Leaving Lampeter today was like leaving an old friend - as I walked up to Falcondale lake and through the university campus another trip was drawing to a close.
Friday saw me doing some last minute packing making sure I had my Buildings Of Wales book and my camera I headed off over the Severn Bridge and followed the slightly longer route through Usk and by Abergavenny and crawled up via Bwlch (Welsh for Pass) on the A40 and stopping at Llanhamlech church to look at an early Christian stone in the porch. The church and house were set with the backdrop of Pen Y Fan in the distance.
My next stop was at Llandovery at the west end cafe. This is a cafe frequented by bikers and has a slight touch of the 'milk bar' feel about it. This was where we stopped when I first came to Lampeter with mum dad and Michelle way back in sept 1990.
After an omlete I took some pictures of the church and drove along the mountain road stopping at the small village of Caio at the foot of the Cambrians. I drove straight to Bryn Cwrt Pantycelyn where I was staying. Pantycelyn http://www.pantycelyn.co.uk/ is situated out of town along the Llanwnen road - a road where I drove many times when I was learning to drive with Mr Crybyn. Certainly an unusual place to learn - and I had quite a shock when I moved up to Leeds and had to negotiate roundabouts, traffic lights and zebra crossings!! Anyway I arrived and was warmly greeted by Anne and really rather pleased to have the room I had before again. It has a good view of the garden and of the cobs. Before meeting the others I decided to go on an architectural trail which took me to Llanwenog a hillside parish with views over to the Cambrians and very clearly ancient. Lucky for me the parish church, St Gwenog was open and inside the weirdest font I've seen. It was clearly of an early 12th cent date with 12 mask like faces printed into the side. All very celtic in feel. I spent some time wondering how people found their way out here all that time ago. I was also interested to see that this area is the Smot Yn Du (Gods Black Spot) with many old Unitarian Chapels (you only ever see one or two in large towns!!!) but there are many of them in this area and still quite active.
I drove to LLandysul and can remember travelling through here on the bus years ago.
In the evening I popped back to Lampeter and had a short walk through town and through the campus and St Peters. It was good to see the familiar sights including 'Magic Mountain' behind the college. So called because of the conical shape with a circle of trees (hill fort) and rumours that pagans were dancing up there with bonfires e.t.c. However I have fond memories of taking the trays from the refec and going up 'magic mountain' in the snow and sliding down below.
Friday saw me doing some last minute packing making sure I had my Buildings Of Wales book and my camera I headed off over the Severn Bridge and followed the slightly longer route through Usk and by Abergavenny and crawled up via Bwlch (Welsh for Pass) on the A40 and stopping at Llanhamlech church to look at an early Christian stone in the porch. The church and house were set with the backdrop of Pen Y Fan in the distance.
My next stop was at Llandovery at the west end cafe. This is a cafe frequented by bikers and has a slight touch of the 'milk bar' feel about it. This was where we stopped when I first came to Lampeter with mum dad and Michelle way back in sept 1990.
After an omlete I took some pictures of the church and drove along the mountain road stopping at the small village of Caio at the foot of the Cambrians. I drove straight to Bryn Cwrt Pantycelyn where I was staying. Pantycelyn http://www.pantycelyn.co.uk/ is situated out of town along the Llanwnen road - a road where I drove many times when I was learning to drive with Mr Crybyn. Certainly an unusual place to learn - and I had quite a shock when I moved up to Leeds and had to negotiate roundabouts, traffic lights and zebra crossings!! Anyway I arrived and was warmly greeted by Anne and really rather pleased to have the room I had before again. It has a good view of the garden and of the cobs. Before meeting the others I decided to go on an architectural trail which took me to Llanwenog a hillside parish with views over to the Cambrians and very clearly ancient. Lucky for me the parish church, St Gwenog was open and inside the weirdest font I've seen. It was clearly of an early 12th cent date with 12 mask like faces printed into the side. All very celtic in feel. I spent some time wondering how people found their way out here all that time ago. I was also interested to see that this area is the Smot Yn Du (Gods Black Spot) with many old Unitarian Chapels (you only ever see one or two in large towns!!!) but there are many of them in this area and still quite active.
I drove to LLandysul and can remember travelling through here on the bus years ago.
In the evening I popped back to Lampeter and had a short walk through town and through the campus and St Peters. It was good to see the familiar sights including 'Magic Mountain' behind the college. So called because of the conical shape with a circle of trees (hill fort) and rumours that pagans were dancing up there with bonfires e.t.c. However I have fond memories of taking the trays from the refec and going up 'magic mountain' in the snow and sliding down below.
I also popped in on Mrs Rees (From St Thomas) although only for a short while. Her daughter Barbera was there and reminded me of the time when I played the organ for her sons christening and being used to playing a pipe organ nobody could help me turn the sound up on the new electronic organ purchased for the rebuilt church building!! Well her son is now 16 and Mrs Rees filled be in quickly on some of the local gossip around the church and town.
