The Avalon / Glastonbury Tor Myriorama Set is now available!

Amigurumi Books - What's on my shelf?

I’ve really enjoyed watching Amigurumi crochet videos on YouTube recently and discovered a series that use #amigurumibooktag and thought that seeing I have a collection of such books and have made a number of projects from these books I’d join in! 😀

When I started to learn to crochet I had no idea how much I’d love crocheting characters!

Do you like to crochet amigurumi too? If so, do you have a current favourite book?

The UK Islands Exhibition has been EXTENDED

Happy to share that it's been extended until the end of April 2024. THANK you to everyone who's been to see it so far. If you're on Instagram, I've been sharing more of the journey there: @morwhennawoolcock

My First Exhibition

Episode No. 4 - Some exciting news, update & puppets

Hello there! Here I am, back with another update!

EXCITING NEWS! One of my short films – the one about making oil paint from red ochre found in the Mendips, has been accepted to be shown at the Homegrown Shorts Film festival at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon on the 23rd March!! 

OMG, my little film will be on the BIG SCREEN! I’ve delayed telling you, as I wanted to make sure it was going to be high enough resolution to actually be shown – and all’s good – so this is mega exciting! 

From the trailer, it looks like there will be some fantastic films. I’m really looking forward to it and also feeling a bit nervous. Excited nervous. Links for more info about the festival are at the bottom of this post.

So, that’s my BIG news. This episode also includes my recent trip to Manchester to see the Mackinnon and Saunders exhibition at Waterside Arts, as well as a visit to the archives of Cosgrove Hall Films who produced Danger Mouse, Count Duckula and Chorlton and the Wheelies – among many others!! Hope you enjoy the tour…!

Additional notes & links relating to the update video:

• Home Grown Shorts - https://www.curzon.org.uk/film/homegrown-shorts-2023/
• https://www.facebook.com/GrowYourShorts/

Audio Books: Did you know you can listen to audio books through your local library? Mine is Libraries West https://www.librarieswest.org.uk/client/en_GB/default so check your local library and try it for yourself. I LOVE it! The Seven Sisters Book I listened to was book 2 – The Storm Sister [My sister got me on to this series]: https://lucindariley.co.uk/seven-sisters-series/

• Waterside Arts: https://watersidearts.org/
• MacKinnon & Saunders: Website: https://www.mackinnonandsaunders.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackandsaund/
• Amanda Thomas – Head of Costume at Mackinnon & Saunders: https://www.instagram.com/amandathomas_creative/
• Archie Animated Film: https://youtu.be/5c9wtTqMT0E
• Cosgrove Hall Films Archive: https://www.cosgrovehallfilmsarchive.co.uk/
• Chorlton and the Wheelies: https://youtu.be/Tos8Ao9JrdM
• Danger Mouse – The Custard Episode: https://youtu.be/kzeLAr9wygY
• Count Duckula: https://youtu.be/cEvtdTaBzWU
• Jamie and the Magic Torch: https://youtu.be/5ntylpZWn_M

What is the UK Islands Project?

In 2017, I visited a different Island a month, and I am creating artworks, short stories and whatever each island inspires me to create in response to my exploration. 

To read about the project, visit my blog here: http://www.morwhenna.com/p/uk-islands-project-2017.html

Looe Island is now cared for by the brilliant Cornish Wildlife Trust and you can find out more about visiting and / or staying on Looe Island here: https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/looe-island/canvas-holidays

I visited and stayed on Looe Island in September 2017 - yes, I know - It's taken me this long to get to working on it ;-D

Until next time!

Happy Creative Adventuring

Morwhenna

x

Episode 3 UK Islands Project Update: Looe Island & Other Stuff

 

Hello! I'm back with another update!

If you are subscribed to my YouTube channel [thank you!], you might have already seen this video - so feel free to skip watching it again :-D.

If this is all new to you - settle in for a few minutes [bit of a longer episode this one] for me to share the projects updates with you - and as the film references - a few other things that have happened I've included some additional notes below...

