Pumping a tyre up on my bike ride this morning. Have just come back from my volunteer job at the SPCA where catching cats in one room is a huge problem! Some of them are still very wild and have not been tamed or socialised properly.
Mum in her travel diary of 1929 is travelling through the delightful countryside of Wales.
She writes: “The car was parked in a yard and in the morning I discussed the for and against of good cars with the Chaffeur of a Sunbeam. Quite amusing but delayed us a little and we were anxious to be off as it was a perfectly wonderful morning. We lazed along drinking in the fresh air and glowing in the sun till past Llwngwril to Tywyn where I bargained with a Welshman much to my amusement and his, over some moldy cake, A good salesman, no doubt but not exactly an honest one.”
She loved the areas they went through with green fields, wooded hills and rocky mountains. Visited Devils Bridge and went down into the valley to look at the falls.
“Then we climbed up and out and down and there followed a very hot though pretty walk to see the waterfalls. One river falls over, another river falls over and over many times, then quietly along and plonk with a splash into the other! Through Bwlch (pronounce it as you like) and Crickhowell where we were supposed to see traces of a castle. We did at Abergavenny – the shell of a tower and half a wall but little else", Mum writes.
She stayed at the Kings Head in Monmouth and I found a picture of it – 17th century hotel, beautifully timbered. Next is Chepstow Castle!
Now 38820 words. For those interested, tag 1929 and you get some others but mostly about the diary.
Your mum's diary continues to enthrall me! Love the description of "One river falls over, another river falls over and over many times, then quietly along a plonk with a splash into the other!" Simply gorgeous :)
I agree with Gillian about her description of the waterfall. Thank you so much for posting these excerpts -- I love your mom's style and spirit. She has fun everywhere she goes and finds beauty all around her. What a treat she must have been!
You on your travels & mum on her travels...good connection! You have some serious panniers on that bike & a beautiful path to ride along.#Lovely description as always of mums journey.
Oops forgot to say I love the photo of you at work on your tire. Sometimes I think of volunteering at Tails of Hope, the cat shelter who provided me with Oscar and Rufus, but I couldn't ride there on a nice path.
Maggie, it is such a joy to read your words from your mother's diary. You have got to do more with them when you have got them all down. She wrote so well. When are you coming to the UK to visit all of her old haunts?
Maggiemae, don't you think your mother would be amazed and honored that you've managed to captivate people the world over with her story?! What a grand venue this is. . .
I did not know that you volunteer at the SPCA. They sure need the help and nice that you can do it and fix your tire. It is really interesting the way your Mom wrote and so descriptive.
Hello Maggiemae after a long time. Hope you are well. The King's Head in Monmouth hey? I've stayed there myself. Best regards (hwyl fawr) from Wales. Alan
@earthstory I'm very well, thank you, Alan! Nice to hear from you! The Kings Head looks wonderful - saw pics! It was so hot in Wales when she was there! Now gone down to Stratford!
December 5th, 2012
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Your Mum's diary is absolutely fascinating. Devil's bridge is gorgeous!