No that's not a typo it's Welsh for 'Land of My Fathers' the national anthem of Wales. I had a fabulous time in Cardiff a couple of weeks ago meeting up with a very international group of wonderful friends. We all share a passion - Bruce Springsteen - and got to know each other through meeting at shows and became great friends.
From left to right; Representing England (me), Ireland, Wales, Holland and the USA
So it was a few days of wine, music and ... rugby! Our Welsh friends are great rugby supporters and we all had tickets for the Wales v Ireland match at the Millennium Stadium. I confess to not being a rugby fan but the chance to hear a rousing 'Land of My Fathers' sung in the Welsh language by 80,000 was an opportunity not to be missed. I'd been practicing with a phonetic version so was able to join in - I probably insulted the Welsh nation with my mispronunciation but it it was so fantastic to sing at the top of your lungs!
It was beautifully sunny in Wales (yes really!) and we had a little trip to the Victorian coastal town of Penarth. What a lovely place. If you're ever down there visit the Fig Tree Restaurant for wonderful food and an uninterrupted view of the sea.
The sea front at Penarth is very quiet. Just a little pier and the restaurant. This old sea front bath house had been converted into a family home
After yet more snow last week it was wonderful to have a gloriously sunny weekend. I'm prone to hibernating in the winter but it was so good to get out into the sun! I took a trip up to the pleasant town of Hitchen in north Hertfordshire. I discovered this market town last year when I went to collect an ebay purchase. It's a lovely little town and it has enough independent shops and little nooks and crannies to happily spend a few hours exploring.
I've been awol from blogging of late but, like the sun, it's good to be back. I hope the sun shone on you this weekend :-)
