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Comment by abdul shayek on September 26, 2011 at 3:50

Wow this blog is littered with grammer and spelling mistakes- sorry peeps, my bad... guess it was the tiredness......

Comment by abdul shayek on September 18, 2011 at 9:45

Thurs Sep 15^th – Day 14 of cyclewales

So having stayed the night at Peri’s house in Brynammen I got a bus into Ammanford in the morning.  I made a decision with much difficulty that I would return home to Cardiff rather then stay in Ammanford for the day as I had intended.  This was for various reasons including wanting to be there for the 2^nd Word4Word event & also be fresh faced and well rested for the Artist Evaluation day on Friday.

I spent the morning in the offices of Mess up the Mess, meeting with 2 of their young staff team about both their involvement with the company and their thoughts and opinions on developing Assembly.  I then set off for the 50-mile ride back home.

 

Once again I found myself struggling through the Valleys of South Wales and managed to get myself after much huffing and puffing to Cimla.  However once there I realised the only way back to was to go even further up towards Cymmer and then over into Treorchy, then over another huge hill into Pontypridd.

However en-route to Treorchy I realized, I would never make it back in time if I tried to take on the second hill as the climb although gradual was already a huge undertaking.  However once at the top, I zipped down to the bottom and thought the best idea would be to take a train bypassing the next hill and then get on the Taff trail back into Cardiff. 

 

So after 5 hours, 35 miles and train I found myself on the Taff Trail in Radyr quite happy to be heading home and still with enough time to get to Word4Word. I have to say through out my time on this bike ride I have been pleasantly surprised by peoples welcoming and open nature.  This was slightly tainted whilst I rode through Cymmer, I went past a group of secondary school pupils and as I struggled past I heard ‘black bastard’ shouted at me.  I was taken a aback, there had been mentions of prejudice due to ignorance, however, I hadn’t experienced it.  So I have decided that revisiting the school, to deliver a ‘black bastard’ workshop would be a good way to flag up this issue.

 

Sorry to end this blog on a sour note, but it was something, which couldn’t go unmentioned.  This bike has been immense, informative and challenging.  I have had moments of trepidation and anxiety about this challenge, however I am extremely glad to have taken it on.  The task of developing National Theatre Wales ‘Assembly’ strand, although challenging will now be a more bespoke & representative process.

 

Comment by National Theatre Wales on September 17, 2011 at 10:19

Quite a ride Abdul!  Hope you enjoyed your welcome home in Bute Park!  As for my cycling - up to one end of the park and back again - the less said the better after your grand ride!  Looking forward to hearing all the news, thoughts and ideas you gathered from people along the way. And to all the folk you encountered, thanks for making our new Creative Associate so welcome.  Will be great to hear the report back on all your ideas.

Comment by abdul shayek on September 14, 2011 at 11:51

Mon Sep 12 – Day 11 of cyclewales

Today was a day of sorting and catching up in things whilst on a 3½-hour train ride down to Rhayader via Llandrindod.  The bike was fixed at the Cyclelife in Rhyl.   Due to the high winds a train was a safe move to make.  The decision to bypass Welshpool was due to lack of contacts and meets in & time.

So having decided that Rhayader was to be my next stop I made some phone calls to people who had been recommended & was invited by Peter Cox to stay in his house but due to his absence would be hosted by wife, Cath and daughter Ellen.  They fed & sheltered me but also provided me with a great deal of interesting information and knowledge of the local area.  The hospitality was extremely appreciatiated as currently my body is feeling fairly tired.

Tues Sep 13 – Day 12 of cyclewales

The day started with a trip to the Elan Valley which was another piece of absolute jaw dropping part of the country.

After which I cycled over to #Carad to meet with Liz Pugh & speak to her & canvas opinions from her about her thoughts on what ‘Assembly’ should become.  Also it gave me a chance to touch base with her about our R&D project in October.

#Willowtheatre was the next stop for me where I met with Phil, Sue, Aimee and Semelie.  The conversation was rich and gave me much to contemplate .  I discovered a great deal of enthusiasm and proactive energy.

