CROESO I GYMRU 
(Welcome to Wales)

Our goal was to see the land where our Welsh ancestors had lived in Breconshire, now Powys, and if time allowed, to see as much of Great Britain as we could. My mother's mother, Rosabel Watkins, was the youngest of the nine children of John and Ann Evans Watkins and the only one born in the United States. Her family immigrated in May 1881. Wales is absolutely charming. Getting out into the villages and talking to the residents made the trip even more special. We never saw a gravel road in Great Britain. Even the narrowest of country lanes were hard surfaced. Many of the single-lane roads were hilly and curvy - after all we were in the Black Mountains. When meeting another vehicle, someone must back up until they find a wide enough place to pull off. The rural roads have stone fences or hedges right up to the edge of the road with no shoulders. Parking spaces are pretty much non-existent. Drivers make do on the sidewalks or wherever their vehicle will fit. Many of the older homes are stone covered with  stucco and are painted bright colors such as blue, pink and pumpkin and numerous flowers decorate the homes. All traffic signs are in both English and Welsh.  More about the family. The photos below are, with the exception of our hotels, mostly east to west from Crickhowell northwest to Llangynidr, then north to Nant y felyn and Rhydybont farms, then southwest to Ty Newydd near Llanfryanch, then southeast to Talybont on Usk, Aber Village and continuing south to Vaynor and Pontsticill. Swansea, Scotland and England were sites not connected with the family.  You can follow the route by going to multimap.

John Elias Watkins, son of John and Ann Evans Watkins, was kissed by Queen Victoria when he was a child. Many of the family stories we have from Wales are based on his memories. John Elias, one of my grandmother's brothers, lived in Kansas.

Castle Coaching Inn, Trecastle, Wales. The owner, a fan of Iowa native and author, Bill Bryson, was thrilled to have guests from Iowa.

This is looking the opposite direction from Six Bells Inn. Notice the typical narrow street. Llangattock is across the river Usk  from the larger town of Crickhowell

In 2007, the entry area of the house was filled with toys, indicating it  is again home to a family with small children. The pasture behind Llwynon house, above, was dotted with grazing sheep.

Most of the old stone barns like this one at Llwyncelyn (Llwyncewlyn) have vertical holes in the side of the buildings, presumably for ventilation.

This rooster would have liked to have joined us in the kitchen for tea at Llwyncelyn. There were several breeds of chickens on the farm.

The bridge crossing the river Usk to the village of Llangynidr is  believed to have been built in the 1600s.

The Sardis Cemetery with the Sardis Reformed church in the background. If you look closely, you can see Beth. Like many of the old burial grounds, this is an enter-at-your-own-risk cemetery with tall grass and several holes in the ground.

A view of Langorse Lake from a farm near Nant y felin.

This mountain stream is down the lane from the house at Rhydybont Farm. We later stopped at the entrance of the Glanusk Estate and spoke to an employee. It is private property and we weren’t allowed to go further. The employee said the estate is “only about 4,000 acres” today and the owner is a friend of Prince Charles and “the princes” (William and Harry) spent a lot of time at the Glanusk Estate when they were young. .

This shop at Talybont on Usk had souvenirs, snacks, a Post Office and most anything you would find in a convenience store. Very friendly.

View of the Black Mountains from the Aber Chapel Cemetery. Aber Chapel was established in 1760.

Original ceiling beams inside Danywenallt. The hooks would likely have been used to hang slabs of meat.

Fountain at night in front of Craig y Nos.

The Dolygaer church building was originally in the Pontcicill Reservoir area (near Dolygaer Lake) and is reputed to have been built in the 15th century. About 1927, it was saved and moved to higher ground  when the valleys were flooded to create the reservoir.

Gravestones  and remains of deceased persons removed from graves at Capel Taf Fechan were moved about 1924 to a cemetery about 10 miles southwest of Llangydnir on the shore of the Pontsticill Reservoir to a new burial ground. The "new" cemetery has been abandoned and the weeds were so thick and high when we visited that Alan couldn't even get close to the stones, which are supposed to include one for John and Margaret Thomas Watkins. John (1775-1840) was the father of Elias Watkins. Margaret is believed to have been John's second or third wife.

The gravestone of William Watkins (1723-1800) and his widow Mary, the grandparents of Elias Watkins.  "William Watkins, Blaencallan late of Rhiw y chein died Oct 20, 1800 age 77. Mary his relict d. Jan 29, 1825 age 93."

Directional signs in Wales.

At Swansea, Wales, Alan was hoping actress Catherine Zeta Jones would be there too, visiting her parents, but all he got was me, his sister, a McDonalds sandwich, a few seashells and great memories.

Scotland

High Street in downtown Lockerbie. The tall building at the end of the block is the town hall. Friendly and helpful shopkeepers here.

On the way to Scotland. The land had been pretty flat until we got into the northwestern part of England, called "The North".

The water of Solway firth comes from the Irish Sea. I thought I might be seeing the coast of Ireland when I took this photo, but turned out we were too far east in Scotland for that view.

England

The waves were roaring  and the wind was clod on the English Channel at Hythe. Even so, it seemed to be a popular place to visit.

Kite surfing.

London. We didn't have time to see the palaces and other tourist attractions.

Thanks for visiting!