Family and beautiful places in Hemel Hempstead and Llantwit Major

 


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 . 

Hemel Hempstead with my sister, Lyn, husband Norman, and daughter Becky. Languages ​​​​were still a focal point, as Lyn and Norman still study French and Italian. I was fortunate enough to be invited to a class of French. 
A wonderful pub lunch overlooking a village green. Pubs are certainly something I really miss in NZ!

Now I am back in my second home, Llantwit Major, where my sister Annié's entire family lives! Dozens of them! I still haven't caught up with them all, as they are very busy at work and with young families.

I am fortunate enough to be staying in the flat within Ebeneezer Church. Annie and Barry are in the flat above, next to the church. Mine is a gorgeous flat, with many of the features of the church still very evident. 

A stay in Llantwit isn't right without a trip to the beach, with its dangerous crumbling cliffs, stoney beach and heavy clouds!
Weather is pretty chilly for this time of year( I love the Spanish word ‘fresquito’ for fresh), but I'm pleased it's not like Spain, where temperatures are mid thirties!
I was thrilled to have visitors from Chepstow today, Paul and Katy, who I had met on a train last year and then visited. Travel opens so many fascinating doors, to new friends, cultures, languages ​​and places. What an education!

This pretty little bakery/cafe was our first stop
Llantwit Major is such a picturesque village, with a very pretty churchyard,
And flowers, many daisies, clinging to every nook and cranny which has a bit of soil in it!
Old Llantwit is an absolute delight, and of course spring is a perfect time to visit.
To my delight, Molly, Ceri's beloved Jack Russell, is still alive, at the ripe old age of 15. She still loves her walks, particularly in the dovecote field, most popular place for dog walkers it seems!
There are youngsters aplenty here and chickens! The youngest great great niece I have is Nanci, about to be outdone by a baby brother due to any moment now! Nanci and Ben visited us and Annie's new chooks, amazingly named 'Chippy, Bambi and Cucumber' by Mabli! Not a green chicken in sight, nor is there one resembling a deer, but the names were chosen by Mabli for these lucky rescue chickens. 
Mabli and Betsy gave great entertainment all afternoon - with never ending energy levels!
What friendly people the Welsh are. I love to be greeted with 'hello my lovely'. Very civilized! 
Have had some really great days with family. How wonderful to spend more time with darling old Molly. What a patient old soul she is, so good with the many adoring children!
Ceri and I had a beautiful day meandering through the fabulous gardens of St Fagan's, a heritage site. It was such incredibly lush vegetation, with massively impressive mature trees.
Next day, totally different - a walk from Southerndown to Ogmore. It's stunning scenery, which is breathtaking no matter how often you have seen it. Today, the first really sunny day I've had this week couldn't have been better.
Here I'm looking back towards Southerndown
And here across The Bristol Channel to Cornwall.
I particularly love the valley dividing the golden sand beaches.
We didn't have long here unfortunately as I was heading back for an afternoon of French, with a group from the library conversation group. It's so fantastic to feel as if I am a part of Llantwit Major's community. 
Soon time to hit the road again around Wales with my Swiss friend Guni. It’s been great to see family and get to know my gorgeous young great great nieces, Mabli, Betsy and Nanci.
Time to stop and stare. 





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