Week 30 - dosbarth Cymraeg, Pencader, Pontypridd

Is it just me, or are these blogs starting to get a bit... oh, I don't know... more boring than usual?  I think in my haste to catch up, I left out all the great little details.


Well, if you thought it'd get better, it's not likely.  At least not in this entry.  lol!


See for yourself.


The fall Welsh class finally started.  Only three students for the first class.  Denise from the summer course was there.  Her and her husband Rob are from Birmingham originally and are both learning Welsh.  I've met quite a few people from England who are learning the language which is encouraging.

Digression - What week is this?

I wrote this a couple of weeks ago when I was in a bit of a funk.  As Buddy always said, "I'm feeling much better now."  ...but thought I'd share it anyway.  

A little thing on my mind.

The easy way out for me would be to go back home.  Back home to familiar faces, friends and family.  Back to easy gigs that I know I could do in my sleep.  Back to my home, a regular bed, back to jazz, funk and ska.  That'd be the easy way.

It is tempting.

Week 29 - Teaching in Dolgellau, and another Sesiwn

Path near Dolgellau

Gwilym and I taught in Dolgellau at the Welsh language school.  Gwilym was amazing!  Really, I was so impressed.  He had the whole lesson planned out.  We both had to speak to the kids in Welsh so that was a challenge.  We played the kids a few tunes and then gave them some instruments to play.  Gwilym explained to them how each of the instruments worked and some basic music concepts.  I played them the trombone just to give them a laugh.  All of them seemed interested in learning more.

Week 28 - Sild gig in Cardiff

I went down to Ystalyfera to rehearse with Martin and Sille for the Sild gig.  I was already getting nervous about the show.  I think we went to the local pub again.  I can never remember the name but they sell these real nice home brews all named after Buddy Holly. 

Anyway, we made the trip to Cardiff in good time.

Week 26 and 27 - Weddings, Telyn Deires and Llangadfan

Gwilym, the last bard...

Martin and Sille had to leave on the Tuesday.  They were playing a twmpath somewhere with Julie and Ceri "Ffliwt".  Man, I wish I could have gone to it.

Of course, Erin left for Harvard and I'll miss her.  But I did manage to hang out with Kelly and her boyfriend Rhys.  Kelly had to leave for Cambridge shortly after that.

Week 24 and 25 (day 159-172) Cwrs Haf

I call this one "Rainbow"

Here's a picture of a rainbow in Aberaeron.  I think we stopped here for some food, which, unfortunately wasn't great.  The sunset, however, was.

There were loads of Welshies in Aberaeron, named of course, after the river Aeron.

We went to Llangranog at some point.  I can't really remember anymore.
I remember that both Pwyll and Enfys were a bit busy so we went for a swim in the ocean.

 It was much colder than Mwnt.  But still just as many people.  Loads of them were trying to body surf.

And this one is "Sunset"

My parents returned home some point during this week.  I think they needed a holiday from their holiday!

Week 23 part 2 (Day 152-158) Ystrad Fflur, Cors Caron, Aberteifi

Going down?

My parents and I did a lot of traveling during the next week or so.

We made a trip to Ystrad Fflur, the old ruined abbey.  It's just outside of Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion which is not too far from Aberystwyth.  Founded by some Cisterian monks back in 1164, it later came under the patronage of the Lord Rhys.  There's not much left of the abbey these days but there are still some great things left there to see.

Week 23 part 1 (Day 152-158) Mwnt, Aberteifi and Devil's Bridge

The harp concert was pretty good.  I had to play for nearly two hours, just myself and my harp.  People wandered in and out of the bandstand on the prom and was a relatively relaxed event.  Of course, I was still very nervous but I think it went pretty good, only a couple of missteps.  Or maybe a few...

Week 22 (Day 145-151) parent's visit

Melody and Dad

My parents were here in Wales for their holidays.  I hadn't seen them since March so it was good to have them here.

The first day after the cwrs, we were in Cardiff and had a big family supper with Guy (Pibs), his girlfriend Zara, John, Paul, Melody, Cos, Bob and my folks.  It was great to have such a big portion of the family together.

Week 20 and 21 (Day 131-144) Cwrs Madog

I spent hours every day working on Cwrs Madog.  And finally the Cwrs arrived!  It was all very exciting.  It was good to see everyone again.  I really enjoy these weeks and as much work as it was, I was glad to be part of it.