Additional Notes & links relating to the update video:

• Magical Animals and how to get your mitts on some

• Jardin Marjorelle – Marrakech 

The Majorelle Garden is a one-hectare botanical garden and artist's landscape garden in Marrakech, Morocco. It was created by the French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle over almost forty years, starting in 1923, and features a Cubist villa designed by the French architect, Paul Sinoir in the 1930s. 

In 1980, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, who first arrived in Morocco in 1966, purchased the Jardin Majorelle to save it from destruction at the hands of hotel developers. The new owners decided to live in Jacques Majorelle’s villa, which they renamed the Villa Oasis. 

“For many years, the Jardin Majorelle has provided me with an endless source of inspiration, and I have often dreamt of its unique colours.” Yves Saint Laurent.

On the Instagram there’s examples of the different postcards designed by Yves Saint Laurent

• Composer Prof. Andrew Hugill

Enjoy a virtual visit to Looe Island created by the composer Andew Hugill, who has so very kindly given me permission to use some of his music on my own short Film about Looe Island

Listen to Andrew’s Looe Island Symphony and read about the story of the symphony here.

• The Curzon Cinema & Arts Centre

• London Writers' Salon and The Writers Hour
• 
  
• The Helsinki Bus Theory – was coined by Finnish-American photographer Arno Minkkinen in 2004 – read the article by Oliver Burkman here  STAY ON THE BUS!! ;-D

Books I mention:

• Stop Motion – Susannah Shaw [Third Edition]
• The Island House – Mary Considine

What is the UK Islands Project?

In 2017, I visited a different Island a month, and I am creating artworks, short stories and whatever each island inspires me to create in response to my exploration. To read about the project, go here.

Looe Island is now cared for by the brilliant Cornish Wildlife Trust and you can find out more about visiting and / or staying on Looe Island here: https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org... I visited and stayed on Looe Island in September 2017 - yes, I know - It's taken me this long to get to working on it ;-D

Reminder: Done is better than perfect ;-D

Until next time!

Happy Creative Adventuring

Morwhenna

x

UK Islands Project Update: Looe Island - Episode 2

Hello! I'm back with another update - later than I'd planned, [I actually started writing this last November!] 

If you are subscribed to my YouTube channel [thank you!], you might have already seen this video - so feel free to skip watching it again :-D.

If this is all new to you - settle in for a few minutes for me to share the projects updates with you - and as the film references - a few other things that have happened I've included some additional notes below...

I failed to film another update before Christmas, so will be doing an update this week as there have been some exciting things to share. ;-D

Additional Notes relating to the update video:

Luke Jerram's Gaia at Wells Cathedral

Have you seen this or his moon artworks? I FINALLY got to see the world, which was made really impressive by its location. It's on permanent tour, and you can see if it's going to be coming to you by visiting the website here: my-earth.org/

My sister and I didn't spend that long there, as we were on route to the Wells Literary Festival - which I'd fully recommend. It's been going for 30 years, and yet, this was the first time I'd even been. I managed to secure lunch tickets for us before the event with Kate Humble, and our timing was perfect as we actually ended up sitting on the same table as her along with 4 other women. That was fun and relaxed, it was great having the opportunity to ask Kate about her next projects and if she has any particular process - which she does - but running a small holding, she finds it near impossible to stick to - so it's very much more about grabbing the time to write when she can! 

You can find out more about Kate and what courses they're running here: www.katehumble.com. I was really inspired by her determination and fighting spirit. How she gets stuck right in to whatever she is doing. I've got her 'Thinking on my Feet' book to read, and my sister kindly bought be a copy of Kate's new cookbook for my birthday - I've already made a few recipes from it, and they've all been delicious so far. Happy 'Tasty' Days!

TedEx Bath

An excellent event and all the speakers are now available online to watch on YouTube: [Search for TedExBath 2022]: 

The speakers I really enjoyed and learnt from included:

From Art to AI: Robots Are For Everyone | Ruby Sant | TEDxBath

What If You Could Do Anything? | Aliénor Salmon | TEDxBath

Children Can Do More Than You Think | Max Woosey | TEDxBath

Speakers list from 2022 - There is lots of interesting and inspiring content here: www.tedxbath.co.uk/speakers

Details for this year's event will be published on their website here: www.tedxbath.co.uk/

World Textiles Day:

http://worldtextileday.co.uk/

Janice Gunner Textile Artist:

https://www.instagram.com/janicegunne...

https://www.janicegunner.co.uk/

Until next time!

