Barbara's travels continue 2018

 So, a final walk with my Swiss friend Guni, who has now arrived to see Wales. We decided against going to Cardiff on such a brilliant day, focusing instead on Llantwit Major and the coast.  A perfect decision! The walk along the coast towards St Donats, high above the cliffs, was spectacular and uncrowded. A wonderful start to Wales! Of course, The Old Swan pub had to be our lunch spot. 400 years old, and as beautiful as ever. Wow, not a cloud in the sky as we sat overlooking the central square of LM with the three pubs and quaint local shops surrounding it. These fabulous poppies were growing like weeds in someone's front garden. A splash of color on an otherwise drab driveway, Likewise, a local artist has truly enhanced a number of shopfronts in the town with her gorgeous artwork, with so much detail. Time to pack ready for our trip and have a final night in the church flat. It's probably the only time in my life I'll sleep on a pulpit, Ready to leave! It was the first t...

  Time is such a strange concept when you are traveling. 10 hours on a train can seem an eternity, or, with good company or spectacular scenery, is over far too quickly. So it was with the Polyglot Gathering. One moment you are surrounded by like-minded people (842 from 59 countries, speaking 196 languages), you are in your element swapping from language to language, and then in a flash, you are in another wonderful yet totally different world of family and everyday life. The PG seems so long ago already, but thankfully the motivation it gave me to learn, remains! I have checked up about The Moravian Sparrow dish Sergio was eating, and am pleased to find out that it has nothing to do with sparrows! Moravian sparrow" (moravský vrabec in Czech) is  a classic dish from the Czech Republic, particularly Moravia, that is not made with actual sparrows .  It typically involves braising pork with onions, garlic, and spices, often served with dumplings and cabbage. Hemel Hemp...