Saturday 18 May 2013

Rwy'n caru Cymru

...oh yesh, indeedily, I LOVE WALES!!!  We are back from our adventures and I have a *ahem* few more piccies to show you... starting with this one.  Which is one of the reasons I wanted to go to North Wales.  To find my ancestors.  My Grandma was born in North Wales and I remember the stories she used to tell me when I was little, I was incredibly lucky to have a Gran that spoilt me utterly with her time - there was no need for toys and presents when I was with her - she spent so much time talking with me, telling me useful stuff and sharing her wealth of knowledge about flora and fauna that to me, that was all I needed.  How I wish that I could tell her about our travels but to be honest, I think she already knows.  For you see, this strange thing happened.....



We set out bright and early to find Port Dinorwic, this is where she was born.  I had, in my minds eye, a picture of what it would look like and I figured that if I could find the chapel where she played organ, I would be able to find a cemetery.  Well, off we went into the hills and couldn't find it!  The Sat Nav was no help, it wasn't even recognising the place we were looking for.  There we were, driving along, I was feeling a bit dejected when I spied a local chap walking along.  Never being one for being shy, I hailed him and asked where we needed to be going.  He firstly told us that it isn't called Port Dinorwic anymore (hence the Sat Nav being crabby) it is, in fact, called Y Felinheli.  Thank you Mr Welsh Man, you have been a great help.  Off we went and found Y Felinheli and found a chapel.  But.  It had no cemetery!  Well, at least I had been to where she had grown up, that was good enough.  So off we set to the Menai Bridge.  And we took a wrong turn out of the village and I saw a sign saying "Cemetery".   I got a bit excited and we decided that we would go and have a looksee.  Well, I was a smidge downcast when I saw the amount of graves in the cemetery.  I decided to give myself 30 minutes to see if I could find anything.  I came across a few graves bearing the family name but not theirs.  It was about 28 minutes into my quest and I said, out loud, "Grandma, help me please, I want to find them."   What happened next has me both slightly spooked and incredibly comforted.  Something in my head told me to turn around and ignore the line of graves right in front of me and walk to the next line... and, yes, this is the God's honest truth, there it was.  Their grave.  I know some might say it is just a mighty coincidence.... but I don't believe it was.  In a graveyard with hundreds of graves, only two minutes left to find it... and me asking Gran to help... there it was.  I have myself a little emotional here but also very happy to have found such an amazing thing.   Also on the grave was an address, so off we went to have a look!   I saw the very house my Gran grew up in, like I said... an amazing experience.



The next day dawned ever so bright and early for we were away to the top of Mt Snowdon.   Oh yesh, we were off a-hiking.  Well, actually, that is a fib, we went on the train up to the summit.  We got an "early bird" trip which was a bit of a daft thing to do because overnight, it had snowed up there... oh yesh, snow on Snowdon!  The little train chugged its way right up to the top of the mountain, blimey, that train is a strong one because that is one heck of a climb.  When we got to the top, this was the spectacular view we were greeted with!  Hahahaa, it is typical of a Grim and Hels' Trip that the weather plays up... this time it was the snow and mist...

The awesome and spectacular view of.... erm.... mist!!!


After our descent back to terra firma, we went on a little steam train around the lake in Llanberis and I was too excited to see all the woodland that surrounds the lake to take many pics... Grim got this one of me though... I was being a big kid again and slurping a Slush Puppie....



We headed off to Port Meirion in the afternoon... oh wow!! This place is awesome and here are some pics of it.... and also, there's a piccie of a plant that I LOVE!  But I don't know what it is... so if any of you know..... please help.



Check out this little guy, all around the village are statues, hidden away or in plain sight...

All is not what you see....

Not a real ship at all!

What is this plant???  I LOVE it!!! 

My dream house

more rocks....

All the houses/buildings in the village of Portmeirion are painted in beautiful colours

yes, even more rocks... they are gorgeous tho...

