Sal Wedi Beint Os Gwelwch Yn Dda
(7DOS Macro Monday
I am taking some liberties here as it isn't quite a macro although the size of the chair makes me feel small, but I had a good laugh about what I wrote on my last trip and thought you might enjoy it)
A large percentage of welsh people speak the local variant of the Celtic language, a peculiar sounding and looking language for sure.
Bear with me for I have some tales to tell, and many photos below as I couldn't choose which to show.
As I drove into Wales in the late morning, there was a steady stream of cars leaving as is the English tradition of being anywhere else but home for a weekend when it isn't raining.
Despite the forecast, the day turned out very nicely indeed, and the countryside looked stunning especially after the confusing bowl of spaghetti that passes for the Birmingham road network.
I am booked into a very old looking pub, in the small town of Llangollen, pronounced like Ffanffgloflan as if you have a buildup of phlem in your throat.
The lady owner spoke good English, a plus as I was to find out. As her pub was closed on a Sunday, she upgraded me to the top floor room in the pub, which has a separate lounge room, and her last words to me on ascending the stairs were "Mind your head now". Yeah right I have heard that many times before as England was obviously populated by dwarfs in the olde days.
When I got to the top, the door height amused me so I propped the camera on my bag at the top of the stairs, and took my photo to show how the door height was level with my mouth, in case I needed to amuse someone later. Then, of course I reached for the bag on the floor, cap on head just to carry it, and turned to enter, forgetting the door height and heard a loud crunch as top of my head slammed into the door top, the cap saved me a bit, but the last words of my landlady were ringing in my ears.
Not a good start, as I tried to stem the flow of blood.
Collecting my thoughts, and what was left of my brains, I went looking for a quick bite and coffee before heading of for the long 9 mile return walk along the canal to see the impressive aqueduct at Pontcysyllte.
I went into a pub near the lovely river that runs through the middle of town, and said to the young girl behind the counter, "can I have a coffee please?". She gave me a blank stare, and said something unintelligible, so I returned the blank stare.
There was a toothless guy next to me at the bar, and he said something in Welsh and she started making me a coffee.
So going for a stretch target, I said "Are you serving food?" Not a big ask. Same routine. Blank look, gibberish, toothless translates, got handed a menu. I won't say it again, but ordered soup and etc etc.
The canal walk was truly impressive, and it is hard to imagine the work and cost that must have gone into it. Apparently, in general terms, the old disused canals around England fell into disrepair decades ago, but with the formation of the Canal Trust, restoration went ahead, and now they are very busy with tourism and recreation.
I saw many long boats along the way, and everyone will chat to you on the way past. I had a lady step off and walk with me for a way for a chat, the. Got back on. There were fishermen as well.
As I neared the end of my walk at the aqueduct end, and feeling a bit legsore, there was an old guy on the side of the canal, fishing. He had no teeth (of course) and a long thin fishing rod, so I had a chat as he was obviously a local, and he spoke some English.
When I return from the aqueduct, he was still there, so I stopped and said
Me You aren't wearing yourself out there, I hope
He No not at all
Me Getting any fish
He Not since I last saw you
Me That's a log rod (his line was sweeping right against the far bank)
He Yes
Me Is that where the fish are on the far bank
He Yes
Me Always been there
He Been fishing on that side for years, that's where they be
Me You aren't getting any
He No no no
Me Do you think they know you have fished there for years and now live on the bank next to your feet
He (silence)
He You might have a point
I left and wished him a good day, enough damage done.
Feeling a bit dehydrated, I realized that medical intervention was needed, and had been warned that there 3 pubs along the walk, in which to imbibe. I had responded, that if I did that, I may not reach the aqueduct.
But in the interests of establishing good relations with the locals, I got the phone out, and set up my iPhone Translater ready for the challenge.
I entered the bar of this fine establishment, with chairs designed to stop you falling out of them if you stay too long, as you can see in th top photo, and the bartender said "what'll it be sir"
I held up my finger and pulled out the iPhone, and hit the speaker button and watched them listen to "Sal Wedi Beint Os Gwelwch Yn Dda"
When they got off the floor from laughing, I showed them what I typed in "I'll have a pint please"
They never did say how accurate it was, or whether I had just said "I just kissed a sheep in the field" but it went across well.
Enjoy the photos below, while I nurse my head and feet.
