from the US felt like I have known her forever. Immediately when I met her, she reminded me of one of my bestfriend, Nuni. Having Laurin around has been a big tease with the fact that she's a really good baker and have been volunteering to make the most delicious devilish carrot cakes that are hard to resist.

As for Cristobal, who is an absolute sweetheart from Spain. Friday accoustic night opened up his tremendous skills on playing the saxophone, spanish guitar, flute and singing, not to mention his cooking skills in making Spanish food.

As for Mats, from Sweden, who has been volunteering here for almost 3 weeks now. Our conversations about life and the universe increasingly becomes more and more interesting each day as he is a great and deep thinker.

My time spent in the Grampus has been occupied by the company of these extraordinary travellers, not to mention Bill and of course Lucy, who has been my loyal companion as far as I have been living here.

From left to right: Daily morning porridge with Bill, Mats and Laurin; A muddy and adventurous walk to Ilfracombe with Laurin where she walked in to deep mud; Our beautiful view of the coast walk to Ilfracombe where we were chased by instant weather change of gail and hail storm; Beautiful view of our Ilfracombe walk; Another beautiful view of the coast walk; Laurin; Farm we passed by on our Ilfracombe walk; Laurin again admiring the view; Another beautiful view of the coast walk; Ilfracombe; Stopping by at Mark's place, who is one of the local musicians in Ilfracombe where Laurin was trying out his didgeridoo; Cute little Lucy during my daily walk with her; Cristobal and his Tortillas de patatas; Me, Mats and Cristobal at the dinner table dining on Cristobal's delicious spanish food; Bill and Laurin munching up Cristobal's cooking.

The second week of my last 3 weeks in Lee was highlighted with another dance that I performed on Friday night (sorry, the video was too heavy so I can't upload it in the internet). The next day, Heather and Azure came to visit me at the Grampus. We went for a coast walk with Lucy, continuing with delicious dinner at the Grampus, spiritual talk with Mats and ending with a nice jam that I did with Danny. It was a nice day.

From left to right: Had a day visit to Ilfracombe with Mats and Cristobal, this is Mats with the beautiful landscape of Ilfracombe; Beautiful Ilfracombe coast; Me and Mats on the harbour; View from the church on top of the hill; Cristobal below the church on top of the hill; Beach in Ilfracombe; Power plant in Ilfracombe that's been converted in to a theatre; Ilfracombe coast view; Mats posing infront of the church on top of the hill; Me, posing on the harbour; Rock wall in Ilfracombe that has been destroyed by the recent storm; Lovely Heather taking a picture on our coastal walk; Heather and Azure on the beach in Lee.

Lovin livin in Lee & Brendo surprise visit

Lee, Ilfracombe and Lynton

As I was having a ciggarette with one of my workmate, Mats outside the kitchen just behind the pub entrance in my mouse onesie, a bloke walked towards us. I thought he was lost and confused where the bar entrance was, so I pointed out to him where the bar entrance is "The bar entrance is just there" I said. He didn't stop to turn around though, instead he called out my name "NIA!". I thought it was one of the locals from Ilfracombe that I've met, so I tried to look closer to figure out who it was. 

It looked like Brendo, but I tried to look again because I thought there's no way it's Brendo. He came closer and it was Brendo!! I shouted "NO WAY!!!!!" and without thinking twice, I ran and jumped on him and basically latched on him like a leech. I was in tears and couldn't believe that he was there!!!

It was one of the best surprise I've had in my life. Brendo, you are a bloody legend!!! Brendo discovered where I was from my blog and drove from Cardiff to spend the night in Lee. The next day we had a walk up the coast and he had to leave to catch a plane back to home down under. 

Thanks Brendo, that was an awesome surprise!!

From left to right : Been having crazy weather lately in England, this photo was taken when the tide was going up to 10 metres high; More photos of the high tide; Walking through the forest with Mats and Lucy; Me in my husky hat hiding behind a tree; Lucy posing under a fallen tree; BRENDO!! Bloody legend!; Me and Brendo infront of a Vanilla Ice cloud that I couldn't manage to catch with my selfy; There it is, the vanilla ice cloud; Me and Brendo on our coast walk in the morning; Brendo with Lee background; Me and Brendo in Lee village

The excitement of the week was followed by another crazily fun Friday night at the Grampus where the accoustic open mic night happens. The night continued on at Danny and Sara's place, one of the awesome locals from Ilfracombe. It got a bit messy, but everyone survived.

The next day Danny and Sara took me to Lynton for a nice walk with Dudley, their cute dog in their super awesome gypsie van. 

From left to right: My crazy mates who comes regularly to Grampus on Friday nights, Lou, Max, Arthur, Danny and Sara; Friday night at Grampus; Bill in his joker hat; Open mic; Night continues on at Danny and Sara's place where neightbours are starting to complain about then noise.. Oops..; Me, dressed up and jingling away; As the night ends, Danny and Arthur passes out; Also as the night ends; Getting a lift with Sara back to the Grampus with her awesome 1965 Morris, absolutely love this car; Our walk at Lynton; Sara in her Morris; Sara and Danny in their van; Danny and Dudley in the van, poor Dudley, he gets scared in cars; Our walk along the coast; Sara posing on thhe bridge; The famous vertical railway track powered by water; Random photo of Ilfracombe; Danny having a sip of his pint of Guiness after saying that he won't drink anymore..haha

Another 3 weeks of stay in Lee. I hope more amazing things will happen here. :)