Busking on Blisters - Chapter 5

Busking On Blisters

By Paul McCann

Chapter 5

Among The Rolling Hills  

 

I watched a river that flowed peacefully through the green valley and heard the sound of the birds singing in my ears . There were ducks quacking and through the bracken there were bluebells growing and beyond a scattering of buttercups in patch’s around the green grassy banks along the riverside where I sat plucking a tune for no one . Every flower and every leaf held bright glossy colours that wore easy on the eye and mother nature had dressed up a pretty picture for everyone  to see but there no one was there except for me and there was no one there to hear  my songs except for the wind that blew around the rolling hills and where it went to I’ll never know . It was springtime and my first time in Wales . I left the riverbank and wandered back to the car with my guitar and headed off again on the road as the sun broke  through the clouds and shone down upon the earth . In North Wales I arrived in Snowdonia National Park .  Near the village of Betws-y-Coed was a forest . I took a road into the forest, signposted for Geirionnydd and the car started to cough and splutter . The car radio stared to crackle and the car engine conked out . I managed to roll into the side of the road and got out to open the bonnet of the car when suddenly form nowhere a thick fog came down . The car radio lost transmission and my mobile phone lost its service . I tried a number of times to start the engine but wasn’t able to get the car going . I thought to myself  

 “That’s great , no phone network the cars broke down and what do I know about cars anyway . Great so you’re stranded here in this forest miles from anywhere in  a place you’ve never been . So what to do now ?”

I took a deep breath and grabbed my guitar and started to walk through this forest with thoughts of wild beasts around me . I remembered the Welsh flag and hoped there was no dragons in this place . Within my mind I spoke words of encouragement and guidance   .

“Ok then you’re on your own . Stay to the track . Remember where the car is . It’s all part of the journey . You’re the one that wanted to do something different busking all over the place so lets go. “

I came to a spot where three forest tracks had signposts in Welsh and I had no idea what they said ,

“:Ok   lets go that way “ I said.

I had just walked a short distance when in the distance I heard someone using  a  chainsaw . I thought to myself

“All right , that sounds promising . Let’s go see if I can get some help .“

A little while later I found a man standing beside a tree with a chainsaw cutting down branches . I called out to him from a distance and approached carefully but the man just kept working . He never heard anything I said because of the hearing protection over his ears . I went over carefully and tapped him  on the shoulder and the man stopped his chainsaw and turned around   .

“ Hello my name is Paul . How are you ?“ I said .

“ Yes I’m ok , My name is Andrew . What can I do for you Paul?” He replied.

“My car broke down a few miles back and I can’t get the thing started  . Do you know anywhere I could get some help ?” I asked .

“ Well , if you follow this track to a clearing , where you will find some colourful birds  singing but tread softly mind and don’t disturb them . There’s a lady who lives there might help you  . Well my job is done here now Paul , I have to go now to chase the clouds in the presence of unexplainable wonder .” Then he  walked off at speed with his chain saw leaving me stunned and speechless .

 “Was he for real ?“ I thought .

I kept walking along the path and came to a place where golden sunlight shone down upon a lady playing a harp and colourful birds where there perched all around her .

“Maybe this is the lady Andrew spoke of .“ I thought so I walked softly and slowly over to where she sat with her harp . She played the harp so well and the sounds she made were so beautiful. I played as few chords on the guitar and she turned and smiled .

“Well hello and welcome to my little piece of heaven “ She said .

I looked at her and said .

“My name is Paul and I’m a busker traveling around the country .“

“You’re very welcome here Paul . My name is Mavis .“ She said .

“So do you live around here Mavis ?” I asked .

“I have a cottage nearby . I can see you’ve come a very long way . You must be very hungry I’m sure ,” She said .

“My car broke down and I’ve no idea where I am . Yes I feel a little hungry now .“ I said.

“Come follow me and I’ll get you some tea and cake .” She said  

She took up her small harp and I followed her through along a path for a half hour , She led the way through some hawthorn bushes and fallen down trees until we came to a clearing where there was a well . Beside the well was a small stone cottage . She took me inside and told me to have a seat . I sat on a chair by the fireplace until she brought a tray with some tea and cake .

‘Thank you very much Mavis .“ I said and ate the cake  .

‘”How is it ?”  She asked .

“It’s beautiful Mavis . I’ve never tasted anything like it before “ I replied .  

“It’s my own recipe . I call it sweet Welsh forest cake .“

 

I looked at her and said .

“So you live here in the forest Mavis ?”.

She smiled and said .

“My husband and I live here . Isn’t it wonderful . Andrew’s people worked in the mines a long time ago and his people built this place . He makes little things from wood and I make cakes and play the harp . We have people who drop in from time to time like yourself . They all love my cake .“

The door opened and Andrew walked inside . He looked me and said.

“Well you found us then Paul . That’s good , so I fixed your car for you . The fan belt had snapped but  I used something to get you back on the road . It will do for a while until you get to a garage . You’re good to go now whenever you like “.

Mavis said  ,

“Andrew’s very good with fixing things Paul. “

I replied ,

“I have no idea how to get back to my car “

They both laughed and Andrew said .