Sal Wedi Beint Os Gwelwch Yn Dda
(7DOS Macro Monday
I am taking some liberties here as it isn't quite a macro although the size of the chair makes me feel small, but I had a good laugh about what I wrote on my last trip and thought you might enjoy it)
A large percentage of welsh people speak the local variant of the Celtic language, a peculiar sounding and looking language for sure.
Bear with me for I have some tales to tell, and many photos below as I couldn't choose which to show.
As I drove into Wales in the late morning, there was a steady stream of cars leaving as is the English tradition of being anywhere else but home for a weekend when it isn't raining.
Despite the forecast, the day turned out very nicely indeed, and the countryside looked stunning especially after the confusing bowl of spaghetti that passes for the Birmingham road network.
I am booked into a very old looking pub, in the small town of Llangollen, pronounced like Ffanffgloflan as if you have a buildup of phlem in your throat.
The lady owner spoke good English, a plus as I was to find out. As her pub was closed on a Sunday, she upgraded me to the top floor room in the pub, which has a separate lounge room, and her last words to me on ascending the stairs were "Mind your head now". Yeah right I have heard that many times before as England was obviously populated by dwarfs in the olde days.
When I got to the top, the door height amused me so I propped the camera on my bag at the top of the stairs, and took my photo to show how the door height was level with my mouth, in case I needed to amuse someone later. Then, of course I reached for the bag on the floor, cap on head just to carry it, and turned to enter, forgetting the door height and heard a loud crunch as top of my head slammed into the door top, the cap saved me a bit, but the last words of my landlady were ringing in my ears.
Not a good start, as I tried to stem the flow of blood.
Collecting my thoughts, and what was left of my brains, I went looking for a quick bite and coffee before heading of for the long 9 mile return walk along the canal to see the impressive aqueduct at Pontcysyllte.
I went into a pub near the lovely river that runs through the middle of town, and said to the young girl behind the counter, "can I have a coffee please?". She gave me a blank stare, and said something unintelligible, so I returned the blank stare.
There was a toothless guy next to me at the bar, and he said something in Welsh and she started making me a coffee.
So going for a stretch target, I said "Are you serving food?" Not a big ask. Same routine. Blank look, gibberish, toothless translates, got handed a menu. I won't say it again, but ordered soup and etc etc.
The canal walk was truly impressive, and it is hard to imagine the work and cost that must have gone into it. Apparently, in general terms, the old disused canals around England fell into disrepair decades ago, but with the formation of the Canal Trust, restoration went ahead, and now they are very busy with tourism and recreation.
I saw many long boats along the way, and everyone will chat to you on the way past. I had a lady step off and walk with me for a way for a chat, the. Got back on. There were fishermen as well.
As I neared the end of my walk at the aqueduct end, and feeling a bit legsore, there was an old guy on the side of the canal, fishing. He had no teeth (of course) and a long thin fishing rod, so I had a chat as he was obviously a local, and he spoke some English.
When I return from the aqueduct, he was still there, so I stopped and said
Me You aren't wearing yourself out there, I hope
He No not at all
Me Getting any fish
He Not since I last saw you
Me That's a log rod (his line was sweeping right against the far bank)
He Yes
Me Is that where the fish are on the far bank
He Yes
Me Always been there
He Been fishing on that side for years, that's where they be
Me You aren't getting any
He No no no
Me Do you think they know you have fished there for years and now live on the bank next to your feet
He (silence)
He You might have a point
I left and wished him a good day, enough damage done.
Feeling a bit dehydrated, I realized that medical intervention was needed, and had been warned that there 3 pubs along the walk, in which to imbibe. I had responded, that if I did that, I may not reach the aqueduct.
But in the interests of establishing good relations with the locals, I got the phone out, and set up my iPhone Translater ready for the challenge.
I entered the bar of this fine establishment, with chairs designed to stop you falling out of them if you stay too long, as you can see in th top photo, and the bartender said "what'll it be sir"
I held up my finger and pulled out the iPhone, and hit the speaker button and watched them listen to "Sal Wedi Beint Os Gwelwch Yn Dda"
When they got off the floor from laughing, I showed them what I typed in "I'll have a pint please"
They never did say how accurate it was, or whether I had just said "I just kissed a sheep in the field" but it went across well.
Enjoy the photos below, while I nurse my head and feet.