Scotland........

We've been Scotland now for only less than 24 hours, and what a fantastic timne its been so far!

Arrived in rainy Edinburgh last evening and after climbing up a hill to our hostel overlooking the castle, we found outselves int he middle of the Edinburgh fringe festival! An array of scottish celebrations lined the moody, coal stained streets.

We saw a young folk band jamming away, and then came across this really hearty scottish bagpipe/drums group that utterly stole our hearts with their long haired, kilt-wearing, william wallace like roar and spirit! My oh my.

Then out of nowhere, this middle aged man stole a photo of bjorn and I having a beer on the street and we started chatting. We then met his partner who was a free artist and then proceeded to spend the rest of the evening having beers and chatting with lovely Eric and Alison from Edinburgh about travel, genetics and the greatness of women!

We have not yet, in our 2 and a half years spent in the UK have ever had strangers come up to us to chat, let alone then spent the rest of the evening sharing and chatting, with an offer to star at his place the next time we come to edinburgh.

That night we stayed in our very uber cool hostel - Castle Rock hostel, my first time ever staying in a hostel with 8 other people sleeping in one room, was probably one of the best sleeps ive had this whole trip. Clean, dust free, lovely soft mattress my body just sank into. And our hostel mates were very considerate and friendly.

Now we're on the west railway from glasgow to fort williams, and the scenery, albiet the gloomy wetaher, is stunning. I spotted a deer staring back at me on the train, we've past waterfalls, lochs and lush hills.

We're going to be in Scotland for 8 weeks and I cant help but feel that perhaps, scotland, and its charm, comparing to more glamorous european counterparts is delightfully underrated. Good for us. Im excited to spend my 29th birthday in this historical land filled with passionate blooded people. - Crystal

Cefndeuddwr experience

We spent the last 2 weeks at the most special place in North Wales called Cefnddeudwr (still not sure how its pronounced but its something like kevin-day-dew). It was the only place perhaps in all 5 of our wwoof trips so far that provided us the enrivonment and vibe for us to really reflect on our journey so far.

This was the first time, we got to wake up to a view of mountains in this land. Literally surrounded by the amazing snowdonia woods that is now protected and few mountain bikers and walkers use the place for pleasure. On a few evenings, the stars shone so so brightly in the nightime sky, once again brings me a sense of wonder and awe of the world and how we're occupying such a small part and small time in history. Star gazing, I believe is so essential and healthy for all of us and all of life. Puts things in perspective without the need for any use of words.

We got to share the company and love of the few farm pets that were so endearing and everybit as human as a human can be. My whole life, I've never really enjoyed the company of a pet or animal. And in the last 2 months, we've had such wonderful pleasure playing, petting, cuddling, talking to the animals. They might not have the same brain capacities as us, but in comparison, they're so innocent. And I think about how we're all connected in this world (we're all distant relatives anyway) , the earth is for all creatures to share, and knowing how vulnerable animals are in the hands of man... We should all try our best to befriend an animal, get to know them a little bit, and u realise how incredibly reliant they are on us to ensure we dont fuck up this world any more than it already is. We met Peeper the gorgeous goose, Rosco a friendly lovely fun puppy & said goodbye to a wise old dog, Ratty.

From feeling the love at the Cefnddeuddwr home, we felt the love both Tyr and John had for each other, the land, the world. And it was with that, we both feel so much stronger than before to go out there to get what we want in life.

Our host Tyr and Rosco!

Peeper!

Clear signs in the compost loo if you feel shy about using the woods instead

Dextor cows enjoying the sun...

Bjorn and Rosco taking a break from pulling bracken to have a little waltz.

We've been in London for the weekend, leaving for Scotland tomorrow! Its was as usual, fun but hectic. And although I've lived in a city all my life, and London for 2 years... it was a definitely a slight shock to the system to come from so much green, hills, sheep, skies to buildings, concrete, and signs! SIGNS everywhere! That was the thing I felt the most the whole weekend. London is just full of signs and words and messages! Posters, advertisments, shop signs, its overwhelming. I love London for its eccentricity, its diversity in race and culture (Its very comforting to see all colours, shapes and sizes of people in one place). For its history everywhere. Buildings, roads, shops and pubs etc. But I think people were always meant to be part of nature, and not apart from it. And we're happy that tomorrow, we're getting closer to be part with it soon!

2 month wwoof anniversary

We've been wwoofing for exactly 2 months now. 15 June was when we began. We're currently in Ganllwyd (pronounced gan-clue-id), north wales, south tip of snowdonia in a small holding called Cefndduedwar and internet connection is not great here, thus the slow updation of the blog. I've written so much though, in my notebook, on notepad, and havent had a chance to enter it here. So much to say....

We're heading back to London this Friday and after a weekend of repacking & dim sum binge, we're heading to scotland for another 8 weeks - the end of summer and the beginning of autumn!