“That’s the secret of this place Paul , you’re in the forest . Everyone who finds us here has been sent for a reason . So you have dream . Am I right ?”

‘I’m busking around the country and sharing my songs on the way .“ I replied .

“That’s exactly what  I mean Paul . You living out a dream like us .“ Andrew said .

  Mavis started to play the harp and Andrew showed some of the little trees he makes out of branches as the trunk and around wire mesh at the top he placed dried flowers and herbs .  

“They’re like so unique . I ‘ve never seen anything like this before .“

“I sell them to hotels and souvenir shops . It gets us enough money to live on . Mavis plays her tunes to the birds of the forest and we’re happy here .“

“So tell me how do I find my way back to my car?” I asked him .

“Arise and go to the track behind the cottage and keep going  until  you see a silver lake where a white swan will be swimming on top of the  water . There you will find two  small roads . Take the one by the bee hive and after twenty minutes you’ll be back on the road to where you’ll find your car .“ He replied .

“Ok, thanks for all your help . I’ll have to go now . I’l never forget you both .” I said.

“Good luck on your journey .“ Mavis said .

 

I left  their cottage and made my way along the path behind the cottage until I came to a manmade lake and just like Andrew said there was a white swan that swam on the surface of the lake . I found the path beside a bee hive there and said to myself .

“This is the place all right “

After a short walk I came back on the road and could see my car with the bonnet up parked by the side of the road .  My mind was filled with wonder at the place I had just been and the people I had seen and in my heart I felt a warmth for what they had done.   

“How could this have happened  ?” I thought .

I got into the car and turned the key and the car engine started immediately . I was back on my way again through the heart of Snowdonia with a wonderful memory of a mystical visit to a cottage in the forest . I promised myself one day to return to the heart of Snowdonia  and find that cottage again .

I made contact with Lee and David , two of the contacts I had been given by the manager of the car yard  in Edinburgh . They ran a pub in North Wales and I was given a few nights accomadation in return for playing some songs to the locals there at night.

Lee and David gave me a lot of information about the Folk festivals going around Wales and encouraged me to check them out .

I went to Sesiwn Fawr in Dolgellau a town in Snowdonia and discovered storytellers and poets andmusic sessions from dawn to dusk and I could busk away unhindered to the people there in town . I found a warm welcome from the locals who were happy to have me stand there and play .

I discovered secret sites in North Wales like the steps inside a yew tree to where a stone pulpit had been placed . There were old mines and tunnels on mountain sides and a place called the Ardudwy Way there was a stone circle called Bryn Cader Faner where a druid price had been was buried over 4000 years ago .

In some of the beautiful gardens that were opened for tourists I asked the gardeners if I could do some busking and none of them refused .  In Plas Cadnant I stood busking on the green surrounded by a woodland and walled gardens with tourists streaming in to have a look around what could be described as paradise found.

I checked out some of the seaside resorts with a consideration to go busking there and fell in love with Abersoch on the LLyn Peninsula . There were lots of events for tourists there and I slotted myself in to that situation with no resistance .

I could have stayed in North Wales for a year but before going across the Irish Sea to Dublin I go busking around South Wales .

I was in no hurry on the road to Newport as I had been told about the amount of speed cameras along the way .

 

I stood there outside T K Maxx , the Hayes , main street , where the noise was unobtrusive and the acoustics were good and music filled the air with a perfect pitch spot to the ears of Cardiff . Other busier places like Queen Street had more passing trade however , its crowded traffic brought lots of static noise and constant hustle and bustle of life that hindered the art of busking and created other issues like getting robbed . I had learnt the hard way and never left too much money in the guitar case . I found it wise to put away any notes when they were donated and scoop up the gold coins as they mounted up .

 I spoke with some of the street people there who often came begging for money . There were also others who would come into Cardiff looking for a spot to share something or give something . Busking invites people to listen to songs and music while the homeless are asking for help . I heard so many stories from the those abandoned to the street . Their lives were hard and very sad but they were trying to survive . The runaways from domestic violence and the addicts living five feet from  the doorstep of hell . The victims of tragic circumstances who lost their jobs and then their marriage and then there were the lost and lonely , the missing pieces of lifes jigsaw looking for somewhere to fit in .

The streets of Cardiff were a stage where dancers and chancers performed and where heavenly creatures and preachers were reaching out with a message of hope for anyone willing to hear .

Standing by Cardiff central as the trains rolled in brought an essence of life and an appreciation of what you were doing . People would approach and tell you , those words you sang meant something or you deserve respect around here . The little word of encouragement were often the things that made it all worthwhile , People with suitcases would give you a whistle or a wave as they passed . Working class people on their way to work always acknowledged what you were doing which made up for the yuppies that would tell you to get a job . There were many surprises you’d find as you were busking like the hugs from kids with down syndrome and the comments from people who asked if you’d be there tomorrow as they had no money with them today .

Wales was an experience that brought mysticism and magic with a wealth of historical places and events to keep you intrigued for a long time however I was wanting to see Ireland while the summer months were around so I booked a passage for me and the Avenger to the port of Dublin and made my way to Holyhead for the crossing .

 

End Of Chapter 5

 

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/busking-blisters-chapter-6

Lnk to chapter  6

 

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