40. St Kilda - Leigh Chambers

A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ cross country trip yielded unexpected discoveries for Sasha Soreff, when she set off with two friends across the Southern United States in 1992. When she isn't on life-changing adventures, Sasha Soreff is a NYC-based transformational coach and facilitator, writer, choreographer, and dance teacher. Website: https://sashasoreffdance.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashadancecreate/

I am Nathalie. An interior architect, artist, former project manager and all round dreamer. In November 2018, I left my London life, took the plunge, and moving my life to France. I now live in a Water Mill which dates back to pre1735. It sits on the banks of the River Cernon, in the region of Aveyron. Surrounded by nature on the edge of the village of Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon, close to the market town of Millau and 2km from the Norman Foster designed Millau Viaduct. I have been refurbishing the building - it was a working flour mill until as recently as 2000 – retained many of the original features, determined to keep as much of the buildings history as possible. As well as the new kitchen/dining area and the new salon reception room, there are now 4 new bedrooms, 3 new shower rooms and 4 new toilets added to the existing self -contained apartment that sleeps up to 4 people. A delightful meditation/chill out room has been created on the ground floor and the sun terrace has been refurbished and made usable. The conversion of the old 120 Mtre Sq piggery into a working ceramics/art studio has also been completed! I am a ceramic artist and will be splitting my time between creating my own works and hosting/facilitating retreats/workshops/collaborations and residencies. Covid has been a challenging time, but weirdly allowed me more time as due to travel restrictions etc, I have not been able to facilitate retreats or host many events, as per the paned programme. The Covid Situation (this is written/ recorded June 2021) has allowed me more time to be creative and it’s during this time that my Goddesses Sculptures Series has come into being. I am also writing a book, with the help and support of fellow writers at The London Writers Salon. I would have made no progress if it were not for these guys! This summer I have planned two Raku ceramic courses and in I will be hosting September Writers Retreats ( Email address is below if you would like further information on these or general stay enquires) I have also undertaken the somewhat daunting challenge of starting the process to become a micro hydroelectric power supplier of energy to the green grid. No small feat, especially with the world renowned challenges of French Administration! I am determined to make real change in a positive direction for the planet and future generations. This project will be financed by eco warriors far and wide and everyone who is interested in helping take the strain off Mother Nature’s precious natural resources. If you would like to be kept informed about all news from The Mill, please feel free to sign up for The Mill News Letter for information on events, ceramics, hydroelectric progress and all the shenanigans of a London Gal, swapping her life for one in the French Countryside! P.S. This summer I have planned two Raku ceramic courses and in I will be hosting September Writers Retreats ( Email address is below if you would like further information on these or general stay enquires) https://themillfrance.com/blog email: [email protected] for more information https://www.nathalieedwards.com/ for my ceramics The Mill was featured in a short video sponsored by Bricomarche a French DIY store featuring interesting places to stay in France – You can see more of The Mill , and a very nervous me here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWiVPkf4ZDE instagram: themillfrance Facebook: The Mill France

Fara and her husband Bob are in their mid-40s. They have been traveling the world since 2017 meeting new friends along the way. Global Couple LIFE is their online community to connect couples worldwide to share their common interest in travel. www.globalcouplelife.com, https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalcouplelife, https://twitter.com/globalcoupleli1

Excerpts from a diary; kept during her first travels to India in the 90’s, a place revisited since that first adventure. A few moments of the six-week journey are shared, as we are taken around this vast beautiful country steeped in history. Stories that will stay with her forever, like brightly coloured photos imprinted in her heart & imagination. Tracy Bickley is a London based creative. She first traveled to India while living in New York in the early 90’s. The places travelled and lived retained little pieces of her heart; reappear in the fictional stories she writes. 

Imagine a teenager with an inchoate desire to test herself but no ability to foresee consequences who goes AWOL from a charter flight that stops to refuel in Greece, then hitchhikes her way alone through Europe and returns, spirits (and virginity) intact Robin takes us to the road from Athens to Patras along the Aegean on a starry summer night at the start of her adventure thumbing through Europe.  She’s since made her life in New York City where she’s worked in the field of Brand Engagement while raising a daughter from Jiangsu, China and is now pursuing an MFA from Bennington.   Her work has appeared in The New York Times Modern Love column, Mc Sweeney’s, The Missouri Review (Winter, 2022) and Off-Assignment. Sound Engineer - Nour Harakati  https://robinreif.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-reif-46133a/ https://www.facebook.com/robin.reif.96

The archipelago of St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides, was evacuated in 1930 but its beauty and isolation still fascinates thousands of visitors who make the long journey each year to visit it. Leigh Chambers was one of them.

Chris takes us to Lesotho, a high-altitude, landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa, is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and mountain ranges.  Not your every day holiday destination.

"There’s lots to tell you about Rio and our stay. These podcasts are taken from my blog www.sukisuzy.WordPress.com  where you can find lots of photos too.” Thanks very much Sue x

Patti takes us into the beautiful remote village of Napongayit in South Sudan and introduces us to the lives of the Larim people and her life-changing visit in 1979. Patti has always been fascinated by different ways of living, which led her to study social anthropology at Oxford, living in Sri Lanka and South Sudan. Then she became an award-winning BBC producer of documentaries looking at social and ecological issues facing people in Africa and Asia. These days she’s a Research Associate of the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, and her photos, research notes and music from South Sudan can all be found on the Pitt Rivers Museum’s website.

During the early 1970’s times were hard for Brian and Susie Bannigan.   They'd previously left Ireland to come to England in the early 60's.   Now with a gaggle of ten boys Brian was working at the Corby Steelworks.  He was also driving taxis and coaches in between shifts, some nights and on days off.  Thinking that life overseas might bring more opportunities, he contemplated a life in Australia like so many others at the time; but naturally sad at the thought he might never again see his homeland again he wrote a poem to capture his thoughts. Eamonn, his son recorded him reading this poem around 12 years ago purely to capture his voice.  It was never intended for a public audience and hasn't been professionally recorded. Today is his birthday and ten years since his passing.  Today we celebrate his voice, his love of storytelling and to share his poem.  We think he would have loved it.  Enjoy and be sure to capture all those special memories and voices while you can x