Happy Creative Adventuring

Morwhenna

x

Just a few of the photos I took of Luke Jerram's Gaia at Wells Cathedral.

The Magical Animal for 2023

It took me a while to settle on a Magical Animal for 2023 until 'Lightbulb Moment' and it was my own cat, Timmy, who seemed to 'step up' to the role. Seeing that Timmy is such a confident character, he was able to impart some words of wisdom when I asked him about cultivating confidence....

"The way to confidence is by doing the doings. So go do."

He's wise is Timmy, as he knows that taking actions and 'doing the doings' helps to build confidence. It's part of The Confidence Cycle. There's an interesting article here about some research behind this:How taking action and failing often will increase your confidence.

TimmyCat also said he’d like to appear in Times Square 😆 - you know on a billboard all lit up like!! / told you he was confident! :-D

As a New Year's gift, I'll send out a Magical Animal postcard [for free] to the next THREE people who sign up to my newsletter [link is in the panel on the right handside]- pls let me have your name and address, and I'll write you a little message and post one to you as soon as they arrive from the printers.

If you aren't one of the lucky three this time - I'm also selling postcards if you'd like to have some for yourself and send to your friends and family who might appreciate a little boost for the year ahead. 

You can pre-order a pack now if you'd like to, ;-D I'll be selling them in packs of 3 for £3 or 5 for £5 plus £1.50 for p&p. If you're interested, please send me a message with how many postcards you'd like, your address, and I'll send you a payment link. Thank you! 

AND there will also be MUGS!! I'm having a few made up in different colours as a test - and seeing that I've already had an order for one, will also be offering these too. I'll share more details of these once the samples have arrived and can share photos of the different colours - which are - Yellow, Pink [pictured below], Blue and Green.

As I'll be getting these printed on demand, I'll need to have a certain number ordered before I can place the order, so there might be a bit of a delay before you receive your mug as they aren't something I'll keep in stock here. I'll keep you fully updated and hope that you understand this way of working!

My your year ahead be filled with wonder and creativity and the confidence to go after those dreams of yours.

Morwhenna x

Screen shots of mug samples I'm having made up.

On seeing things through

 

It’s been a long time since I’ve written to you and, like many people, I’ve been struggling. I’ve been struggling with life really and with how our current world and society is panning out. Most of the time I’m asking why is this happening and how can that be allowed to happen [I have written to my MP], and for the most part, I have felt heavily weighed down by it all. I have felt unmotivated, despondent and deeply apathetic.

I’d somehow forgotten ALL the things that actually helped to support me, and I had forgotten how to do these things, which is weird! It seems to be a fault of being human, that even though we KNOW what’s good for us, we don’t do it. Or we do the opposite and then wonder why we feel s*hitty.

It’s definitely something that I’m getting curious about again and asking myself ‘why’ and then really, I mean really listening to the answers that pop up. It can be surprising, painful [sometimes] but always illuminating. Bear with me, though – I promise things have taken a turn for the better and I have made a commitment to myself that what I can do is to see through my creative projects, no matter what. The good, the bad and the ugly!

You might have guessed that I’m talking about my long-standing UK Islands project that I started in 2017. I have felt shame about it taking so long and for one reason or another not being able to finish it, and beating myself up about why can’t I just do it? It’s not really that hard! Well, until you overthink things, or get distracted or lose motivation, or wonder why you are doing it in the first place, but I KNOW deep down how important completing this project is for Me, and really that’s the only person I need to impress. Yes, of course I want you and everyone to like it and for it to generate complimentary comments – but actually by not doing it, the only person who’s really missing out and suffering is me. [Have you got a creative project that you're working on, or would like to be working on, and can resonate with this?]

So, I am saying it here – I am seeing it through, no matter what, to the end.

