Week 32 - Dolgellau school, Cardigan and Ystalyfera

I went to the Welsh dancing again.  It's always interesting.  Nigel tends to do different dances every week, which is sure to keep up the interest in the veterans, but I really can't remember any of the forms.  I got to see Elsa clog dance with the boys (Keith, Howel and Nigel).  She's so good and so naturally graceful!  I'd love to try some Welsh clogging at some point but it's on a long, long list of things to do.

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 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 18 and 19 (Day 118-131) Elsa's keys, Dolgellau school

So I had a chance to meet up with Gwilym and Elsa once again.

On the day, Elsa showed up at my door slightly late and slightly out of breath.  I asked her, jokingly, if she'd been running and to my surprise she said yes.

It turned out she had lost her car keys.  I asked her where all her instruments were and to my now shock, she said she'd left them by the car.

Week 17 (Day 111-117) Madog and Gower

Again, I'm having trouble remembering everything... I did see Harriet play a show at the bandstand.  Almost a marathon, nearly a full two hours solid.

I was doing a tremendous enormous amount of work for Cymdeithas Madog.  Actually, it took up most of my time for the next few weeks.  So much time, that once the course was done, I was done.  Absolutely fried!

I have been meeting regularly with Gwilym and Elsa.  I think nearly every week.  I love playing with them.  I'd like to find the three of us some gigs and I have some ideas.  Fingers crossed...

Week 12 (day 81, 82) - Harriet and Gwilym

I met Harriet for some tea and tunes.  We've been exchanging ideas.  She taught me some Irish tunes and I showed her a couple of Welsh tunes that I knew.  I also taught her my new tune 'Aderyn Du Aberdâr'.  Her version of it was fantastic!  Almost like a fantasy.  She's very quick, picks up and expands on things extremely well.  She's got incredible technique, very fast and fluid, with lots of ornaments.

She's also very generous.   Somehow, she found the time to get me a pile of little presents for my birthday.  That was really touching!