Friday, May 13, 2005
Scarborough - fairly cool!
howdy, well I'm not here for the actual Scarborough Fair - but it means I miss the hoards of people that apparantly decend here for their summer holiday by the beach, but haven't been based in the town itself, I've been staying on a woodland about 10mins drive away.
Got here Thursday last week, and met by Louisa in her big red van - she purchased the land (not sure how big but not huge by NZ forest standards) a couple of years ago and after masses of paperwork and offical crap to go through she is now able to start turning it into a community resource and sustainable educational area - in the long term there will be places to walk round and enjoy the trees, as well as a mill and training on how to turn the wood into furniture and other woodworking skills. But for now its some caravans on site (I am in one of them) and lots of clearing to do!
She also runs a housing clearance business on the side (cos there is no such thing as the 'Super Shed' here, any household goods chucked out go straight to landfill) where she picks up peoples unwanted stuff and sorts it out to various charities, secondhand dealers etc. But because she doesn't have any storage space yet, all that stuff lives in the yard! So while its lovely in the trees, its also like living in amongst a big recycling centre (quite fun to go treasure hunting in though).
She has 4 people working part time for her (she has 2 kids, Cathy and Bill [who is a Harry Potter lookalike!] also) so I've been helping them with gorse clearing (yup! they have it by the bucketload here too) fence building, yard cleaning, caravan painting, whatever needs doing! Its been a fine week to do it in too, some lovely sunny days... yesterday I went to the edge of the woodlands and had lunch in the sun looking out over the moors, its a great veiw of typical English countryside with the bright yellow rapeseed paddocks and the grass fields resembling a patchwork quilt.
Anyways, am in Scarborough for the day - the beach is nice, but nothing special (I would say that though) and its surrounded by hotels and holiday homes. The castle up on the cliff that separates the two beach fronts is very impressive - will walk up there for a look next. For those interested the Brontes all spent time here and in Filey which is south from here and where I'm off to tomorrow.
Going to spend next week here too, then on to Nottingham for a while to visit the social centre which is ment to be 'where its at' :)
Been a bit homesick recently I'm not afraid to admit - talked to Mum and Dad last weekend and its hard thinking that I'm so far away and not going to be seeing anyone for a while (unless you all come and visit me which I suggest you do!). I do miss everyone! Often have to remind myself I am here and take it all in - its quite discombobulating (sorry, its one of my favourite words!).
Love and hugs to all as always, and don't be afraid to email me OK?!
Got here Thursday last week, and met by Louisa in her big red van - she purchased the land (not sure how big but not huge by NZ forest standards) a couple of years ago and after masses of paperwork and offical crap to go through she is now able to start turning it into a community resource and sustainable educational area - in the long term there will be places to walk round and enjoy the trees, as well as a mill and training on how to turn the wood into furniture and other woodworking skills. But for now its some caravans on site (I am in one of them) and lots of clearing to do!
She also runs a housing clearance business on the side (cos there is no such thing as the 'Super Shed' here, any household goods chucked out go straight to landfill) where she picks up peoples unwanted stuff and sorts it out to various charities, secondhand dealers etc. But because she doesn't have any storage space yet, all that stuff lives in the yard! So while its lovely in the trees, its also like living in amongst a big recycling centre (quite fun to go treasure hunting in though).
She has 4 people working part time for her (she has 2 kids, Cathy and Bill [who is a Harry Potter lookalike!] also) so I've been helping them with gorse clearing (yup! they have it by the bucketload here too) fence building, yard cleaning, caravan painting, whatever needs doing! Its been a fine week to do it in too, some lovely sunny days... yesterday I went to the edge of the woodlands and had lunch in the sun looking out over the moors, its a great veiw of typical English countryside with the bright yellow rapeseed paddocks and the grass fields resembling a patchwork quilt.
Anyways, am in Scarborough for the day - the beach is nice, but nothing special (I would say that though) and its surrounded by hotels and holiday homes. The castle up on the cliff that separates the two beach fronts is very impressive - will walk up there for a look next. For those interested the Brontes all spent time here and in Filey which is south from here and where I'm off to tomorrow.
Going to spend next week here too, then on to Nottingham for a while to visit the social centre which is ment to be 'where its at' :)
Been a bit homesick recently I'm not afraid to admit - talked to Mum and Dad last weekend and its hard thinking that I'm so far away and not going to be seeing anyone for a while (unless you all come and visit me which I suggest you do!). I do miss everyone! Often have to remind myself I am here and take it all in - its quite discombobulating (sorry, its one of my favourite words!).
Love and hugs to all as always, and don't be afraid to email me OK?!
# posted by claire @ 3:19 PM 