Yes, I am working on this becoming a book and I have publishers to pitch to, so I'm figuring out how to go about this…

Yes, I have big ideas of how I would like the films to look that have been bubbling away in my imagination for the past few years, I have accepted that they might not turn out exactly like that, and Yes, some of what I create and produce might start out a bit rubbish, but actually, I can’t know how to improve on that unless I actually make a start and DO IT! All nothing new here – but something I’ve had to strongly remind myself of.

So in the spirit of diving-in, earlier this week I filmed my first proper ‘UK Islands Project’ talking to camera and everything update. And I shared it on YouTube, and in the process of doing that I discovered something unexpected and hilarious that has had me laughing ever since.

I couldn’t figure out how to get YouTube to create automatic captions for my video [I’m sure it’s done that before] so I used some software to transcribe the audio. The software didn’t quite interpret what I said correctly, so I had to make some corrections – for example Looe Island to the software was either Lulu or Blue island – so I corrected those plus a few other minor corrections, but one, ONE was just too funny not to leave exactly as it was. I’ve included a screenshot below – can you spot it? Or if you’d like to watch my first ‘talking to camera project update’ you can watch that and turn CC on to look out for the funny caption. I hope you enjoy the film.

 
This small thing reminded me just how much I love the random fun that does happen when developing creative work. And that’s actually one of the things I love about creating – those totally 'random', 'unexpected' things that happen as a result of taking action.
 
That’s it for now, as I am really reconnecting with you after a long time, I do hope that you'll join me on completing this creative adventure. I will be in touch with you more often as I work on this project.  Take care and see you soon!
 
PS, if you want to know when the next update is live on YouTube, best to subscribe to my channel as I’ll be uploading there first.

Happy Adventuring and to seeing things through.

Morwhenna
xx

LAUNCH DAY!!!

Very excited that Launch Day for my NEW collection inspired by the Isle of Portland has finally arrived!

To view the full collection fly on over to my Folksy shop here: https://folksy.com/shops/Morwhenna

THANK YOU!

Morwhenna xx

Launching - Here's what to expect

I had planned to share a lot more before we actually got into 'Launch Week', yet there’s been so much to do that suddenly I’m running out of time. Taking product photos, making short animations and creating listings is a L-O-N-G job…

Thank YOU for being with me along the way.

I am slowly getting through all of my tasks [alongside my part-time job] and I’m actually rather enjoying it. Some are small satisfactions such as FINALLY being able to use the lovely piece of branch I picked up years ago, because as a prop, it's perfect for hanging owls from! [see below].

But this has meant that some things haven't happened yet, such as the emotive piece that I'm writing to describe what inspired me about the Isle of Portland and how this translated into the collection I'm sharing with you. Actually - I'll tell you a bit right now. It doesn't have to be a long winded essay does it? I wanted to evoke the feeling of the place, but I'm guessing that you'd like it short and snappy - you're busy and you can always read a longer piece later...

So, here we go - The Isle of Portland is an intriguing place that has been quarried since Roman times. Portland Stone, a type of limestone, can be admired on the United Nations HQ in New York, St. Paul's Cathedral in London and the big shop in central Bristol that looks like a ship [now a Primark]. 

Due to the amount of quarries, most of Portland isn't actually there!  The marks left on the landscape, which would have originally been made by hand using a chisel and hammer, made me think of the marks made when creating a linocut print. That was the first spark. Add to that the fact that before starting this project I'd decided that, where possible, I'd use the tools, art materials and fabrics that I already had. This was another element to the Island theme as a lot of Island life is about using what you have to hand and making and mending. That's where this collection began.

I'm still beavering away with putting everything together for Thursday and everything will be 'live' from 12.00am in my Folksy Shop for you to see first, as promised. 

OK, back to my listings and see you again soon!!

Morwhenna

xx

Note to self - next time I start a launch, at least I'll have a better idea of how much time I'll really need! I have another 13 Islands to go after this one...

About the UK Islands Project

The marks left on the Portland landscape reminded me of the way linocuts are made, and became the basis of my collection inspired by the Isle of Portland.

