Little Satsuma

05/01/2025

A very snowy small holding on top of the hill in Wrexham! Just magical.
But freeeeeezing outside!

10/10/2024

What a night here in North Wales on top of our rock in Cefn Mawr 🩵

28/07/2024

We did ALOT of clearance yesterday evening. We cut back the brambles and nettles. We have nettles elsewhere on the periphery of our (very)small holding and this area is for honeysuckle, jasmine, mint and lavender and other pollinator favourites.
Then we sat and enjoyed the last of the sunset.

We have worked very hard here and are soon launching Little Satsuma again. With a focus on making your own natural products, workshops, visiting holistic therapist and Jane will be offering hour 1-1 sessions for some of her new workshop themes.

She is a qualified teacher and holistic therapist of over 20 years. She has worked with many bereaved parents and people over the years too.

So she wants to help others find their path through challenging and emotional situations to come out the other side and thrive or at least find acceptance.

12/05/2024

Home made compost from a year’s food scraps, epic!
Planters lined with old stuff reclaimed from clearing land over last two years
Plant pots reclaimed and reused
Worms galore!
My colourful creation ‘Wonder wall’ that I designed to not be ‘block and boring’ but haphazard and colourful!
Fig from LIDL planted

08/05/2024

Every other morning before work

06/05/2024

THE LAST HARE

A Short Moral Story.

One day, Anakin, the old town crier, went into the jungle, and made an announcement to the wild animals, saying,

"My name is Anakin. I am here to announce that the king is going to have a big party at his palace tonight. Sorry, animals, but this party is not for everyone. The king is only inviting the rabbits. Any rabbit who can hear me should rush forward to collect a free ticket, as I don't know how many tickets I have available. There will be food and plenty of drink and fun, and each rabbit would go home with a bar of gold from the king. Like I said, no other animals apart from the rabbits are invited to the party. God save the king."

At once, all the rabbits roared and danced in jubilation. Unable to contain their excitements, they rushed forward to collect their tickets from Anakin. None of them could stand to miss such an opportunity.

Anakin began to offer the rabbits each a ticket. Soon, there was silence for a moment, then he said, "I think there's only one ticket left."

Meanwhile, a hare sat beside a tree, crying and seemed very upset. Then a bird saw him, and asked,
"What's wrong with you? Why are you in tears?"

The hare responded,
"I really want to attend that big party. I really want to join them. But I'm only a hare. I just wish I were a rabbit!"

The bird snapped,
"Hey, don't be silly! You ought to be smart enough to know that you look exactly like a rabbit. Go there now and tell Anakin that you are a rabbit, so you get the last ticket. He won't notice the difference. Hurry!"

The hare was so surprised at the brilliant idea. He jumped excitedly and rushed to meet Anakin. When he got there, he told him,
"I am a rabbit! I am a rabbit! Please, give me the last ticket!"

However, Anakin shook his head firmly, and said,
"I'm sorry, but the king said the last ticket should be given to a hare. I'm still waiting for that lucky hare who will come and get the last ticket!"

LESSONS LEARNED: Always be yourself. Never try to hide who you are for the sake of belonging, or gaining something. Never fake yourself, otherwise you may lose out on opportunities that come in your way. Whatever is meant for you, will reach you, no matter what. Being true to yourself enables you to pursue your own passions and goals, leading to a more meaningful and satisfying life. Above all, be kind and do your best everyday, and avoid listening to people like the bird, who tell you to hide your true self.

Author: Chima_Dickson Official

I let my stories teach the life lessons.

28/04/2024

I look awful on this photo I don’t know what i was doling with my face(!) but this was my first time meeting Jane Goodall at a lecture and book signing at Liverpool Uni.
I’ve met her since in London at Hope4Apes and another time. I volunteered every year in London for Bill Bailey’s comedy and music event at the Lyceum I think it was to raise money for orangutan and rainforest charity, SOS who I also ran Edinburgh marathon for. There were often lots of well known supporters and I loved flint every year from Liverpool to be part of it.
I campaigned for years on alot of these environmental issues and had Simple try and sue me (I still have their lawyer’s letters), L’occitane Paris HQ order our soaps and Lush Called me before they launched their Palm oil free soap as my dad and I made the first range of palm oil free soap available online in the UK after a random chat I had when sat with Zoe in the south of France before I left London.
It was an honour many years ago to be invited to the Fellowship of the RSA in London for my work in changing the ethics of the bodycare/beauty industry to consider their ingredients and their source. I don’t believe I’ve used this membership to it’s full extent and plan to this coming year or two.

I am looking forward to connecting more again with some of the natural products and ingredients and spending time creating some for my family again.

I forgot how much you gift your future self when you write, journal, blog. I did it too for 18 months when Indy’s scan went wrong and everything during and after and what I realise Is we gift ourselves incredible insights to help us in the now which was the future then!

With the help of Nia Ireland for going over my journals and notes during Indy’s time I gathered everything into a book and with the help of an author from the US I am publishing my book in May which is about hope, love and endurance even in the darkest of times.

I also have so many poems (I’m a prolific poem writer) which I will be gathering to publish

I have been quietly visiting Steph Healy every 6 weeks in the midst of Snowdonia in her cabin for a few months now too which has been insightful, working on things that hold me back, recognising what to let go of and what needs to change. it’s reminded me what I love and what I should be doing more of.

And so the magic carpet ride of life continues! Keep moving, keep learning, keep changing and developing

Here is my old blog too I just found: https://littlesatsuma.blogspot.com

19/03/2024

So glad to be co-project managing this with the team at NEW Sinfonia as we give a voice to people who’ve been through so much.
The exhibition plans are coming along really well and we hope to take this to other cities/ cathedrals/spaces

01/01/2024

Sleepy doggo post walk

01/01/2024

Good morning 2024 from
Llangolen 🧡
Blue sky and birds singing

07/11/2023

One of my favourite places where my favourite cafe is! The Alpine palm oil free cafe. Cosy, dog friendly, woolly blankets and fab food with loads of vegan choices

Scenery is strikingly similar to that of Switzerland's Montreux or Interlaken

26/09/2023

Wow! We live 10 minutes walk or 5 minutes by bike from this.

We also now have Wrexham ladies AFC Training and playing their games a five minute walk from our house!

The most amazing view on sunsets and misty mornings and yet tesco is a ten minute walk away!

Half way Between Llangollen Which has been voted best destination in wales and top three on tripadvisor and Wrexham which is on the up and full of American visitors where our charity is opening an international health food business!

Hard work may be starting to pay off finally!

Exciting news! Our local Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Wrexham has been ranked the most visually captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site on Earth!

This incredible feat of engineering was built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop between 1795 and 1805. The 18-arched stone and cast iron aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal 126 feet above the River Dee.

A recent study used eye-tracking technology to determine the most eye-catching UNESCO sites globally, and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct came out on top! We're proud to have this iconic landmark right in our community.

As the Fron Male Voice Choir, we feel privileged to rehearse just a mile away from the aqueduct twice a week. Listen closely during your next visit, and you may hear our vocals drifting along the canal!

We'd love for you to experience this special site for yourself - as well as enjoy our live rehearsals on Mondays and Thursdays at Acrefair Primary School from 7-9pm. Please stop by anytime for a warm Welsh welcome!

08/06/2023

Please vote for us! Voting ends tomorrow! find ourUareUK bike at the end of the album. I’ll post the pic in comments! We are 18 notes behind the tourist information shop at the moment! Come on! Just find the picture and click the like button!

You can check out these bikes at Alyn Waters Country Park during bike week (June 5th-11th).

Vote for your favourite bike all week by 'Liking' the image of your favourite bike.