I saw Jo with family in The High Street - and it was a somewhat moving moment to see Jo again as it has been five or six years! Jo used to live in Simon Evans - the Welsh Hall with myself, Mike , Paul and Nigel and Alister. Jo was also president of the Lampeter Christian Union. Anyway it was great to see Jo, Ryan and baby Amy and we had a meal in the Blacklion - a pub which was the scene of many methsoc meals and debates in the past.
On saturday I had breakfast and chatted to some people from Stourbridge. I then drove into Lampeter and had a good look around the town. Some of the shops had changed although there seemed to be the same group of drinkers at Harford Square. I popped into Hags record shop - for old time sakes where I had a chat with the owner. I bought lots of classical and rock LPS from Hags record shop when it was upstairs near the town hall most of which dated from the 1960's. 'Hag' himself is a bit of a celebrity and features in a book entitled the longest pub crawl. He has also been mayor of the town as well as a graduate! I bought some classical Faure and by complete contrast an 'Alarm' CD - they must have regrouped recently. I can remember going to hear them in Birmingham with my school friends whilst I was at Lampeter. The Alarm are basically a welsh-folk-punk-rock band whose lyrics deal with issues like unemployment in the valleys and devolution.
I then walked past my old house 'Maesyrhaf' which is still occupied by students and Alan the barber is still snipping away. I then took a walk over by Brondeifi and admired the Quad buildings with the backgdrop of the forest and hills behind. Far better scenery than Oxford - anyday!!
At midday I met Amy Jo and Ryan who were staying near Tregaron. We had a little walk around town and unfortunately poor little Amy hurt her head running.
Anyway we set off for Llanechaeron a country house designed by John Nash in 1795 and now owned by the national Trust. We had a walk around the gardens and then had some sandwiches next to the lake. Amy particuarly enjoyed looking at the Pigs. We then had a cake and coffee and I bought some artichokes although not quite sure what to do with them! Our next stop was at Aberearon where we had a walk around looking at this perfect Georgian (well nearly!!!) harbourside town with its multi couloured houses and had fish and chips. It was cold out on the harbour.
I saw Jo with family in The High Street - and it was a somewhat moving moment to see Jo again as it has been five or six years! Jo used to live in Simon Evans - the Welsh Hall with myself, Mike , Paul and Nigel and Alister. Jo was also president of the Lampeter Christian Union. Anyway it was great to see Jo, Ryan and baby Amy and we had a meal in the Blacklion - a pub which was the scene of many methsoc meals and debates in the past.
On saturday I had breakfast and chatted to some people from Stourbridge. I then drove into Lampeter and had a good look around the town. Some of the shops had changed although there seemed to be the same group of drinkers at Harford Square. I popped into Hags record shop - for old time sakes where I had a chat with the owner. I bought lots of classical and rock LPS from Hags record shop when it was upstairs near the town hall most of which dated from the 1960's. 'Hag' himself is a bit of a celebrity and features in a book entitled the longest pub crawl. He has also been mayor of the town as well as a graduate! I bought some classical Faure and by complete contrast an 'Alarm' CD - they must have regrouped recently. I can remember going to hear them in Birmingham with my school friends whilst I was at Lampeter. The Alarm are basically a welsh-folk-punk-rock band whose lyrics deal with issues like unemployment in the valleys and devolution.
I then walked past my old house 'Maesyrhaf' which is still occupied by students and Alan the barber is still snipping away. I then took a walk over by Brondeifi and admired the Quad buildings with the backgdrop of the forest and hills behind. Far better scenery than Oxford - anyday!!
At midday I met Amy Jo and Ryan who were staying near Tregaron. We had a little walk around town and unfortunately poor little Amy hurt her head running.
Anyway we set off for Llanechaeron a country house designed by John Nash in 1795 and now owned by the national Trust. We had a walk around the gardens and then had some sandwiches next to the lake. Amy particuarly enjoyed looking at the Pigs. We then had a cake and coffee and I bought some artichokes although not quite sure what to do with them! Our next stop was at Aberearon where we had a walk around looking at this perfect Georgian (well nearly!!!) harbourside town with its multi couloured houses and had fish and chips. It was cold out on the harbour.
After saying goodnight to Jo Ryan and Amy, Mike and I stopped in the adjacent pub for a drink and set the world to rights discussing the Credit Crunch and discussing how on earth fundementalists can reconcile Darwins Evolution theory with the existence of fossils and science with creation!!! Neither of us are actually fundementalists but it was interesting and reminded me of discussions we used to have around the kitchen table in our halls! Interestingly an old chapel I passed on Friday had the usual datestone inscribed with the date from creation instead of 1860 when it was built. This must have been a rebuff to the scientific liberalism prevelant in the area.
