wales

from england, we made our way to wales, a brand new country for me.

i had been napping in the car when paul reached over and whispered,

janet, wake up.  you don't want to miss this.....

gazing around in my dreamy state, i thought i had entered a victorian novel.

wales, oh beautiful wales. your misty and vibrantly, green mountains, 

criss crossed with endless stacked, slate walls protecting every shade of gray sheep.

your sleepy, stone villages with cheery, shuttered cottages and entry doors 

named in sprightly welsh.  i fell in love with you.

we spent the night in the quaint village of beddgelert.

above, is the view from our room.  so lovely.

in the morning, i dropped the "hiking club" off at the foot of 

mt. snowdon, wales' highest peak.  paul o.'s brother in law and 82 year old father in law

surprised the group by driving from england in the wee hours of the morning

to join in the hike.  what a memorable experience for a grandfather and his grandsons.

and they are off........i drove back to beddgelert to spend a quiet day walking, exploring 

and taking photos of this romantic, little village.

the village of beddgelert is named after the beloved dog of prince llywelyn in the 13th century.

i'm not sure if you can read the whole story above left (above right is the story in welsh) but it is worth a try.

a series of welsh door fronts.

the charming village school pulled at my heartstrings.

while i was dreamily wandering through the village and fields, 

this is what the boys saw....

i must, i must return and bring all of my children.