The Kindness of Strangers
I need to tell you about kind strangers before I forget. It wasn’t easy for my mum and I to juggle caring for my daughter and my dad this last week in North Wales, but we had a really lovely time – partly because these absolute smashers clocked us and helped us along the way. We were staying in a self-catering cottage on the Portmeirion estate.
The first person I loved was Elwin.
Me and my dad got a golf buggy down to the swimming pool, and Elwin was the driver. The hotel put on golf buggies for anyone staying on the estate. Dad can’t walk far and needs two sticks to help him, so the buggies were a godsend.
Me: “Dad, I’ll find you a place by the pool to sit, then I’ll go and grab a towel from the hotel and come and join you.”
Elwin: “Tell you what, I’ll stop off at the hotel on the way down to the pool and I’ll get you the towel.”
I told you last week that Dad (91) tried the pool steps and was gutted he couldn’t get in, but he wanted to sit in the shade while I swam anyway. We walked into the grassy area by the pool and a beautifully glamorous lady. Crochet kaftan, massive sun hat, Gucci sunglasses who bellowed…
“MATTY! HELP THESE PEOPLE FIND A SUN LOUNGER”
Matty was probably about 18. He started to put some chairs under a distant tree for us.
“THERE’S MORE SHADE BY THE BAR MATTY”
“Plus it’s by the bar,” I chipped in. “That’s a win win in my book.”
“YES. ALWAYS A BONUS”
“Your lad is brilliant. Thank you so much. It’s so kind of you and him.”
“I’VE BROUGHT HIM UP PROPERLY”
She would hear no more praise. She went on her way. I loved her, I had a beer.
Finally, a massive heads up to the waiter in the brasserie who overheard our Martha and her autistic behaviours struggling with the sophisticated menu.
“Do you want me to ask the chef if he can make you a burger?”
Martha’s face lit up. So did mine. The chef made her a burger.
Honestly, if you need a nearby holiday then go to Portmeirion. We’ve had the most fabulous mini-break and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The Summer Sale’s on. It’s brilliant, and there’s up to 70% OFF some lovely things.
Enjoy!