Launching my first ever collection - What if nothing sells?

I've some news on The UK Islands Project!! I’m going to be launching my first ever inspired-by-islands-artwork collection on the 15^th October! Whoop Whoop!

My original plan for this project has changed.  I’d been tightly holding on to the idea that I’d wait until I’d finished all of the artwork and items created inspired by ALL of the islands visited as one exhibition. I'd created this big, sparkly image in my head of how it'd be, BUT, I think that's been stopping me from actually getting close to it. I think that it got too big, and too scary! I've been giving this some thought and in the current situation, I’ve decided to change my vision.

My NEW vision, and the one I'm actually going to be doing, is to release the Island exhibitions one-by-one online. I'd created a series of artworks and creations inspired by The Isle of Portland - the first Island I visited, that were pretty much ready to go and thought with a few other things to finish I'll be able to get this all up and running in no time! Then *reality check* I sat down and created a mind map [see above] and listed out ALL THE TASKS and realised there’s a lot more involved in launching an online collection!  If you've ever launched anything yourself, then you'll already be aware of this, but if not, listing online means photo shoots, writing product descriptions, taking measurements of each item, and I've even gone as far as creating some ‘Certificates of Authenticity’..!

I'll be sharing the process with you over the next few weeks and hope you'll find it interesting and useful. 

Worst-case scenario - I don’t sell anything. 

Having thought of this, I felt better and it lifted the pressure. Of course, I hope that doesn’t happen and that I have created a collection that is appealing, interesting and that tells a story that you'll would like a piece of. But if it does happen, then that’s a lesson in itself!!

You never really know what's going to happen unless you actually DO THE THING, and often, as I'm sure you can attest to, things often work out differently to how you'd imagined. So I'm going ahead and embracing whatever unfolds - however that might look and wherever that may take me, and if I'm honest that's part of the fun isn't it? The seemingly random unknowns that ONLY come about because of one step that we've taken. Here I am taking that step. Or maybe more of a leap!

Is there something that you've been working on or would like to work on but are feeling the fear a bit? Figure out what you single small next step is and do that. If you need some help figuring out what that step is - drop me a line and I'll do my best to help you.

In my next blog posts, I’ll share what I discovered on the Isle of Portland, what it inspired me to create, and why, plus some behind the scenes processes. We still might not be able to physically travel far at the moment – but we can travel in our imaginations and plan future creative adventures when we’re freer to roam and ramble. 

If there's anything you'd like to know about this first island - or this whole project - please ask! 

And if you'd like to be the amongst the first to see the full collection and have an opportunity to buy from the collection before it's showcased on social media - sign up to my newsletter as I'm sending all details to by lovely subscribers first. 

See you again soon!

Morwhenna
xx

Sneak peek of some of the collection inspired by The Isle of Portland

On being determined

It's been a while since I've written a post here on my blog and I can't even begin to imagine how this year has been for you so far. I hope that you've been able to find moments to be creative and have some small adventures, even if these have been imaginary and in or close to home.

When I created these Goat of Determination Magical Animal postcards, little did I know how much determination, encouragement and support we'd need to get through the past 6+ months. I sent out some as gifts at the start of the year and they've been pinned to notice boards and stuck to fridges and [so I've been told] have helped and brought a smile when it's been needed. They've been a visual reminder that little by little, small step by small step, we can keep going. 

I've just discovered that I've still got some Goat of Determination postcards and so I've listed them on my Folksy shop at a reduced price [3 postcards for £2.50 plus p+p], as I'd really love for Sandy to go and to hopefully spread a bit of 'doormat' joy!  

Link to Folksy Shop:  Goat of Determination

I hope I can tempt you to purchase a few Sandys to send to your friends and family. Send to raise a smile and a hug by post.  ;-D

Keep Going, don't stop believing - YOU CAN DO IT!!

Morwhenna
xx

PS Please do share with anyone else you think might like to buy some. Thank you! 

What happens when you say Yes...

Exciting Announcement!

I’ve written a chapter for a book called The Biggest Book of Yes and it's now available for preorder on kindle (print coming later this week)!  

