Snowdonia
Snowdonia National Park is located in northern Wales.  It was the first park in Wales to be so
designated.  It's the third most visited National Park in England and Wales.  Unlike national
parks in most other countries, parks in Britain are made up of both public and private
property.  Over 26,000 people live within Snowdonia National Park, of whom, more than 60%
can speak at least some Welsh - the nature of which is different from any language in Europe
(except Breton, with which it shares a common heritage).  Actor Anthony Hopkins, a native of
Wales, is a supporter of the park and was once president of the National Trust's "Snowdonia
Appeal," organized to raise needed funds.  Snowdonia is a magical place, home to many
legends.  Its stunningly beautiful landscapes and miles of ancient stone walls and hedgerows
combine to make Snowdonia a captivating and unique area.
The Manor Farm by Edward Thomas

The rock-like mud unfroze a little, and rills
Ran and sparkled down each side of the road
Under the catkins wagging in the hedge.
But earth would have her sleep, in spite of the sun;
Nor did I value that thin gliding beam
More than a pretty February thing,
Till I came down to the old manor farm,
With church and yew trees opposite - in age
Its equals and in size.  The church and yews
And farmhouse slept in a Sunday silentness.
The air raised not a straw.  The farm roof,
With tiles duskily glowing, entertained
The mid-day sun, and up and down the roof
White pigeons nestled.  There was no sound but one.
Three cart horses were looking over a gate
Through their forelocks, swishing their tails
Lazily against a solitary fly.
The winter's cheek flushed as if he had drained
Spring, summer and autumn at a draught
And smiled quietly.  But 'twas not winter -
Rather a season of bliss unchangeable,
Wakened from manor farm where it had lain
Safe under tile and latch for many ages.
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A Plain Life by William Henry Davies

No idle gold - since this fine sun, my friend,
Is no mean miser, but doth freely spend.
No precious stones - since these green mornings show,
Without a charge, their pearls where'er I go.
No leather books - since birds with their sweet tongues
Will read aloud to me their happier songs.
No painted scenes - since clouds can change their skies
A hundred times a day to please my eyes.
No surplus clothes - since every simple beast
Can teach me to be happy with the least.
 The lakes pictured in the two photos below are Llyn Dinas.  This area is steeped in mythology and
one of the myths describes the way in which Wales' national emblem came to be.  According to
popular legend, an epic battle between a red dragon and a white dragon took place on the mountain
next to the lake, Dinas Emrys.  The red dragon killed the white dragon and it tumbled down into Llyn
Dinas, which is how the red dragon came to be the symbol of Wales.
 Another legend tells the tale of a battle here between one of King Arthur's warriors and a giant.  
And, in still another, Vortigern is said to have hidden the throne of Great Britain under a stone by
this lake.
 The lakes and surrounding 600 acres are within the boundaries of Snowdonia National Park, but
are privately owned.  At this time (April, 2011), the owner has placed the property for sale, and the
National Trust is desperately trying to raise the funds needed to purchase it.
The Village by R. S. Thomas

Scarcely a street, too few houses
To merit the title, just a way between
The one tavern and the one shop
That leads nowhere and stops at the top
Of the short hill - eaten away
By the erosion of the green tide
Of grass creeping perpetually nearer
This last outpost of time past.
A Blackbird Singing by R. S. Thomas

You have heard it often, alone at your desk
In a green April, your mind drawn away
From its work by the sweet disturbance
Of a mild evening outside your room.
A slow singer, loading each phrase
With history's overtones, love, joy
And grief learned in other orchards
And passed on as they are now,
But fresh always with new tears.
Tell a friend:
Tell a friend: