Wouldn't you know? Grams asked me to look up the Tolkien in the Shire festival on the web,"Gweeds, be a dear and see where the festival is being held next year." Well I did and called out on horror, "Grams, you are not going to believe this! The festival is in Machynlleth!" There was rush of footsteps up the stairs and I can't describe the look of complete terror on her face, "Not, Machynlleth, any place but there!"
You see, Machynlleth is the scene of her complete and utter disgrace. They still speak of it there. I will recount it for you now: A few years back we had stopped in Machynlleth for a cuppa as we wound our way through north Wales. We found a pleasant little tea room and had ordered tea and cakes. Then came the fateful moment, Grams needed to 'spend a penny' (i.e. go to the loo).If only she hadn't had to, ah, a world of 'if onlys'. The door to the ladies was a slider type. If only she had knocked, but no, the door wasn't locked, and so she flung it open. Well, in the loo was occupied but a rather ancient lady who almost dropped dead on the spot - good thing she was sitting, eh?
Grams did not make it any better but starting to apologize profusely. Well, you don't do that to an old woman who sitting there in her all together, knickers 'round her ankles, do you? I wouldn't, I can tell you. The owner cam rushing over and tried to calm the old woman down. Grams then doubled her felony by turning around and stepping into the loo opposite - turned out it was the Gents. She stayed in there for quite a while. Too ashamed to come out, I'm sure.I think that they still have 'Wanted' posters for Grams around Machynlleth. Talk about "The Ugly American"! So, you can imagine my surprise when we then headed out for Machynlleth yesterday. Grams was convinced that her loss of weight and short hair cut would be enough of a disguise. I added a muffler and dark glasses.We made it through without incident this time. But, it was touch and go as people looked at her with suspiciously - well, I had her bundled up like Claude Rains in "The Invisible Man."
Machynlleth is a lovely market town. It's in the center of an alternate energy area. Lots of people living 'off the grid.' Had a lovely lunch and coffee with single draft whiskey in it. Warms you up from the inside.
A dopo e Moochas Smoochas,
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(Doctors without Borders) and support "http://www.kiva.org">Kiva.
And, of course
平和 に 働 き
(heiwa ni
hataraki: work for peace)
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