This book is all about what happens when you say Yes. It includes 49 short adventure stories ranging from driving a Tuk Tuk across India, long distance cycle rides to what happens if you get up a little earlier each morning. Tales of adventures big and small as you know, adventure can come in all sizes. 

I'm so chuffed to be a part of the book and this project as it is filled with inspiring stories. I've a feeling, some of them will inspire my own future creative adventures...

I’ve written about the time I decided to go on my own pilgrimage following in the footsteps (ish) of Saint Morwenna from Brecon in Wales to Morwenstow by bike, boat and foot. 

It's actually 5 years since I went on that adventure and this Saturday - the 4th July, is the date I completed the journey in 2015, so the timing really couldn't be better!

Here's the link if you’d like to take a look at the book and find out more: https://bit.ly/TBBOY3

It's a book for charity, with all proceeds going to The Teddington Trust.

*Happy Dance* 

Skye in Cyanotype

I've been thinking about the Isle of Skye for some time in terms of what artwork it inspires me to respond with, and on first thoughts it was about the light, the colours, and the food. I'd been thinking around a few ideas and one that kept coming back, was experimenting with the cyanotype process using digital negatives which I thought could have lots of scope.

Before I show you my experiments so far, I wanted to share a bit about the history of the process and one woman in particular.

The cyanotype process was developed in 1842 by the English scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel [who has a museum in Bath] as a way of reproducing notes and diagrams rather than in a creative application. It was Anna Atkins [1799 - 1871] who first saw the potential for the technique to be used as a type of photographic record and who used it to create a series of cyanotype limited-edition books that documented ferns and other plant life. Because of her use of this technique, Anna is often considered the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images and the first female photographer. Images from her book can be seen here: Anna Atkins Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions

The process works by mixing two chemicals [ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide] together in equal measure, and coating a surface e.g paper. Once dry, you arrange objects on the paper and put outside in direct sunlight to 'develop.' Mixing these two particular chemicals together causes a reaction that renders it sensitive to the UV rays in sunlight. Cyanotype photography was popular in Victorian England, but became less popular as photography improved.

So, here, I'm sharing my very first test pieces with you, and it was a rather magical experience seeing the images appear as you rinse away the chemicals! I discovered that the handmade paper I'd used wasn't really up for the job as some of the paper started to disintegrate when washed. So you do need to use a strong paper as you have to make sure you wash all the chemicals out of your pieces otherwise they will continue to develop. These test pieces were left in midday sun, with a glass plate covering them to improve the contact with the paper, for around 7 minutes. 

I was also surprised how well the digital negatives I'd made worked and which images created better prints than others. I did have to try a fern, as that's possibly the most cyanotyped object in history! And I can see why, as it creates a really strong image. 

Next is to try some different papers, objects and fabric.

I bought my Cyanotype set from www. cyanotype.co.uk and my Inkjet film from The Surrey Inkjet Company and have been surprised and really pleased with the results so far.  It's really fun!

Have you tried this process for yourself?  

All images copyright Morwhenna Woolcock

A New Tradition. Say Hello to Sandy, The Goat of Determination.

Happy New Year and New Decade to You! 

As it's the start of a new decade it felt like the right time to begin a new tradition:
Creating a special postcard to bring in the New Year.

This is something that I've been thinking about doing ever since going to Morocco in 2013 and visiting Yves Saint Laurent's beautiful home, Jardin Majorelle, in Marrakesh.

Every year, Yves would design and send out a special postcard to friends and clients of his fashion house. He used mainly collage and the theme was always the same - Love. I bought a replica postcard of one of the designs, and ever since then, thought it such a lovely idea that one day I'd start doing this myself. This year, as we start a new decade, it seems like the right time to adopt this tradition for myself and to begin....

Let me introduce Sandy, The Goat of Determination. 


As you may already know, I've been creating Magical Animals for a while now and this seemed the perfect character to grace my first ever postcard to send out to friends and family. 

Sandy has a message for us:

"Keep going, don't stop believing - YOU CAN DO IT!"

Sometimes, we all need a little encouragement from Sandy, The Goat of Determination.

