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I was extremely fortunate to visit Zalina in Slovakia to visit a Kia motor factory www.kia.co.uk recently. The trip was fantastic, not only did we stay in some fantastic places and admired some excellent examples of Eastern European architecture, we did an in depth tour of one of the leading examples of an eco-friendly, efficient motor car plant in the world. From when the steel was cut (off-cuts going immediately to another factory ro be re-used) to the finished product being driven off the assembly line, nothing was wasted and efficiency was paramount. I was introduced to a lady whose sole reponsibility was ensuring that all water coolers were never empty and rest areas were clean and tidy, making sure all staff at the plant were comfortable. Outside, mature trees and grassed areas were everywhere: the factory had fitted that well into the local environment and culture; also reducing unemployment from 20% in Zalina to less than 8%. New systems of reducing carbon emmissions were being developed at the plant such as ‘Idle, Stop & Go’ which means that when you stop at a junction, the engine cuts out and doesn’t come on until you depress the accelerator again, thus making the car more efficient and emmiting less harmful gases. Brilliant! Kia also had a scheme running not so long back under the banner ‘Think before you drive’ so drivers would think before making unnecessary journeys. They also gave free bicycles away with a new car at the time.

I think this fits into The Carreg ‘eco eco’ philisophy quite brilliantly.

Ian

As regular visitors know, we pride ourselves on supporting other local businesses by getting our supplies from Narberth High Street mostly Andrew Rees Butchers for our meat and Wisebuys for our fruit and vegetables, but it is interesting what supermarkets will do in the quest for ever cheaper food. Please click on this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8052387.stm for a teenage girls’ experience working in Asia preparing mass produced food. It is an eye opener and shows what an awful impact cheap food has on these poor communities and the environment.

I was 40 last Sunday, (You don’t look it Ian, no really, I’d never have said) and maybe 5 years or so ago, if somebody had asked me what I would be doing on my 40th, I’d have said kayaking in South America or trekking in the Himalayas or motorcycling round Europe. As it happened all my children with respective boyfriends, girlfriends (except Lewis as he is only 14) , Wendy and I had a table at The Carreg Saturday night (where else?) and had a fantastic night. Earlier on Saturday we went to a chicken and waterfowl sale, bought 6 new muscovy ducks and some fertilised eggs for hatching and then picked up various visiting children for Saturday’s evening meal. Before we could eat on Saturday we had to make a new duck house for all the new muscovys, so Lewis and I knuckled down and built a sizeable house from a big old wooden crate we had, so the new ducks would be safe from Mr fox. I am very grateful, I really couldn’t have done it without him. On Sunday, Wendy and I went for a walk, down the bridal path on the town moor, down to the Valley Road and back over the footpath coming out at between Plasfarm guest house and the church. We saw the new allotments (try growing your own veg, immensely satisfying),  came back and spent the rest of the day chilling with family in the Tranquillity Garden. Absolute bliss! Thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic weekend.

Thank you everyone for all the birthday and well wishes I had and thanks for all the presents. The Carreg Crew gave me a huge book on organic living and self sufficiency! Brilliant! Really enjoying it! They must have been reading the blog to know what it means to me!

Wendy gave me a fantastic coffee table book on eggs, not just about recipes but stories and what they mean to different people in different walks of life. And she bought me ducks. And allowed me to have pigs. And she always smiles at me. I love her very much.

I am very, very lucky.

Take Care

Ian

Ian

We had two Kune Kune pigs given us yesterday, Del Boy and Rodney, from a very nice person from Llanelli, called Samantha. She even delivered them and they trotted through the Courtyard to the Tranquillity Garden.

I am smiling.

Another brilliant weekend! Plenty of happy people with full tummies at The Carreg and some great weather! I spent 90% of the time in The Tranquillity Garden outdoors; collecting our new quail and preparing an area for another load of new arrivals who arrive on Thursday. I can’t say too much but (as you would expect from anything associated with Carreg) they are brilliant! I didn’t do the paperwork I was going to unfortunately, but we are bound to have a rainy day some day soon to give me the time to do that.

We did have the occassional disgruntled person unhappy about having to wait for their lunchs, but when we use fresh ingredients, whenever possible for each individual meal, coupled with such a lovely, popular place and atmosphere; there can, very occassionally, be a delay. There is no getting away with it; we are not perfect. But we do try our absolute very, level best every, single time.

Hope you all had as great weekend as I did because, to top it all, Wendy had her birthday yesterday!

Happy Birthday honey! X X X

Ian