The chessboard from The Prisoner TV show isn't there anymore....


how cool is this!!! King Grim!  The crown was actually a-top a spire on a fancy building, I just got Grim to stand in the right position.....

Topping up on my dragon addiction
 When we left Port Meirion, we drove back the long way around so we could see more sights and scenery... how could anyone fail to be moved by this stunning vista?

Lake Gwynedd... this is the most beautiful place

Breath-taking...
And there you have it!  Our adventures in Wales are over now but will always be there as a wonderful memory... I just want to go back... now!   Thanks for looking... TTFN

Hels x

32 comments:

hotpotato said...

It all looks so beautiful....we did Snowdon on a family holiday approx 15 years ago, truely stunning. Train up walked back down.....nearly killed me my legs and body ached for days after, the kids skipped down.LOL

Enfys said...

I loved this post Hels, as you can tell from my name, I am Welsh born and bred, but have lived in England for many years now. Your evocative writing made me so nostalgic, and proud of my heritage. Your nain must have been a very special lady, I hope I will one day be remembered with such love by my grandchildren
Hugs
Enfys x

Sandra said...

Hi Hels. Opposite to Enfys I am English born, but have lived in Wales for many years! Loved your pictures, brought back memories of Portmeirion.
Hwyl fawr.

Aquarius said...

Thaks so much for sharing your Welsh adventures with us - beautiful pictures and stories. Always wanted to visit Portmeirion since watching the Prisoner - it looks like an amazing place

Ann said...

Thanks for sharing your Welsh journey Hels, amazing scenery & I love King Grim's photo :D Your nan sounds just like mine, she too gave me all her time & shared lots of happy memories.
I do believe she guided to the grave!! Have a lovely weekend. Hugs
Ann xx

Unknown said...

Hi Hels loved reading about your trip to Wales with Grim! You should be an author as you take your readers along with you and I for one didn't want to put this tale down until I'd finished it!
Your photo of the plant is really bugging me as I'm sure we've had one similar to it at one one point or another! Was it a ground covering plant and how tall was it? I've gone through one RHS encyclopaedia and I am about to go through another! I don't want to be beaten, I must find it!! Lol fingers x'd xxxx

corinna said...

looks like you both had a wonderful time, "the grim king" is a fantastic photo hahahaha. ooohhhh, it's great to remember such loving memories. take care. corinna

Helen said...

Never been to Wales - actually I think we did cross the border whilst on a geography A level field trip.... the views are spectacular, and your photos (or Grim's!) are gorgeous. King Grim kind of suits him,I think.. Can't help with the flower... How special that you found the right grave and your Gran's birthplace.

rachel said...

fabulous holiday hels - so glad you found your family - can't help with the plant hels sorry. Hugs x

Joanne K said...

Hi Hels, what can I say I have a huge lump in my throat having read your post today. What an amazing experience and glad to hear you found what you were looking for and a fab time. Enjoy your weekend. Kind regards Joanne K x

Unknown said...

Well Hels I have been beaten and its really bugging me! I went through both RHS encyclopaedias page by page and couldn't find it! I even looked through my tub of plant labels but no :-( it's the leaves that are doing it plus the fact that the flowers are solitary so to speak, if you follow what I mean. Your best bet it's to go to a good garden centre and show them the photo and when you find out what it is please let me know as I too love it even though its doing my head in, lol take care now. So,glad you found your grans grave too and I truly believe it was her telling you which way to go!!! Xxxx

Joanne said...

We have been considering going to Anglsey next month but not sure yet. You have had a ball and I'm so pleased. Wonderful memories can't be replaced
Xx

Unknown said...

Hi Hels, I have loved your adventures to North Wales. I have got goose bumps just reading about your Gran. She did help you, I believe in that sort of thing and I no some people would call the men in white coats!!! It brings back so many memories of my trip to Wales, it is such a beautiful country, and one you just get lost in the picturesque countryside. "King Grim" it's got a kind of ring to it, don't you think. So glad you have a great time, but at the end of the day it's great to be home! Have a safe journey. Crafty hugs Debbie R xx

Ruth said...