Next day I set off for St Thomas but had a wander by College chapel. I always recall walking in there one Sunday back in 1990 and being put off by the fact that the pews face each other in Oxford tradition! I popped back out to ask the chapel clerk where 'ordinary students sat!!!' However college chapel has gone Sky High since our days and there were even some stations of the Cross pinned to the walls. However the new chaplain caught me and today and said hello - I told him I used to play for occasional services there and practice on it.
Next day I set off for St Thomas but had a wander by College chapel. I always recall walking in there one Sunday back in 1990 and being put off by the fact that the pews face each other in Oxford tradition! I popped back out to ask the chapel clerk where 'ordinary students sat!!!' However college chapel has gone Sky High since our days and there were even some stations of the Cross pinned to the walls. However the new chaplain caught me and today and said hello - I told him I used to play for occasional services there and practice on it.
During the night I had woken up and for some reason decided to read the book of Mathew something I very rarely do anytime! I've always read Mark but the last few words of Mathew really struck me ' And be assured, I am with you always to the end of time.' I thought of all those Celtic Saints - the people who had carved that font at Llanwenhog then my own past and today. There have been times when to be honest he has seemed quite distance but out on the hills and connecting celtic past those words do resonate.
St Thomas was packed and I recognised a few faces. It is amazing to think of the old Victorian church building with its huge cracks in the walls and ceiling and no heating or water!!! And within those three years the church had been pulled down and a new one erected on the site - now not so new at 16 years old!!! Sadly not so many students as when we used to attend the church. The service was taken by a Rev David Whitehouse and as with all Methodist services the singing was very loud!!!! Mrs Rees Grabbed me afterwards to ask about various Lampeter people. I recognised Peter Cotgrove (we had a methsoc bonfire on his farm).
A short walk later and I had lunch with Jo, Ryand and Amy. We talked about past Lampeter things and also our current jobs and church - and then sadly said goodbye. It was wonderful to see them after so long and sad to say goodbye but also great to meet Amy.
St Thomas was packed and I recognised a few faces. It is amazing to think of the old Victorian church building with its huge cracks in the walls and ceiling and no heating or water!!! And within those three years the church had been pulled down and a new one erected on the site - now not so new at 16 years old!!! Sadly not so many students as when we used to attend the church. The service was taken by a Rev David Whitehouse and as with all Methodist services the singing was very loud!!!! Mrs Rees Grabbed me afterwards to ask about various Lampeter people. I recognised Peter Cotgrove (we had a methsoc bonfire on his farm).
A short walk later and I had lunch with Jo, Ryand and Amy. We talked about past Lampeter things and also our current jobs and church - and then sadly said goodbye. It was wonderful to see them after so long and sad to say goodbye but also great to meet Amy.
I then popped into college chapel again where visitors were looking around and said hello. I said that I had been a student here 'a long time ago in 1993.' They both replied that they had been students at Aber in the early 1970's - didn't like to say that was when I was born!!
In the afternoon I walked up to Alt Goch - a lovely hillside walk which I discovered in my final year or rather Michael found for me!! It was a long walk up through some very ancient woods and across a hilltop where the sheep seemed to be watching me!! It was very quiet - infact you could almost hear the silence. Nothing had changed much here since 1993 and I daresay not alot before then either. Could see the Cambrians in the distance.
In the evening I drove over to Aberystwyth - I love Aber and have some very happy memories of when we used to travel along the coast road in the bus as Students and Climb to the top of Constition Hill. Also some later memories when Mike first moved to lecture at the university we had a barbecue on the beach. However the best time to visit it is when there is a real storm brewing and huge waves.
There was no storm this evening but as Mike and I walked into St Micheals church there was certainly something going on. St Michaels is a very large charasmatic Anglican church that Mike attends and has somewhat lively music. As I said to Mike this was a rare occasion when we actually increased the average age of the congregation (instead of the other way around in Thornbury!!!). I tried to ignore the hands in the air e.t.c. but quite enjoyed the somewhat joyful music of the worship band and of course Stuart Bell preaching. All different from the plainer fare I'm now used to.
Afterwards we had our tea in the converted railway station which brough back memories of a long train journey with a girlfriend. It was quite a journey with some excellent scenery although the train didn't sink in Borth (as it apparently did when it was opened!!!). Again it came to that sad moment when I had to say goodbye to Mike but will certainly try and see Mike more often (when he's not in Las Vegas or geography conferances in Australia!!). One thing I have learned over the years is that although I strongly feel that places are important in a celtic kind of way it is people that make them sygnificant. I have been here on my own in the past but it's far better when old friends are around.
