Greetings,
I appreciate the private responses from the few of you who
wrote...hopefully, I didn't put the rest of you to sleep! <G> I do
strongly ask that what info and I send photos will NOT be used for any
webpage, booklet, or other public forum. I have plans for all this, and it
is NOT for public consumption without my knowledge and consent. Thanks for
respecting that.
For a moment, I hesitated in writing for a couple of reasons. First, there
seems to be little interest, and as all these messages are archived, I am
concerned that we do NOT use surnames for any of the people to protect
their privacy.
Also, I have already been asked when the next trip will be, and perhaps
telling all of you so much detail will not give you the excitement of the
experience like we had on this trip. I would hate to spoil it for anyone.
Regarding the next trip I make to Wales: I will be in Italy this coming
summer and haven't planned for 2002. I retire from teaching June 2003 and
would consider a trip then, depending upon what plans my husband and I have
to celebrate that retirement. Regardless, it still may be possible for me
to go, and I do hope not to wait longer than that to return. HOWEVER, this
shouldn't keep any of you from going when you desire. Of course, I would
be EXTREMELY jealous! <G>
I do know that I would want to spend more time at the National Library, but
would still wish to climb some of those hills to the castle ruins. Roland
--I'm ready for Dinfwr! How about you! <G> We can do it! BUT, consider
food and water...have the helicopter on stand-by! <G>
Ready for part 2?
26 Jul 2000:
We FINALLY found the A-5 and headed east from Bangor. No doubt Priscilla
was white knuckling it for miles, but maintained her wonderful demeanor as
we climbed the northern mountain area of the Snowdonia region and ogled at
the sites through the pass. Even though I live in a valley surrounded by
mountains, they don't compare to the rugged beauty around every turn in
Northern Wales. As the driver, I was unable to see the beauty as well as I
liked, so several stops were made to inhale the wonders. One such stop was
at a beautiful river which fell into a narrow canyon. Tourists were
sitting on a rock above it, and we joined them for a picture or two.
AND, of course, the Monster Mercedes... not liking the lack of attention...
started bleating for its mother (Hey, we are in sheep country here! <G>).
We had been having a time trying to find the source of its occasional beeps
as we drove, but now, the beeps were replaced by rude screams, heard by
all. You would think I was torturing the poor thing! At first I thought
it was parked so close to the highway that the passing cars were setting
off the alarm. The parking area was narrow. I finally discovered the
source of its cries, but don't recall now whether a door wasn't completely
shut, the trunk was ajar, the break wasn't on, the lights were aglow (MY
car is much less than a Mercedes and turns off the lights automatically,
but NO...NOT THIS THING! All I know is if that car didn't get its way, I
heard about it. What an embarrassment! I could hear EVERYONE mumbling
from each mountain top "those dumb Americans!" <G> The beeping was still
a
mystery as we continued on our way.
We passed through Betws-y-Coed, a darling town, but too filled with
tourists. I did so want to explore that area, but there is always too much
to do, and so it is saved for another trip! We continued on the A-5
passing the turn to Yspyty Ifan. How I ached to go, but time was moving
quickly, and I wanted to be at Fron Goch to greet the others.
We arrived around 4pm or so, but Roland and the gang had not appeared. It
was wonderful to see Carys and Dewi again. They remembered my husband's
and my short visit last year...just one year and a day ago. I first saw
the farm July 25, 1999 and here it was, a year and a day later. Oh, how I
remembered that first view of Fferm Fron Goch. I was so amazed to see it
was a B & B, and as I walked through some of the first floor rooms, I could
bearly hold back tears of joy. I hadn't expected to find the house in use.
It's hard for Americans to fathom 300 years for a home, but in Wales and
other countires, that isn't that old.
After choosing a room (Sorry, guys...first come, etc.) and unloading the
bags, I wrapped some gifts from Oregon for Carys. She made Priscilla and I
some tea and "drop scones" which are a sweet version of our
"dollar-size"
pancakes. Butter was provided for them.
As Roland and the gang had not yet arrived we decided to go for dinner at
the Plas yn Dre in Bala where one can always get a wonderful meal.
SO.o.o.o, back in the Monster, Priscilla and I found our way to
Bala...beeping all the way! I was pleased to see that last year's memory
was still intact! After gorging on some wonderful chicken dish with a
cheese sauce and tons of freshly cooked vegetables, we walked down one side
of town and up the other....not but a few blocks, really. In the Midwest,
we would call this town a "string city," meaning one main street and not
much else. Bala was the major town in the area and this was sheep
country...far cry from the city life!
Back to the farm, we found that Roland had arrived during our absence and
had gone to dinner as well. He and his Uncle (gr-uncle?) had pulled in
about ten minutes after we left! What a shame...well, when the tummy
calls....
Carys and I chatted as we stood on the steps to the upstairs. She filled
me in on the events with the farm, the local economy, her daughter, and
their other home. Just as we were nearly done, Roland and "Unc" returned.
They ate at Plas yn Dre, also! Neither of us recall seeing the other.
Truly, cousins...passing in the night!
We all sat in the parlor after many hugs and greetings and discussed our
trip and our desires for the next few days....days that proved to be too
few. I remember thinking...what a crew we are! All four with totally
different personalities and various degrees of genealogy experiences. What
an adventure, and what excitement to finally meet our cousins after a year
of only reading emails!
The parlor for B & B guests was just south of the living room for Carys and
Dewi's portion of the house and across the foyer and stairway from the
breakfast room. The house faces, basically, south; therefore, the
breakfast room is to the east just to the right of the front door and the
parlor to the left (west). Wallpaper covered the plastered stone walls in
this newly decorated room. Over the stone fireplace was an arial photo of
the farm buildings. Pictures of the family adorn the walls. A sofa and
maybe three chairs framed the fireplace.
After a time, it was off to bed to let the rafters rest. I remember
thinking....if only they could talk...if only Evan could return with us
tonight to guide us and to share with us stories of his time. Well, Evan
remained at rest, much to my dismay, and we all needed some ourselves.
I'm sure the adrenalin was offsetting the jet lag for now, but breakfast
was at 8:30 am -- UK time!
No doubt, in the days to come, we really shook those rafters...Unc being
the more ornery of the group kept us in stitches the entire trip! Every
wrong turn was a demerit and every faux paux was going on "The Report."
Roland wasn't the only one in the oven...I think at times he and I were
tired for first place in that report!
In the end, I believe Carys was a bit sad to see us all go, and she later
mentioned that her guests who remained after we left did miss us as well. I
know that I was sad to leave, but felt the pressure of time escaping and so
much more to do...
As you may wonder what happen to Gary and Sandra --Roland and Unc had flown
out with Gary and his cousin Sandra. They were staying at the farm owned
by Dewi's brother, John. That B & B had come highly recommended to me, and
I'm pleased they took my advice and booked there. Gary and Sandy didn't
have a connection with Fron Goch and the remaining room wouldn't have fit
their needs.
Hopefully, they, as well as Roland and Priscilla, will complete this circle
and share their impressions of each day. Often we did go our own paths
which crossed from time to time. Each of us have wonderful adventures to
share and even for the same event, different people take from it different
experiences. It would be important to me, at least, that all of you fill
those gaps so we can share the complete experience.
Monster Update! Since Priscilla joined me the car would beep every few
minutes. I was about ready to rip out its vocal cords! Although it seemed
there could have been an allergy to her, I finally discovered that putting
the radio on mute obviously disturbed this pint-size bus. After finding a
way to turn it off (hold the button several seconds as opposed to just
pushing it), we finally rendered it silent! Ah...peace....
To be continued......
Emily