Year One, Week 29, 30 & 31 - an early x-mas

All the way back again... look back... waaaaaay back... to September 2011...

The Bethlehem Village Band started rehearsals for the christmas.  Yeah, it was a bit early but then we were trying to record an xmas album after all.

After the success of our debut at the Bethlehem Christmas fair the previous year, we figured we'd be silly not to record.

Of course, it felt completely mad to be playing Christmas tunes in September.

Year One, Weeks 26, 27 & 28 Occasions

This is a look back... waaaay back... all the way into August 2011...

One thing I did forget to write about was the infamous walk.  My good friend Huw was raising money for the Urdd Eisteddfod (and is a part of the organizing committee), to be held in Sir Benfro in 2013 (now since past!).   He had the route all planned and a small chunk of the Celtic crew made their way down to Huw's parents for the weekend.  I had to meet them the morning of the walk itself.  Huw had done the walk and had said it was quite lovely.  It was supposed to have been a nice sunny day but of course it was absolutely lashing down.  Buckets of water... we were all completely drenched, soaked to the bone... except for Jane who opted for the car... but I think she did get her comeuppance some time later...

All told, there was James, Katie, Bjorn, Huw, Sarah and Jane.  Was that it?  I think so... it's been a very long time.

Year One, Week 22, 23, 24 & 25 - The Summer

Right... on the race to catch up...

That first week,  I remember playing in the Gower with the Bethlehem Village Band.  It was a Twmpath in the village hall back in Martin's old stomping grounds.  There was an enthusiastic crowd and some ravers who danced some of those old dances in real style.  Earlier in the day, we all went for a walk down to Pennard Castle - Vicky, Jas, Martin, Sille and myself.  It was a beautiful sunny day, the smell of ocean and sand.  Dai's Vicky was also at the dance and we danced some mazurkas.  I think that's when I started to finally understand that dance.

One Year, Week 10, 11 & 12 - The Reunion and Twmpathe

Week 10
The Reunion...

Richard asked me to come visit the Cwps session again, which I decided to do.  And, of course, who I should I run into but none other than the infamous duo, Bjorn and Ifor.

They followed me up the stairs to join in on the English session.

Week 52 - St. David's Day, Poetry, Corelw, Telynau Teifi

I had wanted to celebrate St. David's this year in the actual St. David's but I had stayed in Cardiff after the gig with Sild.  I figured the capitol would be just fine.  On my way downtown, the bus driver said, "The route's changed today.  I guess there's some sort of march on."

So that wasn't a good sign as the "march" he was referring to was actually supposed to be the St. David's parade.  Needless to say, the "march" was very meagre.  Not too many Welshies take to the holiday I guess.  Fair enough.  I suppose it's more for ex-pats and us foreigners.  Shame.  I used to really enjoy handing out daffs and eating welsh cakes.

Week 38 - The Gower Allstars in Caerdydd

I taught in Dolgellau again.  Not too much to report there, except that the kids are extremely amusing.

It snowed close to the weekend.  Bronwen happened to be at the bus stop.  None of the buses were running, which was so funny for the amount of snow there was.  There was a massive line up for the bus so I decided to go buy some tea instead and maybe catch a later one.  But the bus still hadn't left when I returned so I hopped on.

Week 36 - A Welsh-Samoan Wedding

I got back from Llydaw (Brittany) on Monday.  I went to the regular Aber dance that night.  It was great to see Elsa and Gwilym again.  If I'm remembering right, Elsa later came in for tea.

I ran into Bethan (from Edmonton) quite randomly on the street but haven't heard from her since.  I also happened to run into Gwil on Tuesday.  Later Elsa came over the same day.  I made some lunch, which I think was spinach-watercress soup and then we went for another long walk up into the cliffs.  I may have shown her where the secret stone circle is.  That was also the day we went to the Aberystwyth museum.

Week 34 - part 3 - Abercych

On the weekend there was finally another Abercych Twmpath.  This Twmpath is a great event hosted by Simon which brings the little village together and people of all sorts - Welshies, hippies and arty people alike.  I think it's got to be one of my top favourite events.

Elsa showed up there with a couple of family members.  It was great to see Elsa though I didn't have much of a chance to visit with her at the actual dance.

Week 15 (Day 97-103) Pencader, Aber, Y Gelli, Abercych

This little dog was hanging out in Y Gelli with us and belongs to Tamara.  Cute little dude...


I hung out in Pencader after the twmpath.  I didn't have my harp so couldn't jam with the others.  My fingers were itchy.  I think I played a little piano.

On the Monday, I caught a ride back to Aber with Julie and Ceri.  Julie was catching the train to visit her mom.

I practiced my tunes as much as I could.  I had to get ready for the gig in Y Gelli (Hay-on-Wye).

Week 14 (day 90-96) Julie in Aber, session with Elsa and Gwilym

 

I've been really busy the last month with Cwrs Madog and have nearly forgotten everything that's happened before that.  Here's a small chunk of what I can remember...

I saw Fran at some point during this week.  Another nice visit with Brychan and Cristyn as well.  Still haven't seen Damian yet as he's busy all the time.

Wednesday, Julie stopped by Aber.  We walked to TreeHouse and bought some bread.  Then we played through some tunes.  Again, another great experience with Julie.  She's a beautiful musician!  I seem to remember it being a short session.  Both Julie and Ceri Ffliwt were impressed with the house I'm staying at.

Week 9 (Day 62, 63) - Twmpath, Stackpole, Sir Benfro

We got up early-ish.  Sille was up already making a potato salad.  We had stayed up real late, into the whiskey, so how she was even moving is beyond me.  But she was chipper as ever.  Me, on the other hand, I was moving very slowly.  Martin, always generous, drove me to the train station in Abertawe and I caught the train to Caerfyrddin.  I waited there for a couple of hours and then caught a ride with Julie and Ceri to Stackpole Centre, which is a beautiful little retreat on the south coast of Sir Benfro.

I met the Twmpath band in it's entirety.