It was an epic trip that started with a rendezvous in Dublin with my daughter, Carolyn. Since her graduation from Indiana University in 2018, she has traveled the world working on organic farms – from Iceland to Southeast Asia – and settled in Wales in 2020. This was my first visit, and I was excited to spend quality time together and also get a glimpse into her life overseas – and that I did!
Before heading to Wales, we stopped in Dublin for the weekend for a"Proper Pint"of Guinness and strolled the bustling cobblestone streets downtown. From the famous Temple Bar and Ha-Penny Bridge to the peaceful St. Stephen's Green, we took it all in. Did anyone say Christmas? One highlight was the quaint Potato Cake Company where patrons scribbled personal notes on colored tags, leaving their memories and wishes behind. Carolyn and I wrote the same message without knowing it. What a wonderful start to the trip!
The next stop was Wales, traveling by ferry across the Irish Sea and landing in northern Wales in time for "Sunday Supper."
Day One started in Bangor to visit the University of Bangor where Carolyn received her master's degree in agroforestry/food security, providing the education she needed to secure a job at Woodland Trust. As the UK's largest conservation charity, the company helps encourage and execute more sustainable woodland management programs through educating farmers, the community, and students. After touring the campus, we explored the town with its colorful pier and ended the day with the dogs – literally! We stopped in the charming sea town of Beaumaris where dogs are welcome in pubs. One man we met brought his foster pup to the pub with the sole purpose of socializing him. It was a wonderful first day that ended with a quiet dinner at home in front of the fire (there may have also been some dancing:).
The adventure continued on Day Two with exploring more of northern Wales with the highlight being Carolyn's evening "session." Every Tuesday night, passionate musicians gather together in a local pub to play Welsh folk songs. One person starts strumming a tune and others soon join in – with fiddles, guitars, banjos, accordions, etc. It was fun to see Carolyn in her element and playing with this incredibly talented community!
By midweek I was working alongside Carolyn at an organic farm where she spends one day a week. We harvested beets, celery, greens, carrots, and other ripe veggies to be used in weekly subscription boxes for local residents. We later visited Carolyn's favorite beach, Llanddwyn (Yes, there are beaches in Wales), and then enjoyed a truly farm-to-table dinner from the day's harvest.
When I say that Carolyn has embraced the culture, it is truly an understatement. She has not only become fluent in Welsh but has also immersed herself in groups where traditional Welsh culture is practiced. My favorite was her Welsh folk dancing group that meets every Wednesday night in a local school. They speak Welsh exclusively during their lessons but made an exception when I showed up and decided to "Give it a go" (spoken with a thick Welsh accent). And, as you will see one minute into the video, off I went!
Just when I thought the trip couldn't get any better, I found myself in the breathtaking mountains of Snowdonia National Park in the workshop of a famous luthier (i.e. maker of stringed instruments). Carolyn is his apprentice learning the craft of making and repairing violins. It was fascinating to visit the rustic workshop jam-packed with hanging antique violins from the 1800's. What a perfect ending to our time together in Wales!
Then is was off to London for the grand finale beginning with massages and bubbly at a relaxing nearby spa. We wandered through Soho, where we stayed, and enjoyed discovering new restaurants and shops tucked into back alleys and cobblestone nooks. But without a doubt, the highlight of the weekend was a special day Carolyn had planned as my early birthday celebration. It began with afternoon tea at the posh Goring Hotel followed by drinks before heading to the Apollo Theatre for a magnificent performance of Wicked. It was a magical day and a birthday celebration I will never forget. Before our trip came to a close, we took in some of London's famous sights on a bus/boat tour across town. What an incredible adventure across the pond with so many wonderful memories!
Thank you, Carolyn. Thank you, God.