Seeing the cards printed, writing the cards, sending them out and then recieving the messages from those who've recieved one is bringing me so much joy! Being told how Sandy is now pinned to their fridge or notice board, how getting a card has made their day and how it'll help them through 2020 is just so so lovely and makes me so glad that I went ahead with this idea. I didn't really know how people would respond to this curious looking goat, but it appears that everyone loves Sandy. x 

Sandy is proving so popular that I've listed some for sale over on my Folksy shop. ;-)

Have you created your own traditions? I'd love to hear about them. 

Sandy, The Goat of Determination is the first New Year's Postcard I've created especially to send out to friends and family

The Missing Island

One of the very beautiful bays on Caldey Island

Have you ever dreamt of being marooned on a desert island? 

Having the whole place to you yourself?

I experienced a taste of this in September when staying on Caldey Island. Just 2.7 miles off the coast of Tenby, South Wales and with a crossing time of 20 minutes, it was the Island that I least expected to be marooned on, but marooned I was. Thankfully, not completely alone. There were the two other guests staying at St. Philomena’s, the retreat house I stayed at, and the fabulous wardens – Serena and Lloyd with their dog Louie [who has sardines for dinner], and the local population of 20 islanders which includes Rita, a feisty 89 year old ex-Carmelite nun who has lived on Caldey for nearly 40 years.

Rita, who 'grew up in one of Wales' most haunted houses and has never worn make-up' can be seen speeding around Caldey on her bright red scooter. 'Listen to the horn, it's rubbish,' has no time for Monks who are late for their religious services. If they are tardy - she'll leave a note on their pew telling them as much. And of course there's the resident population of Cistercian Monks, only 11 now, who live in the huge Italian inspired monastery built in the 1920s to house 300, although the Island has been a Holy one since Celtic times. The Celts LOVED Islands as they saw them as portals to their underworld.

Even with all these people also marooned [they’re used to it] it was very easy to wander around the island, follow the footpaths and explore the ruins, and not see anyone else. It was truly magical and I’m grateful that the ‘wind was blowing from the wrong direction’ on this occasion. 

Obviously, this wasn’t such a good thing for those who’d been looking forward to their own stay on the island as with no boats to take us off there were no boats to bring in visitors, post and supplies.

And there's more to tell: such as joining some of the Monks daily services, what life on the Island is like now compared to how it was, the red Squirrels [lots], the views and the ruins....but I need to save some things for the book!

Why Caldey? Why Now?

When I started my UK Islands Project way back in 2017, I was booked to go to Caldey but my stay was cancelled and the retreat house closed. I was never really given a reason at the time, but discovered that they needed to carry out some changes to the building and the way it was being managed. Actually, it all worked out for the best. The new wardens are fantastic, I met some great people, got marooned and can now say I've completed the set I'd planned to and it's no longer my 'Missing Island.'  Hurrah!! ;-D

Fancy your own Caldey Island Adventure?

You can stay at St Philomena's retreat house on the island from Easter to October on a donation basis [recommended minimum is £50 a day]. This includes a simple and clean single room, shared bathroom and three delicious vegetarian meals a day with the freedom to do as you choose. You can create your own retreat.

It's open to all faiths and none. Even though the accommodation is basic it's very clean and having a room of your own, although small, is great. The only thing that they really ask is that you are on time for the meals [packed lunch is an option] and to help with the washing up and setting the table for the next meal, which is an easy task.  I'd really recommend staying here for an affordable island adventure. It’s a real gem and I was so well looked after. I can't guarantee you'll be marooned there, but I'm sure you'll have a fabulous and interesting time if you go.  Let me know if you do!!

Visit the Caldey Island website for full details: caldeyislandwales.com

Happy Adventuring!

Morwhenna
xx

A snapshot of Caldey Island:

The Monastery. Built in the 1920s to house around 300 monks, only 11 currently live here.

Beach to myself!

Part of the ruins of a Norman building which was as the original monastery before the new Italian inspired building was built.

Lots of lovely textures to be found around the island

One of the many beautiful stained glass windows that was designed and made
by one of the monks in the 1920s.