Family--Past and Present

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

This day could be summarized by one word--family. We left Chester early this morning and drove to Mid-Wales. Road signs for places I've researched while doing family history flashed by as we drove past Rhos and into the Tanat Valley. I really felt like I was returning to my roots.

Our first stop was Llanymynech, where we stopped briefly outside Granny's house, "Llwyn Onn". Its appearance has changed a little since she lived there, but the house seems well taken care of. From there we drove to Llanfechain, stopped at the old "School House", Taid's primary school, and the church where Mum and Dad (Naini and Taid) got married. We continued to Llanfyllin, where I negotiated the small road behind the high school so that the girls could see the long jump pit where Taid recorded his school record.

From there, we headed to Lake Vyrnwy and Llanwddyn. We had a picnic lunch before walking across the Vyrnwy dam. Then it was on to Pen-y-Bont Fawr. We parked just below Nain and Taid's house, "Hafan", and walked the path along the river to the footbridge. Then we went into the village to see what used to be "Liverpool House" and Nain and Taid's original house, "Berwyn."

I think a little bit of my heart belongs to Pen-y-Bont. It was hard to leave, not knowing when I'll be back. We drove up to Pen-y-Garnedd, visited Nain and Taid's grave site, and left a small rose plant. We then continued to Bwlch-y-Cibau to leave a small rose plant at Granny and Taid's grave site too. We also went into the chapel at Bwlch and I showed the girls the organ that Granny used to play. It was the first time that I've been to the cemetery since Granny's death. It was good to finally see her name next to Taid's. She waited a long time for that.

We stopped at Oswestry just long enough to make a trip to Marks and Spencer. Kent has discovered their huge gluten-free section and he and Anna are loving the choices there. Then we drove to Henlle Farm, where my second cousin, Lyn Ellis and her family live. (Note to Dad: the road between Llanwddyn and Pen-y-Bont Fawr was like a duel carriageway compared to the roads leading to Henlle Farm. I think Kent was clutching the door handle the whole way!)

The Ellis's gave us a wonderful welcome. Lyn gave us a tour of the farm and we went into the milking parlor to watch Dai and his brother doing the milking. They collect over 900 gallons of milk every day and it goes to make cheese. Elizabeth didn't particularly appreciate the muck all over the floor of the milking parlor (muck that was added to before her eyes by the rows of cows :)), but she was a good sport about it. We saw the new calves--one of them had been born within the last 24 hours, and their chickens, sheep, and sheep dogs.

Their daughter, Bethan, got home from her teaching job in Wrexham. It was lovely to talk to her. She and Anna got along well. Dai joined us once the milking was over, and a little later, their youngest son, Iwan, joined us too. Lyn made us a lovely lasagne dinner and since she has celiac disease, it was a gluten-free dream meal. We had fresh fruit salad and cream for dessert.

It was difficult to leave. They were so hospitable. But we were anxious to get on the road before dark (especially with those lovely, narrow, winding roads to navigate), so after a quick family photo, we set off for Chester. We arrived back tired, but it was a good day and I was glad that the girls were able to see so much of where their family came from and to meet part of their extended family who lives here now.

First two photos: Llanfechain church. Kent and I standing where Taid waited for Naini on their wedding day!

Next four photos: Lake Vyrnwy

Next three photos: Below Nain and Taid's house at Pen-y-Bont. Kent demonstrating the width of a two-way road in this part of the world!

Elizabeth leaving flowers at Nain and Taid's grave

At Bwlch-y-Cibau church. Beside Granny and Taid's grave and the church organ that Granny played.

Henlle Farm's milking parlour

Kent, Sian, Lyn, Elizabeth, Dai, Iwan outside Henlle Farmhouse