Wales

For you all and for cookie who longs to see Wales and walk where her Dad walked

youtu.be/98tM3ZGrAuc

Oh Anniebach that bought a lump to my throat! We visited the Blaenavon Big Pit last year and found it absolutely fascinating. My Grancha used to look after the pit ponies down the mines and most of my uncles worked down the pit. Mainly in the Coedely pit I believe. Used to spend every summer holiday down there back in the 50's. Thank you for bringing back some lovely memories.

Haven't been to Big Pit for some years but hope to take the very English granddaughters there this year, or maybe next. They never met their Welsh great grandparents but know they have a Welsh heritage. It will be good for them to have a tangible sense of their history.

NOTHING beats a male voice choir from Wales! Brings a tear to my eye every time I hear them sing. Beautiful!

I also had my honeymoon in Llandudno. Lovely beach if you look for the one near the memorial.

How could anyone miss out on going to Wales! A MUST for that list of things to do. Mountains, waterfalls, little towns, nice people. What more could you want? Make sure you visit Caldy Island if you go. A trip to Snowdonia will make your day. You can get half way up the mountain on a train so no need for walking kit.

We have been past Big Pit many times, but DH, having worked in two Welsh pits during his working life, said at the time he had no interest in seeing the inside of another. We did, however, go to the National Coal Mining museum here in South Yorkshire with GS and his parents a couple of years ago and he said it was interesting to see the inside of a Yorkshire pit. I was the only one who wouldn't go down the shaft (scaredy cat!).

As a child and teenager I spent many happy times in Wales - a very generous Welsh lady used to send my mother and me off to stay with various relatives of hers in South Wales. Happy memories of Maerdy, Ferndale, Penarth and Cardiff. The people we met were so friendly and kind to us - and I especially remember the men!

Mrsdof, my granda was head horsekeeper at a pit and looked after hundreds of ponies. My dad was responsible for naming all new ones, in strict alphabetical order. I have some treasured photos of them at Miners' Galas, with their ponies and the rosettes they had won. Auntie Emily alongside with a big picture hat and a Miners' Benevolent Fund collecting tray round her neck.[smile[

A big up for Barry Island too! A huge clean beach, a small funfair, and lovely walks, then in the evening something to eat & the cinema in Newport. A great day out for our Grandson. We stay in Risca and Caerleon & visit the Roman Museum. Further afield next time!

On a more serious note in some areas the poverty rates are very high, have a google on poverty in Wales. Some areas have had their industries decimated & I really hope things improve.

on a serious note yes, I did wonder if you were being serious about Barry Island
There is a good car park though.

Well, GrannyLondon if Scotland goes it's own way there'll be Government offices heading south!

Love Wales. Heading for the Gower in six weeks.

Gower is lovely!

I have the most wonderful teenage memory of a pony trekking holiday in the Breacon Beacons. We were cantering over the flat heathery tops and clouds were swirling up from the valley and out of the mist a small herd of grey Welsh ponies appeared and cantered with us before vanishing back into the mist. Pure magic.

(by the way, is it The Gower Penninsular or just Gower)

We are heading for Wales at the beginning of next month - for a funeral unfortunately. Weather and other commitments permitting, however, we hope to squeeze in a visit to Cwm Carn Forest Park. We haven't been there since the children were small and last time we tried to visit there was tree maintenance going on which closed a lot of the trails we wanted to try so there wasn't a lot of point in going. We'll see.

When children we went to Barry twice a year, with the Sunday School and with the Miners Club.

I was so lucky that my aunt and uncle lived in rhossilli on Gower so I had years of holidays, and long weekends , could see Worms Head from my bedroom window.

Yes Jalima, we had a nice day at Barry, I wasn't being sarcastic. Above all my little Grandson loved it.

We have visited St David's Peninsula, the Usk Valley & the Brecon Beacons & we can't wait to see more.

Mind, I've lived in London all my life & we take our sun, sand & frolics when we can!

The Knapp area of Barry is very nice - lovely quiet beach and nice cafes etc.
I was going to mention Big Pit Annie and there is also the iron works at Blaenavon nearby.
If you are in Cardiff the Museum of Welsh Life is a nice place and very interesting. Most days the baker is open and you can get all sorts there. It is a large area but you can see all sorts of old buildings rebuilt. There is a big house/castle which has lovely gardens you can also see the woollen mill etc. Last time I went about a year ago they were upgrading the car park.
The Bay Area of Cardiff is also lovely and interesting. The Norwegian church is there where Rhoald Dhal went but is now a craft centre/cafe. Lots of places to eat also there - the BBC studios are there and the Dr Who Experience. The bus tour around Cardiff is good and you can hop on and off.

We have just moved to SW Wales after over 50 years away. It is so wonderful and everyone has been so friendly. Clean air ,beautiful countryside and wonderful people

We have had a couple of rather odd days at Barry

I had fantastic days out in Barry, but if one lived among coal tips it was truely a place of beauty,

I love Barry. I really love Barry. Oh the wonderful memories we have of Barry. My son lived in st Athens for a while. My grandchildren were very little and we visited often. We built lots of sandcastles, paddled, played crazy golf, ate fish n chips lots of ice cream. What more could you ask for. Happy happy days

We went to Barry Island with the church every summer. I remember the numbers on the walls, the big shelters, the kiosk which sold teas on a tray and the 'shows'. Especially the scenic railway. We also had some lovely holidays at Porthcawl. Trecco bay mostly.

There yew go Anniebach - we haven't forgotten Wales - and not a bad word said. It is a pity and a mystery as to why few industries can be persuaded to move there. I hate to bring in a whispered Brexit to a lovely thread but perhaps when the UK starts to look more to the rest of the world and North America, Wales will be on the right side of the country and things will improve?

I'm off to Portmeirion in a couple of weeks. Cannot wait! 4 whole days of outstanding beauty, luxury and wonderful Welsh origin food. Porthmadog, Borth y Gest, Criccieth all just waiting to be rediscovered, once I'm done with the pampering!

DH is always "nostalgicating" about Porthcawl, BBbevan having spent most of his childhood holidays there. Oddly, although we have been to Barry a couple of times, we have never got round to going back to Porthcawl, although when we lived down there we used to take the children to Southerndown. The beach there was nice.