It's Mum's diary on again and I'm taken through the beautiful Welsh country with names like, Caernarfon, Bettws, Betws-y-Coed where they stayed the night and paid 18/- for bed and breakfast. She writes: " Next morning we woke to found the sun still shining. What a day! A visit to the Conway falls up a beautiful valley was well worth the 2/- then another 2/- to see the Fairy Glen. Both little Welsh gems and we had them all to ourselves before the crowds come to spoil our high and noble thoughts." On through Penryhndeudraeth, Maentwrog to Harlech where this photo was taken. You can just see Mum sitting on a rock. "The estuary at Mawddach is almost a lake and is the finest estuary between the Clyde and the Firth and the English Channel" says the AA guide that she has. She stays at the "Royal Ship Hotel', a beautiful 4 storey, ivy clad stone house which I've found still is open. It is in Dolgellau.
I'm struggling with these Welsh names - get one letter wrong and you can't find it on Google maps!
Our last visit to Wales was in 2002. We visited the same places as your Mum did in 1929. Brings back a lot of beautiful memories. Wales (Cymru) is a fantastic place to spend your holiday!
A wonderful photo of your mum on that rock looking like a little pixie in her cloche hat. She visited a fantastically beautiful part of Wales, so interesting to hear all her adventures.
I love your mom's writing style, especially her "lofty thoughts." And the photograph is just lovely. Her tiny form makes you realize how large the ruins are. I imagine they are very much unchanged today. Keep us posted.
This is just beautiful, maggiemae. And I absolutely love her hat!!!! I think it's so cool that you not only have her journal, but you also have pictures. WOW!!!
Beautiful place and photo. I am part Welsh. My Welsh ancestor came to the United States of America almost 400 years ago. I wish I could speak Welsh. The language sounds very pretty.
I really like the way you are making use of words and pictures, Maggiemae, and your 'aside' comments bring the viewer/reader right into the mood of the story.
Maggie, have you looked up how to pronounce these Welsh names? you should write down how they are said and then google the pronunciation. To me most Welsh names sound nothing at all like I expect them to. It's such a beautiful melodious language
