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[shak]

After 3 days in Aberdyfi, opening every chance conversation in Welsh, I was thinking it was true that everyone came from Sutton Coldfield. Then i went to buy an OS map. The ladies in the tourist office switched into English as I walked in then back to Welsh as I opened up. After that we had a bit of banter about beinf too old to read the map, how it was a lovely day for a walk, whether it would rain later, how it never rained in Aberdyfi except on the ladies'day off etc. On my way out it struck me that those kind ladies had treated me like any Welsh speaking person and I was thrilled to bits. So, thanks again SSIW, it just gets better and better.

[Iestyn]

On my way out it struck me that those kind ladies had treated me like any Welsh speaking person and I was thrilled to bits.

Sorry, Shak - that's all you are now, just another Welsh speaker. You've gone through the excitement of being an excellent Welsh learner, now you're just a Welsh speaker.

[Aran]

[shak]

On my way out it struck me that those kind ladies had treated me like any Welsh speaking person and I was thrilled to bits.

Sorry, Shak - that's all you are now, just another Welsh speaker. You've gone through the excitement of being an excellent Welsh learner, now you're just a Welsh speaker.

Well, what could be better than that?
I had a funny encounter yesterday, running back over the hill from Dyffryn Glyn-Cul. I met two men and two dogs by a stile and started off, 'Bore da i chi, mae'n wyntog iawn y bore 'ma'. 'Erm, good morning', says one bloke, looking horrified. I was about to explain I was learning Welsh when I realised he was looking at the blood down my arm and the amount of mud I was carrying. Instead, I just told them I'd slipped off a sheep trod and fallen about 20 feet down the hill. You can be too self conscious about your language

[Dee]

I had a funny encounter yesterday, running back over the hill from Dyffryn Glyn-Cul. I met two men and two dogs by a stile and started off, 'Bore da i chi, mae'n wyntog iawn y bore 'ma'. 'Erm, good morning', says one bloke, looking horrified. I was about to explain I was learning Welsh when I realised he was looking at the blood down my arm and the amount of mud I was carrying. Instead, I just told them I'd slipped off a sheep trod and fallen about 20 feet down the hill. You can be too self conscious about your language

All that happens to you and you can still come out with Welsh!! You really ARE a Welsh speaker now

[Aran]

Gold dust. I remember dropping a load of change in a shop once, and instead of feeling embarrassed, just thinking 'Oh good, now they'll never notice all those mutations I just got wrong'...

[RobertBruce]

Gold dust. I remember dropping a load of change in a shop once, and instead of feeling embarrassed, just thinking 'Oh good, now they'll never notice all those mutations I just got wrong'...

Ironically, of course, the chances are that they never noticed them anyway!

[shak]

Iawn ta, we're off to Machynlleth this afternoon so I'll just apply the mud and blood and take loads of change. Everyone has been taught to pronounce where we're going and for some reason they'd rather go to Corris

[sumsmeister]

Nothing wrong with Corris! There's an interesting Arts and Crafts Centre there. And one of the shops runs courses on making furniture from recycled wood and slate and other bits of worn-out Welsh countryside. Anyway, Mach is a fascinating place - especially the old parliament building. They've spent a bit on it recently...

[shak]

Nothing wrong with Corris! There's an interesting Arts and Crafts Centre there. And one of the shops runs courses on making furniture from recycled wood and slate and other bits of worn-out Welsh countryside. Anyway, Mach is a fascinating place - especially the old parliament building. They've spent a bit on it recently...

Agree entirely, and a decent choice of kid's books in Welsh too at Corris. And a wonderful route to Tywyn where I can threaten the grandkids with running up Cadair Idris before they even think of eating another Welsh cake (I' ve baked 3 dozen this week)