Wel, dyma i chi ddefaid da!

I received some Welsh humour in an email this week and it took me back to my time in Froncysyllte, North Wales. I remember it quite fondly and remember as well the sincere kindness of the folk that I stayed with there after meeting them on a cross-Canada train trip several years earlier. This email reminded me of my arrival that fateful evening in the neighbouring town...

A Welshman, a sheep, and a dog were survivors of a terrible shipwreck.

They found themselves stranded on a desert island. After being there a
while, they got into the habit of going to the beach every evening to watch the sun set. One particular evening, the sky was a fiery red with beautiful cirrus clouds, the breeze was warm and gentle - a perfect night for romance.

As they sat there, the sheep started looking better and better to the
Welshman.

Soon, he leaned over to the sheep and put his arm around it.

But the dog got jealous, growling fiercely until the Welshman took his
arm from around the sheep.

After that, the three of them continued to enjoy the sunsets together, but there was no more cuddling.

A few weeks passed by and, lo and behold, there was another shipwreck. The only survivor was a beautiful young woman, the most beautiful woman the Welshman had ever seen.

She was in a pretty bad way when they rescued her, and they slowly nursed her back to health.

When the young maiden was well enough, they introduced her to their evening beach ritual. It was another beautiful evening - red sky, cirrus clouds, a warm and gentle breeze - perfect for a night of romance.

Pretty soon, the Welshman started to get "those feelings" again.

He fought them as long as he could, but he finally gave in and leaned over to the young woman, cautiously, and whispered in her ear ... "Would you mind taking the dog for a walk?

When I arrived in Llangollen, my friend welcomed me with "Welcome to Wales! Where the men are men, and the sheep are nervous..." Thanks so much to S & D for that time and thank you especially for such a nice memory... my week has been extremely challenging and it certainly brought a smile to my face!

Still on the subject of Wales, I came across this photo essay by Robert Haines that was printed in the Guardian online entitled Wales: Into the West in which the photographer captured the vanishing valley life of his town in Wales. Merthyr Tydfil is in Southern Wales and these photos that Haines has presented here definitely have the flavour of a time gone by. Personally, I love these types of photos...

Anyway, have a great Easter weekend all. Me? I'll be dreaming of green pastures halfway across the world and a home away from home next to the canal!

Mae fy hofrenfad yn llawn o lyswennod, everyone!