Perspective

The little west coast corner of Wales we’ve been calling home this week is soooo quiet. It is as peaceful and beautiful as it was 30+ years ago, and since the dawn of time I’m sure. Today we ventured only an hour-ish north, but a world away, to Harlech castle. We were more in the hustle and bustle of north Wales. As much as we loved the adventure, we were happy as clams to return to our quiet rugged landscape. We feel very lucky to be here. Honestly it’s as though the land itself is soul food to me and I know much of my family feels the same way.

Views on a morning walk from where we are staying. Does it look quiet?

Stopped for eggs and bacon in Fairbourne. As kids it was the sandy beach we used to visit. And home to a tiny train. It might become the UK’s first “extinct town” due to climate change as government has said they will stop maintaining its sea wall in the 2050’s.

We then detoured deep into medieval hobbit land for a hike on the “back side” of Cader Idris. It was stunning. Jaw dropping welsh beauty from start to finish. Look at all that wild Heather. Oh Wales!

And then - off to Harlech castle. I find myself both fascinated by the history here and exhausted by the patriarchy. I’m not even sure if exhaustion is the right word, maybe just deeply reminded of it … a world built by men, for men, full of stories of men, men, men. My own family’s history in the region is no different. At the same time it’s hard not to notice the progress, and bridges to new new worlds, within the generations that “touch me” from my grandmothers to my mother to me and now my kids. The arc is always bending.