Simon Parker Loves 'Challenges' About Life On Remote Wales Island — With No Running Water Or Electricity

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, some find solace in the untouched corners of nature. Simon Parker, once an aircraft engineer with the Royal Air Force, is one such individual.

He discovered a haven on Flat Holm, a remote island near Wales, where he not only oversees its conservation but also manages its sole pub.

Flat Holm, situated a brief distance from Cardiff in the Bristol Channel, is an island that tests its residents with its lack of conventional amenities such as electricity and running water.

Despite the island's exposure to harsh weather, Parker has taken on diverse roles, from being its caretaker and repairman to its bartender and sporadic tour guide, reported BBC.

"I had a bad couple of years. I went through a rough patch where I did struggle and I lost myself," the 38-year-old told CNBC about how he ended up there.

"I was searching for somewhere that felt like home when, really, it wasn't a place as such, loss was inside and I needed to find that again."

Flat Holm's legacy stretches back to ancient times, serving as a sanctuary for diverse groups such as monks, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, miners and even patients during a cholera outbreak.

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Presently, it's designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, primarily because it shelters a significant portion of Wales' gull population.

Talking about how the island has become a way of life for him, he said, "I'm no longer a filthy mainlander, I am a filthy islander. Not many people get to say they live somewhere as cool as this. I'm kind of on my own so there is some apprehension there but I just love challenges."

Since the onset of spring, Simon has fully immersed himself in the island's rhythm.

"I've always loved being in remote places, although I'm only four miles from Cardiff, sometimes it can seem like a million," he said. "Life is short so I put out to anyone thinking of doing something like this — just to do it." 

The breathtaking vistas from his residence and the unique ambiance of the Gull and Leek, Wales' most southern pub, are among the island's many charms.

Reflecting on his island experience, Simon remarked, "Living on an island the sustainability of all this is quite tricky. For me, Flat Holm is kind of like a microcosm for how I look at the world."

"We have to move away from this idea that we have an infinite number of resources, it is just not sustainable. We can do it, it's not impossible and the solutions are all there if there is a will to change," he added. 

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This story is part of a series of features on the subject of success, Benzinga Inspire.

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo: Flat Holm Island, Shutterstock