Sunday Seven(Seventeen)s or How I Spent my Summer Vacation, Part 1

We have recently returned after whirlwind of activity over the last couple of months; travelling to Wales to visit family and then to California for my daughter’s and sister’s weddings. Some of you have asked for pictures, so I will oblige. I thought using Natalie’s Sunday Sevens format would work, but I have far exceeded the picture “limit”. However, there really are few rules, and they are very loose, so here we go……..

Oh, Canada!

We flew out of Toronto Airport, so our day began early with a three-hour drive. We stopped at Niagara Falls, but it was a very hot day and mama was too tired to move up for a closer look at the falls. Instead, we parked her walker in the shade, and watched the mist, listening to the roar of the rushing water. That was close enough for her, and we had lovely views of the both American and Canadian falls on our way to the airport.

Stopover at the Emerald Isle

Quick stop, and then off for an even quicker flight.

Landing gear engaged

Lovely Welsh farmland coming up to meet us.

Touchdown, Cardiff!

Even though we debarked on the back tarmac for wheelchair access, the famous Welsh Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) was there to greet us.

Home away from home

 

After an hour and a half of drive time, we arrived at my cousin’s lovely bungalow, looking straight out upon the magnificent Brecon Beacons. Can you imagine a nicer view?

Remembering

Grandparents and other relatives gone long, buried on the parish grounds.

The Parish of Aberyscir. A recent refurbishment has left it absolutely spotless. Services are still held here, and it is open twenty-fours a day.

First home

My mother was born in this farmhouse and she lived here as a girl. It made me a little misty catching the first glimpse.

And the view

It made me swoon.

Little trekkers

Can you imagine? These four little ones clambered over the fence, through the bramble, down and up hills, over the river (or around it when flooded) for four hours to get to and from school. Mom is the cute little girl on the left. She is the baby, and the last of the siblings.

Ysgol

The school they walked to is now a private home.

A lovely little side trip

You all know Ali, aka THIMBERLINA….we met up in Chester to shop for some fabrics at Abakhan. She has already created a lovely jumpsuit from one of her pieces. Mine have, at least, been washed and are still waiting for some attention. (I have projects!)

Cruising the canal

In our one-hour cruise we saw lovely canal side homes with neatly manicured gardens, beautiful natural landscaping, wooden sculptures, lots of walkers, scads of dogs…

…and this handsome fellow.

Fabric and craftiness

Found a sweet little shop downtown, Bobbins of Brecon Fabrics and Haberdashery, and picked up a random assortment. (Now I have more projects.)

Schoolgirl chums

Mom and her old friend from school reminisced while my cousin and I made fabulous discoveries in the shop attached to this little cafe. We were sorely tempted, but very strong and didn’t buy a thing.

 

We had guests over regularly for tea, enjoyed a marvelous Indian restaurant meal, and spent our last evening at cousin’s golf club. Cousins, nieces and nephews came by to see their Aunty for the first time in several years. We saw nearly everyone (one cousin even came from London), told stories, identified people in old family photos, hugged, laughed and cried. We knew it would be so difficult to leave.

But leave we did, and after three weeks respite at home, headed off to California. Stay tuned.

Till next time, have a grand week!