The Welsh Charles Dickens…

“Better than ever!” was the verdict on the week-long Daniel Owen Festival, celebrating the life and work of the prominent author – often described as Wales’ answer to Charles Dickens. A highlight in Mold’s festival calendar, the event ended on October 22 after close to a thousand visitors enjoyed a week of activities based on key places associated with Daniel Owen. For 2011, the...

Most Romantic Welsh Island

Mysterious, romantic ­- yet accessible – Welsh island The romantic magic of Llanddwyn Island (Ynys Llanddwyn) island floats on the sea winds, touches lightly on the purple heather, and joins with the echoing seal calls on the black, offshore rocks. It affects the humans who visit here – even leading to marriage proposals. The island is the resting place of Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint...

Welsh wonders – with your dog

An island sojourn for humans and dogs: sand, sea and bracing (and healthy) iodine-filled breezes. With a twist. It’s all in Welsh. Kiah and I are fortunate to live on Sir Fôn (there’s the Welsh already), ready to sniff out the best places for dogs traveling with owners. Anglesey (the English name) is the largest of the Welsh islands (accessible by rail, road or ship), and yes, it’s also...

Learn a little Welsh – make friends:)

An island sojourn for humans and dogs: sand, sea and bracing (and healthy) iodine-filled breezes. With a twist. It’s all in Welsh. Kiah and I are fortunate to live on Sir Fôn (there’s the Welsh already), ready to sniff out the best places for dogs traveling with owners. Anglesey (the English name) is the largest of the Welsh islands (accessible by rail, road or ship), and yes, it’s...

Respect…

I’ve always been a bit afraid of cows – no reason, just think they can be a nutty, and their curiosity leads them to be very nosey. (That’s ironic, as I’m a very curious journalist…!) Anyway, back to the cows. Here on Anglesey, our public footpaths often cross farmer’s fields – with animals ranging from sheep ( and beautiful lambs this time of the year), to...

Spitting, choking and gurgling? No, I’m speaking Welsh:)

Spitting, choking and gurgling – qualities you may need to speak the intricate Welsh language. Or at least that’s how it is according to local women in the Welsh village where I live. I lead a weekly Conversational Welsh (CS) class – the idea being to allow Welsh learners to chat about everyday things, and so become more at ease with talking Welsh. Now, I speak Welsh fluently (it’s my...

Notes from a dog

A post from Kiah, my beautiful lab/border collie companion. I was in trouble this time, and all because I love to swim. In Toronto, (Canada) I lived in the Beaches – ravines, trails, quirky homes, baseball parks, good sniffs, dogs – great place. Oh, and did I mention the doggie bakery, with lots of delicious dog-safe chocolate cookies (biscuits to Brits) and donuts… mhmm. Oh yes, back to my...

Tie down or fly free?

Kiah, my canine companion, and me were finishing off a lovely Sunday afternon of walking and dawdling (me), and walking and sniffing (her), with a quick stop at a local beach to watch the tide come in. Oh, and share a sandwich too, as it was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. As we walked over the sand dunes to find a warmish place (it is February) to sit and picnic, this friendly man and...

Whisky and waves: the future of Scottish isle’s power?

Communities on the Isle of Islay are moving forward with plans for tidal energy and renewable fuels while maintaining age old methods of agriculture and whisky distilling. (originally published in The Ecologist 12 November 2010). Everything seems to slow down on Islay – this southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides – also known as ‘The Queen of the Hebrides’. Drivers wave as...

Croeso! (Welcome)

Return of the prodigal daughter… So, after many years of living abroad (that means not only north America, but also England) I’ve returned home. To Wales. I am in love with this wonderful country of mine – and I want to share her with you… the unusual (vineyards and olive groves, cheese-making and wisgi) the rare (orchids and choughs, and distawrydd) the famous (film stars and...