After, I went along to Llandrindod to meet with #AndrewSterry at Mid Powys Youth Theatre- where I joined the youth theatre group for their session and then had a chat with the group at the end.  Interesting & invaluable thoughts of members of the younger generation were voiced during this meet.  The day ended back in Rhayader.  I am hoping to meet more locals on Wednesday before heading off to Ammanford to meet with #MessuptheMess.

Wed Sep 14^th – Day 13 of cyclewales

The day started with a bus ride into Llandrindod or Llandod as the locals call it.  Here I spent some time in Herb Garden Café before meeting Guy Rodrick.  Over lunch we discussed many things and also gained further insight of the current climate of theatre in this part of Wales.  I then met with another very interesting local, Adam Samuel, Rhayader development officer- this was a very brief but he did suggest some great ideas and thoughts on what ‘Assembly’ should become.

 

I then headed over to Ammanford to meet ‘Mess up the Mess’.  By the time I arrived they were in their panto audition workshop which I joined in with.  It was I have to say quite interesting to be participants after such a long time facilitating.  It was scary, daunting but actually very fun.

 

p.s. I forgot but there was also the chance to see the Tour of Britain bike ride pass through which was amazing as the racers were taking on 120 miles- wow......

Comment by abdul shayek on September 11, 2011 at 7:15

Sun Sep 11 – Day 10 #cyclewales

Not really much to report today as it was fairly quiet Sunday.  I decided to take a rest.  However did meet with Prestatyn Young Film Makers and Jan Miller at the Scala Arts Centre.  The film makers were an enthusiastic bunch telling me about their recent project with Gavin Porter, Cardiff based filmmaker & other projects and ideas they have.  Also giving some great feedback to my questions.  Other then that fairly chilled day really.

Comment by abdul shayek on September 11, 2011 at 6:49

Day 8- Friday 9^th September- I went & met with Dyfan Roberts & Dr. Ian Connor both of whom gave me a great understanding of what Pontio is hoping to be and the audiences and work it is programming.  It was also great to get an understanding of the local geography.  I also checked out a local café & space where local arts events take place- Bllue Sky Cafe.

In the afternoon, I decided to head over to Holyhead and Canolfan Ucheldre Arts Centre.  However my misconception that Anglesey was quite flat and bad sense of direction meant meandering in south Anglesey for quiet some time before finding myself on track to Holyhead.  I arrived fairly late & found most places shut and gearing up for a busy Friday night, I headed back by train to Bangor feeling fairly despondent.

Day 9 #cyclewales – Saturday 10^th September- was certainly an eventful day.   I made contact with a local artist based on Anglesey called Sharon Jemima.  We talked about various things including ideas around ‘Assembly’, Identity & life on an island.   It was an intriguing and useful to get sense of the scene in North Wales.

I then left to embark on my 30 mile journey to Prestatyn.  The ride was amazing and had some great bits of scenery and sights.  The sustrans route 5 is highly recommended to anyone looking for a nice coastal cycle ride. 

My rest stop was Conwy for a breather and an ice cream.  Whilst doing this I came across a group of cyclists who had been doing an 80 mile charity ride and one of the participants recognized me from my fish & chip stop in Porthmadog.

The group were all connected to Snowdonia National Park and were keen to talk further about the #NTW22 project.  We spoke at great lengths about various things including ‘Assembly’, they gave me a great account of some of the communities that live in and around the Park and provided details for future contact and conversations.

I continued on my journey and found myself further up the coast when I saw the sight that many warned me about.  Out in the Irish Sea on the horizon was a wind farm.  Personally I thought is was quite awful, however many locals said they had got used to it and saw it as a landmark.

 

I carried on along the coast and was making good progress when suddenly I heard a noise coming from the rear wheel.  I stopped, I inspected and found the bike rack had lost a few screws and was lopsided and catching the back wheel.  Luckily it had happened right next to Abergele & Pensarn – 8 miles off Prestatyn, so I got the next train & reached my proposed destination slightly later then I had hoped.  

