Sweet Caroline!

Recently I made a new friend on Facebook, Caroline De Lange who lives in Wales.
She noticed I was visiting England and suggested that after our stay in the Cotswolds, B and I came on to Wales and stay with her family. Apparently she and a friend ran a company which organises corporate events in Cardiff, Indaba. She proposed staging an event at which I could give my motivational speech.

I was delighted at this suggestion. I had never been to Wales before. I had spoken in South Africa, America, the Virgin Islands and England. Wales would be a totally new country for me to conquer!!!
“What are the Welsh like?” I asked B.
“They’re…they’re…well…Welsh!” was the enigmatic response.
Glory, I would have to see for myself, I thought.

Do you know that Shirley Bassey was Welsh? She sang: Hey, Big Spender! The minute you walked in the joint, I could see you were a man of distinction, a real big spender, good looking, so divine…..
I hummed happily to myself as we headed towards Dylan Thomas countryside.

We crossed over the river Severn and entered Wales. B had on her SatNav and it happily guided us into Cardiff and straight up to Caroline’s house.
“Here we are,” said B switching off the engine. “I am dying for a cup of tea.”
As we got out the car, I stretched and said: “It will be great finally meeting Caroline. I have only ‘known’ her on Facebook. At long last, the person enters the picture!”
Leaving our suitcases in the car, we mounted the front steps and I knocked on the door.
We heard footsteps and then the door opened. Lo and behold, there stood Caroline! Her hair had been permed. It really suited her, I thought.
“We made it, Caroline!” I said, grinning broadly.
“Hello,” she said, looking at us slightly questioningly.
“Hi there,” I laughed. “I am Gaynor and this is B.”
“Oh…” She shook our hands. The perplexity remained. “I’m sorry, have I met you before?”
“Well, no, but we know each other through Facebook,” I laughed. “Your hair looks glorious,” I said referring to her perm. I hadn’t realised that Caroline was this…well…voluptuous! A photograph and the real thing are poles apart, I thought.
“We know each other through Facebook?” she questioned.
“Yes,” B, ever to the point said, “We are so looking forward to tonight.”
“Tonight?” Caroline said, somewhat blankly and could there be a touch of panic lurking beneath the words?
“Tonight’s speech,” I confirmed slowly.
“Speech?” There was definitely an underlying hysteria there!
“You are Caroline, aren’t you?” B being B, cut to the chase.
“I’m Caroline, yes,” the perplexed woman replied.
“And you’ve organised for me to give my speech tonight,”I finished slowly as if explaining to a child.
“No,” squeaked Caroline. “No, I haven’t!”
“Yes, you have,” I said somewhat desperately, “I am speaking at 7 p.m. at the Chapter Arts Centre.”
“This is the first I’ve heard of it!” was Caroline’s startled response.
There was a pregnant silence.
“You are Caroline De Lange?” asked B in a measured tone.
“No, I’m Carolanne Milsom,” she said in a relieved rush.
“But…but…you should be Caroline De Lange of 11 Old Church Close,” said B rummaging for her address book. “Oh…oh, heck!” she frowned. “I put in 1 Old Church Close instead of 11. We have come to the wrong house.”
“Barbara!” (I always revert to ‘Barbara’ in times of problems and stress!)
“I am so sorry,” B apologised. “That was such a stupid mistake.”
As we turned to go, Carolanne said: “Tell me, what are you speaking about?”
Giving her a big smile, I said: “An incredibly interesting subject – me!”
“Why don’t you come? You would enjoy it,” B put in.
“I am watching Wales play football tonight with my brother and friends. Damn, I would love to have come.”
B handed her one of my cards. “Have a look at Gaynor’s webpage. I think you’ll find it interesting.”
Carolanne smiled. “Thank you. You have certainly piqued my interest. Let’s really connect on Facebook this time!”
I laughed. “That’s a deal!”

Later when drinking steaming cups of tea with the real Caroline, I got a Facebook message from Carolanne.
“Wow, you did not exaggerate. What an incredible story. What a piece of luck you mistakenly knocked at my door. I’m going to enjoy getting to know you. “Break a leg” for tonight’s speech!”

I now have a new friend on Facebook.
I now have a new contact in Wales.
All through a mistaken knock at a door.

I must do this more often!

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If you are curious as to how my first speech in Wales was received you might like to read 12 year old Imogen’s blog about the night! Press here!