On Monday I had my final breakfast at Pantycelyn. Sad to leave my room with the view of the Cobs - and wished I could have stayed longer (would have had I not been having a sofa delivered on Tuesday!!). I do enjoy staying here and I can see Pantycelyn will be a place I will return back to in the same way as I used to with Mr and Mrs Jones Cwmanne (before they retired). A very friendly and peaceful place and not far from where I used to cycle whilst I was at college.
In the afternoon I walked up to Alt Goch - a lovely hillside walk which I discovered in my final year or rather Michael found for me!! It was a long walk up through some very ancient woods and across a hilltop where the sheep seemed to be watching me!! It was very quiet - infact you could almost hear the silence. Nothing had changed much here since 1993 and I daresay not alot before then either. Could see the Cambrians in the distance.
In the evening I drove over to Aberystwyth - I love Aber and have some very happy memories of when we used to travel along the coast road in the bus as Students and Climb to the top of Constition Hill. Also some later memories when Mike first moved to lecture at the university we had a barbecue on the beach. However the best time to visit it is when there is a real storm brewing and huge waves.
There was no storm this evening but as Mike and I walked into St Micheals church there was certainly something going on. St Michaels is a very large charasmatic Anglican church that Mike attends and has somewhat lively music. As I said to Mike this was a rare occasion when we actually increased the average age of the congregation (instead of the other way around in Thornbury!!!). I tried to ignore the hands in the air e.t.c. but quite enjoyed the somewhat joyful music of the worship band and of course Stuart Bell preaching. All different from the plainer fare I'm now used to.
Afterwards we had our tea in the converted railway station which brough back memories of a long train journey with a girlfriend. It was quite a journey with some excellent scenery although the train didn't sink in Borth (as it apparently did when it was opened!!!). Again it came to that sad moment when I had to say goodbye to Mike but will certainly try and see Mike more often (when he's not in Las Vegas or geography conferances in Australia!!). One thing I have learned over the years is that although I strongly feel that places are important in a celtic kind of way it is people that make them sygnificant. I have been here on my own in the past but it's far better when old friends are around.
On Monday I had my final breakfast at Pantycelyn. Sad to leave my room with the view of the Cobs - and wished I could have stayed longer (would have had I not been having a sofa delivered on Tuesday!!). I do enjoy staying here and I can see Pantycelyn will be a place I will return back to in the same way as I used to with Mr and Mrs Jones Cwmanne (before they retired). A very friendly and peaceful place and not far from where I used to cycle whilst I was at college.
My first job of this very sunny day was to look around Lampeter and I bought a Univeristy rugby shirt which I changed into. I then cycled up Forest Road and admired the view over to Tregaron. My next stop was the Falcondale Lake - an area which has seen some of its woods chopped down.
Falcondale Lake is very beautiful although there was an urban myth doing the rounds that it was going to be filled in?!! We used to walk through the lanes at midnight and light jostics on the banks and sit around. Once we did this and were followed by some other students who decided to screach - being in the middle of nowhere in the pitch darkeness we all screamed. I sometimes used to come up here to think - and of course the sad day I left Lampeter myself, mum and dad came up here afterwards. Strange that memory is quite clear in my mind where others have faded.
I also used to come up here to sulk sometimes too. I did this once and came up in the pitch darkness without a torch. The lake was lovely but there were some dogs barking above the woods and the walk was pitch black. I then had to rush towards falcondale hotel as I was scared stiff! I can remember looking at the stars.
Today I cycled towards Maestir and then back to the car. There was a deserted farm house - one of many
My next trip was to Newquay - somewhere I asociate not just with Lampeter days but also with fairly recent holidays and meeting friends. Parked up and had a good wonder around (also in the former Steward Seconds where I used to buy my clothes!!!) and made for the peir. On the way I had a veggie pasty and then sat on the beach until half two. This was the beach featured above on the title bar of my blog (I'm the one with the sunglasses). The lady in the pasty shop took me by suprise by asing me if I was a student but then I remembered I had my uni shirt on. I was sneakily pleased she thought I might be although I guess I could have been a mature student!!
I drove back to Aberearon and then back to Lampeter for a quick walk around Lampeter town as I always do before leaving. I had planned to drive across the Cambrian mountains but as it is a single track road and there is nothing for 20 miles (and the time was 5.30) I decided to go back the normal route. I felt sad leaving as the beauty of the places always captivates me and also having had an excellent time meeting old friends. However I soon perked up after some scampi and chips in the West End Cafe and then managed to get a wonderful view of Pen Y Fan framed across the dusk as I drove past.
For me this Lampeter trip was extra special as I had met my friends and enjoyed seeing them again and catching up with them. I guess I shall be back later in the year.
I was home by 8.30 having driven the long route - immediately I got back I heard some barking and took Jasper for a walk.
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