Comment by abdul shayek on September 8, 2011 at 20:50

Tuesday 6^th Sep, day 5 of cyclewales had a great day in Barmouth, meeting people who were of interesting and gave me much food for thought around my proposal for what 'Assembly' should develop into.  I also got the chance to sit in on a Communities First consultation evening, which gave me a real insight into local thoughts, concerns & public service issues.  This was followed by an evening of Jazz provided by the talented & funny Liane Carol Jazz Trio, all courtesy of Martin Williams- thanks Martin.

 

I woke on the 7^th Sep, day 6 of cyclewales & decided that I would make a move, as the weather had got better.  I left behind Barmouth and used Sustrans route 8 to head on to Caernarfon.  Along the way I passed Harlech Castle & the quite beautiful beach, there have been a few.

Once I got to Caernarfon I had the opportunity to meet with some of the older youth theatre in Galeri & also with Jason (local young rapper) and a few of his mates locally.  However the most interesting meet was with a café owner in Bryncir, Dfydd & his friend Ken.  Having taken shelter from a heavy and sudden shower, the conversation started with their thoughts on theatre and ‘Assembly’, however it moved onto various other things including local & global politics & fatherhood. 

 

Day 7, Thurs Sep 8^th was to be a climb to the summit of Snowdon.  I took the Welsh Highlands Railway to my starting point of Rhyd Ddu.  The initial climb was great and I thought I was doing very well however after an hour & half I realized that I had strayed off the path and found myself quite lost and ill equipped to trek across the mountain.  Hadn’t really planned this very well, the sheep’s weren’t great with directions either.  After an hour of clambering around Midway up Snowdon I managed to get back on track however I left defeated & decided that Snowdon would have to wait till another day.

 

I came back into a local café- where I met an interesting group of women.  The conversation touched on the subject of language & the timing of events.  Language has been quite prominent & I have heard many interesting thoughts on this.

Comment by Marc Rees on September 6, 2011 at 7:12

Go Abdul Go!

Hope Irene is helping you along and not hindering head on?

Thinking of you, enjoy the rest of your adventure.

Marc

Comment by abdul shayek on September 6, 2011 at 4:57

Day 3 & Day 4

 

Into day 3, I headed from Druidstone to Aberaeron, however being a Sunday I quickly realised that there would be no respite as most places were closed.

I went via Haverfordwest and found myself in front of Tasker Milward School which was attended by Bradley Manning- #NTW18

 

 

 

I then set my sights on getting out of Haverfordwest and heading towards Cardigan and realized that I was en route to taking on the Persili Mountain.  The weather was great and I felt it was achievable.  However as I started started my climb up, the rain started, by the time I had reached the top I was completely drenched with no battery & no option but to go on.  The descent although easier was made all that more difficult due to the wet conditions.  However on top I did find a group of locals awaiting a race between a farmer on his tractor & a woman on her horse.

Once over I continued on to Cardigan where I met Richard Davies of Parthian Books- he kindly met me and gave me a lowdown of the groups and people I should try and connect with.  I then realised a further 25 mile ride to Aberaeron was certainly a difficult task and decided to take up his offer of a lift to my 3^rd destination.

Adam Somerset was waiting when we got to Aberaeron and had kindly offered to take me to see the National Youth Theatre show and also be my local travel guide for the evening, ‘Patagonia’ in Aberystwyth Arts Centre.  After the show there was mingling and meeting and explaining #cyclewales.  Sara Lloyd an associate with the National Youth Theatre Wales gave me a fair few contacts for my stay in Menai Bridge.   So an eventful and busy 3^rd day.

 

On the Monday my fourth day I decided to head back into Cardigan to meet with Small World Theatre.  I also popped in to say hello in Theatre Mldwan.  It is was great to speak with Small World and explain the project and get their experienced thoughts & views of working in rural communities across Wales.  The conversation was rich and highly productive in canvasing those opinions and also seeing their amazing building.

 

I then headed off towards Aberystwyth and then onto Barmouth but I have to come clean and say that I didn’t cycle this leg of my journey & opted for public transport for day 4.

 



Comment by Sustrans Cymru on September 5, 2011 at 1:41

Hope day 4 is going well Abdul - looking forward to updates from Barmouth!

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