Lovely part of the world, had many a childhood holiday at nearby black rock sands so lovely to see photos of all the places we have visited....about the shrub , its a rhodedendron and I'm pretty sure its the bow bells variety, we have one in our garden...only thing making me uncertain of variety is the leaves are bronze coloured, but that could be the dry weather and that may account for the lack of flowers as they love moisture and we have had such a dry spell...that is until recently.....almost sounds like I know what I'm talking about.... anyway I think I'm sure!!!! xx

Ruth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen Petitt said...

Awesome photo's! Love Wales and have many happy memories from childhood camping hols - never made it to Portmerion but would love to see it. All hail to King Grim lol!
Not sure but I think the plant may be a white Hellebores - but do what Pat has suggested re garden centre. Ty for sharing Karen x

Karen Petitt said...

just looked at photo again - I think there are two plants there. I think the white flowers are Hellebores which has green leaves and there is something with darker leaves only. hope this helps x

Ruth said...

Just looked up 'dwarf bow bells rhodedendron' and they have bronze leaves in spring so I think that is what it could be.

Kimbo said...

Thanks so much for sharing your travels with us - great pictures x

darcydaydream said...

glad you had such a lovely time on your travels. Wales is one of the places I would like to visit as I too have ancestors from there. Think you might just have inspired me to take a visit real soon!
Christine in Darcy....xx

Terri said...

Love your "coincidence". It gives me hope and comfort, too. Thanks for sharing the experience.
The picture of you hubby!!!!!!! Priceless! I immediately thought Fairy Princess! We always try to get odd pictures like that one. It makes it all more fun.
Thanks for sharing your trip. Wales is beautiful!
Hugs

RhianPennant said...

Thanks for posting your brill photos. My hubby and I live in Llandudno (I'm from Capel Curig) were both welsh born and bred ( hubby half Irish) we've moaned about the weather here today and your photos have cheered us up no end.. Cymru am byth Hels and your work is super. I've not long bought a melt pot and will be having a go soon. Dioch yn fawr
Rhian

janet said...

Love the photos and the stories with them Hels. I'm so pleased you found your grandmother's grave. She was there with you wasn't she!
Would love to visit Portmerion and your photos are enticing
Thanks for taking the time to share so much of your break.
Janet

Linda Simpson said...

Thank you for sharing your trip Hels, I have enjoyed your stories and your photographs are fabulous.

Hugs
Linda xxxx

nannapat said...

What a fabulous trip Hels, and very emotional too. I'm glad you had such a good time but by now those fingers are far too clean & need to be inked up again! Pat x

carol edwards said...

Hi Hels great pictures and adventures.Thank you for sharing them. Glad you enjoyed the break and managed to find your ancestors graves

Fuchsia said...

Beautiful snaps Hels x

Becky said...

I love your pic's Hels I love Wales have friends there so now have cheap hols there.Love the pic of Grim with the crown he looks quite regal.x

ElizabethR said...

Gorgeous piccies Hels, love the one of King Grim lol. I've lived here in North Wales for thirteen years and I love it! Elizabeth x

Unknown said...

Just beautiful pictures Hels the scenery is wonderful, would be right up my street :-)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Of course it was her telling you which way to go! I find it fascinating that you are in an English speaking place, but it doesn't appear to be English speaking...lol!!! Even the grave words are foreign to me. Having an address on it is so amazing as well...never seen an address on a grave. I love that you were able to find it, and that you can understand it all! You are amazing!
These photos are fabulous! I love the scenery, and can totally understand why you love it there! Maybe you should move...hint hint!

Crafty Humphreys said...

Your story gave me goose bumps Hels! I had a similar relationship with my Nan, who passed away just 3years ago, one month before her 90th. She was a Yorkshire lass, raised in a Bernardo's home in Chester. She got me into the whole crafting thing. We are very lucky girls to have had them I'd say. Glad you and King G had a great time. Suz xx

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Related Posts with Thumbnails