I decided I dont like summer all that much. Apart from the long days, it rains all the time anyway, and everywhere is just too overgrown and too green! Yes I must be mad. But im looking forward to autumn when the colours of the foliage turn all sorts of orange, yellow and browns. Love it.

Bjorn and I have been discussing heavily on the future. Of what our next step will be. We desperately want a small holding of our own eventually one day. But where? And also, I want to see the world more before we settle down. In our travels, we have met many people travelling as well, and most people are 19, 20,... early twenties at most. All exploring while they are young and energetic for life. We feel like we're a little behind, doing this so late! hahaha. Whilst our parents think we're being 'good for nothings' for seemingly wanting to 'retire' to farm life before we even reach 30. Oh well... what can u do, generations are brought up with totally different ideas.

When my mom was a young woman, feeding her family was everything. When she brought home her first paycheck to my grandma (she gave 70 dollars to the family out of her earnings of 75 dollars that month in the factory she always always remind me), she felt a huge huge sense of satisfaction and pride for being able to do something for the family, make a difference. But now, we work and work and work, not just to put food on the table or to pay the bills, but so we can dine at nice restaurants, buy stuff we dont need and could never fulfill our appetites, pay back loans we took to buy that over priced car. Where has the meaning of it all gone? I dont come home and hand over a stack of money and feel proud anymore. I feel a little disgusted with myself really most times. I mean, im happy Im making my mom happy... But I know that money will end up in some mega corporation's hands. And I would have supported sweatshops, unfairtraded, environmentally- disastrous businesses out there in some way. Whether its that new mobile phone, or the topshop dress, or the budget air ticket me or my family would have bought,... with what I believe in and what I've read and seen out there, the money feels as dirty as if I was a drug trafficker.

Anyway, I will continue to rant later... supper time for me now! (Supper is what the brits call an informal dinner. Its not the meal eaten AFTER dinner like we say it in singapore)

How could we ask for more?

More and more as the days go by, it feels like our dream of escaping to the country becomes more and more real. Here, when people hear that you used to work in the city, in front of a computer all day, they feel so sorry for you. And when we see for our own eyes, people really doing it. And I mean, getting up each day, tending to the animals, prepare what to do in the garden that day, whether its sowing, weeding, harvesting, repairing etc. Then preparing each meal yourself, eating with your family and enjoying the beauty of your home and its surroundings. What more can you ask of life really?

Old Chapel farm has been a big inspiration for us. The building work especially for me (Crystal). What Fran and Kevin is doing is what we wanna do too. Their glow of positivity and calm (not chaotic) energy definitely rubs off people. I can spend all hours writing and blogging about it. But it defeats the purpose of being out here, surrounded by all this 'free' beauty. So i'll let pictures tell the story...

Meal times in the dining room.... wwoofers and family and friends all eat together.


Fran and her lovely kitchen which a perfect washing up view of sheep on the hill.


The 17th century barn they are restoring. We plastered this outside wall with lime & just painted it yellow today. Will finish up tomorrow and take down scaffolding!. Love building work!



Cheerful Kevin and his tea chilling out on a wheelbarrow after a days work.

Fellow wwoofer Shine from Taiwan & Julian from France drying the potatoes they just dug up!

Quirky thatched roof shed that a Taiwanese wwoofer who stayed 6 months built last year! Plus yurts in the background.

Bjorn and the barn we've been working on...

View from the top scaffolding of Old Chapel Farm! The 'old chapel' is actually right in the middle of the 2 long houses. Restoration work is also going on there.

Bjorn's new obession... hunting for rabbits (still unsuccessful)

Crystal's new favourite thing to do... cut and arrange wild flowers. I mean... they are free!!!

Campfire, beers & star gazing with fellow wwoofers. What else can we ask on a Saturday night?

Beazel, the 3 year old golden retriever sitting by the pond...

Old Chapel Farm

We're here in Wales since Tuesday at Old Chapel Farm and its been GREAT!

There has been about 5 - 6 other wwoofers and its all been set up real nice.

First up, our sleeping accommodation is LUXURY. We're in a room part of the main house and its got so much room, comfy cozy beds and a wonderful view/window thingie. WOW. There was even fresh cut flowers in a vase.... awwwww.

Wwoofers have our own little kitchen where we eat breakfast and hang out during break times.

Working times are real nice and relaxed. 9 to 10:30. Tea break from 10:30 to 11. Work again from 11 to 1. Lunch at 1, then work again from 2 to 4. And thats it! Relax time the rest of evening!

Each wwoofer has their own 'garden' that we are in charged with during our stay. I think thats a brilliant thing as it gives us each a sense ownership and all. Mine (crystal) is quite a nice big area with a polytunnel as well. We spend each moring in our gardens and pick the veg thats ready etc.. then in the afternoon we do other things ilke maybe animal/sheep work or building work.

The views from this valley is storybook breathtaking.

More on Old Chapel Farm later.... its watering in the polytunnel time & a walk before the lunch bell rings!